SU Health Center Continues Search for New Physician

The doctor is not in.
Since Yolonda Hill, MD, resigned, the Baranco-Hill Health Center has been struggling to find a replacement.
Last September, she married and relocated to Houston.
According to Pamela Metoyer, nurse manager of the health center, it has been a difficult task trying to hire a new doctor.
“I have made numerous phone calls and attempts to get in contact with the primary care group we were working with to find someone, but they have yet to take action,” Metoyer said.
The absence of Hill has taken a tremendous toll on female students. She was the only female physician on staff and she was in charge of the of the Women’s Clinic.
“Some of my friends don’t go to the infirmary because there is not a female doctor working back there,” said Tamara Washington, a freshman from Monroe majoring in english. “I think females would feel more comfortable sharing their problems with another female.”
Metoyer said the Women’s Clinic would not be re-implemented until a replacement is found that can see students at night.
“We’ve been trying to find a doctor since January but unfortunately no one has been found that could handle both responsibilities,” said Metoyer.
Currently P.E. Dawson, MD, is the only physician on staff. Eight nurses and a pharmacist assist him.
Without a full staff, the health center is working twice as hard to accommodate the needs of students.
“When I sprained my wrist, I tried to go to the infirmary and get it wrapped but the doctor was too busy to see me, ” said Raven Howard, a sophomore from Riverside, Calif. majoring in mass communications. “They need to get more doctors back there so everyone can have the opportunity to receive treatment.”
Metoyer said a permanent replacement for Hill should be hired this summer.