I was invited to share my health experience at the Straub Foundation board meeting, to provide a real-life example of Straub Clinic and Hospital doctors and staff in action as they began their meeting. Although I was the speaker, I was touched by the emotion of the board members. These were high-level management and business types who have to make decisions at the macro level and whom I’m sure hear many stories of the good work done at the hospital.
When I told the part about the finding of a pancreatic tumor, I could see faces drop and knowing concerned expressions around the room. When I later said the tumor was found to be benign, there were so many visible smiles that came very naturally. It spoke to their commitment to the work at hand and maybe to my improved ability to deliver a punch line.
I have been happy to share my story but each time I do, it reinforces the fact that it would not have the same happy ending without the diligence of my private practice internist Dr. Lois Saruwatari. The health care landscape is changing with young medical students opting to pick specialties with the potential of high paid careers. The advent of nurse practitioners and clinics and even CVS to handle general patient needs adds to the new look.
The old-fashioned model of an internist who kept tabs on my history over the years and identified a seemingly minor abnormal lab test is what saved my life, along with medical staff skilled not only in performing procedures but also evaluating findings. Science and technology can do amazing things in the medical world these days, but the people who order their use are invaluable. That’s a good use of health care resources under any scenario.
Beyond Six Five 