The Roanoker - July/August 2021 - 41

FINDING THE SILVER LINING
Dr. Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie talks about his work with infectious
diseases and taking on a new role during the pandemic.
Infectious disease physicians have always played an important part of
our health, but in a year unlike any other thanks to COVID-19, they worked
harder than ever.
An infectious disease physician typically sees patients who may have
bloodstream or bacteria infections, or may have certain viral infections like
HIV or hepatitis C, which Dr. Anthony W. Baffoe-Bonnie says is common in
this area.
" We help treat and keep people who have HIV alive with new
medications currently available, " he says.
He also treats common endemic conditions like blastomycosis and
histoplasmosis, Lyme disease and patients who travel outside the
country and may need vaccinations for tropical diseases and the like.
Baffoe-Bonnie took on two different roles throughout the pandemic
as not only an infectious disease specialist, but also as the medical
director for infection prevention and control for Carilion Clinic. As
medical director, his charges included keeping health care workers
safe, as well as the patients coming into the facilities; and keeping
the community safe by working with the health department and other
organizations.
" That has formed one of the biggest parts of work I've done for the
past year, " he says. " Then as infectious disease providers, along with
my department and other infectious doctors, we would look at the new
treatments available for COVID-19 and make recommendations, as well as
provide guidelines for treatment of an individual patient. "
His dedication and hard work has been recognized in our Top Docs
2021 poll, having won the award for Top Infectious Disease Specialist. " I
am very humbled by this award. Also very, very grateful. I obviously
couldn't have done the work I do ... without all the collaboration
of my immediate team members and other doctors. I certainly
couldn't do the work without my my three kids and wife,
Francisca. They keep me grounded. "
Baffoe-Bonnie says the last year has been " a ride, "
trying to find these viruses and working together,
though the collaborative nature of working with
different people has been his silver lining
underneath the work.
For him, the opportunity to teach others is
what he loves most. " I enjoy explaining the
care to patients, listening at their bedside and
explaining what could be going on. When
they understand, I know that it affects them
if they do well or not, and ... they can affect
change. It's one important thing to enjoy
as a clinician. "
He adds that as a hospital
epidemiologist, he also enjoys keeping
the staff and patients safe. To see
everyone doing the right thing,
wearing the right masking and PPE,
it's " the icing on the cake. " Those
precautions and regulations were
things he and his team knew would
keep people safe, and to see it
implemented brings him immense
satisfaction.
When he isn't working, BaffoeBonnie
treasures time with his
three children. He likes to go with his
youngest to the South County library
and read books to each other.
" My father used to do that and it
helped us as children, " he says. " It was
a big part of who I am, and it's a great
library; I encourage people to visit when
they're open. "
He and his family also enjoy touring
the Taubman to look around at history
being brought to life. Despite the last year
TheRoanoker.com
involving a bit more downtime with Netflix,
they also spent enjoyable walks together on
Mill Mountain and other outdoor areas. -LL
JULY/AUGUST 2021 41
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The Roanoker - July/August 2021

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