In Memoriam

of your work, and perhaps for how you show up for your patients. Writers always say, “write what you know,” and as physician-writer Abraham Verghese writes, “illness is a story” (3). +

Rebecca Kowaloff, DO is board certified in palliative medicine and is a member of the inpatient Palliative Team at UMass Memorial Medical Center. She loves to educate lay people and medical providers in palliative care.

References

1. Charon, R. (2006). Narrative medicine: Honoring the stories of illness. Oxford University Press.

2. Charon R, Narrative and Medicine, N Engl J Med 2004; 350:862-864.

3. Beck D (2016, June 1). Cover Story: The Physician-Writer: Good Doctors are Good storytellers; some make it a second career. American College of Cardiology. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ articles/2016/06/10/11/12/cover-story

4. Lewis B. Narrative Medicine and Contemplative Care at the End of Life. J Relig Health. 2016 Feb;55(1):309-324.

Dr. James “Jim” L. Erwin

James L. Erwin, MD, 91, of Shrewsbury, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023. He was predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth in 1968 and his second wife Dorothy in 1998.

Jim was born on December 24, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland to Dr. John J. and Margaret (O’Connor) Erwin. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Johns Hopkins University for his undergraduate studies and Medical School.

He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force at the Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan. Jim was a distinguished member of the medical community of Worcester, practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for over 40 years. He was in private practice in Worcester for many years prior to joining the Fallon Clinic where he worked for 19 years. He was a proud member of the Worcester District Medical Society (he joined in 1966), Massachusetts Medical Society, New England Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, and Worcester Economics Club.

Jim is survived by his eight children and 16 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

I first met Jim shortly after starting my practice in Worcester. He was a most helpful and practical colleague, making sure that I got all of the details of joining the hospital staff (where to park, where to get keys, etc.) that others wouldn’t think to offer and I wouldn’t think to ask. Good natured, highly intelligent and quiet but always helpful, he made our medical community a better place. +

B. Dale Magee, MD