President Letters - Dr. Whitely 2010

My Christmas Genes!

Susan M. Whitely, MD

I have inherited an autosomal dominant Christmas gene. That means I love all things to do with Christmas; I embrace the beauty and spirit of this season. When everyone complains, “the stores are already putting up Christmas displays,” I try to make sympathetic sounds in response but secretly I’m craning my neck to look. I have eggnog chilled in my fridge right now. I’m hearing the music in my head. Thanksgiving is good eats but just a pit-stop to a season I don’t want to end.

Guest Columnist Dr. David Ott: Designers or the Victims

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Insurance companies send me lists of patients who may not have received recommended health care screenings.In the past, I’ve spent hours diligently reviewing each patient record and writing a response to the insurance company. My efforts have never been acknowledged. Unfortunately, much of the data is junk. “Why didn’t Mrs. X get her mammogram?” The patient died two years ago.

Join Us for Tailgate Mania!

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Greetings!  I hope to see you all at our MCMS Annual Event – Tailgate Mania coming up this month. It will be fun to see the diversity of school colors worn by all, to eat delicious tailgating food and to spend time with friends and colleagues. The Society staff has worked diligently to put together a fun event.

The Correlation of College Football & Medicine

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Fall is here, and that means college football is beginning! This is a fun time for me, and many of my patients. It always amazes me to see the regional differences in style of football; the SEC dominating most of the time. I wonder about the regional differences in the practice of medicine -do they exist? Does the South practice medicine differently than the East? Is there a dominant style of medicine or approach to caring for patients?

Don't Be Quiet!

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Happy late Fourth of July! Happy early Veteran’s Day!

Top 10 Reasons I like Being a Doctor

Susan M. Whitely, MD

My son recently completed an application for an honor society. As I write this, my niece is completing an application for graduate school. The same types of questions appear continually on these applications. One of the universally asked questions is, “What are your most substantial accomplishments?”

Listen to Your Patients

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Patients are storytellers and the really great physicians actually listen to their stories. I spent two months during residency working with a general surgeon. I received from him the single most important piece of advice I’ve ever received from any physician – “Listen to your patients.” Those four words are deceptively simple and clear, but incredibly difficult to implement at each patient encounter. Our education focuses on clinical knowledge and technical skills, but in order to diagnose even the simplest condition we must listen with intent to learn from our patients.

In Thanksgiving

Susan M. Whitely, MD

First, I must apologize for last month's letter which was outdated almost immediately after I wrote it-no more trying to elaborate on the shifting sands of health care legislation!

Many Questions & Few Answers

Susan M. Whitely, MD

My friends among you know that another piece of man-eating carpet recently attacked me, unfortunately resulting in a distal femur fracture. Orthopedic hardware now probably makes up more than half of my body. I’m musing to myself about the value of recycled titanium after I die. I tell the readers my plight not to elicit sympathy but to explain to you why I was able to stay at home all day watching every minute of the Health Care Summit and subsequent coverage.

Straight From the Source

Susan M. Whitely, MD

I should have specialized in public health medicine. I am an intense advocate of efforts to keep our community healthy. I am a vigilant vaccinator; each year I have a flu shot contest with my entire staff competing on teams. When H1N1 announced its presence, I hounded our public health officials for information and vaccines. When the seasonal flu shots were impossible to obtain, I called multiple pharmacies and became a beggar on behalf of my patients and their families.

Let’s Play Ball

Susan M. Whitely, MD

Greetings, everyone! Moving day for my office had finally arrived. Everybody in my practice was so excited about relocating to a space that was larger, more beautiful, and more importantly, truly ours. We were not seeing patients that day and I was casually dressed in blue jeans, tennis shoes and my favorite “day off” Ohio State T-shirt.

Peace and Happy New Year!

Susan M. Whitely, MD

I am writing this in 2009, and my wish is that your Holiday was relaxing and joyous.

I am Susan Whitely, your 2010 Maricopa County Medical Society President. First, I would like to thank Dr. Brian Riveland, as Past President, and Dr. Edward Donahue, who preceded Dr. Riveland. They have both guided me and mentored me. I would also like to sincerely thank the Society staff, especially Dan Mitten, for transitioning me into this servant role.