Appreciating our rural health providers

published September 29, 2011

in the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

            As I write this column on Friday afternoon, I am looking forward to Saturday evening’s “Appreciation for Rural Health” event at Stockton High School. I just read the list of silent and live auction items, and this looks like great fun. I am certain the evening will be a class act, all planned by the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation.

            The new Medical Clinic nearing completion in Stockton is beautiful and is certainly something for our community to be proud of. This is a unique opportunity for our rural community, especially with two new doctors anxious to get to work in the new facility. Things like this don’t happen in “small, rural” towns without the support and hard work of many dedicated people. There is certainly a lot to appreciate about our Rooks County health providers and new facilities.

            Thinking about our beautiful new clinic under construction, and looking forward to an evening of fun while showing appreciation for our healthcare providers reminded me of the story of Bubba, who had shingles.

Bubba walked into the doctor’s office, and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said, “I got shingles.” So the receptionist wrote down his name and address, took a copy of his medical card and told him to have a seat in the waiting room.

            Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aide called Bubba’s name and asked him to come on back. She escorted him to an examining room. Then she asked Bubba what he had, and Bubba said, “Shingles.” So she wrote down his height and weight, asked him all kinds of questions about his medical history, and told Bubba to wait a few minutes there in the examining room.

            Another fifteen minutes went by before a nurse came in. She sat down and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, “Shingles.” So the nurse checked Bubba’s temperature, recorded his blood pressure, stuck his finger for a blood test, and then told Bubba to strip down to his underwear and wait for the doctor, who would be along shortly.

            Half an hour later, the doctor came in and found Bubba waiting patiently, dressed only in his underwear. The doctor looked at Bubba and looked at his chart and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, “Shingles.” The doctor asked, “Where?” Bubba answered, “Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload ‘em?”