Logo

Log In Sign Up |  An official publication of: American College of Emergency Physicians
Navigation
  • Home
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
  • Clinical
    • Airway Managment
    • Case Reports
    • Critical Care
    • Guidelines
    • Imaging & Ultrasound
    • Pain & Palliative Care
    • Pediatrics
    • Resuscitation
    • Trauma & Injury
  • Resource Centers
    • mTBI Resource Center
  • Career
    • Practice Management
      • Benchmarking
      • Reimbursement & Coding
      • Care Team
      • Legal
      • Operations
      • Quality & Safety
    • Awards
    • Certification
    • Compensation
    • Early Career
    • Education
    • Leadership
    • Profiles
    • Retirement
    • Work-Life Balance
  • Columns
    • ACEP4U
    • Airway
    • Benchmarking
    • Brief19
    • By the Numbers
    • Coding Wizard
    • EM Cases
    • End of the Rainbow
    • Equity Equation
    • FACEPs in the Crowd
    • Forensic Facts
    • From the College
    • Images in EM
    • Kids Korner
    • Medicolegal Mind
    • Opinion
      • Break Room
      • New Spin
      • Pro-Con
    • Pearls From EM Literature
    • Policy Rx
    • Practice Changers
    • Problem Solvers
    • Residency Spotlight
    • Resident Voice
    • Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine
    • Sound Advice
    • Special OPs
    • Toxicology Q&A
    • WorldTravelERs
  • Resources
    • ACEP.org
    • ACEP Knowledge Quiz
    • Issue Archives
    • CME Now
    • Annual Scientific Assembly
      • ACEP14
      • ACEP15
      • ACEP16
      • ACEP17
      • ACEP18
      • ACEP19
    • Annals of Emergency Medicine
    • JACEP Open
    • Emergency Medicine Foundation
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Medical Editor in Chief
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Awards
    • Authors
    • Article Submission
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright Information

Impact Is Defined by the Importance of the Moment, Not the Size of the Action

By Alecia Gende, DO | on August 21, 2018 | 1 Comment
Uncategorized
  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Print-Friendly Version

He is a middle-aged man with a ruddy face and full cheeks standing behind the hot food in the hospital cafeteria. Heavy set and holding tongs in his meaty and gloved hands, he wears a white dining coat and the most genuine smile, so heartfelt it warms and energizes even the most tired and burnt-out resident. I don’t typically get to grab breakfast while at work, but on flight shifts, there’s usually some time for my favorite: three eggs, three bacon, and three butter. Today is a typical flight shift, and after sign-out, I broke away to grab some nutrition to fuel me through my flights and learning experiences over the next 12 hours. As I walk up, he says, “How’s my favorite doctor!?” with his big grin and lively blue eyes. We share a brief and pleasant exchange. “I’m doing much better now that breakfast is coming. How are you? Three eggs, three bacon, and three butter, please.” I realize I’m now smiling as big and warmly as he is. I feel lighter than I did walking into the cafeteria. Life is great. Smiles really are contagious. He says he’s doing well and, “I’ll tell my wife I saw you!” Smiling and tilting his head, “Take care, my favorite doctor!” “Thanks, you too!” I happily take my delicious breakfast, my newfound energy, and my reignited passion for patient care to the flight office.

You Might Also Like
  • ACEP’s Choosing Wisely Recommendations Stress Importance of Shared Decision Making in Emergency Medicine
  • Opinion: How Democracy in Emergency Medicine Groups Should Be Defined, Measured
  • Maryland Hospitals Feel Impact of Global Budget Revenue Model

On my way back to the roof, I reflect on the first time we met in the emergency department. It was over a year ago now; I provided care for his wife when she had fallen and injured her leg. The laceration was gaping and required sutures. Unfortunately, it was on her leg that had lymphedema, which caused a great deal of anxiety. I held her hand through some tears and gently informed her she needed stitches. She pulled her hand from mine and adamantly refused. She was understandably worried about more trauma from suture placement and poor wound healing from the lymphedema. “I’m usually so careful with this leg! I’ve never hurt it before,” she cried. I respected her worries, acknowledged her concerns, and empowered her: “You’re in charge. You make the decisions. I give the recommendations. I don’t do anything that you won’t let me do.” I told her and her husband to take their time and consider my recommendations. After some time to consider things, she wanted me to suture her leg. She tolerated it very well, and thankfully the wound healed without issue.

Pages: 1 2 | Single Page

Topics: Early CareerEducationEmergency PhysicianPatient Care

Related

  • Apply Today: ACEP Now Is Recruiting Next Resident Fellow

    May 15, 2025 - 2 Comments
  • ACEP4U: Ramping Up Residency Outreach

    May 8, 2025 - 0 Comment
  • Match Results Amplify Enthusiasm for EM

    March 21, 2025 - 1 Comment

Current Issue

ACEP Now: June 2025 (Digital)

Read More

One Response to “Impact Is Defined by the Importance of the Moment, Not the Size of the Action”

  1. August 26, 2018

    Elizabeth Snuggs,MD Reply

    Thank you for verbalizing my life long passion- caring for people! I’ve been in the same hospital for 31 years. I have worked nights exclusively for many years . We have a team spirit that has created a family! Always stay focused on your mission “ To care for those in their worst moment at that moment” Every now and then you will save a life but always touch a life so they will remember you cared. Sounds like you got that! Don’t lose it!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*
*

Wiley
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. ISSN 2333-2603