Olivia Crutchfield, a senior at Eagan High School, Eagan, Minnesota, visited Cuba in 2016 and took some spectacular photographs. They were so stunning that her father, dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD of St. Paul, Minnesota, hung several of the pictures on the wall in his office’s reception area.
The comments were so positive, and the demand for prints became so great from patients, that they started selling Olivia’s Cuba photographs to the tune of $1,000.
Olivia volunteered last summer as a counselor at Camp Discovery, a U.S. camp for children with skin diseases. “I was so lucky and proud to serve as a Camp Discovery counselor. The campers had a fantastic time, and the staff was amazing. I was so impressed with the work done for the kids by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and Camp Discovery I wanted to be able to do a little something on my own to help out.
“The mission of the camp is close to my heart; my little brother has suffered with alopecia areata for 12 years.” She was so inspired by the children attending the camp and the great work being done at the camp for the children that she decided to donate the entire $1,000 in proceeds from the sale of her Cuba photographs to Camp Discovery.
The $1,000 check for Camp Discovery was ceremoniously presented to Neil Shah, MD, president-elect of the Minnesota Dermatological Society and director of the Twin Cities Medical Society, at a Timberwolves basketball game (see photograph).
As Dr. Shah stated, “This is an incredibly generous and gracious donation made by Olivia Crutchfield. It demonstrates, leadership, character, concern for others, and a sincere and selfless contribution of her talent for the common good.”
Her father Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, clinical professor of dermatology, said of Olivia’s philanthropic efforts, “I am extraordinarily proud of Olivia. She has always been intelligent, curious, ambitious, persistent, creative, caring and talented. Now I see that she is also considerate and dedicated to improving the well-being of others. Olivia is destined to be one of those people who will make a significant difference in the world.”
Olivia Crutchfield is a talented senior at Eagan High School in Minnesota. She is a brilliant young photographer with several national recognition awards and a selected participant in a special Australian student photographic four-week expedition of the National Geographic Society.
She is the editor-in-chief of her school’s newspaper and yearbook. She is an accomplished pianist, near-straight-A student, member of the National Honor Society, and a black belt in karate.
Olivia is also currently a photojournalist for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder newspaper, the state’s oldest African American publication. She is a member of Eagan High School’s State and National Championship team of the Young Business Professionals of America. Numerous colleges and universities have expressed a keen interest in Olivia’s collegiate plans. Her photographic work has garnered over 35,000 Instagram followers. Her Cuba photos can be viewed at www.OliviaCrutchfieldCuba.com.
About Camp Discovery
Camp Discovery offers kids living with skin disease a one-of-a-kind experience. Every summer, the American Academy of Dermatology sponsors six weeks of camp in five locations (Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Washington) where every child can experience activities such as fishing, swimming, archery, horseback riding, nature trails, and just plain summer camp fun.
Camp Discovery is for young people ages 8-16 who have chronic skin conditions. There is no fee for camp. All fees, including transportation, are provided by the American Academy of Dermatology through generous donations from its members and other organizations and individuals such as Olivia Crutchfield. Eligibility is based upon recommendation by the child’s dermatologist and approval by the camp director.
The nomination process begins in February of every year. Camp Discovery is staffed with various medical professionals, including dermatologists, pediatricians, physician assistants and nurses.
For additional information regarding Camp Discovery, email Janine Mueller at jmueller@aad.org.
Information provided by Crutchfield Dermatology.
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.