Former Teacher Enjoys New Role as Patient Advocate

 

Fadine Roquemore

She retired 11 years ago after 23 years of teaching so she could take it easy. Now volunteer Fadine Roquemore says she’s been doing more than when she worked.

These days she’s a constant presence at Martin Luther King Health Center.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about my health center,” Roquemore said. “Every time I walk through the doors I get a warm welcome.”

And that’s true. As soon as she sets foot in the health center, staff and patients wave, smile and offer a hug.

The spry 69-year-old makes rounds checking on patients, and ends up in the pharmacy where she volunteers most of her time showing patients where to go, and how the Qmatic system works.

“She’s an advocate of the heart,” said Carolyn Bell, MLK Director. “She’s our number one patient advocate. She is an integral part of our connection between the community and our health center.”

Roquemore volunteers at the pharmacy, is chair of the MLK health advisory council and serves on other boards. Her calendar is so full, even her husband loses track of where she is.

“I know if she’s not at the house she’s either at MLK or on her way to MLK,” said Hubert Roquemore.

Volunteering gives her the sense of doing something for someone else. Her motto is: “You can’t stop me from helping, because you can’t hire me and you can’t fire me.”

“I’ve got nothing but time. I may be retired, but you couldn’t tell if you looked at my calendar,” Roquemore said. “I’m available whenever I am needed.”

Truly dedicated, she meets with HCHD staff to keep abreast of what’s going on with her center and the Hospital District as a whole. She also attends the monthly Board of Managers meetings.

Her primary goal right now is to see MLK move out of Quentin Mease Community Hospital and into its own building.

“The big payoff for volunteering is not money. It’s the fact that I am being a good steward of my time, serving others wherever and whenever,” she said.