Two days after being in the senate chamber with a man who eventually tested positive for COVID-19, Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD, a Republican Senator in the state of Georgia, developed the tell-tale symptom of the virus -- a fever.
Four others also developed symptoms.
Kay's physician put her on strict isolation, even away from her husband. While she eventually recovered, it was quite an experience.
She joins Dr. Peeke to share her recovery story. The two also discuss how Kay's work as a senator gives her a unique perspective on COVID-19 and how it’s being handled from a governmental perspective.
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Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD
Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD, a Republican, represents the 32nd District, which includes East Cobb and Sandy Springs.
She serves as Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and as a member of the Senate Health and Human Services, Insurance and Labor, and Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committees. She is also a member of the Commission on Family Violence and a legislative liaison to the Commission on the Holocaust.
Senator Kirkpatrick has been an orthopedic hand surgeon in Atlanta for over 30 years and was previously the President of Resurgens Orthopaedics. Senator Kirkpatrick is a District Coordinator for the Medical Association of Georgia’s Medical Reserve Corps and is determined to contribute to Georgia’s ability to respond to disaster and emergency situations. Dr. Kirkpatrick is a consultant and lecturer on patient safety in surgery.
She is also a member of the East Cobb Rotary and she has served as a pet therapy team leader at the Ronald McDonald House through the Happy Tails Pet Therapy Program.
Senator Kirkpatrick graduated from the University of Kentucky and earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville. Her husband Dr. Tom Haltom is an emergency physician. She and Tom have two young adult children. Kay and Tom are active members of East Cobb United Methodist Church. 