Ohio University hosted yesterday the first in a series of lectures entitled A Series Exploring Culture and Health in honor of Minority Health Month. The Center of Excellence and Office of Student Affairs at the College of Medicine sponsored the series.
The Rev. Ronald Myers gave the lecture, entitled Challenge of Providing Health Care to the Poor.
Myers said the intention of his visit to OU's College of Osteopathic Medicine yesterday was to encourage students to make the decision to make the difference.
America needs more compassionate and caring physicians to take care of those people most in need
Myers said to the OU-COM students. You could be the difference to make the miracles that the poor need.
Myers, a former president of The National Medical Association is a nationally-acknowledged physician who practices in the Mississippi Delta. The region is one of the nation's most economically-depressed and medically-neglected regions. Myers began his practice in the Delta region in 1988. He went on to open several health clinics to help serve the poorest counties in Mississippi.
People being sick is a matter of poverty and circumstance. Myers said. He also said it is up to him and future physicians to do something about the problem. This includes improving the standards of living and showing more compassion in the medical field.
Myers acquired more than 3,000 patients during his 17 years in Tchula, Miss. He still makes house calls and agrees to see patients even if they are unable to pay for his services. Myers said, It is more rewarding to help people then to make money.
Myers was forced to close his clinics on Jan. 1 after the Mississippi Medical Assurance Company refused to continue his malpractice insurance coverage, according to The Myers Foundation Web site (www.myersfoundation.net).
Although I have never had any malpractice suits against me I am no longer allowed to see my patients because I can not afford the insurance agencies who will agree to insure me said Myers.
The Myers Foundation for Indigent Health Care and Community Development is a charitable Christian Foundation, established in 1990 by Myers. Myers said the foundation's purpose is to raise money for health care for the poorest of the poor.
Draion Burch, a second-year medical student, said, (Myers' speech) was very inspiring. He energizes you to serve the poor. Burch said Myers was one of the best speakers OU-COM has hosted.
De-Anthony King, an academic enrichment adviser, said, the importance of Minority Health Month is to bring in speakers to share their experiences and to make students more attentive of the real workforce. King said OU's College of Osteopathic Medicine is a predominately white school, and he hopes Minority Health Month will encourage students to be more culturally sensitive and aware of their surroundings.
The speakers that we invited are professionals from various minority groups and are active in their communities. They will discuss a variety of topics from home remedies to pediatric obesity. Several different cultures will be represented by our speakers
King said.
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