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2022 HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Dave Fitzgerald Clarke, MD

Director of the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
neurophysiology training (epilepsy and limited countries. This program provides
sleep) at the Hospital for Sick Children education to local health care providers
at the University of Toronto in Canada. and teaches the importance of technology
Although he has spent his career to improve access. For this and much
r. Dave Clarke’s excellence in the in the US, he has never forgotten the more, Dr. Clarke was recently named
field of pediatric neurology is medical needs of the Caribbean people. one of six biennial “Ambassadors of
Dunquestioned. His accolades and Medical care on these islands is limited Epilepsy” by the International League
accomplishments are many. But it is the and until recently, there was not a single Against Epilepsy.
extraordinary lengths he goes to for his child neurologist in the Caribbean. On Clarke is a fellow of the American
native Caribbean that stands out for this these islands, children with neurological Epilepsy Society, an elected member of
honor. Born in Antigua, Clarke received conditions usually receive care from the North American Commission of the
his medical degree at the University general pediatricians who do not have International League Against Epilepsy

of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. He access to the latest diagnostic techniques and past president of the Epilepsy Society
completed his first two years of pediatric and technology. Dr. Clarke has joined of the Caribbean. He has continued
training at Overlook Hospital, then an a coordinated effort by the Child to advocate for unity, inclusiveness,

affiliate of Columbia University College Neurology Society, the American Epilepsy and collaboration between centers in
of Physicians and Surgeons, Summit, Society, the International League Against Texas and throughout the Caribbean

New Jersey. He completed pediatric Epilepsy, and the International Child Island countries. He sincerely believes

neurology training at the University Neurology Association to improve care this is the only way to reach and care for

of Michigan Medical Center and of people with epilepsy in resource- all children with epilepsy.

2022 RUTH M. BAIN YOUNG PHYSICIAN AWARD

Michael Stefanowicz, DO

Associate Director of Sexual Health, CommUnityCare

r. Michael Stefanowicz is 33— Clinical Leadership Fellowship. In 2020,
and after speaking with him, it he joined CommUnityCare and has been
Dis obvious he represents the best creatively reworking the practice of
of his generation. According to Google, medicine ever since.
millennials often “work toward helping Always looking for better ways to
others, imparting inspiration, and working help underserved populations, Stefanowicz So, what is Dr. Stefanowicz’s hope for

to improve community and worldwide has no problem taking medicine to the the future? “I would like to see a ‘whole

issues.” This definition is spot on when streets. A recent example was setting person care clinic’ for marginalized
it comes to Michael Stefanowicz, DO. As up a Monkeypox vaccine clinic during populations like LGBTQ+ and others.
the Associate Director of Sexual Health Austin’s Pride weekend, resulting in Currently, many people from multi-
for CommUnityCare, he focuses on HIV almost 2,000 vaccinations. “I believe marginalized backgrounds go to one
and most recently, Monkeypox. Having there are more efficient ways to practice place for primary care, one place for HIV
an entire team dedicated to sexual health medicine for vulnerable populations— care and sexual health, or another place
is unusual, but Stefanowicz says they fill sometimes we get further with patients for social services, etc. I know being able
an unmet need, and many of the biggest if we are on their turf—they trust to go to one location for all their needs

health care challenges are related to sex. more outside the walls of a clinic.” And would encourage better outcomes.”
“At CommUnityCare, there are no sacred Stefanowicz practices what he preaches. With a contagious smile and a
cows,” he says with a laugh. He and a team of health care workers hit caring spirit, it was a pleasure to talk
Stefanowicz received his medical the streets regularly with the Healthcare to him and easy to understand why
degree at the Philadelphia College of for Homeless program, treating people he is described this way, “Dr Stefanowicz
Osteopathic Medicine. He finished his with hepatitis, HIV, and more. He has is a gift to CommUnityCare, he is a
residency in family medicine as the chief also expanded the David Powell Clinic’s gift to our regional healthcare system,

resident at Dell Medical School, then HIV and sexual health services to additional but most especially, he is a gift to all
attended University of Southern California’s locations in Austin, giving patients access individuals who are fortunate to call
Keck School of Medicine for an HIV to care in three locations. him their doctor.”

TCMS 2022 November • December 15