My current gig doesn't include any clinical time at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Hospital in Milwaukee. While I have many U.S. military veterans in my practice, being immersed in the VA culture at Zablocki (and before that at the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago) is an entirely separate experience and one that I miss. Veterans as patients cannot be stereotyped, but a strong theme at the VA is appreciation, gratitude and respect between the patients and staff. Typically VA buildings are built like their patients, not flashy but very sturdy.
My darkest night as a doctor was at the VA. That night will never leave me nor should it. The healing that occurred there and allowed me to continue working with patients was in great part because of the great compassion and humanity of two of my favorite vets -- Mr. Quinn and Mr. Orr.
I tried to thank as many of the veterans in my life as I could today for serving and defending our country.
But I also want to thank all the veterans that I've learned from and cared for these past 13 years. It has been my honor.
My darkest night as a doctor was at the VA. That night will never leave me nor should it. The healing that occurred there and allowed me to continue working with patients was in great part because of the great compassion and humanity of two of my favorite vets -- Mr. Quinn and Mr. Orr.
I tried to thank as many of the veterans in my life as I could today for serving and defending our country.
But I also want to thank all the veterans that I've learned from and cared for these past 13 years. It has been my honor.