Joycelyn Elders Honors UAMS Surgeon, Calls for Better Health Policy
Former U.S. Surgeon-General Joycelyn Elders, M.D., praised the recipient of an award in her name today, and called Charisse Y. Sparks, M.D., an example to all physicians.
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NOV. 20, 2001 | Former U.S. Surgeon-General Joycelyn Elders, M.D., praised the recipient of an award in her name today, calling Charisse Y. Sparks, M.D., an example to all physicians.

”You can’t be what you can’t see, so I’m glad you’re setting an example” for young people, Dr. Elders told Dr. Sparks at an award luncheon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The award recognizes Dr. Sparks’ work as a mentor and tutor for minority students from junior high to medical school. She is a resident in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the UAMS College of Medicine.

”The fact that you … do the many things you are doing says a lot because I know you have to get up and go sometimes when you don’t feel like it. It’s a heavy responsibility on your shoulders,” Dr. Elders told Dr. Sparks.

”As we dream and look toward the 21st century, we want to make sure we have a health care system that’s affordable and accessible,” she said. “We must empower people to be responsible for their own health. You’ve got to be their voice,” she told Dr. Sparks.

Dr. Elders encouraged physicians to help lead society in promoting better preventive health care. She noted that she visited Cuba recently with other former surgeons-general and found the small nation’s health status significantly better than U.S. public health in some ways. Infant mortality and obesity rates are lower and the life expectancy is similar to the U.S. rate despite greater poverty in Cuba. U.S. physicians should do more to promote child and adolescent health so that youngsters are not in the “Five-H Club: hungry, helpless, homeless, hopeless, and hugless.”

Dr. Sparks called the award a great honor and thanked her faculty mentors at UAMS, particularly Carl Nelson, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Andrew Markiewitz, M.D., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery; and Richard Nicholas, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery.

 Dr. Sparks shared a laugh with Richard Nicholas, M.D., at a reception following the award ceremony. (All photos by Amy Theriac, UAMS Media Services)
Dr. Sparks shared a laugh with Richard Nicholas, M.D., at a reception following the award ceremony. (All photos by Amy Theriac, UAMS Media Services)

From left: Dr. Elders, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Sparks, and Dean Reece
From left: Dr. Elders, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Sparks, and Dean Reece

Oliver Elders and Joycelyn Elders, M.D., (left) and Carl Nelson, M.D. (fourth from right) posed with Charisse Y. Sparks, M.D., (fourth from left) and her family after the award ceremony.
Oliver Elders and Joycelyn Elders, M.D., (left) and Carl Nelson, M.D. (fourth from right) posed with Charisse Y. Sparks, M.D., (fourth from left) and her family after the award ceremony.

 

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Orthopaedic Surgery Resident to Receive M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Award for Community Service
NOV. 8, 2001

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Dr. Nelson; Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.; Dean E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., of the College of Medicine; and Associate Dean Jeanne K. Heard, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P., participated in the ceremony.

Dean Heard, who chaired the selection committee for the award, commented that all of the nominees for the 2001 award were outstanding. She thanked the members of the selection committee: Yvonne Lewis, Ph.D., co-chair; Steven Strode, M.D.; Richard Harper, M.D., Rob Clemens, M.D., Ann Layton, M.D., Brad Tilley, M.D., and Blane Graves, M.D.

Dr. Elders established the award to recognize medical students at UAMS who provide exemplary service to the community. Matthew P. Jackson, M.D., was the first recipient of the award.

Links on This Page

Orthopaedic Surgery Resident: http://www.uams.edu/today/110801/elders.htm
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery: http://www.uams.edu/ortho/
 
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