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Informative
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Written by Dr. Susan Badaracco
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Saturday, 31 January 2009 14:28 |
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Marla Conger and I did not start out as partners. A hundred years ago I was a physician assistant assigned to work with multiple doctors. At the end of each day I would present my charts for viewing and a signature that showed oversight of my work. The process was usually accompanied by discussions of the weather or weekend plans. Not with Dr Conger. She would question me on each case....."what are the most common organisms causing ear infection?", " what made you choose that particular medicine?", "what evaluation will you undertake next?" There was no rest for the weary around her. Working in this manner made me better and made me want to continue my education. I went back to medical school. This was unfortunate for Marla. This meant phone calls when Kyle's lymph nodes felt a little large to me (could it be cancer?) and -were Kelly's eyes really aligned normally? I was training in San Antionio and Marla was forced to talk me down after each errant thought of ailment. Medical school typically makes the student question their own health- I questioned my kid's.
I did my residency at Children's Medical Center. By the end I felt well equipted to deal with almost any crisis. It was not until I started working private practice that I learned that a crisis can have many definitions. Outside the hospital, a crisis can be a child that is failing school and dad is threatening to whip him if he does not do better. A crisis can be sleepless nights with a colicy baby. A crisis can be a teenage pregnancy. I was prepared for none of these events. I would walk the clinic listening for her voice behind closed exam doors and pounce on her when she finished seeing each patient. Over years, I learned. Over years I have seen her train other providers and medical assistants. In 2008 Dr Conger was awarded "Best Pediatrician of Denton County". It is a well deserved honor. She is a great clinician and teacher and I consider myself lucky to be her partner.
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Comments
Aunt Jean
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