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From left, Dr. Susanna Von Essen, Dr. John Spurzem, Dr. Deb Romberger, Dr. Jose Romero and Mary Lee Fitzsimmons, executive director, Indian Chicano Health Center. |
Four UNMC/NHS physicians received the prestigious Milagro Award last month from the Indian Chicano Health Center. They are Deb Romberger, M.D., pulmonary medicine, Jose Romero, M.D., pediatric infectious disease; John Spurzem, M.D., pulmonary medicine and Susanna Von Essen, M.D., pulmonary medicine and sleep disorders.
Miracle workers
“Milagro” is Spanish for “miracle” and to people with tuberculosis, the physicians are miracle workers. Five years ago the doctors created, and now operate, a tuberculosis clinic at the Indian Chicano Health Center — a clinic for prevention and treatment of the disease.
“When Dr. Romberger invited me to participate and I saw the need for these services, I decided that I had to become more involved,” Dr. Von Essen said. “The most rewarding part is seeing the smiles of the patients. They are so appreciative of the care we give them.”
The doctors hold a monthly evening clinic, seeing more than 60 patients a
month. In addition to seeing patients at the Indian Chicano Health Center,
they see patients in their own offices, attend meetings with state and local
health department administrators and have gone to great lengths to provide care, education and medication to their patients.
“We consider the volunteer work that these physicians have done with our Tuberculosis Clinic nothing short of miraculous,” says Kristine McVea, M.D., M.P.H., medical director, Indian Chicano Health Center.
Treating tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is primarily a disease of the poor. As a result, immigrants who have fled the poverty of their home countries sometimes bring the disease with them to the United States. Fortunately, tuberculosis is not only controllable, but also preventable.
“I have a strong interest in public health and was concerned that the State of Nebraska wasn’t doing enough to screen and treat either latent or active TB in immigrant populations,” Dr. Spurzem said. “It has been very rewarding to work with the other volunteers such as the volunteer interpreters.”
The Milagro awards
This is the third year for the Milagro Awards, which are given annually to
the person or persons who have made extraordinary contributions to the
clinic and its patients.
“I’m shocked and extremely honored to receive this award,” Dr. Romero said. “I never expected to be honored for doing what I truly enjoy and think all physicians should be giving back to the community in a manner that’s outside what they’re salaried to do. I will cherish this award most among those that I’ve received.”
Dr. Romberger agrees with the importance of the award. “There are so many people who do so much to make the Indian Chicano clinic work that it is humbling to be recognized for our small part,” she said.
For more information
For more information, contact Robin Matthews, community relations director of the Indian Chicano Health Center at 734-4110, ext. 279.