OUR GUEST, TUESAY, MAY 30, 2017
RICK BOYTE, MD
Dr. Boyte is a physician member of the Palliative and Supportive Care Team at Forrest General Hospital. Dr. Boyte is a pediatric critical care and palliative medicine physician. Prior to joining the Palliative and Supportive Care Team at Forrest General Hospital, he had a faculty appointment as Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Dr. Boyte received a B.S. in Biology from Mississippi College followed by an M.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He then completed a pediatric internship and residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. A fellowship in pediatric critical care followed at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, TN. For Boyte, the medical management of the seriously ill has been both professionally challenging and personally meaningful. During nearly two decades as a critical care physician, Boyte developed an avid interest in palliative medicine and end of life care. He eventually sought educational opportunities in palliative medicine including the Harvard Medical School Program in Palliative Care Education and Practice (PCEP). He achieved certification through the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2006. Boyte also enjoys studying medical ethics and in 2008 earned a Master of Arts in Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Boyte has written of his experiences in healthcare. Three of his essays were included in Narrative Matters: The Power of the Personal Essay in Health Policy. In 2009, he founded the Palliative Care Service at Batson Children’s Hospital and in 2014 he led an effort to establish an ACGME accredited hospice and palliative medicine fellowship. A highpoint in Dr. Boyte’s career was being recognized as the first National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year in 2015 by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.
Even though he has had a very satisfying career, Rick’s greatest source of joy and meaning comes from his family. He has been married for 21 years to Lisa and is both a proud father of four and a grandfather of three.