DHEC names Florence doctor ‘Physician of the Year’

By Jamie Durant
Morning News Health/Environmental Reporter
Published: July 21, 2008

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recently named a Florence doctor one of its 2008 Physicians of the Year.

Dr. Richard Ervin, who specializes in infectious diseases, earned the recognition for his nearly 30 years of service to tuberculosis patients in DHEC region 6.

“We have about 225 cases of tuberculosis every year now in South Carolina,” Ervin said. “Depending on the year, we have 75 to 125 of those here in the Pee Dee.”

Ervin also serves as the state tuberculosis program physician consultant and works part-time as the director of medical informatics at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

He said the nomination came from the nurses he works with at the health department. But he said the nurses deserve an award for their efforts, as well.

“This award is just as much for the nurses as it is for me,” he said. “They’re a super group of people.”

Ervin said his job with DHEC consists of analyzing patients’ conditions, prescribing medications and medical tests for patients suffering from tuberculosis.

Ervin’s supervisor at McLeod Health, Vicky Zelenka, director of epidemiology, said the doctor is one of the kindest, most compassionate people she has ever met.

She said she wasn’t surprised that he was nominated or awarded; rather, she said she was surprised that it took this long for someone to formally recognize his dedication.

“In the 30-some years I’ve worked with him, I have never heard him raise his voice to anybody — never,” Zelenka said. “He is kind, considerate and respectful.”

Despite Ervin’s high intelligence level, Zelenka said, he has never had the element of disdain that often accompanies someone who is widely accomplished in his field.

“He was board certified in five different specialties when he came to Mcleod,” she said. “He has this volume of intellect, but he is still so respectful of other people.”

Zelenka said Ervin has a saying that he imparts to people working in the medical field that has served him well during the years.

“He always says if you just listen to the patient, they will tell you what is wrong with them,” she said. “He is a listener and it is a joy to work with him.”

DHEC spokesman Thom Berry said the nominees typically are chosen for the award based on nominations from co-workers or patients.

“Those nominations go before a screening committee and the decision is made by that committee,” he said.

Berry said Ervin is a special person for the way he works both with other employees and with patients.

“This is someone who cares deeply about what he does and it is obvious in the work he does not only for us, but in the work he does in Florence as well,” he said.