Many parents who have Christian values of faith, charity and kindness hope their examples are carried on through their children. Dr. Paul Durbin has not only been inspired by his parents’ example, but he has taken the commitment to a new level.
Over the years, Durbin has volunteered his medical skills at the Health Care Network Inc., a nonprofit agency providing free or low-cost health care to Racine County residents who are medically uninsured and have limited income.
“When Dr. Durbin came to Racine in August 1998 he immediately signed up to volunteer with the (Health Care Network) program,” said Barb Tylenda of the Health Care Network. “Dr. Durbin has offered his services at no charge and with no less thoroughness than he would offer to his best-insured patients. He has demonstrated the true calling of medicine; that is to hold the care of his patients as first and foremost.”
Durbin has practiced adult (internal) medicine in the greater Racine area for the past nine years for Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group. A self-described good listener, Durbin’s strengths are his diagnostic abilities and his knack for establishing relationships with patients.
“I like taking care of people on an ongoing basis, trying to prevent illness and manage chronic illness,” he said.
Durbin said most treatments are standard, but he focuses on prevention of health problems and persuades people to be proactive in their health care.
“Paul truly encompasses the mission of what years ago you’d expect from a physician,” said Dr. Loren Meyer, president and chief executive officer of Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group, who nominated Durbin for a Health Care Heroes Award.
“The thing that stands out with Dr. Durbin is the individual attention that everyone who comes in contact with him feels. All doctors care about their patients, but he does an outstanding job of expressing it,” said Meyer, citing Durbin’s mannerisms, his choice of words and the way he ensures good communication with patients. “He’s just very genuine with everyone he meets. He has a kind demeanor, a gentleness and compassion that enables you to trust. His patients are an extended part of his own family.”
Durbin, 39, was brought up in a Christian household. He was one of three children in a family that lived just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Durbin completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne. He went to medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and finished his residency at John’s Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.
Durbin and his wife have four biological children and one child adopted from China. In the past year and a half, they also had two foster children.
“I was brought up in a household that giving and being kind to others was important,” he said.
Durbin who is also involved in music ministry, plays piano and drums on Sundays and volunteers for the children’s ministry on Wednesday nights.
“I feel tremendously honored by the Health Care Heroes award. This is a nice pat on the back and affirmation that I’m doing something right,” he said.
