Fall 2021 Clinical Updates Page 2 & 3
Friends and Colleagues,
“Why did you become a doctor?” Stop and think. Why? Appointments & Recognition Page 4 New on Staff Page 6 Provider Personalities Page 7 Engagement Page 8 & 9 House Calls Page 10
We have each been asked, and answered, this question countless times. We talked about it in college. We interviewed for Medical Schools, and then Residency programs. We have been asked by our families, friends, students examining career paths, some random person at a social event. We all have a standard answer, although each is unique. The last I wrote to you, we were all very hopeful. Vaccines were in great supply, the community was enjoying a return to outings and activities, and work had some normalcy. I have been struggling somewhat with what to write to you this fall, and concluded it’s because most of us are struggling in some way. Offices and hospitals are crowded, we are battling patients with covid, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, alterations in our schedules, and on and on. And that’s just at work. Many people talk about strained personal and family relationships due to opinions on covid. Kids are in and out of school making daily planning difficult. Whether you have been practicing medicine for 2 years or 40 years, in many ways, this is not what we envisioned. And so back to my original question, “Why did you become a doctor?” I can think of many examples for myself, my colleagues, my past classmates… • Family tradition • Fascination with medical science • Life changing care or advice from a physician for themselves of a family member But I think the underlying theme to all our answers would be similar, we like to help people. We like to make a difference. We have a sense that our purpose in this world is bigger than we are. If we are honest, as hard as this is, most of us would choose this same path again. I have been trying to remind myself that medicine is a calling. We never thought it was going to be easy, we also didn’t think it would be this hard. You are all likely growing tired of me asking, because I do at every meeting, to please support each other. Ask a colleague if they are ok. Do something nice for your staff. Take a little time for yourself. Spend some quality time with people you love outside of work. Find a way to recharge. So, take a minute, close your eyes, and really think, “Why did you become a doctor?” The world needs us to remember why we became doctors, and not to give up on them. Even if right now some of them appear to have given up on us. We will stay strong if we do it together.
Heather Walker, MD President, Excela Medical Staff
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