The Campbell Community Care Clinic: Meet Cynthia Lee
Introduction:
My name is Cynthia Dawn Lee. My hometown is Meadow, NC, a small community outside of Benson, NC, and I presently reside in Dunn, NC. I earned a Bachelor of Science (1997) and Masters (2001) in Nursing at UNC-Chapel Hill, and in 2016, I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice also at UNC-Chapel Hill. A fun fact about me: I own a farm in Meadow, NC with my brother, and we raise goats and pigs together.
Hobbies and interests:
I love to travel, especially internationally. I enjoy reading any genre of books and watching any type of sports. My preferences stretch far and wide. I also love incorporating medical mission work in my life such as working at camps for those with special needs. I’m also a Team Provider for Midway High School outside of Dunn, NC.
How are you involved with the CUCCC?
My volunteer role at the CUCCC and the Mobile Clinic is to precept students. I listen to their assessment of the patient and discuss differentials and plans. I also ask pertinent questions to guide students in their learning regarding disease states and treatment for them.
How has telemedicine impacted your work with the clinics?
Telemedicine has allowed access to care when in-person care was being limited. My experience has been with telemedicine being used more in primary care rather than specialties like psychiatry. I am definitely becoming more tech-savvy to overcome any obstacle using telemedicine and enjoy the flexibility it brings to seeing patients.
What is the relationship dynamic between the attending and students?
The relationship dynamic between the attending and the student is open and pliable. Students present cases, discuss differentials, plans, and future plans to the attending. In turn, the attending asks about assessments and findings, differentials to consider or not, and thoughts about plans. Each person brings something to the table that is shared and discussed. Each person, whether an attending or student, benefits from the interaction. These roles lead to good patient care because of the inquisitive minds of the students and reassurance and guidance of the attending.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
The most enjoyable part of my volunteer experience is sharing my knowledge with students and learning from each other. Students are eager to learn and participate. Recently, I taught several students how to do a nasopharyngeal swab for COVID.
When I work with the mobile clinic, it reminds me of doing mission work. We go to the patients and meet them where they are, which is very reminiscent of my international experience.
The services and access the clinics provide is essential. Not everyone is afforded the same healthcare opportunities and this levels the playing field for service and access. The most important thing I have taken me with is the spirit of caring from rising clinicians – med students, pharmacy, and PA students.
