| Charles F. Lovell,
Jr., M.D., FACP 2007 Honoree |
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| 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. |
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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."
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