In Their Words – 2004
Patients share their Dana-Farber experience
Nov. 2004 – Eldon Trimingham, 73, a Dana-Farber patient, wrote this letter to his doctor, Lawrence Shulman, MD, Dana-Farber’s chief medical officer. He visits Dana-Farber every three months or so for scans, blood work, and checkups.
Dear Dr. Shulman,
It is high time I wrote to thank you for your attention, consideration
(and undoubted expertise!) during our several recent visits
to Dana-Farber. Talking about it on the plane back to Canada
today, Kathy and I agreed we could not imagine a more pleasant
way of dealing with what is, of course, a thoroughly tiresome
situation.
Without exception, we have been treated with smiles, real warmth, and good cheer everywhere, even when only asking directions. The various technicians, who seem to treat me as if I were their only patient, are all quick, efficient, and caring in the face of what must be very challenging circumstances at times. As an example, I witnessed a young lady receptionist in the CT scan area who was trying to change a woman’s appointment. She did not entirely succeed in pacifying the patient’s stressed husband, but I promise you she surely tried, without losing her cool for a second.
It occurs to me, given my knowledge of the importance of good interpersonal skills in the business world, that whoever is responsible for this general state of affairs at Dana-Farber is doing a very good job. The obvious benefit to patients and their families - whose first, second, and third choice obviously would be to be almost anywhere else — is clear and certainly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Eldon Trimingham
St. George’s, Bermuda
