This morning, I got an unknown call on my cell phone from Houston. I answered. For the doctor, this was a necessary but unpleasant part of his day since it involved some unhappy news about a mutual patient. Many Texans know that there is a big, pink hospital complex in the medical district of Houston called M.D. Anderson. We like to brag about having the world’s largest cancer hospital in Texas. Doctors, as well as patients, from all over the world come to it. Some truly amazing things happen in this hospital, and that is wonderful.
However, a hospital that is bold enough to take some of the most difficult cancer cases will also see a lot of suffering and death. It comes with the territory. I appreciate the professionalism that comes from this institution, and that includes things like the difficult call to the local oncologist. Many oncology presentations are fairly routine, and most patients do not need to travel to Houston for cancer care.
Childress Regional Medical Center is also known for its professionalism. In fact, there are some truly amazing things that happen right here, and not just in oncology. Doctors, nurses and others are doing their job, and the entire region benefits.
