|
by Tara Beverly
Nothing can slow down Carl J.
Denbow, Ph.D. Whether he was teaching journalism at Marshall
University, director of public relations at Kirksville College
of Osteopathic Medicine, working for WOUB radio, serving in the
U.S. Navy or director of communication for OU-COM, Denbow puts
his heart and soul into his work. He is a co-founder of the
Family Health® radio program and now serves as the program’s
special media project director.
How long have you been here at OU-COM?
Denbow:
I started in the fall of 1978;
this past September it was 26 years.
What is your educational
background?
Denbow:
I received by bachelor of science degree in journalism from Ohio
University in 1968, my master’s degree from Ohio State
University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in mass communication from Ohio
University in 1973.
What do you like best about your job?
Denbow:
I really enjoy working
part time as the project director for the Family Health®
radio show, as well as working with on the Family Medicine
newspaper column. I like these two because there is a great deal
of interesting content. I am constantly learning new things
about the medical field, which I really enjoy.
What year was the radio show started?
Denbow:
Family Health®
was started in 1981. The idea for the show came out of
brainstorming session that a WOUB producer, Ed McDonald; Fred
Jensen, D.O., and I had.
What led to the development of the show?
Denbow:
There were very unusual circumstances that led to the
development of the show. Ed had a show, Appalachia Health
Help, prior to this for several years. To get ideas for the
show he would call me, and I would recommend people on the
faculty that had expertise in the topics that he was doing
stories on. Dr. Jensen was a pathologist on the medical faculty,
but he also had radio background. The three of us came up with
the idea of having a short-form — 2-1/2 minute and tightly
scripted — radio show. The show began and has been a success
ever since.
What are the keys to the success of the radio program?
Denbow:
Family Health aims at providing information about current
medical topics that people are asking their family physicians
about as well as to answer specific medical questions from the
listeners. We try to pick topics that are of general interest
and those which are being discussed in the lay-oriented health
care newsletters at the time. This seems to make the show
successful; we are now in our 20th season. About 12
million people tune in daily to the nearly 300 stations that
broadcast the program in the United States. Locally, it is
carried by WOUB, WAIS and WJKW.
What direction do you think the program will take when you do
leave permanently?
Denbow:
I hope that doesn’t happen any
time soon. When it does though, I’m hoping that we have a strong
enough infrastructure for the program so that it can continue
indefinitely. One of the things we have had is an annual battle
for funding. The radio show is not very expensive to run, but
there are production, distribution and other costs that must be
covered. I would like to leave the program with a stable funding
base. Ideally, I would like to find someone that could take over
my job after working with me for a year. It takes a lot of hard
work.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Denbow:
I am an officer in the Athens County Amateur Radio Association.
I also enjoy researching genealogy. I am co-editor of a family
quarterly newsletter called The Denbow Diaspora with my
cousin James Denbow, a professor of archaeology at the
University of Texas, and I have served as a beta tester for a
computer program called “The Master Genealogist.” I love to
study and read about history. I also enjoy computer programming.
I’m also a relatively new grandpa and enjoy seeing my
granddaughter, Solvéig, when she comes to visit. Finally, I’m
writing a novel about the Civil War that’s loosely based on my
family history here in Southeastern Ohio.
What contributions do you feel OU-COM has made to Athens County
and Southeastern Ohio?
Denbow:
After having worked for OU-COM for such a long time, I know it
is a very special place. Our mission and role here is very
unique. This school was put here to provide health care to
underserved families in Ohio. We have done this very well. A
high percentage of our graduates go into family practice. In
fact, many of our graduates practice in Southeastern Ohio.
OU-COM has made a tremendous difference in health care in this
area through our graduates, clinical services and outreach
programs. I feel very honored to have played a small part in
this success.
- 30 -
News for
the week of Feb. 14 – Feb. 19
News for
the week of Feb. 7 – Feb. 12
News Archives
|
