Interview Spotlight: A Premier St. Louis Medical Practitioner

Introducing the doctor via Google Hangouts

Tell me about your early days growing up.

I was born in on the beautiful island of Jamaica in the sunny Caribbean. Early education was at Manning’s Hill school. At age fifteen, I attended St Mary’s College where I studied and became a school Prefect and was very active in sports as a long distance runner. After graduation I went to England where I studied chemistry, sociology, and human biology at Sutton Cold Field College and Dudley College in the West Midlands. Initially while attending College I studied Nursing at The Guest Hospital and High Croft psychiatric Hospital and became registered as a State and psychiatric nurse (SRN, RMN) shortly after completing a course in Neurosurgery at the midland Center for Neurology in Smethwick Warley I attained the position of a Nurse Examiner for England and Wales.

At what stage did you decide to become a doctor?

All the time I was studying I was seeking a way to go to medical school. I obtained a Government Scholarship and studied medicine at the American University of the Caribbean.

How was medical school?

Studying medicine at the university was enjoyable but tedious and fast-paced. One had to stay up for long hours reading. But I was well prepared from the studies I had done in England. I was an honor student in Systemic pathology, psychopathology, neuropathology and clinical biochemistry. I graduated in May of 1982.

When did you move to the United States?

In 1982, following graduation from medical School I sat the (ECFMG) Education  Commission for foreign medical Graduates exam and immigrated to the  US. I then sat for the (FLEX) Federal Licensing exam and obtained a medical license in two States.

Did you do any other studies in the U.S.?

Yes. In May of 1983, I entered the Residency Program at Lutheran Medical Center in St Louis MO. During that training I did my electives in GYN and pediatrics at SUNY downstate. I graduated the program in May of 1985.

Since then I have been Board Certified in Family Medicine, Managed Care Medicine, and Disability as a senior analyst, Fellow of the American Academy of family Medicine. Specialty in acute Psychiatry drug addiction and alcoholism.

When did you start your medical Practice? How did you choose where to start and medical needs of the population you wanted to serve?

Following the Residency program training the city was still racially divided and there was a dire need for medical care for the indigent and poor and mostly elderly African Americans. I decided to do something about it. To ease some of the  suffering in the poor communities especially the projects I  joined with the late Benny Gordon an activist  for improving the conditions for Blacks, and together we devised a plan to bring health care to as many as we could. One of the biggest problem we encountered was educating the clients on how to take care of their disease. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid conditions, arthritis and lupus was common. Together we devised a plan consisting of discussions, and workshops. The city health department was willing to help us with immunizations and pamphlets, and would lend us a nurse at times. The other problem was maintaining a sizable attendance so we started Saturday Morning breakfast where each attendant paid one dollar and had breakfast while we presented. Some of the  presentations dealt with  well woman, well men, workshops, how to care for diabetes  ,high blood pressure, chronic pain, prostate cancer, compliance with  treatment, medications, Cancer in general ,Nutrition, heart attacks, when to see a doctor, HIV-aids, and  urgencies and  an emergency. The Baptist church that Mr. Gordon attended donated the church basement for our project. Once a month we had a session called “Ask the Doctor”. This session was one of the more popular well attended ones.

What other charitable contributions have you done in the medical field?

After some time the attendance outgrow the church basement and I extended the talks into the senior residence buildings.From this idea I developed House Calls and was the first doctor in St Louis to start home visits which has now become popular. Patients that could not leave home often because of their residual disability were seen at home examined and evaluated. There were many patients that fell into this category. Seeing a patient at home eliminated the ER visit and sometime a long wait to be seen. A Family member did not have to miss work and a day’s salary to take a loved one to the doctor. Patients treated at home   got better faster when their loved one would participate in their care. Quite often ancillary services such as physical therapy occupational therapy and home nursing care, had to be arranged. The charitable work was also a part of my Office practice. I had an open door policy for all poor and indigent and elderly sick patients. Everyone got treated equally. The majority of patients could not pay but it did not matter. There was always a large number of patients to attend to. My office hours grew longer and sometimes I would be seeing patients until 10pm.

Was your charitable work ever recognized?

Yes it was. One of the first recognition was for community work, from the Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. The American Insurance Company, Black Expo recognized my work in the community also. I was twice recognized for community work by the St Louis Academy of Family physicians and was given the Greater St Louis Community award for medicine. Over the years I have had a total of 27 different organizations recognizing my work in the community. A few of the organizations are ST Louis academy of family physicians,American Geriatric Society, Gateway Society, Girls Inc., 100 Black women, Missouri Health Care association, Affiliated Psychiatric Institute, St Louis  University school of medicine, St. Alexis Hospital, Lutheran Medical Center, St. Elizabeth  Adult Day Care, Board of Alderman city of St Louis., Incarnate word Hospital, Cardinal Ritter Institute. The American Olympic Committee.Tell me about the cooling House you established in the City for the poor and indigent.This started in 2004 when there was a flood and storm in St Louis and power was out for several days. I established a rescue house in the city with 12 beds. Then in 2005 St Louis had temperatures in excess of 110 degree Fahrenheit. The building was again used for rescuing the poor who had no electricity or air conditioning. We had several patients on oxygen and   some bed ridden patients stayed for 1 to 2 weeks when it was safe for them to go back to their homes. In this instant the building was used as a cooling center during the day and I partnered with the city.

Do you plan to retire anytime soon?

I have no plans to retire. As long as I am capable of contributing something to make the community better I will be doing so. I could do with having a vacation but I am afraid I do not have the means at this time. I would encourage anyone who can afford it to help someone especially the indigent, poor and elderly, to do so. It helps to relieve their suffering, and pain." Every little bit helps".

Breaking News: Ancient History Uncovered

As mentioned in the Judicial Letter Series, during the research phase an ancient photograph surfaced dating back to an estimated time before the 21st century. The revealing of this historical artifact was extremely influential in formulating a theory of how he was able to help create a sphere of influence for the local community.

For a more detailed in-depth summary, please visit: https://drdevongolding.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/ancient-historical-artifact-discovered-in-old-ruins/

Recently Featured For Work in Saint Alexius Hospital

Courtesy of Newswire.net

On March 8, 2016, public recognition was awarded to Dr. Devon Golding for his role on the advisory board for the Saint Alexius Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been dedicated to serving his local community for over six years. A special ceremony was held to honor Dr. Golding at the Gravois Park. 

For a more detailed version of this event please visit: http://newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00092062-doctor-devon-golding-recognized-saint-alexius-hospital.html

Community Honours Jamaican doctor

Personalities 

The St. Louis Academy of Family Physicians in Missouri recently granted its highest award to a Jamaican, Dr. Devon Golding, for his contribution to health care in the city of St. Louis.

The prestigious award recognizes activities by family physicians who contribute significantly to the health of residents of St. Louis, or who further the professional of family medicine. Recipients are selected by peer vote of the Academy's membership, Dr. Golding is the first non-American to receive this award.

This nomination by fellow medical practitioners cited his commitment to seeing at least five patients per day, at no charge, and his organisation of monthly Saturday morning health breakfasts for under-insured and indigent persons.

Dr. Golding is a past student of St. Mary's College, Above Rocks, St. Catherine. He received his early medical training at the University of Birmingham, England, and Lutheran Medical Centre in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the St. Louis Academy of Family Physicians, and has served on the board of both organizations. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association, and the American Association of Managed Care Physicians.

He is board certified in a number of medical disciplines including: the American Board of Family Physicians, the American Board of Managed Care Physicians, and the American Board of Disability Analysts. Dr. Golding is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and is one of the limited number of certified medical directors for long term care in the United States. His area of specialization is geriatric medicine, including general practice and neurology.

To whom concern may be possessed

Dr. Devon Golding is a personal friend and colleague. I therefore am privileged to write this note to the Judge on his behalf.

However, under the new circumstances this comes with a very heavy heart. I would therefore like to take a few steps back to over 30 years ago. That being the time when a young, vibrant, smart African American male took to the medical oath to "Respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world would know. Most especially, must I treat with care in matter of life and death. If it is given to me a life, all thanks, but it may also be within my powers to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own fragility. Above all, I must not play as God. I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, or a cancerous growth, but a sick human whose illness may affect the persons family and economic stability. My responsibility therefore, includes these related problems."

At the time I can only image this proud, wide-eyed, human being, revving up his engine, ready to make a mark on this world. All whilst trying to make a living and provide for his family.

So, lets fast forward to today; over 30 years later, and here he stands. Will he continue to provide the service to our fellow human beings? Mistakes were made. But I firmly believe Dr. Golding would never break oath.

As we traced the bureaucracy of the "new millennium" we see that baby boomers apparently no longer fit. Is there remediation and second changes? Are they too old to be re-meditated?

I dear to say there has to be a better way. However, for now it is left up to the justice system. A system that includes all colors and creeds. Martin Luther King in one of his speeches eloquently said "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Your honor, Dr. Golding has practiced the art of medicine for over 30 years; he is a consummate professional. He is effortlessly talented and intelligent. He has served the under served all of his career, and he is perhaps one of the few, if not the only remaining physician that currently sees the need to pickup his medical bag and visit a patient in their home. Usually in places and neighborhoods that are considered "less than desirable".

Dr. Golding has approached his work with his life principles of honesty, integrity, and reliability. Qualities that have truly made him successful over the years.

As he now faces this mountain in his life and career, my prayers be the long arc of justice will bend towards him. To silence this talented individual would not only be an injustice to him but more importantly an injustice to the thousands of patients he has served and potential patients he could serve in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my humble note.