posted March 30, 2006
Five local physicians were honored Thursday by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and Project Access, in conjunction with Channel 3’s Eyewitness News Today, for Doctor’s Day Appreciation Week. The honorees were selected from nearly 50 nominations submitted by local residents.
The 2006 honorees are:
Dr. Charles Portera, Sr., Women’s Institute for Specialized Health;
Dr. Robert Wood, Highland Pediatrics (Beacon Health Alliance and Memorial Health Partners);
Dr. William Hartley, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics;
Dr. Larry Schlabach, University Oncology and Hematology Associates; and
These physicians were honored at a special Doctor’s Day reception at the Medical Society. The event was held from 6–7 p.m.
National Doctors’ Day provides a time for people to show appreciation to the doctors who care for them or their loved ones. The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Winder, Ga., on the anniversary of the first use of general anesthetic in surgery. The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day on March 30, 1958. In 1990, Congress established May 30 each year as the National Doctors Day.
“Hamilton County is blessed with outstanding physicians who give tirelessly of themselves,” according to Rae Young Bond, Medical Society Executive Director. “The panel that selected five honorees from this year’s nominations faced a huge challenge because every nomination was compelling and inspiring.”
This year’s observance also salutes the 400 physicians who have volunteered to care for low-income uninsured residents of the community through Project Access. “Project Access is one of the most significant ways in which physicians are making a difference and contributing to the health of our community,” Bond said.
Excerpts from the winning nomination letters:
Dr. Bob Wood, Highland Pediatrics, Beacon Health Alliance-MHP
About five months ago, Oct. 5, 2005, I took my two-year-old daughter, Emily, in to see Dr. Wood because she had a little cold and was breathing rapidly. In the next few minutes, our whole world change. As Dr. Wood examined her, he found what he thought was an enlarged liver and sent us to TC Thompson’s for further testing.
Later that day our worst nightmares were realized and our daughter was diagnosed with cancer. As soon as Dr. Wood’s day ended at his office, he came down to the hospital to be with us. Not as our Dr., but as our friend and support.
By Friday, Oct. 7, our daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. And the outlook was not great. Again, Dr. Wood was with us to answer our questions. Once a child is diagnosed with cancer, they no longer see their pediatrician again until they are cancer free. But, Dr. Wood … supported us every step of the way. Almost every week that we were in the hospital, he came by to see us and talk to us and Emily. It was always very comforting to talk to him.
On the day of Emily’s surgery to remove her tumor … Dr. Wood was there with us … later that day, Emily passed away during surgery. And as soon as Dr. Wood got the news, he came back to hospital to be there for us again. And, this was his day off. I will never be able to thank him enough for being there with us that horrible day.
We asked him to be a pall bearer at her funeral, and he graciously accepted … He even bought a pink shirt to wear. On the day of her funeral, my middle child, Max, was sick with a cough and fever. And, true to form, after the gravesite, Dr. Wood … then met us at the church to examine Max. A week later, Dr. Wood had found two different places to seek grief counseling for my boys, without me asking.
Dr. Larry Schlabach, University Oncology & Hematology Associates
Dr. Schlabach is a specialist in Oncology and is without doubt the most compassionate and caring physician I have ever dealt with. I have been his patient for almost eight years, since I was diagnosed with leukemia. He is always up to date on new treatment options and keeps me fully informed of my prognosis, advancements in the field, and available medications coming in the near future.
When my husband became ill with lung cancer and subsequently passed away, Dr. Schlabach was there for me and my family through all of the chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and final hospital stay. His medical expertise was important at that time, but his compassion and understanding were equally as important to us.
He is always available with a shoulder to lean on, or the time to just listen to my worries and fears. This personal touch is becoming increasingly rare in these days of HMO and insurance management of doctor/patient relationships.
I have the utmost respect for all doctors that treat cancer patients, as it must be a very difficult area of medical practice. I think Dr. Schlabach sets the standard for doctors in this field, with his dedication and commitment to all facets of treatment, both physical and emotional, for his patients.
Dr. Charles Portera Sr., Women’s Institute for Specialized Health
Several years ago, Dr. Portera took time to discuss the pros and cons of HRT with me. …he insisted that, due to my small frame, I undergo a bone density scan, although it was earlier than the recommended age of 50. In doing so, I was diagnosed early with osteoporosis. I called my sisters, as I thought this might indicate a familial disposition to the disease, and they themselves were screened. They too were diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Due to the early treatment we have received, we are all free from pain, very active, and getting stronger bones every day. We actually live much healthier due to the above diagnosis.
Dr. Portera’s generosity with his time, and his insistence on proactive screening not only insured my quality of life is preserved and that I am able to remain extremely active. He has saved three lives when he took time and careful attention with one. I am also very conscious of my children getting enough calcium in their diets.
Dr. William Hartley, Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics
Dr. Hartley was nominated by a Project Access patient. She said, “Dr. Hartley is wonderful!” He performed the initial surgery in January and recently completed a second surgery. She knew she would not have gotten this desperately needed medical care without his help. She said, “I wish more people could say they have a doctor like mine. I was very nervous about the pain after surgery, but Dr. Hartley told said he was not going to let any of his patients stay in pain”.
She said, “Dr. Hartley really knows his stuff and he was very caring as he implemented his treatment plan. I had a great deal of confidence in his abilities to heal and our doctor patient relationship has a genuine and understanding rapport.”
The patient also wanted to specifically point out the care she received from his staff, especially Barb, “his right hand who knows everything about everything”. The patient said she had received a rose delivered to her from her doctor after the surgery. “Bless his heart” was her closing comments along with her thanks for the opportunity to nominate her very special doctor.
Dr. Marc Cromie, Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
Dr. Marc has been treating our daughter, since she was about 9 months old. He and Dr. Tony Friddell (primary care doctor) have worked together to … control her food allergies, outdoor/indoor allergies, and eczema. We also visit his office once a week for her allergy shot and the office staff are always … more than willing to answer any questions …
Dr. Marc has taken extreme care and tons of time to get medicines just right for her little body (she is now seven). We have had trouble getting the insurance companies to fill her medicines because she requires such a large quantity. He and his office have always been ready to help us with anything from a letter to a phone call to get things cleared up… My daughter wants to say “Thanks for taking good care of me Dr. Marc.”
My husband and I also see Dr. Cromie for our allergies … During a recent visit to get his allergy shot my husband had a severe reaction … Thanks to the quick thinking and preparedness of Dr. Cromie’s staff they were able to quickly control the symptoms. Without them I could have lost my husband and our children their father. How can you say thank you for that?
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |