DISTRICT TRUSTEES PROFILES
Courtney Sick , MD
RENAISSANCE WOMEN ’ S CENTER P . A .
City : Conway
Specialty : Obstetrics and Gynecology
AMS member since 2015 : Currently serves as trustee for AMS District 2 .
Why are you an AMS member ? Being a member provides me a way to get involved with the legislature and advocate for issues that are important for my colleagues and my patients .
What do you like most about being a doctor in your specialty ? Ob / Gyn gives physicians the unique opportunity to care for women throughout their lives . From teenage years to menopause , we are able to see them through all of these stages . I also love the procedural side of obstetrics and gynecology .
What inspired your career in medicine ? I was a RN for about three years before I started medical school . I worked with residents and attendings in the Burn Center at Arkansas Children ’ s , and I saw the dedication and impact physicians had on patients day in and day out . As a nurse there was only so much I could do to help my patients , and I wanted to be the one that had the knowledge and ability to do it all and advocate for my patients .
What is the most critical health care issue facing Arkansas today ? From an Ob / Gyn perspective , it is a woman ’ s reproductive rights and access to care . There is a lot in the media about elective pregnancy terminations , and that is the issue that politically is often debated . However , often a less talked about issue is Arkansas ’ ranking in regard to maternal mortality and morbidity . As we restrict access to abortions , we must work on improving access to care for these women and to help ensure adequate prenatal care that will help decrease our maternal mortality numbers .
What is an important cause to me ? Perinatal bereavement is extremely important to myself and my family . I have a daughter , Lucille , that passed away shortly before she turned 6 months old . After her death , I have become involved with Mamie ’ s Poppy Plates and serve as an active volunteer and board member . Mamie ’ s Poppy Plates is a non-profit that provides ceramic plates with the
footprints , date of birth , and weight for babies that were stillborn or infant deaths . We are currently providing plates for families in over 20 states , and the organization was started in Little Rock . ■
Darrell Over , MD , MSc , FAAFP
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR , UAMS SOUTH CENTRAL FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER , VICE-CHIEF OF STAFF AT JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
City : Pine Bluff
Specialty : Family Medicine
AMS member since 1996 : Currently serves as trustee for AMS District 4 and member of Jefferson County Medical Society
Why are you an AMS member ? To network with colleagues to advocate for policies impacting our profession and our patients .
What inspired your career in medicine ? As a student I always had a love of the biological sciences . This coupled with my experiences as an enlisted U . S . Army medical specialist – pursuing a career as a physician was a natural progression .
What is the most critical health care issue facing Arkansas today ? The shortage of primary care physicians .
Do you have a personal motto or favorite quote ? “ Once you carry your own water , you will learn the value of every drop .”
What do you like to do in your days off or weekends ? Non-medical reading . ■
58 THE JOURNAL OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL SOCIETY