FROM THE CHAIRMAN

by Michael Gregory, M.D., Chairman

Some Days...

June 27, 2008

Some days are better than others, for all of us. I have to tell you that I have what I believe to be the best job in the world. It is challenging, rewarding and exciting. However, it is the rare instance that my phone rings and there is not some sort of problem (challenge as we like to call them) on the other end of the line. However, I do have days when I thank God I am alive. Today is one of those days. This morning before 9 am I received two letters from patients praising the compassionate skill of two of our physicians. Letters like these don’t come everyday, but they do come at least a couple times a week. One of the things that made these two letters special was that both were from executives in health care profession, one who is assistant CEO of one of our hospitals and another a board member at a non-Apogee hospital.

The first letter was in reference to care provided by our Program Director, Dr. Malcolm Townsley in Pendleton, OR. The patient sits on the board of directors of another hospital and wrote a letter to his local paper in which he mentioned Dr. Townsley by name. The patient went on to say “It’s apparent everyone involved feels satisfaction and fulfillment serving people at a time of need” and that the “community should be proud of this outstanding resource”. Dr. Townsley, on behalf of all of at Apogee, Thank YOU. We are honored by your commitment and applaud your skill and dedication to your patients.

The next letter comes from a grand daughter. She began by saying that she had recently lost her 89 year old grand mother while under the care of one of our doctors, Dr. Ojo in Franklin, VA. As the assistant CEO of the hospital, this grand daughter, is better prepared than most to comment on a physician’s skill. She said that Dr. Ojo is the “total package” and “a rare find”. She went on to say that many of the common terms we use in medicine are a foreign language to patients and families and any communication is poorly understood in times of crisis. However she then said “Dr. Ojo did an outstanding job in explaining these terms and assisting the family and patient with the end of life decision and support through this period”. She concluded by saying “I am truly grateful for his comfort, care and compassion”.

Dr. Ojo, this letter brought tears to my eyes. You are a credit to the medical profession and to our group. It is a privilege to have you as a partner and I would like to thank you for reminding all of us that sometimes how you do something is more important than what you actually do. Unfortunately, this patient died. However she passed with dignity, surrounded by a loving family, and in the care of a dedicated physician. We should all be so lucky.

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