DR. KEVIN FULLIN

Dr. Kevin Fullin dedicates his life to helping individuals to heal and lead healthy lives. A cardiologist by day, thousands of local folks have found a new lease on life in his skillful hands. Since 1991, Dr. Fullin has been helping individuals to heal from wounds to their psyche and self esteem caused by domestic abuse. Dr. Fullin serves as medical liaison for the Pathways of Courage, a hospital based advocacy program for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

Representing and working with victims of domestic abuse, Dr. Fullin was instrumental in the development and implementation of guidelines and protocols for healthcare workers to recognize and effectively work with victims of domestic abuse. This information was published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal in 1992.

In 2001, Dr. Fullin learned that WoMen and Children’s Horizons, the local advocacy center and emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse, offered programming to stop men from abusing their partners. He contacted the agency and was trained to work with abusive individuals. Since then Dr. Fullin has volunteered as one of the group facilitators in the program that is known as Circle of Change. Dr. Fullin is one of two facilitators who meet with a group of 20-30 men, many completing the program as part of the conditions of their parole.

Through the 26-week Circle of Change Group, men who have been controlling and abusive in their relationships learn to identify the issues surrounding domestic abuse in their lives, become accountable for the things they say and do, get in touch with their own issues of child abuse or witnessing violence as children, begin to heal and express themselves emotionally, face the consequences of past abusive behavior and choose non-violence each day.

Several men have graduated from the Circle of Change Group and have encouraged the development of an “after care” group that helps them to maintain the healthy environment where they can discuss relationship issues. Dr. Fullin facilitates that group. He is a crucial element of the Circle of Change Group. He presents a positive image of what it means to be a man that the program participants can use in the development of their new violence-free lifestyles.

Dr. Fullin has been a leader in the movement to stop family abuse not only in Kenosha, but the entire medical and domestic abuse communities. He has been the President of the Board of Directors for Columbus Park Housing from 1992 to present and has served as medical Liaison and been a speaker at National Domestic Violence Project from 1991 to 2003. In addition, he is a member of the Senior Action Council Ad Hoc Committee Elder Abuse and Neglect, the National Coalition of Physicians Against Family Violence, Physicians for a Violence-Free Society and Physicians for Social Responsibility.