Page 15 - 2023-Jan-Feb-Journal-Final

obvious he believes in organized British accent increase in volume?
medicine. “It brings our voices together Broach this topic with him. “The
as one. Our message is stronger. We word doctor in Latin means teacher.
can organize a strategy for change The most important part of my job is
together.” teaching the next generation of
MacClements’ stance on inequality doctors. I have the greatest joy in
and injustice in society is strong—he watching medical students learn. . .
is a soldier at war with racism, injustice, watching the light dawn,”
inequity, and obstacles to health care. MacClements says smiling. “We as
It is probably no coincidence that he physicians have a huge responsibility
is still a soldier. He volunteered in to pass on not only knowledge but “My best shot,” MacClements laughs.
2004 to serve in the Texas State Guard protocols and empathy.” environmental sustainability at the
aiding our state when natural disasters There has not been a TCMS University of Denver.
and civil unrest occur. Once a month Physician of the Year, or an incoming The MacClements’ are
he is dressed head to toe in combat president interviewed over the past adventurers by nature. Travel, hiking,
fatigues—sometimes assisting at the four years that has not voiced fly fishing, and cycling are the activities
borders with medical care. “I am a concern over how much the business of choice. They recently bicycled 160
colonel, surgeon to the Texas State of medicine is interfering with patient miles through the Sicilian countryside.
Guard, Special Staff,” he says. care. “This has such an adverse impact And they are both licensed pilots. “I
“Treating the underserved at these on the care collaboration. Patients caught the aviation bug when I was a
border clinics is really important,” he should be the foremost concern.” And flight surgeon, I met a B47 bomber
explains. “Last year we diagnosed a like the other interviewees, the biggest pilot, and he agreed to teach Verlaine
man with leprosy. He had been positive in the medical field is the real and I how to fly—aviate, navigate,
suffering undiagnosed for years. Now time knowledge and communication communicate, and keep your wings
he is getting the treatment he needs.” available. “It’s mind blowing! Instant level,” he recites.
MacClements is also the Federal answers!” The state of medicine nationwide is
Aviation Authority’s Senior Aviation His rare moments of spare time in chaos. Controversial legislation has
Medical Examiner and is certified in between his Texas Guard duties, his compounded the already serious issues
tropical medicine and traveler’s health position at Dell Med, and his actual of a pandemic and physician burn
by the American Society of Tropical medical practice allow him to enjoy out. With the Texas Legislative session
Medicine and Hygiene. time with his best friend—his wife around the corner and so many
“I feel such gratitude—especially Verlaine. MacClements met Verlaine health care related bills on the table,
within my field,” he says. Recently, in South Africa at a “Pig and Whistle” leadership in organized medicine
MacClements was on the receiving end variety show for charity. Verlaine was must be strong.
of medicine when a couple of health singing and he was one of the back- How fortunate for us that during
scares had him thinking about the up dancers in drag. “I will not be this critical time in medicine, the
scope of patient care. “I am grateful providing a photo of that,” he incoming president of the Travis
for everyone at all levels of the says—clearly not joking. “We have County Medical Society has both the
medical collaboration—from the been married 30 years.” Together they heart of a humanitarian and the
janitorial staff to the physicians— have a 25-year-old daughter named fighting spirit of a soldier.
everyone is really important.” Victoria who is currently working
And training young physicians is on her master’s degree in global,
important too. Want to hear his

Daughter Victoria, joins her parents climbing
Dr. MacClements and his wife, Verlaine. Any place he can fish is his happy place. the Flatirons, in Boulder Colorado.
TCMS 2023 January • February 15