Physicians Give Back to the Community
March 31, 2009
Physicians at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) know the importance of going above and beyond the call of duty. During these tough economic times there are doctors who understand that others need help, and they are extremely passionate about giving back to their communities. Many doctors at CMC and the physician practices dedicate their time and energy aside from their normal schedules to serve their communities; and in light of National Doctors’ Day, CMC would like to recognize a few of them.
Dr. Amina Ahmed is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH). She is the medical consultant for the State Health Department for children with tuberculosis. She will advise any public health department nurse, physician, or medical care provider in the state on the evaluation or treatment of tuberculosis. As part of the service, she also reviews X-rays that are taken locally. Dr. Ahmed’s efforts create uniformity and the optimization of treatment of children with tuberculosis as she helps to prevent over treatment and under treatment of the disease. She also provides treatment to patients who are uninsured and provides education on a regular basis at tuberculosis symposiums and resident conferences.
Dr. Jennifer Butler, director of obstetrics at CMC, and Dr. Robert Higgins, the associate director of gynecologic oncology, volunteer at the Charlotte Community Health Clinic on Eastway Drive, providing free gynecological care to underserved women in the community. Three residents help them staff the clinic, reinforcing to them the importance of giving back to their community. On average, about 15 to 20 underserved women are seen each time the doctors volunteer.
Dr. Michael Dulin is the vice chair and director of research with the CMC Department of Family Medicine and Dr. Irene Zink is the associate residency director with the Department of Family Medicine. They have provided free medical services at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church one Sunday a month for the last few years. The clinic is a community partnership designed to provide care to an underserved population. It also provides physicians and medical providers an opportunity to work in a community setting where they can learn about cultural competence and practice language skills.
Dr. David Jacobs is the associate medical director of the F.H. "Sammy" Ross Trauma Institute at CMC. He is actively involved in the prevention of youth violence and created the annual Youth Violence Prevention Conference that teaches parents, educators, law enforcement officials and health care professionals how to turn young people away from using violence to solve problems. He also visits CMS schools and hospitals to discuss violence with youth, and collaborates with local youth service agencies on ways to raise awareness regarding the importance of violence prevention.
Dr. Susan Massengill is the director of pediatric nephrology at LCH and works very closely with the National Kidney Foundation. She helped established Camp Wiwanawi, a camp for children of North Carolina with chronic kidney disease, including those on dialysis and those who have received kidney transplants. It is one of the few camps in the country that provides hemodialysis for children with end stage renal disease in a camp atmosphere. She serves as the camp’s medical director and is chair of the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina board and the board of the Lupus Foundation in North Carolina.
Dr. David Pearson is the director of didactic curriculum at the Department of Emergency Medicine at CMC. He is also the medical director of Shelter Health Services, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides free healthcare to homeless women and children in Charlotte. The organization is 20 years old and helps patients get back on their feet as productive members of the community after an incredibly challenging time in their lives. Healthcare education classes are offered, as well as programs on chronic disease management, including hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. Physicians and nurses with the Department of Emergency Medicine at CMC have taken on a special volunteer role at the clinic and provide more than 75 percent of the volunteer workforce.
Dr. Kristin Rager is the director of adolescent medicine at LCH and the medical director of Teen Health Connection. She provides education to teenagers, parents and the community on how to communicate with teens, promoting a healthy body image and preventing eating disorders. For two years, Dr. Rager has spoken at multiple high schools including CMS Parent University, Ardrey Kell high school, Providence high school, Myers Park high school and Harding high school. She also travels to Ecuador annually to provide treatment to children and teens.
Dr. Mary Rogers is the director of general pediatrics at LCH. She has been a member of the Mecklenburg Child Fatality Prevention and Protection Team since 1993. In 1994 she and Carol Robinson, RN, started their own regional child maltreatment center called the Pediatric Resource Center, which later evolved into Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center through the help of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, court systems and mental health centers. Pat’s Place is a combination of public and private agencies in Mecklenburg County that are responsible for investigating, treating, and prosecuting child abuse. The resources help provide the best comprehensive outcome for abused children.
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