Fountain Citians Who Make A Difference

Dr. Mabry Honored on CHS Wall of Fame

 C. Charlton Mabry, M.D., professor of pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Metabolism, was honored on March 24, 2008 by the Kentucky House of Representatives in Frankfort. Rep. Susan Westrom presented a proclamation for Mabry's work in helping establish Kentucky newborn screening for metabolic diseases.

He has been taking care of children with metabolic diseases at UK since 1961, but his passion for metabolism began in fellowship training at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pa. He became internationally known for his early work in maternal PKU (phenylketonuria) syndrome, and he was instrumental in Kentucky’s first newborn screening legislation in 1966.

Then in 2005 the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 24, which approved the expanded screening program for 29 disorders and it made its funding permanent. The program now focuses on “the circle of newborn screening,” which includes lab testing, provider education, case management by public health nurses and diagnosis and treatment by appropriate specialists. These four components ensure parents receive assistance in navigating the system.

"Dr. Mabry paved the road to expanded newborn screening,” Rep. Westrom said. “Any other individual would have given up long ago, yet he continues to lead the discussion and guard the progress we have made in Kentucky. It is impossible to celebrate the life and contribution of such a compassionate health care advocate with just one day of recognition. Families impacted by his public service and passion will have children who are able to go forward with healthy lives to lead our country. It has been an honor for me to carry much of his legislation which began as a dream for a healthy life for his PKU family."

It is estimated that up to 25 percent of childhood deaths attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may have actually been caused by a treatable metabolic condition. With expanded newborn screening in place for four years now, approximately 140 Kentucky children have been identified with one of the newly screened disorders.

Mabry lived in Fountain City during his youth and graduated from Central High School in 1947. He received his B.S. at Maryville College in 1950 and his M.D. degree in 1954 from Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., interning at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va. (1954-55). He then became a resident in pediatrics, from 1957 to 1959, at St. Christopher Hospital for Children, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa. and was a postdoctoral trainee at the National Institute for Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, St. Christopher Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pa. from 1959 to 1961. He is a diplomate of American Board of Pediatrics (1960) and of the Sub-Board of Pediatric Endocrinology (1978).

He came to the University of Kentucky in 1961 as an instructor in pediatrics and became assistant professor of pediatrics in 1963; associate professor in 1966; associate pathologist in 1969; director of the National Foundation for Birth Defects Center at UK in 1964; associate director of clinical laboratories at UK in 1970; and professor of pathology in 1969.

First Fifty (A Pediatric Story), Dr. Mabry’s recently published book, is the history of the University of Kentucky’s pediatric department over its first 50 years. He was honored at the recent Maryville College Homecoming when he was presented the College’s Distinguished Service Award.

Another Central High School graduate, the former Barbara Blum, was married to Dr. Mabry in 1952. They are the parents of four children and five grandchildren. Mrs. Mabry is the author of a book of poetry, “In My Own Voice,” with some of the poems about her family here in Fountain City.

On Saturday, November 20 at the annual Wall of Fame breakfast, Dr. Mabry will be honored as he is placed on the Central High School Wall of Fame along with Mary McBee McDonald, E.M. “Pat” McGlothin and James D. “Bud” Mynatt. The breakfast will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the Commons with the ceremony to follow in the school auditorium. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the CHS office and from R. Larry Smith (922-5433) or by E-mailing Courtney Shea (courtshea@aol.com).

Author's Note: Thanks to Jim Niemi of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Metabolism and to Karen Eldridge of the Maryville College Department of Communications for their assistance with the photographs.                                                           

ADDENDUM: First Fifty (A Pediatric Story) may be ordered from www.theclarkgroupinfo.com or by calling The Clark Group at (859) 233-7623. Mail orders may be placed at The Clark Group, 250 E. Short Street (P.O. Box 34102), Lexington, Ky. 40588. The cost is $39.95, plus $7 for shipping and handling.

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