A Doctor's Testimony by Dr. Joyce Oh For whatever reason, when Billy asked me to write about myself for this newsletter, I thought, “That’s easy! Who doesn’t like to talk about themselves?” But I fumbled for content, and while I know everyone has an origin story, it was hard to get the right perspective on mine. Today, the Lord reminded me that I can speak of Him, because He is the author of … [Read more...]
MercyMed Blog
Patient Heroes
by Jeff Barkhouse, FNP Often hearing a patient’s story encourages and even inspires me. Our patients are often dealing with significant financial struggles as well as physical and emotional challenges that are, in many cases, far removed from my life experiences and I am amazed at their resilience, perseverance, and faith. There are also those patients whose backgrounds are much more similar to … [Read more...]
Malachi
Dr. Grant Scarborough Pocahontas died 400 years ago. I do not remember her story very well. Someone asked me recently at a museum, "Who did Pocahontas marry?" I muttered a name – it was wrong. She was a Native American. I do not know what type. She married a Puritan I think. I cannot remember anything she said. I’m not sure she ever spoke. She never speaks in the paintings I see of her. In fact, … [Read more...]
Thank You Hal!
Thank you Hal! By Dr. Grant Scarborough I like to tell stories, but some things are best said directly – up front. Some things I do not want you to miss. “MercyMed would not be here without Hal Brady.” Let me repeat this, in case I was not direct enough. “MercyMed would not be here without Hal Brady.” Now for the story. I graduated residency program in 2007 and moved to Augusta, … [Read more...]
10 Lifetimes
“Father, I wish I could live multiple lifetimes!” There goes Anita again, with her crazy comments. “What do you mean?” I asked her – then I hear her heart– “there is so much I would like to do. I would like to be an astronaut. I would like to be on the first rocket trip to Mars. I would like to explore, Dad. Then I would have another lifetime, where I can be a chef. I would go to chef school – I … [Read more...]
Little Moses
** Warning** Please read FIRST: I do not condone the injuring of animals, nor do I intend to imply that people are like cats. This is an analogy. It is an imperfect picture of the point I am trying to convey. Please read SECOND: I do not condone the injuring of animals, nor do I intend to imply that people are like cats. This is an analogy. It is an imperfect picture of the point I am … [Read more...]
Confessions to a Crack Addict
by Dr. Grant Scarborough I saw his name on my rounding list. I only work in the hospital four days a month, so I am not there often. Normally I work in my clinic to care for the indigent in town—but not today. I recognized his name right away. One of my indigent patients was in the hospital again. I read the note in the chart before going to see him. The words: “Crack. Again.” A statement in … [Read more...]
Comfort Zone
By Dr. Grant Scarborough Jesus met Levi, a tax collector of the day. Levi was hated by his own people. He took their money and gave it to the Romans. It’s tax season and I just decided I don’t like Levi either. Jesus found Levi working at his tax booth. Jesus says, “follow me” and Levi “leaves everything.” Levi throws a great party – a feast and invites all his friends. He invited other tax … [Read more...]
The Parable of the Lost Sock
Dr. Grant Scarborough Once there was a story of a sock that was lost. It made the owner very sad, for it was his favorite of all his socks. He had one of the two socks and refused to throw it away because he thought the other one would show up, even if it has been eight years. The owner loved this sock more than the others—it was an expensive pair that was meant for biking. It also has a pretty … [Read more...]
From Kosovo to Columbus
by Jeff Barkhouse, FNP Serving in a ministry context in a predominately Muslim culture is not the logical preparation path for doing health care at MercyMed, but that is exactly the career trajectory that God had in store for me and my family as we transitioned back to the United States after living and working with Albanians in the Balkans for the last twenty years. I haven’t met many Albanian … [Read more...]