Profile:
Cheryl E. Woodson,
M.D., F.A.C.P., A.G.S.F. |
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The small things Dr. Cheryl Woodson does for her patients make a clear difference. She gives them calendars that show medication doses and times. Sometimes, she tapes pills to the instruction sheets so patients can recognize the medications easily. In her waiting room, patients find a library of books on health and self-empowerment instead of a television.
Woodson first saw patients who were confused by their doctors when she was in medical school.
“People couldn’t fully participate in their health care because they didn’t understand,” says Woodson. “It also bothered me that older patients weren’t receiving certain therapies just because of the day they came onto
this planet. I decided then to work with older patients and teach geriatrics so I could influence other doctors to give better care to older adults.”
After 20 years of medical practice, Woodson’s dream of a center that gives fair, quality care to all adults came true. In 2001, she opened Woodson Center for Adult HealthCare in Chicago Heights, Illinois. The center’s motto is “age is not a disease.”
Every Wednesday, Woodson Center provides geriatric assessments. These evaluations look at physical health, memory and the ability to stay independent. The center blends traditional medicine with other therapies, such as nutrition, mental health, meditation and massage. There is a strong focus on exercise, including tae kwon do, in which Woodson holds a second-degree black belt.
Woodson coordinates care with psychologists, social workers and other medical specialists who can help the patient. Afterward, she holds a family meeting.
“Health literacy is an important part of my work,” says Woodson. “It isn’t only about education levels or which languages are spoken; it’s about all types of communication. I take time to explain things clearly. The whole family learns exactly what kind of care is needed, and they find out how to do it right.”
At the end of the meeting, everyone knows what the future looks like for the patient and the family.
“If anyone leaves my office without a clear understanding of what they need to do to improve their health, I haven’t done my job,” says Woodson. “When people know what’s going on with their bodies, they can make better health care decisions.”
Woodson also offers medical care to younger adults and caregivers. She understands caregiver stress. Woodson was a professional caregiver for 20 years. She also was a caregiver for 10 years to her mother, who died of Alzheimer’s disease.
Woodson shares insights in her new book, To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health. The book helps
caregivers protect their health, finances and relationships while providing great care.
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