Because of her
he became
a better physician
PERSONALITY PROFILE
(roatialled1).-om page 15)
Meet one of the faces of success
S. David Nathanson, M.D., a
board-certified surgeon and
director of the Breast Clinic at
Henry Ford Medical Center–West
Bloomfield, and member of the
Henry Ford Medical Group, talks
about a former patient who has
had a major influence on his life.
There are many aspects of patient
care and management not taught
by other doctors or in medical
texts. Learning from my patients
has been a theme throughout my
career. One, in particular, taught
me a great deal.
When I was a fellow at UCLA, I
treated a 23-year-old woman with a
malignant tumor. She couldn't walk
and was in tremendous pain. Her
other doctors had given up hope.
My chief, an internationally
renowned physician who is still in
practice, and I treated her in a
totally unconventional manner.
He was known as a maverick, and
these particular treatments were not
out of the textbooks. Everybody
thought we were nuts. She hovered
near death for three or four months,
undergoing radiation treatments,
chemotherapy and having a number
of major surgeries. She spent a lot
of time in intensive care. Eventually,
with a lot of additional coaxing from
her family, she turned the corner,
put on weight and started to walk
again.
My fellowship ended six months
later, and I left UCLA. I didn't
really appreciate at the time that
she had become dependent on my
care and was devastated when I
left. Due to her ongoing needs, we
remained in contact for years. I
became her confidant, sharing in
her triumph when she got her
master's degree in speech therapy
and took a position in the Los
Angeles school system. When I
visited my family in L.A., we would
meet for lunch.
She eventually married a man with
three children and we lost contact
with each other about four years
ago. A few months ago, I received
a letter from her husband, telling
For more information or to make an
appointment call 1-8019-HENRYFORD or
visit our Web site www.henryford.com
I
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JNPLATINUM
me she had died
suddenly, one
day before her
5oth birthday.
She had lived a
remarkable 27
years after that
dramatic, mav-
erick treatment
at UCLA.
This patient has
had a tremen-
dous impact on me and made me a
better physician. I have learned
from many patients, and I saw real
gutsiness in this woman. She was
never free of suffering, always in
pain, but no one would ever know
it. After such dramatic treatment
the pain was inevitable, but that
treatment saved her life.
What physicians learn in medical
school, residency, training and
fellowships is important. It's
scientifically based and very
valuable. We've seen tremendous
technological advances during my
years in practice. We couldn't
manage to do what we do without
those things, but there are many
hidden, subtle, unexplainable,
healing attributes that physicians
can develop. I believe these are key
to the most important aspect of
patient care.
I've trained in many different
places, beginning with the
University of Witwatersrand
Medical School in Johannesburg,
South Africa, and have medical
skills. Those skills are important,
but I know I need to be tolerant of
all sorts of ideals and beliefs, and
not try to interpret my patients'
emotions and feelings.
I may have a small inkling of what
they're experiencing, but I can
never know completely. To make it
a complete healing experience for
my patients, I always need to listen
to, and learn from, what my
patients are telling me.
All you need to know to get to the show.
ince the first Detroit Auto Show was held in 1907 —
where 33 vehicles were exhibited at a beer garden in
Detroit — the show has evolved into the North
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Location:
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One Washington Boulevard
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Times:
Saturday, Jan. 14-Saturday, Jan. 21:
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Sunday, January 22:
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Ticket Prices:
:'1dult: $12
Senior Citizen (65 and older): $6
Children 7-12: $5
Children 6 and under: free with a parent
Tickets may be purchased at the door or online
at ticketmaster.com or naias.com . ■