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(back to page 7)
After we had finished dinner and Barb put Kate in bed, we joined the Shells and Jenkinses on the porch, pulling a group of rocking chairs into a semicircle. Dusk was beginning to fall over the valley, and as it did, the autumn colors of the trees underwent transformation through a cornucopia of colors. The hills almost seemed aflame. The wind was blowing gently.
Barb broke the companionable silence. "John and Ella Jo, what led you all to move to the area, or are you from here originally?"
"Oh no, we're not from here," John answered. "But we love this area. Moved up here from Atlanta to own and operate this lovely little inn in this beautiful locale." He paused to consider how best to articulate his thoughts. "There is so 'very much' here that we like. The history of the area is a rich one. The people are wonderful. The weather's great, and there's plenty of fresh air and water. It's a safe community—a great place to raise your kids. The schools are good, and the teachers are top-notch. It's a religious community. The hunting and fishing and hiking are superb. And thanks to Mr. Douthit, our little hospital is just fabulous—given its size."
He paused again, looking troubled, almost confused about where to go next. R.P. Jenkins intervened, "Walt, our surgical services at the hospital are excellent. Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Cunningham bring in a lot of business and a lot of patients. They do a lot of surgery and do a good job. Our operating rooms are large and modern—they have all the best equipment. And our two nurse anesthetists are fabulous. People will travel here from quite a ways away."
John interjected, "And 'some' of our medical services are good. We've got a new lab and a new emergency room. Our new X-ray equipment is state-of-the-art. Dr. Sale does an excellent job, but ..."
There was a moment of silence. John and R.P. looked at each other. "What is going on?" I wondered.
"What the men are hesitant to say," interrupted Sally, "is that we have a number of physicians that are ..." She paused. "How should I say this? They are, uh, getting older. Sometimes they can be moody or cantankerous. People around here get a little tired of that. So they leave and take their medical business elsewhere. That's not good for the hospital or the community."
"The older folks, the ones who have trouble traveling, don't seem to be leaving to see doctors in other towns," explained R.P. "But the younger families sure are."
"And," added John, "it doesn't help that none of the doctors deliver babies anymore. That's one of the reasons we're so excited about the possibility of you coming here. Your experience and training would be perfect for our little town."
"I wouldn't expect things to change overnight," warned R.P. "But as folks get to know you, they'll certainly stay and have their babies here."
"Just like they used to," Sally mused.
Quietness reigned for a few moments as we relished the cool air and the enveloping dusk.
"Well, folks," I said, "Barb and I are excited about finding a home for our family. We're eager to settle down and to build a practice somewhere. So tomorrow's going to be a special day for us. We're looking forward to seeing the hospital and the town and meeting the board members and the other doctors."
Both couples looked at each other. Then Ella Jo spoke her first words to me, "Dr. Larimore, I have to be honest with you. I'm not sure some of the doctors want to meet you."
This unsettled me. I was quiet.
"They've become so comfortable with the status quo. They've got plenty of patients and they make enough money. I'm worried that you might be a threat to them. There's not been a new doctor around here in quite a while. And those who come usually get shooed right away. It's downright shameful." She seemed almost angry.
"Ella Jo," her husband cautioned, "don't you think that type of talk's a bit severe for our new friend?"
"No, I do not!" she exclaimed—sitting up in her chair. "You board members"—she was pointing a finger at her husband and then at R.P.—"need to take back a little control from those medical deities. They've been running things just a little bit too long. It's hurting our hospital, and it's hurting our town. What we need around here is a well-timed funeral or two!" She sat back, obviously fuming, but done with her soliloquy.
"Well," Sally added, "I don't think that's true of Mitch and Ray. Mitch made Ray feel welcome and has brought him right into this community. And the other doctors have come to accept him. Goodness, I even think they like him."
"That's only because he's with Mitch," opined Ella Jo.
There was another moment of silence. "What we need to do," suggested John, "is see if Mitch and Ray would consider taking Walt under their wing. Their office is empty in the morning while they're in the operating room. One of them is off one afternoon a week. So there's room in their office at least seven half-days a week."
"That's a great idea, John!" exclaimed R.P. as he sat up in his rocking chair. "That could take care of everything."
I wasn't so sure. Barb gave me that "we need to go" look. "Ladies and gentlemen," I announced, "it's been a lovely evening. Ella Jo, the meal was above and beyond." Her smile ran ear to ear. "We've had a long day and have a longer one tommorow. If it's OK, I think we'll turn in."
"Oh, you bet. You betcha," said John. He, Ella Jo, and the Jenkinses stood to say farewell.
"Tomorrow's the start of another day. A great day!" exclaimed R.P. as we turned to leave.
As we walked to our room, I thought, Beautiful land. Warm and gracious people. Rich history. But the medical staff and the hospital—would I want to be a part of them? Or would they even want me to be a part of them? My doubts were growing.
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