Pediatrician Who Led Post-Katrina Medical Effort Honored

Dr. Persharon Dixon credits AKA’s credo of service for her giving spirit

AKA member Dr. Persharon Dixon, a pediatrician who left a thriving medical practice in Atlanta, uprooted her family and moved to a trailer in Mississippi to head the Mississippi Gulf Coast Children’s Health Project was presented the Black Women’s Roundtable Gulf Coast Recovery & Rebuilding Community Empowerment Award.

Dr. Persharon Dixon

The award was bestowed by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Inc. (NCBCP) and the Louisiana Coalition on Black Civic Participation. The ceremony capped “A Day of Service,” which was one of a host of activities that took place in New Orleans on August 28. The following day was “A Day of Presence,” which was the brainchild of Essence Magazine’s Susan Taylor, who sought a forum where citizens could converge to protest the slow recovery effort in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Dixon is one of the saviors whose selfless sacrifice and willingness to help “the littlest victims of Katrina” makes for an inspiring tale of heroism. It was this altruistic spirit that earned her this recognition.

The journey that led to the acclaim and the standing ovation at the ceremony began two years ago when she was living in Atlanta with her husband and three children. At that time, she was heading a thriving medical practice and living a comfortable life.

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Dixon pitched in by donating her medical services to the children who’d relocated to Atlanta. Working selflessly to diagnose and treat Katrina-related illnesses, she found her passion.

Dixon came to the attention of the principals of Children’s Health Fund, who were seeking a special brand of doctor to head the Mississippi Gulf Coast Children’s Health Project. Based on her energy and commitment, she was recruited to direct this innovative program offering healthcare access to children that were victims of Hurricane Katrina.

As the project director, Dixon is a hands-on clinician and in command of two state-of-the-art mobile units that provide medical, mental and community services to families along the entire Gulf Coast. As an advocate, she has been called by organizations such as the Children’s Defense Fund to voice the healthcare concerns of the region’s children to local and national legislators.

Dixon received her M.D. from Morehouse School of Medicine and received specialized pediatric training at Emory University School of Medicine. To enhance her expertise as a leader in her field, she is currently pursuing a physician executive MBA degree.

She credits her success to her loving and supportive husband, Walter L. Dixon, and children, Briana, 13, Jahmil, 11, and Lauren, 7. She also praises Alpha Kappa Alpha for imbuing in her a desire to “provide service to all mankind.” Because her late mother was a member of the Sorority, she grew up in an environment that stressed giving, helping, volunteering and unconditionally loving her fellow man.