It is said that not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they wear scrubs.
Hurricane Rita made landfall in September 2005. Roads were filled with debris. Many parts of Shreveport lost power for days, including MLK Health Center & Pharmacy.
Fortunately, MLK Health’s backup generator kicked on, enabling their community pharmacy to be functional. Together, MLK Health’s executive director, their pharmacy team, and a devoted volunteer, Dr. Philip Kinnebrew, worked through that crisis, determined to continue providing their patients with uninterrupted access to their vital medications.
Dr. Kinnebrew joined MLK Health Center & Pharmacy’s volunteer provider team the previous year and has been providing exceptional care to patients ever since.
According to Jordan Ring Scroggs, Executive Director, “He arrives on Saturday mornings around 7:45 (or a little earlier during the fall, if his beloved Tigers have an especially early kickoff), ready to see his patients. Dr. Kinnebrew’s people-focused approach to care creates the feeling for each one of his patients that he or she is his most important patient. He listens, and works hand-in-hand with each one to build a plan to help them live their healthiest lives.”
Sue Walden, MLK Patient Advocate, added “We are the ones blessed to have Dr. Kinnebrew on our team.”
What inspires you about MLKHC and its mission?
“I have long been inspired by the MLK Health Center and its mission. For many years, I have volunteered my time and resources to help uninsured patients in our community, most of which would not otherwise be able to receive the care that they so desperately need. MLKHC has made this possible for many individuals in our area. Also, because the clinic has its own in-house pharmacy, patients are able to receive necessary medications that they might not otherwise be able to afford. It is our mission at MLKHC to help uninsured adult patients struggling with various chronic diseases. We provide no-cost primary health care, including doctor visits, lab work, pharmacy services, and patient education. I am continually encouraged and motivated by our entire staff as they generously and compassionately fulfill this mission.”
How do you personally gain purpose from the work you perform for the cause?
“Offering my services to the patients at MLKHC always has been personally rewarding to me. Interacting with all of the individuals I meet there is very special. I have gotten to know so many patients personally over the years, and participating in their care has enriched my life tremendously. Working alongside the wonderful and caring staff has given me great satisfaction and pleasure. I believe in a small way I have been able to give back to our local community in a fulfilling manner. When I decided at a fairly young age that I wanted to become a physician, I knew that I wanted to choose a profession that would allow me to help others, especially those who, due to special circumstances, were unable to help themselves. Being involved with the MLK Health Center has helped me achieve that goal and with great personal satisfaction.”
What are some shorter- and longer-term goals of the organization that keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?
“Our goal at MLKHC is to continue to serve our community as we have for the past 40 years, providing health care to those who are in need but unable to afford it elsewhere. We are working hard to ever increase our capacity to do more, adding partners who are willing to invest in the health and welfare of those in our community. The goal will continue to be to serve compassionately those in need for the next 40 years and beyond. These goals help me to remain committed and passionate to the cause and keep me motivated to continue to do what I can to help. I plan to continue to dedicate my time and effort to helping MLKHC to grow and provide the community with quality and affordable care.”
W. Philip Kinnebrew, M.D.
