Lamercie Saint-Hilaire, M.D., medical instructor of community and family medicine, joined the department in October as assistant program director of the Family Medicine Residency, and will be seeing patients at the Duke Family Medicine Center. Saint-Hilaire graduated from Meharry Medical College in 2013, and completed residency at UCSF in 2016 where she was chief resident.
Where were you practicing/working previous to Duke? What was your role there?
I was assistant clinical professor, UCSF Family & Community Medicine, 2017-2018, and saw patients at Tom Waddell Urban Health clinic, 2017-2018. I received an Interprofessional Humanistic Teaching Fellowship in 2018, UCSF Program for Interprofessional Practice and Education.
Why did you choose to join Duke Community & Family Medicine?
It was time for me to leave the Bay Area to be closer to my family on the east coast, however, I did not want to leave academic medicine and I wanted to continue providing primary care. I chose to come to Duke Community and Family Medicine given I will be able to provide full spectrum primary care while still being able to teach the next generation of family physicians. I am excited that I can partner with other leaders in primary care innovation, public health advocacy and health equity research. As the assistant program director of the residency, I am looking forward to working with the residents on their equity projects and provide my curriculum and mentorship to the residents.
What is your clinical focus/what types of patients will you be taking care of at Duke?
I provide primary care to patients of all ages. I promote evidence-based, full-spectrum primary care that prioritizing patient dignity and respect. I participate in team based care, interdisciplinary care and health equity initiatives. I will be working in the residency program and seeing patients at the Duke Family Medicine Center.
What is your approach to clinical care?
I strive to promote evidence-based, full-spectrum, equitable and team-based care in a compassionate and empowering manner. My medical interests include primary care, integrative medicine, chronic care management, population health, social justice, wellbeing, diversity, inclusion.
Are there any major clinical care initiatives you have been a part of or are currently working on?
I work in chronic care management, outpatient based Hepatitis C treatment, I am a PrEP provider, I have also received my x-licence for Buprenorphine.
What are your research interests?
I co-created an innovative and interactive curriculum for healthcare professionals on unconscious bias and allyship. I use this curriculum to teach the historical contexts of physician bias, its clinical ramifications, and strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities. I lecture, facilitate personal reflection and group discussion and offer skills development. This curriculum has been incorporated into the department of Family Medicine residency training and is made available to other departments at UCSF. Over 400 people have participated in this training including medical students, residents, faculty and staff across many disciplines such as family medicine, Ob/Gyn, and psychiatry at UCSF, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Berkeley and at local and national conferences.
Are there any major research grants you have been a part of or are currently working on?
I currently have a John A Watson’s Faculty grant at UCSF supporting my research this year.
Is there any other information you would like to share?
My interests outside of work include poetry, history, dance, permaculture, and cooking.