Work against disasters -- natural and man-made

AMA Leader Commentary. By J. Edward Hill, MD, Oct. 17, 2005.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from AMA President J. Edward Hill, MD.

One night last month, I returned home exhausted from a day volunteering at a local clinic for Hurricane Katrina victims.

And surprisingly enough, my wife said, "You seem happy."

Earlier that afternoon, I had seen long lines of people, packed waiting rooms and patients whose bodies and spirits needed mending. It was overwhelming. But then I saw what could happen when a nurse dressed a wound, when a pharmacist filled a long-delayed prescription and when physicians cared for patients in their time of need. I met a woman who forgot her medicine and glasses at her New Orleans home but was able to save her four cats -- and had the cuts and scratches to prove it.

It's moments like these that make it easy to remember why I became a doctor.

This tragedy took the lives of many -- but it's bringing out the best in physicians from all over the country, including those picking up the slack for those who volunteered.

Dr. Bart Farris, a lab director, was asked to stay behind with half the medical staff at West Jefferson Medical Center --one of the largest community hospitals in New Orleans. They went on lockdown when the storm hit.

His journal tells the story.

Surgeries performed in 100-degree heat. Physicians' family members serving meals to the staff and patients who stayed behind. Emergency aid for a woman whose husband helped her give birth in the attic of their home.

While this was happening, Katrina tore a hole in the roof of Dr. Farris' house across town. Thankfully, another physician showed up to help him -- Dr. Chris Fleming. He brought materials to patch the roof and 10 gallons of gas for Dr. Farris.