Welcome to MD-Update, the orthopedic issue. If you like variety, you’ll enjoy it because we have orthopedic and spine surgeons from across the state. I’m sure you’ll recognize a colleague, former resident, or classmate.
I have two stories to share that came about in the course of putting this issue together.
First, came Dr. Chip Richardson of Georgetown, Ky. and his continuing effort to save and rebuild the Choctaw Academy, which he, and others, say is the first federally-funded, integrated school in US history, a pre-Civil War school founded in 1821 for native American and slave boys, but which closed in 1845.
At a fundraising and information event for the Choctaw Academy, Richardson spoke with Brandon Maxwell, director of learning and development for Chickasaw Nations Industries. Chickasaw boys attended the Choctaw Academy along with boys from Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, and 13 other tribes.
Here is an example of two men of different heritages collaborating on honoring a significant historical structure while telling the story of the bold effort of former Kentuckians to educate youth while living and working together for prosperity for all.
The second instance came at the reception hosted by the Pikeville Medical Center physician recruitment team. There are some photos from the reception on page 30 in this issue, but here’s one I want to share personally.
Pictured here are (l–r) Alyson Galvan, a medical student at the Institute Politecnico National in Mexico City, and her family members Mateo Galvan, Fernando Galvan, and Azuceno Lara. They came to the PMC reception to learn more about opportunities for foreign medical students in Kentucky.
I spoke briefly with Alyson and found her enthusiastic about her career and possibly moving to Kentucky to practice medicine. I introduced Alyson to some UK residents also attending and let them talk.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the significance of these stories, but with recent events in Charlottesville and immigration reform as a backdrop, I am reminded and sustained by the fact that the human condition, like the practice of medicine, is a person-to-person event. The news is not all bad, it’s just that the bad news makes the most noise.
Let me hear from you if you have a story to tell.
As always, all the best,Gil Dunn, Publisher
Send your letters to the editor to: jnewton@md-update.com, or (502) 541-2666 mobile Gil Dunn, Publisher: gdunn@md-update.com or (859) 309-0720 phone and fax
