Related Document: Derm World - May (17).pdf
Proceeds of afternoon’s work donated to local and national relief efforts.
Getting to know people in the community is one of Michael J. Crowe, MD's favorite reasons for being a dermatologist. His visits with patients in his Owensboro, Ky., clinic allow him to "gain insight into more important things in life." One of those important things is helping those in need - something he experienced firsthand last year when he and his business partner, Artis P. Truett III. M.D., and their staff dedicated one Friday afternoon to see patients on a volunteer basis to raise funds for those affected by recent natural disasters.
When they initially conceived the idea, Dr. Crowe and his staff intended to donate all the money earned to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Then on Nov. 6, just before the event, a tornado hit neighboring Newburgh, Ind., killing more than 20 people. As a result, the staff opted to aid those affected by both disasters and donated the funds they raised to two different organizations.
Staff was happy to contribute time for such a good cause, said Dr. Crowe. "It's a good way to get involved and contribute without hitting the pocket book" of employees, he said. Doctors and staff worked for free and patients were billed normal copays and insurance. "We were able to schedule regular patients and skin cancer patients as well as some surgeries (to raise the money)," said Dr. Crowe. The practice saw more than 100 patients that afternoon, bringing in $8,591. Half of those funds went for hurricane relief and half for those devastated by the tornado.
"They lost their homes, jobs and way of life," he said. "We wanted to try to do something for those who lost everything." The contributions made by the staff also boosted employee morale, he noted.
On charity day, when one patient - a fellow physician - found out that the practice was donating their fees to benefit those affected by the hurricanes and the tornado, recalled Dr. Crowe, he opted to pay his entire bill out of his own pocket, even though insurance would have covered the expenses.
This hurricane/tornado relief effort was the second such volunteer day Dr. Crowe and Dr. Truett's practice has organized to benefit a particular cause. In addition to these efforts, Dr. Crowe also enjoys contributing to the community through his involvement in his children's activities. A father of three, he volunteers as a Cub Scout Den leader and a baseball coach.
Dr. Crowe, who has been in practice for 13 years, said he enjoys the appeal of being able to treat a wide variety of patients - from babies to teenagers to the elderly - for a range of diseases. "You don't do the same thing all day long and every day," he said. He also enjoys being able to hear his patients' stories. "I get to meet and talk to a lot of older individuals who have led interesting lives."
Inspired by the stories of those who enjoy helping the community, Dr. Crowe said he hopes other practices will consider organizing charity days to help those in need as well. "The spirit of medicine is what it is all about," he said.
Dermatology World May 2006
