Dr. Rodney Reid: VA Doctor and Leader in Local Community
Dr. Rodney Reid was born in 1961, in the segregated town of Salisbury, North Carolina, to Dr. Albert Reid and Catherine Shuford Reid, who he credits greatly with his successes in life.
“Both of my parents would speak often of my grandparent’s dedication to hard work to earn money to support their families and encourage their children to become educated, despite being in a segregated society,” said Reid. “Throughout my childhood my parents emphasized the importance of education to me and my sister, Yolanda.”
Today, Reid acts as the longest serving Chief of Rheumatology in the 91-year history of the Columbia VA Health Care System (VAHCS).
He says that he remembers stories from when he was young about his great grandfather, Tony Reid, who was born into slavery. He also recalled stories of his father’s dedication to his education, and how he would walk several miles to and from school without ever missing a day on his way to graduating as the Salutatorian.
Reid recalls a particular story that sticks out: “Because cars were expensive, lot of families had no car and you had to walk to work,” said Reid. “My grandfather on my father’s side, Love Reid, worked loading freight cars for the railroad and walked over 5 miles each way to work; rain, sleet, or snow. My grandfather on my mother’s side, Artis Shuford, worked in a rock quarry and the railroad for most of his career, and I do not remember him having a car either.”
It’s these stories and the lessons instilled in him by his father, Albert, that pushed Reid to graduate the Kennan High School as Valedictorian in 1979, and then enroll in Clemson University as a Microbiology major.
At Clemson, Reid was one of 55 African Americans in a freshman class of more than 2,500 students, the most African Americans in a new freshman class at Clemson at that point in time. Reid stuck to the core values he learned from his family growing up, finding great happiness and success at Clemson.
“I found the college professors to be outstanding and I excelled with the highest GPA in Microbiology in my graduating class,” said Reid. “I was active in extracurricular activities, played intramural football and track, and was on two intramural champion track relay teams. I was a member of the Microbiology Society, Clemson University Gospel Choir, Clemson University Band, and many honor societies.”
In 1983, Reid graduated Magna Cum Laude in Microbiology, and became the first African American in the history of Clemson University to be awarded the Norris Medal Award, given to the graduating student who exemplifies exceptional scholastic achievement, leadership ability and is determined to be the best all-around student.
“Winning the Norris Medal was a truly an honor for me, and a surprise as well,” said Reid. “I always studied hard in school because my parents expected me to do so. I participated in school, community, and church activities because that is what my parents did. I was always taught to do my best in school and activities, and I was honored to be selected by Clemson faculty to receive the Award”
Reid, following in the footsteps of his father, who was the second African American general surgeon in the history of Columbia, South Carolina, went on to obtain his Medical Degree from Vanderbilt University and finished his Internal Medicine Residency at the Cleveland Clinic before moving to Houston, where he became the second African American to complete a Rheumatology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine.
After wrapping up his fellowship, Reid entered his service with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs when he accepted a position at the Houston VAMC, where he became the first African American Rheumatologist at Houston VA Medical Center and the first African American Rheumatologist on Baylor’s faculty.
“My grandfather, Artis Shuford, was a World War I veteran. My Dad’s oldest brother, Arthur, was a World War II Veteran. My father, Albert, and [Uncle] Claude, were Korean Veterans,” said Reid. “I have many other relatives that were veterans as well, and it was an honor becoming a physician for veterans.”
In 1993 Reid transferred to the Columbia VAHCS to be closer to family and could attend family reunions and other events. In his time at the Columbia VAHCS Reid has served as the longest acting Chief of Rheumatology, became the first African American Associate Chief of Medicine, served as the President of the Palmetto Medical Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, and was the first Physician Director of the Columbia VAHCS MOVE Weight Loss Program.
Reid also had the honor of being recognized with some of the most prestigious awards within the VA and the state of South Carolina. In his tenure at the Columbia VAHCS, Rodney has been named the Dorn VA Man of the Year, Doctor of the Year of the Palmetto Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association, received the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Dean’s Distinguished Service Award, and been recognized for his long-standing commitment to medical education, and support to the office of Minority Affairs and the Admissions at the USC School of Medicine.
“I was very fortunate to be the first or second recipient of many achievements over the years and have been blessed to win many awards. My goal was never to get an award but my goal always to do my best and to make my family proud of me,” said Reid.
A humble man, when asked about his proudest achievements, Reid beams with the most pride for simple things: providing care for Veterans for more than 30 years, volunteering in his church and community, and being a parent to his five children.
This past February, Dr. Reid was selected as one of Richland School District Two’s 2023 Black History Month Honorees. A recognition bestowed upon Dr. Reid for his work as a staple in his local community.
Over the years Dr. Reid has served as a member of the School Improvement Council (SIC) at Bethel Hanberry Elementary, Round Top Elementary, Blythewood Middle School, and Blythewood High School, as the first President of the School Improvement Council (SIC) at Round Top Elementary, the President of the SIC at Blythewood Middle School, a volunteer High School Swimming Official for Blythewood High School and Richland District 2 Schools, and started a nonprofit foundation with his wife, Demetra, which gives money for medical research, education scholarships and supports schools, churches, and medical research institutions.
Hard work, good manners, and educating yourself. If you asked Dr. Reid, his pillars of success these attributes would most certainly be mentioned. Reid prides himself in the person he is because he realizes it was the people before him that paved the way.
“My family was successful over the generations because hard work and education were always stressed. All my success comes from building on the success of others that have come before me and God’s guidance,” said Reid. “Tomorrow’s success will be due to the joint effort of everyone’s hard work, mentoring, and encouragement to others around us now especially the young people.”