Thursday, April 8, 2004 TODAY
Loma Linda University School of Medicine news
- Medicine, public health graduate featured on cover of Southern California Physician magazine
- School of Medicine holds donor luncheon at annual convention
Medicine, public health graduate featured on cover of Southern California Physician magazine
April C. Dawson, MD, MPH, a 1987 School of Medicine graduate, and a graduate of the School of Public Health, was featured in the December, 2003, issue of Southern California Physician.
The article, titled "Dawson's Peak," written by Lisa Klink, features the medical services that Dr. Dawson provides for the needy at Martha's Village & Kitchen in Indio, California.
Dr. Dawson, a graduate of Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland, completed an internship in internal medicine at the Medical Center of Delaware following her graduation from medicine at Loma Linda University.
To help pay for her education at Loma Linda, Dr. Dawson joined the United States Air Force and participated in the health professional scholarship program. After completing her internship, she served as a general medical officer for three years at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
"I came from a family of no money, and this was the best solution for me," she says. "I served three years of active duty and then came back to Loma Linda to complete my residency and earn a master's degree in public health."
With her dual degrees, Dr. Dawson is the medical director of Martha's Village & Kitchen. As medical director of the facility, Dr. Dawson is the only paid physician on staff. Other paid staff include a clinical manager, receptionist, and registered nurse. Three volunteer physicians, who specialize in obstetrics and internal medicine, provide additional medical services at the clinic.
The clinic, which is solely funded by donations and grants, has treated more than 500 patients since the clinic opened about a year ago.
"There are some incredibly generous people out there who have donated money, equipment, and their time,"Dr. Dawson says. "The volunteers are really the core of what we do here. We couldn't do what we do without them."
Martha's Village & Kitchen provides free medical services to residents of Indio and the homeless.
"It's often difficult to get the homeless into our clinic because they need to trust you first," Dr. Dawson says. "But it's a real joy once we do get them in and give them a vaccine and flu shot."
Dr. Dawson spends much of her administrative time writing and applying for grants. United Way recently awarded Martha's Village & Kitchen a $10,000 one-time grant to help diabetic patients obtain necessary equipment for treatment.
While contributions and grants fund the medical clinic, Dr. Dawson says she is in great need of more specialists to volunteer their time.
"We could use the services of any specialist," she says. "For example, we could even use a podiatrist to examine the feet of our diabetic patients. I also need a pediatrician desperately, and I'd love to have a family practice physician to do simple procedures. If any physician has an interest in this type of service, Martha's is a great place to be. It gives them a chance to give back to the community."
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School of Medicine holds donor luncheon at annual convention
 H. Roger Hadley, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, answers questions from donors about the gifts to the endowments made during 2003. |
The Loma Linda University School of Medicine hosted a donor luncheon during the Annual Postgraduate Convention to honor the many donors who make a multitude of programs and research possible at the University. On Monday, March 8, the dean's office gratefully acknowledged the gifts given and reported on the progress of the endowed chairs and programs funded.
Guests were treated to a pleasing array of food from University catering and the soothing sounds of a harp during the meal. Cliff Walters, MD, president of the alumni association, welcomed the audience and introduced H. Roger Hadley, MD, dean of the School of Medicine.
Dr. Hadley proceeded to introduce his staff in the dean's office and then report on the endowment funds. The amount has doubled since 1994, going from $60 million to just more than $120 million at the end of 2003. Dr. Hadley reported on the many different aspects the funds provide for, including the Pine Springs Ranch retreat offered to medical students each fall, alumni meetings with the dean across the country, the many research endowments from which world class research is being done, and support for the MD/PhD program in preparing the next generation of scientists.
Dr. Hadley announced a trend towards translational research, combining medical scientists and clinical physicians to apply the research. A $1 million grant to the dean's office will be used to fund and encourage such projects on campus.
Dr. Hadley emphasized the importance of remaining a leader in medical school education and thanked the donors for their gifts that help allow the School to continue the mission of educating competent, capable, and compassionate physicians.
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