Voting as the Village Doctor

[Guest guest]

I just finished voting. I waited 35 minutes in the rain in a

line which snaked around our library like a Disney World amusement ride (in Virginia, there are

no referendums to vote for this year, so the voting is really quick). But what

was neat was that while I stood in the line, I realized many of those with me

were not nameless faces but patients and neighbors. I know these people

(literally warts and all), I know their families, and heck, in many cases, I even know who they are going to vote for. It gave me a

sense of where I fit in the community, or more accurately, how I am now a part

of the community. Practicing medicine (even in the IMP way) is tough, but periodically

seeing how I fit in to the larger puzzle is good for my soul. When I set out on

this endeavor (nearly 6 years ago now), I wondered if it was possible to somehow

reconnect the doctor to the community--particularly in a larger city setting.

The answer is yes. And when that happens, it is both professionally and

personally gratifying.

My advice is to go vote—and see your community. Get a

sense of who they are and how (or if) you want to fit in. Then figure out how

you need to change. After all, what else are you going to do in that line? I love

voting. J

[Guest guest]

You are so way cool Brady Totally excelentIn my tiny town the guy I helped get hearing aids who is the retired tax assessor(he drives over sometimes and says " anything new you did to the house? " )' and his-wife makes me state my name officially after she says HI We vote at the fire station a nd there is alwasy choclate candy in little dishes.

DOn't anybody be upset- but yesterday I was seeing a young guy I know very very w ell and he said he was going to vote for the " other candidate " we will say The " wrong " one I will say

Get out of here! Leave! I said laughing Get out of my sight! Wanna discuss religion too?? ANd he said ok ok maybe I will stay home I won;t vote .Good I said, that';s it, don;t vote for that man.. a delightfully respectful funny conversation When we know these folks as people why we can talk...

Now guns I don;t touch guns...

I just finished voting. I waited 35 minutes in the rain in a

line which snaked around our library like a Disney World amusement ride (in Virginia, there are

no referendums to vote for this year, so the voting is really quick). But what

was neat was that while I stood in the line, I realized many of those with me

were not nameless faces but patients and neighbors. I know these people

(literally warts and all), I know their families, and heck, in many cases, I even know who they are going to vote for. It gave me a

sense of where I fit in the community, or more accurately, how I am now a part

of the community. Practicing medicine (even in the IMP way) is tough, but periodically

seeing how I fit in to the larger puzzle is good for my soul. When I set out on

this endeavor (nearly 6 years ago now), I wondered if it was possible to somehow

reconnect the doctor to the community--particularly in a larger city setting.

The answer is yes. And when that happens, it is both professionally and

personally gratifying.

My advice is to go vote—and see your community. Get a

sense of who they are and how (or if) you want to fit in. Then figure out how

you need to change. After all, what else are you going to do in that line? I love

voting. J

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax

[Guest guest]

Sigh..I am on the list right now reading email because my husband just called me as I was heading out the door with my 9 year old to vote. There is an hour wait and I have to take her to school in 45 minutes. Guess I'll have to wait till later in the afternoon to vote. We have lots of initiatives in California and a big City Council race in Santa Cruz. And oh yeah, that presidential thing. It's very exciting.

I just finished voting. I waited 35 minutes in the rain in a

line which snaked around our library like a Disney World amusement ride (in Virginia, there are

no referendums to vote for this year, so the voting is really quick). But what

was neat was that while I stood in the line, I realized many of those with me

were not nameless faces but patients and neighbors. I know these people

(literally warts and all), I know their families, and heck, in many cases, I even know who they are going to vote for. It gave me a

sense of where I fit in the community, or more accurately, how I am now a part

of the community. Practicing medicine (even in the IMP way) is tough, but periodically

seeing how I fit in to the larger puzzle is good for my soul. When I set out on

this endeavor (nearly 6 years ago now), I wondered if it was possible to somehow

reconnect the doctor to the community--particul arly in a larger city setting.

The answer is yes. And when that happens, it is both professionally and

personally gratifying.

My advice is to go vote—and see your community. Get a

sense of who they are and how (or if) you want to fit in. Then figure out how

you need to change. After all, what else are you going to do in that line? I love

voting. J

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax

[Guest guest]

Sigh..I am on the list right now reading email because my husband just called me as I was heading out the door with my 9 year old to vote. There is an hour wait and I have to take her to school in 45 minutes. Guess I'll have to wait till later in the afternoon to vote. We have lots of initiatives in California and a big City Council race in Santa Cruz. And oh yeah, that presidential thing. It's very exciting.

I just finished voting. I waited 35 minutes in the rain in a

line which snaked around our library like a Disney World amusement ride (in Virginia, there are

no referendums to vote for this year, so the voting is really quick). But what

was neat was that while I stood in the line, I realized many of those with me

were not nameless faces but patients and neighbors. I know these people

(literally warts and all), I know their families, and heck, in many cases, I even know who they are going to vote for. It gave me a

sense of where I fit in the community, or more accurately, how I am now a part

of the community. Practicing medicine (even in the IMP way) is tough, but periodically

seeing how I fit in to the larger puzzle is good for my soul. When I set out on

this endeavor (nearly 6 years ago now), I wondered if it was possible to somehow

reconnect the doctor to the community--particul arly in a larger city setting.

The answer is yes. And when that happens, it is both professionally and

personally gratifying.

My advice is to go vote—and see your community. Get a

sense of who they are and how (or if) you want to fit in. Then figure out how

you need to change. After all, what else are you going to do in that line? I love

voting. J

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax