The Go Red For Women Luncheon here in the Bay Area of Houston is just a few days away. All the heart throbs are excited to participate and help spread the word about the silent killer of women… heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the # 1 killer of women each year. Heart Disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined.
Let me introduce you to the second 2013 Bay Area Go Red For Women official heart throb…
THE SPECIALIST
Robert Leggington, Jr., M.D. is The Specialist… Rob, as he is known to family and friends, is a doctor of Nephrology with Renal Specialists of Houston P.A.
I sat down with Rob at his home early in February to discuss his passion for his profession, the hurdles of fatherhood and why Texas is not considered a southern state. When I first found out Rob has been selected by San Jacinto Methodist as their heart throb representative this year, I was intrigued. Rob’s wife is currently deployed with the US Army based out of South Carolina with frequent oversees trips. So in addition to his doctor duties, Rob plays single dad to their two daughters, ages 3 & 5.
My decision to photograph him with his daughters was strongly confirmed when he opened his front door wearing a “superdad” tshirt. The day of Rob’s photo shoot was also his birthday and his wife was home on leave to celebrate. As we chatted by the pool, our conversation turned to where he grew up (Beaumont) and the fact that I grew up in Tennessee. I talked about my love of southern culture and he kindly stated Texas was southern. Laughingly, I told him Texas was never southern, just simply Texas. His lovely wife overheard us and totally sided with me. Rob and his family were so gracious and I very much appreciate his trusting in me to photograph him and his daughters. The morning was very much a family affair and such a lovely family indeed.
The Specialist was photographed on location at his home. Superman was the inspiration for his shoot.
SAP: How has your work with the American Heart Association changed your views on your health?
Rob: I have been very aware of the cause. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of my patients, so we have always focused on heart disease
SAP: What propelled you to join in the Go Red For Women event?
Rob: Go red is a great program that raises awareness for women. Heart disease is the # 1 all-cause mortality leader in women, but receives only a small fraction of the press.
SAP: Do you have any female family members with heart disease?
Rob: Fortunately I do not have any female family members with known heart disease
SAP: What is your idea of a perfect day?
Rob: My perfect day is a day at Disney World with the family. I think that was the happiest day of my kids lives. They had a blast
SAP: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Rob: I tried summer programs in many different areas (engineering, agriculture) but settled on a major is biology b/c i liked biology for some reason. i don’t know why
SAP: What historical figure do you most identify with ?
Rob: One the historical figures I identify with is Dr. Henry Arthur Callis. He was one of the seven founding members of my fraternity (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., – 1906) and a practicing physician
SAP: What is your greatest regret?
Rob: My greatest regret is the time in college when I put my needs before the needs of a friend. While I was forgiven, it caused a great deal of pain from my friend and taught me one of life’s greatest lessons.
SAP: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Rob: that is easy, parenthood
SAP: How did you end up in your current job industry?
Rob: I was a biology major so medicine was one of my goals when entering college
SAP: Who is one of your favorite authors?
Rob: As of right now, Dr. Seuss is my favorite author and unfortunately will be for a few more years. My second favorite would be any authors that contribute to the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
SAP: What was the last movie you saw at the theatre?
Rob: The Avengers
SAP: What is the one place outside the United States that you would most like to visit?
Rob: Egypt, to see the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza
