When you get right down to its essence — our job is to provide patient care.  This is a privilege we have been granted. Humbling, actually.

By caring for patients, we are doing at least three things; one: we help people in need; two: we provide a platform for clinical education of medical students and residents; and three: we provide a laboratory for clinical research. To repeat a common assessment, patient care is both art and science.  Science comes in the form of competent application of medical knowledge; the art is being attentive to the patient in a manner that facilitates well-being, security, treatment compliance, open communication and healing. Both of these concepts are captured in our mission: Improve the health of people we serve with a spirit of compassion and knowledge.

Every patient has a story that needs to be respected.  Last week I visited an elderly patient at UMC Health System — I listened to her a bit.  She said she was lonely and wished someone would come visit her and stay for a while. I stayed as long as I could and promised to drop by again.  Listening to this sweet woman talk just reminded me once again… every patient has a story.