Must work seven days a week while enjoying a strong marriage and family life. Will attend conferences for professional development, but is always in the office; never takes vacations but cultivates many outside interests and international perspectives so as to be well-rounded and interesting. Must be old enough to have decades of medical experience, yet young enough to be in touch with next year’s technology.
Must have an outstanding staff, which is voluntarily underpaid, making it possible to offer the most up-to-date service at minimal cost. Will schedule appointments for unlimited amounts of time with each patient to whom he or she devotes undivided attention.
Must never require anyone to wait. Will return phone calls within five minutes while adhering to a full surgical schedule to keep skills sharp. Must work long hours, yet intelligently discuss the plot of last night’s sitcoms to put patients at ease.
Must have the humility to say, “I don’t know,” or “I need help,” but will never need to say either. Will instantly be able to assess whether a patient needs a strong dose of hope or caution. Must never say the wrong thing. Is a genius, yet sociable, sensitive, and witty. Must have a reputation for demonstrating a wonderful bedside manner.
Is always in a good mood, and can handle with ease and pleasure any number of patients lacking any or all of these qualities.
From When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden by Sandra Glahn and William Cutrer.
PhD candidate Sandra Glahn teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary, where she is editor in chief of Kindred Spirit magazine. She is also the author of seventeen books that include When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden (Kregel) and The Infertility Companion (Zondervan).
Author Website: Aspire2
