In a ceremony hosted by St. Francis Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, Dr. Wilburn Durousseau, an OB/GYN and active member of the St. Francis medical staff since 1968, was honored for 56 years of service to the community. Congresswoman Nanette Barragan’s office and the City of Lynwood each presented proclamations to Dr. Durousseau in recognition of his dedicated career to ensuring health equity and access in underserved communities, particularly for women of color in need of maternity services. He has cared for countless women and delivered upwards of ten thousand babies. He continues to practice today, assisting with C-sections, mentoring new clinicians, and lending his expertise to doctors, nurses, and staff alike. He is committed to building a pipeline of future physicians and served on the King-Drew Medical Center teaching staff for 38 years. He maintains a busy schedule precepting medical students in the Family Life Center of St. Francis to this day.
In remarks he shared at the ceremony, CEO Clay Farell highlighted the people and experiences in Dr. Durousseau’s past that contributed to who he is today, including his mother, Dr. Kathleen Jones-King, who was the only African-American woman on the founding staff of St. Francis Medical Center. Clay said, “In his long career, Dr. Durousseau has stood on the shoulders of pioneers, none more influential than his mother. But he has truly blazed his own trail, as student, physician, sailor, peacemaker, teacher, and advocate. And through his profession he has advanced both the practice of medicine and the progress of our society for generations to come.”
Chief of Staff Ayman Alladawi, MD, elaborated on Dr. Duroussseau’s professional influence and personal integrity, citing, “Over my time at this hospital and working with Dr. Durousseau, I’ve witnessed many nurses who rely on him, many physicians who look up to him, and quite frankly, many patients who are alive because of him.” Dr. Alladawi described him as tough, diligent, possessing surgical excellence and clinical acumen, with his most understated characteristics being genuineness and honesty. Dr. Alladawi said, “At the end of the day, what Dr. Durousseau cares about is doing the right thing and taking care of our patients.”
In making the formal presentations, Ernesto Gomez, Field Representative and Caseworker from the office of Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), expressed the Congresswoman’s commendation for Dr. Durousseau’s exceptional leadership and commitment to serving the community. Similarly, Lynwood Mayor Jose Solache and Mayor Pro Tem Rita Soto underscored that the city is currently celebrating its 103rd anniversary year, and that Dr. Dourousseau has given his “time, commitment, and passion” to this community for more than half of this era.
Following the civic recognitions and accolades from hospital partners and peers, Dr. Durousseau took a moment to reciprocate his appreciation. He first thanked God for his health and his parents for giving him a nurturing environment in which to grow and practice medicine over the years. He acknowledged his late wife for being his greatest advocate, and his children for “keeping him in line” and making him so proud. He thanked residents – past and present – for the opportunity to teach and the demands it placed on him to clarify and refine his thinking. Students, he affiirmed, “teach you more than you are ever able to impart to them.”
Dr. Durousseau recognized his time in the military, his respect for the service, and his trust that when we sit down face-to-face, “this country and our communities will be able to come together and solve our problems.”
In closing, Dr. Durousseau said, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you and this community. Thank you to the hospital for being here all these years. Hopefully, despite the challenges, we will be able to continue to serve this community in the future.”
St. Francis Medical Center is grateful for the guidance, support, and care Dr. Durousseau has generously shared with the hospital and community. The healthcare team looks forward to serving alongside him for another 56 years.
