11/27/2014    Sharon Stewart, DPM

MI Podiatrist Turns Her Life Around

I was disappointed to find that your fine
publication ran a press release from a local
newspaper about some significant trouble I was
tragically caught up with in 2004. At the time of
your publication of this article, I was
incarcerated and had no knowledge that PM News
would print something of this nature, particularly
as I, the subject, was given no opportunity to
discuss the matter with PM News. While PM News
runs a statement regarding the protection of
privacy, I found it particularly lacking in this
case. At this time I would appreciate the
opportunity to reply to your article.

Since my release from prison in 2010, two separate
courts have determined that at the time of my
crime I was suffering from extreme physical and
mental health challenges that were work-related as
a podiatric physician. These two different courts
have awarded me sums that will suffice me for the
rest of my life. In addition, I receive healthcare
benefits for the rest of my life. For this, I am
very grateful.

While incarcerated, I did what I could to assist
the inmates whose health care needs were largely
lacking. I was directly responsible for saving the
lives of 5 inmates who were not given appropriate
medical care. I also talked 3 women out of
committing suicide.

I documented dozens of cases of medical neglect
and submitted these to an investigative journalist
with the Detroit Free Press. He performed a 2-
year long study and published multiple columns on
the horrendous lack of health care in Michigan
prisons. These tragic outcomes included many
predictable and preventable deaths and painful,
endless suffering for others.

I was nominated and elected to be the Health Care
Administrator for the National Lifers of America,
which is a prisoner-run advocacy group. Working
with the NLA and the American Friends Service
Committee, I assisted in the publication of a
landmark study on the lack of health care in
Michigan prisons. his study, combined with the
oversight of a federal judge, plus a documentary
by the television program "60 Minutes" forced
Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm to replace
the HMO hired by the Michigan Department of
Corrections with a different one. The results were
an improvement in healthcare.

The inmate in the Otsego county jail that accused
me of inappropriately touching her was sent to
prison where I ran into her several years later.
She apologized profusely for her accusations that
occurred while we were in jail together. I
advised her that at the time, I was given no
opportunity to defend myself and had no due
process. She immediately admitted that she was so
psychologically mixed up in jail that when she
transferred from jail to prison she caught 24
major misconduct tickets in the first 48 hours.
Thus she was isolated in the segregation unit for
her first 6 months. After that, she spent the
next 18 months in the acute psychiatric ward of
the prison. During our conversation, we prayed
together on the yard and I forgave her
accusations.

Since my release, while starting a brand new life
I have been blessed with a stability that had been
lacking for decades in my life. I was humbled and
honored to be nominated and elected to the
position of Chaplain for the Disabled American
Veteran's, Chapter #61, Thunder Bay. I volunteer
in the community as my health allows, which
includes being an associate at the Amanna Health
Institute, which is a natural health educational
center. Most importantly, I was blessed to have
found an incredibly gifted and tender gentleman to
share my days with.

To my podiatry colleagues, I wish the very best
that life has to offer. Thank you, Dr. Block, for
allowing me to follow-up with the PM News article
from so long ago.

Sharon Stewart, DPM, Chaplain, Disabled American
Veterans, Alpena, MI

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