By Anne Toole
For Dr. Kay Durst, MD, family and the medical community are true passions in her life, and throughout her career she has always strived to help others such as like Thailand, Chicago, France, Puerto Rico, Atlanta and Florida, though she has been happily settled back in Charleston for nearly 20 years.
She is a woman of many hats, balancing her dedicated work as a family doctor with making a difference in the lives of others. From her perspective, helping doctors in turn helps their patients and creates a positive, healthy environment across the community. “I have my regular career, and I am a mom; I have two boys and great support from my husband. Those are my passions, but so is giving back. I get a lot out of seeing the success I can help others achieve, and that’s why I do what I do, and it’s important to me to make time for that,” Dr. Durst said.
With over 25 years of teaching medical students in her office, she continues to serve on boards and help steer groups like the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Charleston County Medical Society (CCMS) to make an impact on the medical community. Dr. Durst currently serves as president of CCMS and finds joy mentoring medical students, acting as a liaison for doctors and organizing medical mingles and service projects. She also helps with physician leadership scholarships and invites local and national lecturers to enhance opportunities for doctors in the area.
In addition to the doctor-focused groups, Dr. Durst manages to dedicate some of her time to charitable and volunteer causes such as the March of Dimes; postpartum support groups; making Bee Brave Buddies dolls for children with leukemia; and the Lowcountry Jazz Fest through Closing the Gap in Healthcare, which incorporates music and art with healing and helps improve disparities in health care.
With innovations in AI technology and other medicines, Dr. Durst enjoys staying at the forefront of the curve. She recently expanded her horizons to earn certain lifestyle medicine certifications, including becoming a culinary health education fundamentals (CHEF) coach. “People are wanting ways to stay healthy by incorporating diet, exercise and good sleep habits into their lifestyle. Diseases and medical issues can happen, but it is best if we can make changes now to prevent some in the future, and I am so glad to help my patients do that.”
Inspiration abounds with Dr. Durst’s heart at the center of all her passions. “I love giving back and having the privilege and honor to serve others,” she smiled. “Working together and helping each other strengthens collaboration. I like to give back to the community and help others in different avenues, and, as medical doctors, we have a voice to give others. It’s important to use it for the greater good.”
Kay Durst, MD
President, Charleston County Medical Society
845 Lowcountry Blvd., Mount Pleasant
843-577-3613
charlestonmedicalsociety.org
