We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Tina Carroll-Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Tina below.

Dr. Tina, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Growing up in a blue-collar family with my father working on the General Motors assembly line, I witnessed firsthand the health risks of smoking. Despite knowing its dangers, he was a heavy smoker, leading to his diagnosis of laryngeal cancer during my high school years. Witnessing his struggle with addiction and eventual death from lung cancer profoundly impacted me. This experience ignited my passion for entering the medical field and serving underserved communities. It highlighted the importance of health literacy and addressing social determinants of health that hinder access to care. I am driven to support and educate patients, ensuring they receive the healthcare they deserve.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After completing my pediatric residency, my first job was at Florida Community Health Centers in Fort Pierce, Florida. I worked at a school-based clinic catering to a large Haitian immigrant population during a period when pediatric HIV/AIDS cases were prevalent. Feeling unprepared to treat these patients, I shadowed Dr. Gwendolyn Scott, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, for a week at her HIV clinic. This experience equipped me to better care for my patients and I became a resource for other pediatricians in the area. Despite challenges such as language barriers and long hours, this experience was invaluable in shaping my skills as a physician. It emphasized the importance of patience, empathy, listening, and the human touch in patient care. Over the past 30 years, I’ve maintained a humble approach, always learning from my patients and treating them with the same care I would like for my family members.

One of the proudest moments in my career occurred during the pandemic, driven by a desire to address the stark inequities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Witnessing the devastation in communities of color, I spearheaded four pop up vaccine events at my clinic, supported by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the county. Before the events, I engaged with the community through platforms like Black churches and urban radio to dispel fears and educate about the virus and vaccines. Despite initial mistrust, hundreds turned out for vaccination, bolstered by trust in the message and the messenger. Inspired by this success, I organized a fundraiser to aid Jamaican schools affected by the pandemic. With deep roots in Jamaica, I sought to give back to an island that shaped my upbringing. The 5K Gallop, held at Zoo Miami, raised $61,000 USD, benefiting 67 schools across Jamaica. From supporting meal programs to purchasing essential supplies and infrastructure, the fundraiser demonstrated that great things could happen when people come together for a common cause.

The most rewarding aspect of my current work is witnessing the culmination of more than 18 years of dedication. When I assumed the medical director role at the South Miami Children’s Clinic, I faced numerous systemic challenges in the community. Despite initial uncertainty, I focused on implementing gradual changes, impacting one family at a time. Change is a gradual process, requiring persistence and unwavering commitment to set goals. Over time, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations-patients who have overcome adversity to become the first in their families to graduate high school and pursue higher education. Families can prioritize their health and well-being by addressing issues like housing, food insecurity, and employment challenges. Our partnership with the Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program has been pivotal in tackling these social determinants of health in South Miami. Ultimately, a community’s health is reflected in the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think showing up authentically at all times has helped build my reputation within my market. I have a proven track record over the last 30 years as a practicing pediatrician working in underserved communities. My success has been with fully integrating myself into the community I serve and treating patients as family. I make sure that their medical needs are addressed, along with wrap around services for the social determinants of health that affect their overall well-being.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes, I would choose the same profession. However, I would have taken some business courses to better understand the business side of medicine as a solo practitioner.
Since I was five years old, I’ve aspired to become a doctor. My pediatrician, Dr. Shuttleworth, inspired me with his impeccable bedside manner, particularly during my fear of vaccines. Additionally, watching Marcus Welby, MD, on television, I admired his compassion for his patients, treating them like family. These influences shaped my desire to practice medicine with empathy and care. My father’s cancer diagnosis during high school further fueled my passion to work with vulnerable communities and improve health literacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.the-southmiamichildrensclinic.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southmiamichildrensclinic?igsh=MWdyNmFleGh4cTRzbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-carroll-scott-a1720855?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Miami Herald