Dr. Carol B. Kirschenbaum passed away peacefully in her home comforted by her husband Dennis and sister Susan early Thursday morning. Her passing concluded a courageous eight-year struggle with cancer, which was only the last in a long list of battles Carol fought and led. Born in Brooklyn, graduated from Bayside High and from Queens college, Carol came to Durham NC to train as a Physician Assistant (PA) in 1979 at age 29, following a brief career as a Special Education instructor. Carol actively cultivated and enjoyed close relationships with dear friends and family providing strength, support, love and many good times. She is survived by her mother, Pearl and brother Howard as well as her husband, sister and six nieces.
Carol practiced medicine first as a PA within UNC hospitals working in the Radiation Oncology unit. She was encouraged to continue her medical training towards an MD after her mentors witnessed her dedication to patient comfort and well-being. She trained at UNC-CH in medical school and also for her residency in Internal Medicine. During these years, Carol was actively involved in political and cultural events in the Triangle, founding Progressive Jewish Network, working on various Middle East and Central American Peace Committees, traveling to Nicaragua, working on medical relief to both Nicaragua and Palestine and as a board member of NC-Occupational Safety and Health Project along with other causes for social and racial justice.
Carol and Dennis met in late 1990. They married within the year having quickly recognized their soulmates in commitment to community, the outdoors and celebrations with friends and family. They enjoyed backpacking, swimming, camping and kayaking. They shared a special love for cross-country skiing, enjoying one pilgrimage north every year to enjoy the serene beauty of the quiet snow-covered woods. Most of these activities were continued and appreciated even more after Carol’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
As a physician Carol’s dedication to her patients was unparalleled. She was the only physician in our state who was trained in treating patients with lymphedema. Indeed, Dr. Kirschenbaum frequently saw patients who had not found care in neighboring states. Several of her patients for whom she was the primary physician had complex medical conditions, some severely obese. Many of these patients were “unprofitable, time-consuming patients” and had previously had little success in finding quality care. Carol advocated for the needs of patients with lymphedema and served for many years on the subcommittee for Lymphedema with the NC Cancer Care Commission.
During the most recent decade of her life Carol had been a leading proponent of universal health care in our state, as an organizer, first, for the NC chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and then as a founding member and President of the North Carolina Committee to Defend Health Care (NC-CDHC). She saw NC-CDHC grow gradually into a vital statewide organization. Dr. Kirschenbaum was on the National Board of PNHP for several years, where she lobbied for recognition of the work being done at the state level and to establish a Right to Health Care, similar to the Right to Education (primary and secondary). Carol’s life continues to inspire those who witnessed her dedication to society’s least fortunate and underprivileged. Find out more about NC-CDHC at www.NCdefendhealthcare.org
Together with her husband a new national project was initiated to support and improve communication between all the organizations working for universal health care at the state level in 21 states. That project, Project EINO, based at www.EverybodyInNobodyOut.org has also become a major proponent nationally for the Right to Health Care at www.RightToHealthCare.org .
MEMORIAL FUND:
It is Carol’s wish that donations be made in her honor to “NC-CDHC” to be split between the state work and the national project. Please mark the check “Honoring Dr. K”. Such donations should be mailed to NC-CDHC/ 1815 MLK Pkwy #2, PMB #142 / Durham, NC 27707.
FUNERAL:
The funeral will be held at 10a.m. on Sunday at the Howerton-Bryan funeral home 1005 W. Main Street, Durham, NC. Following the funeral service a procession will take place to Markham Memorial Gardens.
SHIVA (BRIEF VISITS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY):
Family will be present at 306 Monticello Ave, Durham for Shiva. During the “shiva” friends and the entire community of Carol and Dennis’ contacts are invited to drop by and visit (no permissions, or scheduling is performed, in fact enter premises without knocking, or find your way around to back of house if weather is nice).
Shiva will be Sun, Mon, Tues 2-8 and Weds 12-4 (June 19 – June 23). If you wish, you can bring some fresh fruit, or salad to share.
306 Monticello is 3 blks from the corner of University Dr. and Cornwallis Ave in Durham. Proceed one short block SE on Cornwallis past the signal light that is Univ Dr, taking first right on small side street (Stuart), go 1/2 block to first street on left (Monticello Ave), go down almost two blocks to 306 – on left and only house on Street with a split rail fence in front yard.
