A Moment of Thanks

It seems only fitting that in this time of Thanksgiving, we take a moment and reflect on things that really make a difference, some of which go unnoticed. While there are some things we all should be thankful for, I'd like to focus on my workplace this year.

For the doormen and doorwomen, who smile and say "hello" to my patients and help them get in their cars after being in the hospital.
Thank you.

For the volunteers who staff Same Day Surgery and help point me to the family members of my patients so I can discuss the outcome of their loved one's procedure.
Thank you.

For the cleaning staff, who tirelessly enter the offices, empty the trash, turn off the vacuum as doctors enter the patient's room, and do the million small things that make our workplace look so nice.
Thank you.

To the cooking staff who go in the back to see if one of my favorite salads might still be available to purchase when none existed on the shelf, then find there are none, but make a new one anyway.
Thank you.

To my 'Main Man' at the Coffee Shop who ALWAYS says "Have a good day, Doc."
Thank you.

To my spectacular office administrative and secretarial staff, who greet me with a smile, politely coax me into complying with the administrative tasks you know I hate but must endure, for making my letters and reports look so professional, for answering the phone and helping my patients get what they need, and manage my entire hospital existence with professionalism and tact.
Thank you.

To my cherished lab technicians, who get in early, set up the operative field just the way I like it, make sure the equipment is there and working, and show me some of the funniest tidbits on the internet I've seen in a while.
Thank you.

To the lab nurses, who also get their early, greet the patient, reassure them, prep them, make them comfortable, serve up the pharmacologic drugs du jour so the patient always loves the experience, makes sure I document my "initial assessment" before scrubbing, and always make me look good.
Thank you.

To my nurse practitioners, without whom nothing would happen, who call, examine, reassure, explain, care, warn me, care again, and deliver the highest, most remarkable care of patients 24/7.
Thank you.

To the administration, who make sure we can turn on the lights, pay the staff, warm the hospital, tolerate this blog, and actually enjoy doing the 100 million regulatory and safety requirement things that would drive me crazy to implement.
Thank you.

To the Information Technology department, for listening, improving, and somehow keeping the patient data flowing to me, endlessly try to make my job more tolerable despite the patient care documentation burdens to assure our payments.
Thank you.

To my doctor colleagues, who stand with me as we do a tough case, share the call, help with the Holter, EKG, and event monitor readings, talk with my patients just as they'd talk with theirs, work their magic, and continue to have remarkable insights and suggestions to improve what we do every day.
Thank you.

And finally, to my wife, who, despite all these years of hearing beepers go off at night has somehow managed not to say a disparaging word, ever.
Thank you.

-Wes