In Search of Meaningful Work

In Search of Meaningful Work, part of the series "Inspiring West Virginians," profiles a couple who run a world-renowned research and medical clinic that treats genetic disorders in Old Order Amish and Mennonite children. D. Holmes Morton, M.D., a pediatrician from Fayetteville, and Caroline Morton, from Beckley, founded the Clinic for Special Children about 21 years ago in Strasburg, Pa., after Holmes visited Amish families who had several children with debilitating genetic disorders.

The physician/scientist model for the clinic - a place which includes home visits, on-site research and testing, and practicing close to the patients - is based on Caroline Morton's experience of the Raleigh County coal camps where her grandfather practiced for over 50 years, and her father's work as a family physician in Beckley, treating patients from birth to death.

Holmes Morton overcame daunting hurdles as a high school drop-out to find "meaningful work," as he calls it. Morton's work in understanding Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 has led to preventive treatments. The screening programs developed in the clinic are now used for all newborns in Pennsylvania and in many other parts of the United States.

Produced by Jean Snedegar for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Видео In Search of Meaningful Work канала West Virginia Public Broadcasting