Healthcare Heroes

I have spent more hours than I care to count in doctors’ offices and I would guess that my experiences are not that much different from other folks. Most of that time came about during my mother’s battle with cancer. During the year preceding her death I came in contact with hundreds of doctors and nurses in many different hospitals. It was the most difficult time of my life and I remember clearly those who went out of their way to treat my mother with kindness and dignity, just as I remember those who did not.

These kudos are for those healthcare heroes who may not realize how important they are and what a difference they make.

“Thank you” to the pediatricians who are patient with cranky children and who understand what it’s like to be a scared parent.

“Thank you” to the doctors and nurses who treat the elderly with dignity and respect, even those who may no longer even know their own names.

“Thank you” to the staff in the emergency rooms who do their best to see patients as expediently as possible and provide quality care under stressful circumstances.

“Thank you” to those who do jobs that aren’t glamorous but are necessary to a patient’s comfort.

“Thank you” to those who spend long and tedious hours doing research so that future generations might not experience the devastation of cancer, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, MS, crippling arthritis, and numerous other diseases.

Whatever our chosen profession, whether it be doctor, lawyer, teacher, nurse, factory worker, or businessman, if we don’t do our jobs with kindness and love for our fellow man, then we can only be good at what we do…not great.

Take pride in doing common things in an uncommon way. Even if the world never recognizes your greatness, the people whose lives you touch will.

“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” —George Washington Carver (1864-1943)