Dr. Michael Zollicoffer, a 66-year-old private family practitioner, offers medical services to patients in an impoverished neighborhood in Baltimore.
Zollicoffer is also beloved by many because he takes no issue with patients who cannot afford to pay for his services. He simply treats them for free, and he has been doing that for decades.
“Forget that dollar bill,” Zollicoffer, fondly known as Dr. Z, told CBS News. “I’m going to see you no matter what. You walk in that door, you will be seen. You bring your grandma with you, I’ll see her, too.”
Zollicoffer has been practicing for almost 40 years. And though he’s obviously entitled to take vacations, he has never really done that, making him almost always available whenever his patients need him.
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“I have his cellphone number,” patient Nykidra Robinson said. “He’s always available.”
But Zollicoffer’s life took a drastic turn a couple of months ago as he was diagnosed with cancer. “I’ve got 2 separate cancers — one renal and one rectal — but I don’t give up,” Zollicoffer said.
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Zollicoffer also initially faced setbacks after his diagnosis as he was without insurance. This stemmed from challenges with his Medicare plan documentation. He was therefore unable to afford his radiation treatments, but his patients stepped in and returned his decades-long favors.
“I’m like, let’s fight, what can we do,” patient Lita Johnson said. “Dr. Z will not give up on you, so we damn sure ain’t giving up on him,” another patient Ray Beverly said. Robinson added: “Whatever needs to be done to save Dr. Z, we’re going to do it — collectively.”
Zollicoffer’s patients ultimately set up a crowdfunding campaign that drew almost 1,000 contributors, CBS News reported. Over $200,000 has since been raised for Dr. Z.
Zollicoffer’s health has since improved as he has a good prognosis. His insurance issues have also been rectified, and he now intends to give back to his community with the remaining funds from the crowdfunding campaign.
“You know what, I’m going to say something that may seem crazy as heck,” Zollicoffer said. “I’m thankful that I got cancer, because I am the happiest man on the planet, no matter what the outcome. What we have shown, and why we’re sitting at this table right now, to show America: this is what you’re about! We are about giving! I can’t make it without them, nor can they make it without me.”
