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| Kentrell Liddell, M.D. |
Alumni Interviews:
Kentrell Liddell, M.D.
".....I learned how to see patients as people and not as disease entities. Dr. Weingeist stressed that as healthcare providers, we should feel honored that patients allow us to share their life’s story."
What is your hometown?
Macon, Mississippi, with a population of approximately 2,500.
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I’ve always been inquisitive and have marveled at the amazing function of the human body. I became interested in the field of medicine at the age of thirteen after several years of watching my youngest brother battle leukemia. It was the strangest phenomenon: Whenever I would change my mind about becoming a physician, my brother would relapse. My apparent indecisiveness was the consequence of several thoughts: (1) I had never seen a Black doctor, so I was not sure if we were “allowed” to become doctors; (2) I felt that I would have inadequate financial and familial support; (3) I felt that I would not have ample fortitude to complete the journey. One night after I had learned that my brother was very ill and probably would not make it through the night, I had a long talk with Jesus Christ in my bedroom closet. As I prayed, I promised God that if He would return my brother from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in a fine, healthy condition, then I would become a “great physician for You”. “Or”, I told him, “take me instead.” Within 72 hours, my brother was home doing well. I have concluded through my life’s experiences that my first reason for being indecisive about becoming a doctor was a myth and could not be further from the truth – thanks to institutions such as Tougaloo College. Obtaining loans, scholarships, and grants along the way helped to put my second thought to rest. I was also a first-generation college student. And, of course, the fact that I am a physician today negates my third reason. God has been so good to me.
What interested you to pursue a career in family medicine and correctional medicine?
I consider my career in family medicine to be an absolute privilege. My true resolve to practice family medicine developed as a result of volunteering at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic. I enjoyed taking care of a wide range of patient problems and took the opportunity to learn about each case. The ability to be someone’s doctor, not just for one organ system, but for the patient as a whole; to have the challenge of diagnosis and therapy as well as the immediate gratification of delivering newborns and performing minor surgical procedures, captivated me and inevitably drew me closer to family medicine as a career choice. I never dreamed that I would pursue a secondary career in correctional medicine, but I enjoy it immensely. I consider it a calling, a ministry. My combined career helps me to introduce minority and indigent patients and their families into the healthcare system.
Is there a faculty member or mentor at Iowa who helped shape your career?
Both. Early on in my medical training, Dean Peter Densen established himself firmly in mind as a committed teacher, physician, and leader. This forum is inadequate for me to do justice to the breadth of activities that Dr. Densen participated in during that time, much less to the heart and soul with which he performed each of them. He helped me to become an independent learner and thinker. Mentor Dr. Thomas Weingeist was my first real encounter with a “University of Iowa physician product.” During my time with him and his lovely wife, I learned how to see patients as people and not as disease entities. Dr. Weingeist stressed that as healthcare providers, we should feel honored that patients allow us to share their life’s story. I discovered he did not just give verbiage to “caring for the whole patient.” He actually “practiced what he preached” and did so with every patient. I am very fortunate to have met these incredible gentlemen on my journey. Their unwavering support and trust in me are still inexplicable.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
I chose to attend the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine after researching the institution and discovering that its faculty taught the way I learned best – hands on! When I learned of the case-based learning, clinical simulations, and early introduction to the wards, I knew that I had made the right decision.
Please describe your professional goals/interests.
I hope to serve as the Chief Medical Officer of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for several more years and to introduce medical students, residents, and fellows to the exciting worlds of family medicine and correctional medicine.
Please highlight your major career achievements, awards, discoveries, etc.?
Graduation from Noxubee County High School, Tougaloo College, UI Carver College of Medicine, and The University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Family Medicine; Robert S. Caldwell Medical Assurance Company of MS Graduating Resident of the Year Award for excellent patient care and documentation; Gary W. Jefcoats, DO Resident Teaching Award; MDOC Commissioner’s Coin Award for integrity, professionalism and team work; UI Carver College of Medicine Humanism in Medicine Award; UI Carver College of Medicine Leadership Award; UI Carver College of Medicine Service Award; UI Carver College of Medicine Dean’s Achievement Award.
What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages did attending the University of Iowa provide?What about challenges?
I appreciated an opportunity to perform a morphometric analysis of macular and peripheral drusen as a research project at the Center for Macular Degeneration. A demanding school and work schedule caused me to not pursue my research more in-depth. It was an honor to work with Dr. Hageman and his staff. Initially, it was a challenge to find people with similar interests. Instead of becoming withdrawn as can certainly happen in circumstances like this, I was proactive. I helped to found Shades of Medicine and was an active member of the UI Carver College of Medicine Multicultural Task Force. Through my participation in these two organizations I was able to meet many people and made several very good friends with whom I keep in touch today. All of my classmates appeared to have at least some support from their family. Neither my mother nor brothers ever called or wrote or visited. I maintained a safe distance from my classmates and friends, in order to bear this challenge secretly.
What are some of your outside interests?
Spending time with my husband Herman and our 19-month old son, Joshua; cooking; reading; relaxing at parks and lakes.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?
I have three tenets that I live by professionally and personally: (1) Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I choose to respond to it; (2) My aptitude and my attitude determine my altitude; (3) I’m too blessed to be stressed!
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I would eliminate health care disparities.
What is the biggest change you’ve experienced in your field since you were a medical student?
The wide-spread implementation and utilization of electronic medical (health) records; also, the management of HIV/AIDS.
What one piece of advice would you give to today’s medical students?
See your patients as people – not diseases. For example, don’t begin your clinical rounds presentation with this statement: “This is the oral cancer.” Instead, use the patient’s name, age, and any other demographic information that demonstrates you have taken time to become acquainted with your patient. Your patients will serve as the best continuing medical education. They will talk to you about their lives, sharing their wounds and scars, show you what is most private – without hesitation. It will amaze you, this privilege you didn’t realize you had. Cherish it, value it, and begin to understand how vulnerable sickness and fear render a human being. In time, with careful attention, you will come to know that we are all the same on the inside.
President Skorton has named academic year 2005-2006 as the “Year of Public Engagement.” In what ways are you engaged with the greater public (i.e., population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagements off campus, etc.)?
Following are just some of the things I am involved in:
- Conduct research investigating the affect of HIV management and continuity of care post-incarceration release on inmate recidivism rates
- Booster Club President of the Wingfield High School boys & girls basketball and track teams
- Independent executive consultant who assisted Noxubee County General Hospital Board of Directors with identification of newly hired hospital administrator from a pool of seventeen qualified applicants
- Speak at local churches, schools, and MDOC about healthcare topics, prevention, and safety
- Provide clerkships in the MDOC Office of Medical Compliance for college and medical students interested in correctional medicine, healthcare policy, and/or healthcare administration
- Current Chair of the Tougaloo College Two Rivers Gala – an annual fundraiser and stellar evening of fun and entertainment – scheduled for April 1, 2006
- Designed the MDOC managed healthcare system in order to improve delivery of timely, quality services to the inmate patient population and developed the request for proposal for such services
- In the process of starting a business within my community – Anointed Hands Beauty Salon and Fitness Center
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