Cardiologist has a big heart for others
Since his childhood, cardiologist Dr. Akin Akinwande has always had a desire to use his knowledge to benefit others. Over the years, he has excelled in his practice and prides himself on using his expertise to eliminate unnecessary issues patients have, such as waiting two weeks for test results, and helping those who are less fortunate.
"I see patients who do not have insurance for multiple reasons. Someone has to care for them," said Akinwande.
His father, who was a firm believer in the power of a good education, had plans for him to become an attorney, but after researching and writing an essay about the function of the heart, he realized he wanted to be a physician scientist.
Naturally studious, Akinwande completed medical school with ease. Due to the lack of available technology, he realized he would not be able to reach his professional goals in Nigeria. He left Africa for the United States and began an internal medicine residency in Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"Coming from Nigeria, you just read about all this equipment but you never really put it to use. It was good for me to practice what I was studying," said Akinwande.
Not wanting to be complacent, Akinwande decided to study cardiology at the University of Wisconsin. He further honed his knowledge in cardiology into becoming a valve disease specialist. He went on to help develop a heart valve clinic at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.
Wanting a better environment for his own family, he moved them to Indianapolis where he became a partner with the Indiana Heart Physicians, a part of the St. Francis Medical Group.
Through St. Francis, Akinwande, along with other prominent cardiologists, developed the Midwest Valve Clinic, which is said to be the first dedicated heart valve clinic in Indiana.
"Dr. Akinwande is a very innovative person. He was able to help me understand a lot about the medical side and helped me become trained in interpreting heart valve studies," said Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a St. Francis Heart Center cardiothoracic surgeon who also helped form the Midwest Valve Clinic.
"Akin is one of those people I call interesting and interested. He has an incredible wealth of knowledge. He's interested in understanding others and helps create momentum in their own lives."
Although Akinwande had accomplished many things in his career, he still was not satisfied. He left the Midwest Valve Clinic and opened his own practice called Pinnacle Heart Specialists in early 2010.
Akinwande is well known and respected in his field, but Dr. Debra Carter-Miller, medical director of Mapleton Center for Health, Fitness and Nutrition, said that what makes him extraordinary is that he gives accurate advice and has advanced technology and equipment.
Akinwande feels that too many times, patients are sent from place to place, specialist after specialist and are still left waiting and wondering about their health. To eliminate this issue, Akinwande gives same-day test results. His accredited practice also has a paperless network that is able to send test results immediately back to patients' primary care physician.
Akinwande also feels it's his duty to help the less fortunate and treats patients without health benefits. Patients are put on a payment plan and are treated equal to those who have insurance.
Akinwande enjoys seeing his patients get well and attributes much of his success to attentiveness to patients.
"Sometimes doctors come in and seem like they don't have time to talk to you or listen to you. He's not like that," said patient Thelma Crittenden. "He was very thorough and I think he truly likes to help people."
Akin is noticing a decline in the age of his patients, but plans to continue to help those who need him the most despite the trends. He also plans to develop the Pinnacle brand to become synonymous with quality care.
"I want people to know that they can come here and get their questions answered. I want people...minorities...to know they are getting quality care," said Akinwande.
Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 4:20 pm | Updated: 5:34 pm, Thu Sep 15, 2011.
Aesculapian Medical Society Welcomes Dr. Conway to Indianapolis
Dr. La Menta Sherell Conway is a native of Chicago where she was born and educated. She is board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She will be working at Wishard's new Employee Health Clinic and at Cottage Corner. She received her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed residencies at the University of Illinois in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She also received a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of Illinois. Her experience includes serving as Asst. Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois precepting the Med-Peds Community Clinic. She also worked many years at a large FQHC in Chicago where she was the leader in providing to vulnerable populations, compassionate, comprehensive health care with a special emphasis on prevention and detection of cervical and breast cancer. She has special interests in patient nutrition, fitness, women's health and adolescent health. She enjoys singing, writing and performing music as well as spending time with her husband and three children.
(Posted: November 26, 2010)
2010 Indianapolis Monthly Magazine Names Top Doctors
Please join me in congratulating a few of our Aesculapian Medical Society members selected as “Top Doctors” in the 2010 November issue of the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. These doctors were among those selected by nationwide surveys of tens of thousands of physicians conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd, representing the upper tier of board-certified physicians in the Indianapolis area. The company research team follows a rigorous screening process to select doctors on both the national and regional levels, “magazine editors wrote “Through mail, telephone surveys, in addition to electronic ballots, they asked physicians and the medical leadership of leading hospitals to identify highly skilled exceptional doctors.”
Members of the Aesculapian Medical Society Selectees:
Dermatology
Patricia Treadwell
Pediatric dermatology, vascular birthmarks
HOSPITALS Riley Hospital for Children, Wishard Health Services
OFFICE 1001 W. 10th St. Bryce Building, 2nd Floor, Rm. B2100, 630-7396
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Ernest Asamoah
Diabetes, thyroid disorders, pituitary disorders
HOSPITALS Community Hospitals, Indiana Heart Hospital
OFFICE Diabetes & Endocrinology Consultants, 8435 Clearvista Place, Ste. 101, 621-1006
Surgery
Denise Johnson Miller
Breast Surgery, Breast ductoscopy, Skin sparing mastectomy, Image guided surgery, DIEP Flaps for reconstruction
HOSPITALS St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers
Posted November 3, 2010
Virginia Caine, MD Named 2010 Practitioner of the Year by the NMA
Indiana University School of Medicine associate professor of medicine and adjunct associate professor of public health has been named the2010 Practitioner of the Year by the National Medical Association. This peer recognition award honors a practicing physician for their professionalism, service to the community and "great bedside manner". It was presented during the opening ceremony of the NMA National Convention and Scientific Assembly in Orlando, FL in July. See the NMA Convention Daily News for August 1, 2010.
Also, see Dr. Ruby Long, IUSM Class of 2006 Graduate, respond to the Question of the Day, Dr. Long is currently practicing Emergency Medicine in Gary, IN. While a medical student at IUSM she was SNMA President.
http://www.nmanet.org/images/uploads/Publications/NMA_2010_D1.pdf
Posted September 10, 2010
Indianapolis Woman Magazine - The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis
Click on the logo above to access article in Woman Magazine
Three Aesculapian Medical Society Physicians, Virginia A. Caine (1), Mercy Obeime (3) and George Rawls (21) are featured in the August 2010 issue of the Indianapolis Woman Magazine.
Dr. Caine is recognized for her 18 years of service as the Director of the Marion County Health Department and in her partnering with community leaders to establish the Indianapolis Healthy Babies Initiative. As a result of this initiative Indianapolis is experiencing the lowest Black infant mortality rate ever in the history of Indianapolis.
Dr. Obeime is recognized for her commitment to serving the inner-city residents of Indianapolis as the Medical Director of the St. Francis Neighborhhood Health Center at Garfield Park. Since 1996, she has successfully providing primary and preventive care to families that cannot afford health insurance. Her work serves as a model of neighborhood-based care that improves the health of everyone in the community. The center has experience tremendous growth, growing 300 percent to 2500 patients with 70% without health insurance.
Dr. Rawls is being recognized for his dedication to increasing the number of minority physicians, even after his retirement from the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) as Assistant Dean. He acted on the research that showed patients who are treated by a physician of the same cultural background have better outcomes. His legacies include the IUSM Master of Science in Medical Science Program, the IUSM Lula and George Rawls Excellence Award and the George H. Rawls, MD, Scholarship given to those who dedicate their careers to public health.
Posted August 2010
TIMMY FOUNDATION INTEGRATION WITH THE MERCY FOUNDATION
During the summer of 2010, the Timmy Foundation will officially integrate the work of Dr. Mercy Obeime and the Indianapolis-based Mercy Foundation into its international programming. For the last six years, Dr. Obeime and The Mercy Foundation have utilized the passion of volunteers and the generosity of The Mercy Foundation network to provide medical care to underserved populations in rural Nigeria. Recognizing that we share a common methodology in our international work, the Timmy Foundation and The Mercy Foundation have decided to combine efforts and are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together to expand our outreach and impact in the communities we serve.
Dr. Obeime and The Mercy Foundation will bring to the Timmy Foundation first-hand knowledge and extensive experience working to address healthcare challenges in Africa. At the same time, Timmy will help provide The Mercy Foundation with the administrative support, relationships with student chapters, and physical infrastructure to help expand their programming on the ground.
Over the course of the next few months, the Timmy Foundation and Dr. Obeime will work together to merge The Mercy Foundation's programming into Timmy. The Mercy Foundation's outreach in Nigeria will become Timmy's fifth international program. In addition, Dr. Obeime has joined the Timmy Foundation Board of Directors, and will continue to oversee the Nigeria programming in coordination with the Timmy Foundation staff. Here at Timmy, we could not be more excited to welcome someone as inspirational, dedicated, and knowledgeable as Dr. Obeime to the foundation's Board of Directors.
To read more about Dr. Obeime and the Mercy Foundation's work, please see:
In these economic times, non-profits must think strategically about how they can leverage their resources, talents, and strengths to more effectively achieve their missions. The Timmy Foundation, The Mercy Foundation, Dr. Chuck, and Dr. Obeime believe that joining forces will do just that. With Dr. Obeime and The Mercy Foundation on board, Timmy's future has never looked so bright.
PS - We will be sure to provide you with detailed updates about Timmy's newest program - Mercy Medical Missions, Nigeria - as they become available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Posted May 2010
Congratulations to Antione LeFlore, M.D.
Dr. LeFlore is in his last year of a Emergency Medicine Residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He was recently hired as an attending at the Wishard Memorial Hospital. Dr. LeFlore is the very first ever African American Emergency Room Attending at Wishard Memorial Hospital.
His hometown is Chicago, Illinois. He attended Eureka College in Eureka, IL and attended medical school at the University of Southern Illinois. Professional interests include Diversity in Medical Education, Simulation, Tobacco Cessation, and International Health. His hobbies include basketball, Bawling and watching his favorite television programs in Survivor, Prison Break, 24, CSI and Flavor of Love. He hopes to be a professional bowler some day.
Posted 3/3/2010
First Hospital Effort to Serve Blacks Failed
Indianapolis Star Reporter Chris Sims on February 13, 2010
Starting in 1939, a new wing was built for Indianapolis City Hospital, now known as Wishard Memorial Hospital, partly to make health care more acessible to blacks.
In a time when black physicians weren't admitted to practice there, it wasn't an easy goal.
The wing, built with federal Public Works Administration funds, was to be used for black patients, according to "Indiana Blacks in the Twentieth Century," by Emma Lou Thornburg. City and hospital officials were to hire black doctors and train black nurses and interns there, but they failed to follow through.
"This discrimination was a reflection of problems all over the country," said Dr. George Rawls, emeritus assistant dean and professor of surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. "Black physicians had a real problem. They could not take their patients to the hospital because they would have to turn their patients over to the hospital's care.
After a 1939 bill requiring the hospital to use black interns and nurses died in the state Senate, black leaders and physicians met with city and hospital officials. The result was that Dr. Clarence A. Lucas, who was black, was admitted to the hospital as an intern in November 1939.
Lucas was removed a few weeks later for "eating in the white dining room" but eventually was readmitted.
In 1943, two black nurses graduated from the Indianapolis City Hospital School of Nursing, and black nurses were being hired. Dr. Paul A. Batties became the first black surgeon at the hospital and Dr. Harvey Middleton the first black cardiologist. But, Rawls said, "It wasn't until 1953 when all hospitals would accept black patients and staff."
