Dr. Michael Zollicoffer (Dr. Z), a second-generation pediatrician in Baltimore, Maryland, possesses a rich legacy of delivering compassionate patient care. His career path illuminates the predecessor footsteps of his father, Dr. Lawrence Zollicoffer, a graduate of UNC School of Medicine in 1962.
“He went to Georgetown (Hospital) and did his internship, and then he went to Sinai (Hospital) in Baltimore and did his residency in pediatrics,” said Dr. Z.
The elder Dr. Zollicoffer co-founded Garwyn Medical Center in 1969 in Baltimore— one of the first multi-specialty medical centers run by African Americans. He passed away in 1976 from colon cancer. Dr. Z officially finished his medical residency in 1988 and began to practice privately.
Dr. Z. ran Morgan State University’s infirmary for a period and also started Life Care Plus, an urgent-care facility. Dr. Z’s mother, Mary Batts Zollicoffer, a retired teacher, housewife and mother of four boys, recently passed away and was remembered by patients for calling to remind them of their appointments.
The well-known doctor runs his private practice with a heartfelt philosophy: “never deny people medical care because of cost.”
“Anybody that walks in gets seen, and that’s what we’ve done for almost 40 years, or somewhere close to that. It’s not just a thing I do here and there,” he explained.
Ironically, when Dr. Z was diagnosed with colorectal and renal cancer in October of 2024, insurance complications delayed his own treatment.
“I had Medicare (Part) A and B in place, and then somehow, because I don’t take Social Security yet, then the Part B of Medicare has to be paid for, and over a period of time, I guess we missed a payment because it’s not always as easy as you think to get these things going through government systems. So, because of whatever confusion, or somehow, I lacked paying Part B. It was terminated.”
Dr. Z explained that not having the outpatient portion only became an issue when he needed to use it following hospitalization for his illness.
“This is when the roadblock came up because you didn’t have Part B, and when it came time for outpatient treatment of the cancer, the radiation and chemo, then we were stopped in the starting blocks.”
Michael E. Haynie Sr., who has known Dr. Z for over fifty years, learned about the plight of his lifelong friend’s medical and personal issues after visiting him in the hospital. Haynie responded by launching a GoFundMe campaign to generate financial support related to Dr. Z’s cancer battle.
“I know he was a sole practicing physician who had just lost his mom a couple weeks earlier and now with the medical issues upon him, I knew it would be a struggle for him just sustaining ordinary life necessities,” Haynie stated. “Although he is a pediatrician by specialty, I have personally witnessed him treating Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa as many times they came in with their young people and had ailments themselves but could not afford to see a doctor themselves. Many times, I wondered if I was in America.”
Dr. Z also said that the idea of the GoFundMe campaign was first explored to help him continue to provide community medical care and keep his small office staff employed. When Dr. Z found out about his insurance issue, a decision was made to let the donation source grow. Dr. Z’s self-pay situation required approximately $150,000 for the first month. Half of the money had to be provided as a payment to treat a man with cancer.
“Well, over 600 people have responded, some with as little as five dollars and as much as $5,000 and each means the same to Dr. Z,” said Haynie.
Dr. Z. described the GoFundMe public giving as phenomenal, but testimonies, connections and texts that he is receiving highlight the “people aspect.”
“There are no words that can say ‘thank you,’” he stated.
He mentioned further developing a campaign he cemented long before his illness unfolded. Dr. Z wants to expand a self-generating health resource that fuels the fiduciary side of the giving that he has always done. His own healthcare conundrum has drawn attention to the need to pool community dollars for offsetting needs.
On the upside, Dr. Z’s Part B was redone and is now in place.
“We now are starting our treatment because I was able to get Part B back and retro-activated. So, Part B only covers about 80 percent,” he shared.
Medicines and chemo drugs are not currently covered.
Dr. Z continued, “So there’s still going to be a significant money outlay that we have to also pay, but we were able to just start treatment…”
Less visible battles Dr. Z fights include managing pain and discomfort.
“I still go to the office every day and continue to help people even in my situation.”
“I don’t want to give up this cause, because it’s too important to me and too important to the population as a whole. That’s why we’re broadcasting my illness to the planet. Hopefully, we can take this message nationally, so we can start changing the system of this inadequate healthcare that we get,” Dr. Z added.
Help Dr. Z financially fight cancer by donating via https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-dr-mike-zollicoffers-cancer-battle.