Physicians are in the unique and privileged position to understand the dreams of their patients—and to help patients achieve those dreams. It’s this ability to impact that makes being a physician so inspirational, one physician recently explained.
Robert Alan Probe, MD, chair of the board of Scott and White’s integrated medical group and chair of the department of orthopedic surgery, shared his story at the AMA’s recent Inspirations in Medicine event.
A young, bubbly girl named Maddy came to him with an unusually shortened humerus, and the growth plate at the top end of the bone had shut down asymmetrically. Because of this, Maddy couldn’t fulfill her dream of playing basketball.
“In 25 years of practice, I can’t remember a patient where the art and science of medicine came together [like this], where we were understanding this girl’s dreams and doing something about it,” Dr. Probe said.
Through an intense and long treatment plan, Dr. Probe was able to lengthen the bone and help the girl get back to the sport she loved.
“What started it? This little girl, with a dream to be with her friends on the basketball team,” Dr. Probe said. “Because of her willpower, because of 21st-century medicine, because of the human spirit and the partnership between the patient and physician, she realized her dreams.”
“Medicine is in chaos now,” Dr. Probe said. “The one thing that cannot change, that should not change, is that relationship of understanding your patients’ dreams, having a part in their life and doing what you can to help them.”
Get inspired: Watch this Inspirations in Medicine video and others on the AMA’s YouTube channel.
