Co-Medical Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Charleston Area Medical Center
By Amanda Larch
Caring for children has always been a passion for Joan Phillips, M.D., and she had a lot of practice growing up as the oldest of seven children, which prepared her for her future. Phillips, co-medical director of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC), has dedicated her career to helping children in need.
“Caring for child abuse victims has become my ministry,” she says. “If I can relieve even a small amount of the effects of trauma for these children, then it is a successful day. I hope that my care is a step toward resiliency for my patients.”
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in biology and her medical degree from West Virginia University (WVU), Phillips operated a private practice as a pediatrician and worked in the sexual abuse clinic at the CAMC Women’s and Children’s Hospital for more than 20 years. She became frustrated and dismayed by the lack of coordination in the care of the victims, and in 2005, she retired from her practice to help open the CAC.
“We were working in silos, and I saw the need for a multidisciplinary approach to effectively care for the children,” says Phillips. “Our current CAC director, Maureen Runyon, had the vision and skill to make the CAC a reality. I followed her lead and became part of the team.”
In 2009, Phillips became the first pediatrician within the Mountain State to be board certified in child abuse pediatrics.
“I have always strived for the next level of expertise,” she says. “The hours of work and study that I dedicated to pursuing this credential pushed me to learn more on how to best care for this pediatric population. It gives me a greater voice for the most vulnerable.”
In her current role as co-medical director of the CAC, Phillips provides medical evaluations for patients who are referred for possible abuse. Cases are then coordinated in a multidisciplinary investigative team (MDIT) meeting, which includes CAC staff, therapists, Child Protective Services (CPS), law enforcement and a prosecuting attorney.
“This is done to ensure that all children receive care and services until the case is completed,” says Philips. “The challenging part is the number of children we see—in 2019, the CAC evaluated 553 children—but my favorite part is seeing the MDIT work as a cohesive group.”
Outside of her role at the CAC, Phillips works closely with the West Virginia Child Abuse Network (WVCAN), striving to expand child advocacy efforts throughout the Mountain State.
“WVCAN supports the development, growth and continuation of children’s advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams,” she says. “There are 21 children’s advocacy centers in West Virginia. I have worked with this amazing group so the children from the northern panhandle to the southernmost portions of West Virginia and those in between receive the same quality of care no matter where they are living. I worked with WVCAN and a team to expand the number of providers across the state to provide medical services to children close to their home.”
Phillips gives back to her community whenever she can, and she is eager to use her skills to train and teach others. As an associate professor in WVU’s Department of Pediatrics, Phillips mentors medical students and residents and stresses the importance of advocacy.
“It is important for those in training to have a solid foundation of the meaning of advocacy,” she says. “I have also done many trainings for CPS and law enforcement to help bridge the gap between our individual work focus and improve the multidisciplinary approach.”
When she retires, Phillips’ goal is to become more involved with resiliency programs and more hands-on in programs such as Camp Appalachia, which helps children work through the adverse experiences they have endured.
Above all else, she says she considers her greatest success to be raising her daughters following the death of her husband, a West Virginia state trooper and her high school sweetheart.
“Raising two girls to become strong, independent, educated women who love their families and are dedicated to their work and community is my greatest source of pride,” she says. “The greatest successes are often found in small actions. I can only hope that my actions make a positive difference in the lives of children.”
