Smith County Insider is proud to announce that we are starting a new series to spotlight and celebrate the incredible healthcare workers who serve Smith County.
We believe that celebrating our brave, knowledgable healthcare workers is more important than ever as we face the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19.
Welcome to the first edition of Smith County Insider’s “Healthcare Heroes”!
Dr. Roger M. Duke, Smith County “Healthcare Hero”
Our first “Healthcare Hero” is Dr. Roger M. Duke, Smith County Commissioner and Director of the Smith County Coronavirus Task Force.
Dr. Duke has lived and worked in Smith County all of his life, except for the times when he was away for school or military service.
Dr. Duke is semi-retired but continues to serve as the Chief Medical Officer and lead consultant for The Fairmont Group, LLC. Dr. Duke also serves as a District 6 Smith County Commissioner and Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the Town of Carthage.
Smith County Insider interviewed Dr. Duke about his experiences working in healthcare, and this is what he had to say.
SCI: How long have you worked in the healthcare field?
RD: I began working in the laboratory as a helper in the evenings, after school, when I was a sophomore in High School. I was 15 years old at that time. I have worked in healthcare in some capacity since that time.
SCI: When did you realize that you wanted to work in healthcare?
RD: I was always interested in science and biology since I can first remember. When I was in the 4th or 5th grade, I had some medical issues and was treated by Dr. Hugh Green and Dr. Gordon Petty. After I saw how they were able to treat illnesses and what they and the other local doctors did for the people of our community, I decided, “I want to be one of them one day.”
SCI: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
RD: Using my education and training to help the citizens of wonderful community in which I grew up. Although I am semi-retired now, I still try to find ways to use my medical degree and training to help my community and to give back to the community that has given me so much over my many years of medical practice.
SCI: What is the most challenging part of your job?
RD: Healthcare is a highly regulated and continually changing industry. Regulations are necessary for the safety of patients; however, increasingly often, the regulations seem to get in the way of actually caring for the patients. Also, the ability to provide adequate care for individuals that are either uninsured or underinsured is a challenge, not only for me as a healthcare provider but a challenge our society must meet.
SCI: What is something people might not know about you or about the healthcare field in general?
RD: I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about ten years ago, which was a factor in my decision to semi-retire. It only affects my motor movements, and occasionally, I may have slurred or stammering speech. I am thankful that my current treatment allows me to continue serving the community in some fashion.
SCI: What do you like to do in your free time?
RD: I love having time with my children, and I love music. Although I am not the best at it, I love playing the guitar. I also enjoy staying current on medical research as it relates to family medical care.
SCI: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of Smith County Insider?
RD: I want to thank the citizens of the community for allowing me to be a part of their lives over many years. I feel honored to have been even a small part of their lives.
Thanks for all you do for Smith County, Dr. Duke!
Email rachel@smithcountyinsider.com to nominate a healthcare worker to be featured as one of Smith County Insider’s Healthcare Heroes!
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