The Big Change

The Big Change

Over the past 10 days I have been neglectful of my blogging but  it is because of new and exciting things happening in my life. After practicing medicine for 30 years in a Christian Health Center in Pittsburgh, I left my dear patients and coworkers to take some much needed time off. That was 4 months ago. Jim and I had two wonderful vacations in the late summer/early fall. My plan was to take the summer off and after our trips were over, I would get down to the serious work of figuring out where God was calling me next.

Too young to retire

It was surprising to me how many people assumed I was retiring when I left the Health Center. The 4 months off was very healthy for me. It was a time of peaceful reflection, and reaffirmed how much I love patient care. The longer I was off, the more I was longing to get back to the practice of medicine. However, much as I love the work, I want to do a bit less of it and be able to enjoy time with my family and friends. An opportunity came up to join my husband’s practice, and care for patients at a new office in Ellwood City. We are taking over the reins from a physician who practiced there for 45 years and recently retired.

My first day was November 7th and predictably the day before I started I had my usual pre-change meltdown. This is my pattern before any big change. It is irrational.  I knew once I started I would be fine but I always experience these jitters before a new school, job, role.

The first day was not without challenges, one of the biggest being going back to a paper record (a temporary situation). Much as we complain about computers, being on paper makes one realize how much we depend on on-line tools to deliver quality care. One day before I had even started at the practice, I was whining about being on a paper record. Jim said to me:”That’s it! You are fired!” He said I got this very sad look on my face and cried out: “But I haven’t even started yet!”  Luckily he reconsidered and I am now happily back to caring for patients in Ellwood City.

Ellwood City is a  little town about an hour Northwest of Pittsburgh. It is very different atmosphere than my previous inner city practice. I feel like I have gone back to a gentler, simpler time and place. The patients are very gracious about the change of doctors and I think I will be very happy there. I have survived another big change with God’s grace and the patience of my very loving husband.