Success Stories: Family Doctor Takes Action through HIV Education among Youth in Louisiana

Currently she is treating a host of young patients that have had unprotected sex, and unfortunately, several of them have already contracted HIV.  Countless others are risking their lives.

Margeaux says she believes the root of the problem lies in a lack of role models and communication about the disease.  “When kids don’t have role models, they get discouraged and become susceptible to distractions like drugs and unprotected sex.  They start thinking short-term and don’t think about the future.  My goal is to get them to respect their bodies and themselves and to have goals in life.”

Taking matters into her own hands, Margeaux is developing a sex-education program that addresses safe sex, as well as abstinence, for school-aged kids.  “This is a delicate subject that involves a lot of politics, but someone needs to address it.  I want to make kids aware of the statistics and provide them with the information they need to make good decisions.”

Margeaux has been taking a similar message on the road regularly since her med school days when she and other members of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at Tulane University participated in a national youth-education program — HIV Intervention and Prevention Corps (HIP Corps) — designed to reduce the incidence of new HIV infection among underserved youth.

She would go to high schools in New Orleans and talk about HIV and her experience with treating several young patients with HIV.  Often she gained the teens’ attention that parents were unable to wrangle, and many concerned parents continue to turn to Margeaux for help.

“Advice...sometimes it’s a little different when a physician says it.  When your parents tell you something, it’s in one ear and out the other, but as a physician, they’ll listen to me.  Hopefully I make a difference.”

Margeaux recalls a 14-year-old girl whose mother brought her to the clinic out of concern that she was having sex.  “After a frank conversation about sex and guys, I told the girl that her mother loves and cares for her.  Some kids don’t have anyone like that in their lives and wish for a parent like hers.  She got the message and the family seems happier and more at ease with each other now.”

Born and raised in Church Point, Louisiana, Margeaux is the eleventh child out of 12.  Her parents worked hard to give their children the best education, as well as opportunities to pursue their goals.  Nine of her siblings have completed college and now hold jobs such as engineer, lawyer, pharmacist and physician.  In fact, both she and her younger brother are National Health Service Corps scholars.  The close bond she shares with her family helped shape her decision to pursue a career in family practice; and older siblings have served as her personal mentors and role models — something she wants to share with the children in her community.

When she attended the Tulane School of Medicine, Margeaux worked with a family doctor in her hometown of Church Point who gave her some advice she’s taken to heart.  He told her that physicians are more than doctors.  They are leaders and mentors who have a big impact on the community in which they serve.

Although she’s not sure where she will end up living, she has plans to build a community center where she can offer health education classes and tutoring services.  Margeaux envisions recruiting the assistance of her brothers, sisters and other physicians to help her build her dream.

“HIV and unprotected sex are big problems, and if we sweep them under the rug they’re going to become a bigger problem.  The age of people who contract HIV is getting younger, and it’s not going to change by ignoring the problem.  This battle has not been won, but I’m doing all I can to make a difference and change the world around us.  It’s not easy, but as long as I do my part, that’s what matters.”