Life Segmented: Did I Do Something Useful?

By John Seidenfeld, MD and Adam Ratner, MD

If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when? *

Seidenfeld:

Life is usually lived in phases and today in pods. Transitions from privileged birth, to child living in a peaceful land, to camper in a faraway remote location, to public school student, to athlete, to awkward boyfriend, to college student distant from home, to trainee in a lifelong profession, to Army service, to husband, to father, to grandfather, and to remembered soul seems a condensed but fitting summary.

Another way to view this life is that seen from a pod of medicine. Here the molt was from medical student, to intern, to resident in internal medicine, to fellow in pulmonary medicine, to faculty researcher and teacher, to mentor, to clinician, to administrator, to medical director, to clinician, and to faculty member.

We transition from unformed Potential to formed Professional with the help of teachers, mentors, genetic gifts, proper nurturing, nudging, questioning, telling stories and believing them, answering offers, invitations, and opportunities, overcoming obstacles and crises, and entering dialogue with friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Sometimes we push and sometimes we are pushed. As Bob Dylan has said, everyone serves somebody.

As we go on there is lifelong learning. There is belief in science, literature, comradery, interprofessionalism, and advancement of society and culture. If we are fortunate, we reach out to others and they reach out to us.

Two years ago, I was living the quiet life of a Hill Country gentleman learning about wild hogs, scorpions, snakes, and grandchildren when Adam Ratner asked if I would visit him at UIW (University of the Incarnate Word) School of Osteopathic Medicine to discuss the new school. What follows is Adam’s explanation as to what has happened in his life that led to this fortuitous meeting.

Ratner:

John is correct, life is segmented, particularly if lived fully. I didn’t really know and appreciate this early on.

When I completed my residency and fellowship, I believed that was the end of my academic career. I returned to San Antonio where I grew-up and joined an active and growing private radiology practice. I found that I particularly enjoyed building new imaging centers and developing new practices with my partners. I enjoyed this for two decades until reimbursements changed in 2005-6 and I realized that we probably wouldn’t be building any more imaging centers. I “retired” from private practice with the plan to co-found a non-profit organization, The Patient Institute, to keep me busy and out of trouble.

Unfortunately, I was not busy at first while we waited for the IRS 501(c)3 determination letter to get the organization funded and running. To fill the time, I was spending too much time at Costco and the garage was filling up.

One morning, after a few weeks of retirement, our high-school aged daughter (now a psychiatry resident) came down the stairs, saw me in my bathrobe at the breakfast table (she never saw me at breakfast prior to retirement), pointed her finger at me and exclaimed, “Dad, you’re lazy!”

I did not want to be a poor role model, and frankly I was bored. As soon as she left for school that morning, I contacted Darlene Metter, a friend and colleague at UT LSOM Department of Radiology, and my second career in academic medicine began. I enjoyed several years at UT and then transitioned to UIWSOM when I heard they needed a part-time radiologist. Both at UT LSOM and at UIWSOM, I have found great joy guiding and mentoring the next generation of caring, effective and happy physicians.

During my academic career, I became more active in BCMS. One of my favorite BCMS activities is serving on the Publications and Communications Committee. On this committee, we have fun discussing the contents of our excellent magazine, San Antonio Medicine.

At one of these Publications and Communications Committee meetings, who should I see but John Seidenfeld. I remembered working with him decades ago when I was in private practice.

Seidenfeld:

And so, it began again. Adam was passionate and excited about a case-based learning method at the SOM. After watching this process and a more Socratic question and answer, large group process, I had found the next project along life’s path. That was some two years ago and since then I have been more involved with the learners in groups studying cases, in pre-clinical education, and in community engagement activities. The faculty has welcomed me and the ideas we are working on together.

BCMS and the Publication Committee have provided a platform to discuss all aspects of medical practice. Steve Fitzer and the clinicians who volunteer as counselors and officers with the medical society are excellent role models. We are looking for others who still have a voice, an active mind, a heart flame, and interest in communicating with colleagues about big and small projects. Lifelong learners please contact Adam or me and we would be glad to share or hear of your interests.

*Hillel the Elder

John Seidenfeld, MD is the Chair of the Publications Committee.

Adam Ratner, MD is a member of the Publications Committee and former President of the Bexar County Medical Society.