NORFOLK, Va. - Dr. Charles Lovell has been an advocate for quality healthcare for the most vulnerable since he started his medical practice in Norfolk 42 years ago.
In the 80s, he realized Medicare wouldn’t pay for elderly patients to have a pneumonia vaccine, so he lobbied Congress. As a result, preventive health services were added to the plan.
He was the first African American doctor to serve on the Virginia Board of Medicine, and he has been recognized by several groups of being a trailblazer in the community.
"In addition to seeing patients in his Downtown Norfolk medical office, Dr. Lovell spends a great deal of time on research.”
“It keeps me on the cutting edge of medicine, and I enjoy it," Dr. Lovell said.
Having done a stint at the Centers for Disease Control in Richmond early in his career, he knows the importance of doing the research to fight coronavirus.
“We work on vaccine development, and we’ll be working on a COVID vaccine at the beginning of the year," he said.
You can tell he loves what he does by the way he treats his patients. Longtime patient Maureen Anderson nominated the good doctor for a People Taking Action award.
“He never has that moment where he’s going to say, 'I can’t fix this. Let me see what I can do I’ll get to you,' and he’s there for you.”
And talk about a family practice! Three generations of Maureen’s family have been patients of Dr. Lovell: Maureen, her mom and Maureen’s daughter.
Related: People Taking Action: Local retiree surprised for her endless volunteering!
"I think it’s the security I get from our doctor. You know, when things are going wrong, I’m able to come in and I’m also able to reach him after hours," she said.
And just when he thought he was finished for the day, we surprised the good doc in his office, where we surprised him with a People Taking Action award and a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner, Southern Bank.
"Thank you so much," he said.
To nominate someone for a People Taking Action Award, click here.
