By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    November 15, 2022
    back pain issues
    Ways to Treat Constant Back Pain
    August 21, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Privatizing Social Security and Medicare: Who Can Defuse Political Dynamite?
    June 12, 2011
    Study: Risk of Death in Elderly Patients with Dementia Doubled with Some Antipsychotic Medications
    February 26, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: A U.S. Marine’s Gift to a Doctor
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > A U.S. Marine’s Gift to a Doctor
Public Health

A U.S. Marine’s Gift to a Doctor

Michael Kirsch
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

I saw an elderly patient a few months back for a gastrointestinal issue that fortunately led to a benign outcome.  He was a modest man who spoke softly and used few words.  As has been my custom for as long as I’ve sat across patients, I was interested to learn something of the man beyond the issue that brought him to see me.  Indeed, it is these vignettes that I regard as the gems of my practice.  Without them, I would be left only with the practice of medicine, and this would not be sufficient.

I saw an elderly patient a few months back for a gastrointestinal issue that fortunately led to a benign outcome.  He was a modest man who spoke softly and used few words.  As has been my custom for as long as I’ve sat across patients, I was interested to learn something of the man beyond the issue that brought him to see me.  Indeed, it is these vignettes that I regard as the gems of my practice.  Without them, I would be left only with the practice of medicine, and this would not be sufficient.

He wore a military baseball style cap, emblazoned with a U.S.M.C. label.  To those who do not immediately recognize what these letters stand for, then I suggest that you apply to medical school, become a physician, see patients so you also will have the opportunity to learn stuff that really matters.
 
I learned that he served in the Pacific theater in World War II and asked him about his service there.  While my father served in the war for 39 months, he remained in the United States, far from harm’s way.  As he was so mechanically incompetent, perhaps the government kept him home as they were fearful of placing a firearm in his hand.  He was stationed in California and likely would have been deployed to Japan had President Truman not ended the war in August 1945.
 
My patient described how he was shot in the head, with the bullet piercing the front of his helmet and then exiting out the rear.  No vital structures were injured.  He described the event as casually as one who had sprained an ankle in the parking lot.  I find that older veterans are characteristically modest and understated, two virtues that I wish were more contagious.
 
When I learned that he served on Iwo Jima, my eyes flickered wondering if he had witnessed the scene that has become America’s most iconic military image.  Yes, he had witnessed the legendary flag raising on Mount Suribachi.  I felt as if I were in the presence of an important man, though he would likely dispute that.
 
I saw this man back in the office recently, and at the conclusion of the visit, he gave me an envelope containing a gift.  It was his U.S.M.C. pin that he wore throughout his service.
 
 
“I want you to have this, doctor,” he told me. 
 
I accepted this important gift from an important man with deep appreciation.
We give what we can to our patients.   They have just as much to give back to us.
 
Semper fi, Elmer. 
 
 
TAGGED:doctor/patient relationship
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

Talking Healthcare with Don Berwick, Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts

March 8, 2014

Is Eating Red Meat Bad For You?

March 14, 2012

Text Messaging Helping to Keep People Healthy

May 1, 2012

Beyond Ebola: Doximity and Doctors Without Borders Work to Fight Infectious Disease

October 23, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?