I am sure that most are aware that my partner has stopped practicing medicine. This has left me as the only practicing oncologist and hematologist in the surrounding area. I have acquired quite the patient load and am working diligently to make sure that the needs of our community is met. I would like all to know that the care provided by the cancer center will continue to be of high quality as always as we look to find me a new partner. In the meantime, I will continue to provide ALL patients with efficient and compassionate care in their time of need. We will have a locum here for a few days every other week and I am pleased to let you know that Dr. Donnell is also back helping out from time to time. Hard to believe he mentored me 18 years ago as I was a medical student. I had spent 1 month in the newly built cancer center learning what I knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I know it has been awhile since I last posted and I am sure that in the future the interval between posts will not be as long.
This blog is going to be somewhat different from the prior ones. I am not going to write about a specific cancer but instead going to use this as an opportunity to thank everyone for their support and maybe try to give a few words of “wisdom.”
This year has been quite a world wind with the addition and implementation of our new electronic health record EPIC. It took some getting used to and continues to provide some challenges, however, in the end it is what we have and I believe it will only get easier and benefit the people of our community. Thank you to all who have had to put up with the implementation “glitches” as we all know there were a few. Hopefully, those coming into the cancer center now think that things are flowing smoother.
Our director of oncology services has moved on to bigger and better things, however, we have another one who I believe is going to help propel our center into an even more robust one. I would like to thank our past director for all that he has done. He has been supportive and helped me every step of the way since day one. He helped pave the way to make the cancer center better for our patients. He did what was right when it came to the staff and never wavered in what he knew was the right thing to do. He truly cares for the people of this community and I know that as time goes by he will continue to work to make things even better down the road.
My partner. Where do I start? She is one of the best partners any hematologist/oncologist could ask for. Working with her was awesome and from day #1 it was like we had been working together forever. Having a partner like her made it very easy to come to Alpena and practice medicine. I would like all to know that the care she provided was top-notch and that every patient she took care of was with complete and total compassion. I realize her patients know this, however, I want everyone to know. It was so nice to have a person that I could trust to take care of my patients, friends and the rest of the community while I was away on vacation, keeping current with continuing medical education or elsewhere.
To the cancer center staff. After being here for 8 years you are like my extended family. I want you all to know that I appreciate and I have heard from so many people what a wonderful job you do. I know firsthand how difficult is to work in this field but can honestly say you all make it look so easy. The care, compassion and skill you bring to the cancer center day in and out does not go unnoticed. Not by me or by anyone in this community. Keep fighting the good fight because the people of our community need us and deserve the best!
The year 2017 was by far the fastest year of my life. My dad always told me that as I got older time would go faster. As a kid I was not so convinced of this, however, as I get older and busier (not only with work but family) there is no doubt that this is true. Although the year has flown by (2018 is going even faster) and there have been some rocky times, looking back one thing is true. Every day is a gift and each of us need to do all we can to help others in their toughest of times. It is not always easy or glamorous but I truly believe it helps to nurture the soul. I also believe it helps to propel us to even greater things. We have so many great members of this community. Living in Alpena is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. My professional colleagues, friends and family have all made my time here in Alpena truly wonderful. As the years go by I am convinced that things will continue to improve and our community will become stronger.
Until the next blog.
May everyone have a blessed, healthy and happy year!