With
the stroke of a pen, Charles F. Lovell, Jr., a medical doctor, helped
save at least 325,000 lives and more than $1 billion. In 1978, he discovered
that Medicare would not pay for pneumonia vaccines for the elderly
but would pay
for extended stays if they developed pneumonia and had to be hospitalized.
He wrote a letter to the editor of The Virginian-Pilot newspaper
to advocate for better and preventive health care for elderly Medicare
patients nationwide.
He pointed out that it is easier to prevent illnesses
than to cure them and that vaccinations save lives and improve people's
quality of life.
U.S. Congressman G. William Whitehurst read the letter
and led the effort to enact legislation that set the precedent for preventive
health services from Medicare. As a result, the disease is being treated
proactively and unnecessary hospitalization is being prevented.
Charles F. Lovell, Jr.
Born in North Carolina, Dr. Lovell attended a segregated
school for African Americans in North Carolina and completed the ninth grade
there. Aware of his thirst for knowledge and the limited resources of his high
school, his parents sent him to New York to live with an uncle for his remaining
high school years. He prepared himself for his future medical career by taking
all the math courses offered, studying Russian and French, serving as president
of the National Honor Society and graduating with honors.
"Always strive to be the best.
Set high standards for yourself."
Dr. Lovell was admitted to Harvard College and graduated
with an undergraduate degree in biology in 1968. He graduated from Columbia
University's medical school in 1972. After serving as chief resident at Harlem
Hospital Center, working in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Center
for Disease Control, Dr. Lovell moved to Hampton Roads in 1978 to begin an
internal medicine practice in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1992, he became the first
African American to serve as president of the Commonwealth of Virginia Board
of Medicine. He is an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Eastern Virginia
Medical School and in 2006, his practice was designated a Cardiovascular Center
of Excellence by the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control.
To
America's youth, including future medical doctors, Dr. Lovell says to "always
strive to be the best. Set high standards for yourself."
