The Integration of a Hospitalist

[摘要] I knew I’d become a doctor when the first child died in myarms. In 1991, I took a sabbatical year from college to becomea missionary in the Peruvian Andes. In the 1980–1990s, Peruwas ravaged by a Maoist terrorist group called “The ShiningPath.” Their goal was to burn the country to the ground andbegin their version of “civilization” from the ashes. The killingsproduced many orphans without recourse. Medical care access was poor and often substituted by shamans. At the time, Ithought I’d become a nun and work with the poor. As Iworked with the children, one 5-year-old with large browneyes, thick lashes, and ruddy cheeks became violently ill withfevers, he looked ashen and stiff. I knew there was somethingterribly wrong that required immediate action, but the doctor Icalled kept repeating “watch him, give him Tylenol, he’ll befine.” He could’nt be bothered to come in and examine thechild. Over the next 24 hours, I watched powerlessly as thischild faded before my eyes, never seen by the physician.Afterward, it was my job to contact the widowed mother. Shewas too poor to bury her son, so we bought him a plain pinecasket and buried him in a small hole in the ground. At thatmoment, I knew I’d work as hard as necessary, but I wouldnever again lack the knowledge to help someone at death’sdoor. After entering medical school, I learned his symptomswere textbook meningitis.

[学科分类] 林业科学