August 12, 2005
Gifts Honor DCRI Team Members
By Julie McKeel
Duke Center for Global Health
 Ralph Corey, MD |
The Yeargans are longtime friends and patients of Corey's and supporters of his work in infectious diseases and world health, and the Huberts are actively involved in funding medical programs for the poor and needy in the developing world.
The Duke Center for Global Health's mission is to improve the health of people throughout the world through research, education and service. It grew out of a research and education program on HIV infection, malaria and tuberculosis started by Duke's Department of Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1986.
Corey plans to expand collaborations with colleagues at Duke and other universities, with a goal of establishing more sites and expanding research and training opportunities for both U.S. and foreign physicians.
"Our goal is to build friends and collaborations over decades," Corey told the DUMC News Office. "Our friends in the developing world have the will and the energy to address their most pressing health-related problems, but could benefit enormously from our assistance. As a first-world nation, it is our responsibility to support them with money and education so they can build self-sustaining solutions to their health care problems."
Dixon Fellowship Fund
A second gift of $100,000 was given in honor of Dr. Corey's assistant, Christy Dixon. The Christy Cook Dixon Fellowship Fund was established by the Yeargan family. A resident or fellow will be named as the Dixon Scholar every year, allowing them to spend 3 months overseas working at one of the Hubert-Yeargan Center's international sites.
"Christy was instrumental in setting up the center, in addition to being an amazing help in caring for the Yeargen family over a number of years," said Corey. "She deserves this honor, and we were thrilled to be able to create this fellowship in her name."
"I believe this is a first for Duke - naming a fellowship for an administrative assistant," continued Corey. "My colleague, Dan Sexton, tries to teach that when you are presented with a [clinical] problem, you work to solve it or find the person who can solve it, even if it is not your area of responsibility. Christy exemplifies this attitude. She never says 'no, I can't help you.' Her first response is 'I don't know the answer but I will find out and let you know.' And she does - every time."
During a special luncheon last week, the Yeargan family presented Christy and her husband, Greg, with the following framed proclamation:
DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER WHEREAS, the Yeargan Foundation Charitable Trust has established the Christy Cook Dixon Fellowship Fund in honor of her outstanding work at Duke University Medical Center and the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health. WHEREAS, the administration has recommended honoring Christy Cook Dixon for her loyalty and support to Duke University Medical Center. WHEREAS, the Yeargan Foundation Charitable Trust wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Christy Cook Dixon for her generous support of Duke University Medical Center. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a proclamation honoring Christy Cook Dixon be awarded for her service and support of Duke University Medical Center and the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health. |
"It is such an amazing honor," said Dixon. "The Yeargans plan for this to last throughout my lifetime. I was so moved. They have given something for my children to be proud of for their mother's sake. Sherman and Rowann [Yeargan] are such genuinely nice people and a real pleasure to help," added Dixon.
 Christy Dixon and Rowann Yeargan |
"The Yeargan family wanted to set up something permanent in Christy's name," said Corey. "We haven't figured out just yet what the criteria will be for selecting the fellowship recipient each year, but I think Christy ought to be involved in the selection process."
"Christy's a gem, and we couldn't have set up this center without her help and tremendous energy," Corey continued. "She takes care of so many of the details, both in the planning stages and in the day-to-day operations. I don't know what we'd do without her. And I'm not letting her go!"
 Greg and Christy Dixon |