A Christmas Eve text message.
-
Afzal is a guy that I used to work with. Though a trained pulmonologist in Pakistan, he came to the US about 15 years ago, and, although I don't know the whole story, never got licensed in the US. He got a job at our place as a "Surgical Assistant." This position is that of a hospital employee whose job it is to be the first assistant to a surgeon. He holds retractors, cuts sutures, and, basically, is another pair of hands for the surgeon. I don't know how much SAs make, but it's probably more than a nurse, but less than a Physician's Assistant.
When he came to our place, he was inexperienced in the ways of the operating room, really didn't know how to tie knots, etc. Just "didn't know the ropes." A lot of people soured on him early in his position because, as I said, he was trained as a lung doc, not someone comfortable with the ways of the OR. However, I always thought he was a good guy - gentle, insightful and careful. He grew into the role of a SA, and by the time I retired, he was just fine.
Oh. He is a very devout Muslim.
I haven't seen him or spoken to him in at least two years.
About 15 minutes ago, I got a text message from him, and I responded:
Sort of made my Christmas Eve.
-
That's rad.
-
Interesting. Here we have docs who came from Russia, actually the Soviet Union, who also never licensed, and fill the same roles in some private hospitals. The problem, some are masterful surgeons, unbelievable hands. Better than some of the people who they assist and often have to extricate the “real surgeons” from serious mishaps. And most interestingly, many are very humble and not bitter about it, treat the people they assist with respect and not derision, just go about their job with dignity.
-
@bachophile said in A Christmas Eve text message.:
The problem, some are masterful surgeons, unbelievable hands. Better than some of the people who they assist and often have to extricate the “real surgeons” from serious mishaps.
My experience is identical. Afzal was not trained as a surgeon, of course, but he quickly grew into the role. He became more than competent.
treat the people they assist with respect and not derision
At least publicly, LOL.
"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08
The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.
