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Originally published July 21, 2026
Last updated July 21, 2026
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Improving the health and well-being of our communities is at the heart of every healthcare organization, which is why I’m proud to share the stories of two physicians whose dedication extends far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Dr. Damon Clark is an acute care and trauma surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC who also works in the trauma department at Los Angeles General Medical Center. He treats victims of violence – often young people whose lives have been tragically cut short.
Dr. Clark’s commitment to caring extends beyond the trauma bay and into the Boyle Heights community, where many of his patients live. Dedicated to violence prevention, he collaborates with Grupo Apoyo Padres por la Paz/Parents for Peace, a free, long-term support group for families who have lost loved ones to violence.
“It’s important to do more than treat patients once they are in crisis — that’s like giving them a Tylenol or a Band-Aid,” he said. “The real solution to community violence is to make changes in the environment and in people’s lives.”
Dr. Clark also runs a free tattoo removal program. Tattoo removal plays an important role in helping survivors of human trafficking and former gang members leave their pasts behind and move forward with their lives. To date, he has personally removed approximately 400 tattoos. Other Keck Medicine surgeons, medical residents and nurses also volunteer their time to support the effort.
Dr. Clark was raised in Detroit, where he witnessed the devastating impact of violence on family members, friends and neighbors. Those experiences inspired him to pursue a career in medicine and help young people avoid preventable tragedies.
Dr. Amanda Woodworth is another Keck Medicine physician who has gone above and beyond in service to her community. A breast cancer surgeon, she serves as director of breast health with Keck Medicine of USC/Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.
When Dr. Woodworth first assumed the role, she was surprised to learn that many women felt they lacked access to critical health information. She created a program, “Girl Talk,” to address that gap. For the past four years, she has led 21 “Girl Talk” events at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and will expand to USC Arcadia Hospital later this year. Dr. Woodworth strives to make the events, which cover topics ranging from menopause and breast health to incontinence, engaging and informal, recognizing that conversation — not lectures — is often the most effective way to connect with people.
She understands that her impact extends far beyond the more than 100 women who attend the events. Participants share what they learn with family members and friends, amplifying health and wellness messages throughout the community.
Keck Medicine collaborates with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, community-based groups, educational institutions and public agencies to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Yet nothing can replace the dedication of an individual physician determined to make a difference.
We have many more physicians and healthcare professionals like Drs. Clark and Woodworth who are giving back in unique ways to their patients and communities. I am deeply appreciative of all of their efforts.
Our care providers are unique, committed not only to healing patients, but to addressing health disparities and preventing conditions that cause disease and trauma so that we can build healthier communities. And I can’t think of more meaningful work.
Photo credit: Len Swegart, American Cancer Society.
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