Greetings from frozen Tennessee. This winter weather has made life interesting in my medical practice and for our farm. Our cattle are eating more hay and grain, and my patients are having to reschedule appointments and we are doing a lot of telephone medicine. My wonderful hubby is having to bring me back and forth to work too as our road is covered in snow and ice.
Brian and I were pleased to be able to go to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting in Atlanta this past weekend, and we both have to admit that we were more pleased to have driven ourselves and been able to leave on Sunday before the weather set in. We had no desire to be stuck in Atlanta in a snowstorm. We were learning a lot and were please to see our friends from across the country. I was really pleased to have been able to attend the AgChat Foundations training on social media and proper use for Agvocating for Agriculture.
We met and made many new friends as well.
I know that this blog can seem fractured in post at times. And after our training session, I have put more thought in what I want this blog to do. I want people to see the real issues facing agriculture and medicine. By writing and posting here, I hope to provide a glimpse into rural life here in Upper Middle Tennessee. I think that unless people start telling their stories, whether they are based in agriculture or in my case in both agriculture and medicine, the Average inner city American lacks the knowledge to be able to understand our world and the issues we face.
Agriculture has been a late love of my life. I stumbled into this passion of mine by my relationship to my Hubby and our common interest in making our Beef Farm a success. Medicine is a calling that I have always had and am fortunate to be able to continue - unless Congress keeps trying to cut my pay - haha!!!
Looking forward to a more centered approach with this blog, but I will admit there will still more than not be post about my family as well because they are the real reason that I do what I do. So, I guess this post is my New Years Blogging resolution, it just took a bit to write it all down.
Showing posts with label Tennessee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennessee. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Reflections of the Past
Yesterday was a great day for me. It wasn't anything terribly special, but I made time to see some old friends and former teachers. I went to my Family Medicine's Programs Graduation for their 10th year of graduates last night and got to see some people that I have truly missed having in my life. These were the teachers of my hot headed youth who along with my husband have helped me to realize that taking time to "think before you act or speak" is a good thing, living up to your commitments is required (even when you don't feel like it), and that being a good doctor is worth everything that I gave up to get here.
In today's modern world, you here a lot about what is wrong with medicine, but last night, I spent it with people - young energetic people - who reminded me what is right with medicine.
Drs. Mody were there - they took the time to bring Ella into this world. Even though I was a practicing resident at the time - she listened to my concerns and alleviated my fears through two miscarriages and finally through the birth of Ella and then was there through the terrible fears of Will (my Nephew's) birth. She showed me compassion and grace in all her actions.
Dr. Wright, Dr. Bale, and of course Dr. Clouse was there too. I have worked under their care and training and learned the why and how of modern medical practices from each, although I admit that if I never get up to round at three in the morning again it will be too soon. Dr. V. Reddy taught me about the human heart and how to be concerned about cardiological concerns. And all my teachers in Glasgow never tired of taking TIME to teach a sometimes hot headed young doctor about life, medicine, and patience.
The other best thing about my visit last night was to see the unsung teachers of my youth and to get to hug and thank them for their patience and friendship. The nurses and staff of the TJ Sampson Family Medicine Residency Program are the finest support staff that I have ever had the privilege to work with. Kim, Faye, Angela, Nancy, Beverly, Leigh Ann, and all the other girls that I had the honor to work with on a daily basis taught me so much about being a practing MD. The nurses taught me what to expect from a nurse and from myself. When to work and when to have fun. They expected the best from me and I tried to not disappoint them. In order to be a good doctor, in my opinion, you need to take the time and patience to learn from your nurses and front office staff. They will make you a better doctor.
The other thing I learned in Glasgow, I learned from John Asriel, MD, a teacher who was not there last night and whom I missed. I know that the program will go on, but I feel for the loss of the other residents to not have know him. I remember as I graduated he ask me what I was going to do to stay current in private practice in my hometown in TN... I would like to think that my work in implementing ICU protocols for our hospital, teaching continuing education for the nurses, being in the TMA Physician Leadership College, being a AAFP Key Contact to Congress, Chairing the Pharmacy/Therapeutics committee, and my working the Agricultural world would make him and my other teachers proud of the life that Brian and I made at home.
You are never who you want to be, you are only who you are... looking back I can see the mistakes that I made in Glasgow and in Medical School for that matter. Some were small and some weren't. I can say that I would not be the person that I am today without all of the support that I received in my residency program, so for those people in medical school who think they would like Family Medicine - GO FOR IT... its a great life. I am still proud of my Residency memories and keep my wooden memento box on my desk at work - I cannot keep up with my keys otherwise (a neat desk is a sign of an ill mind someone once told me - so trust me at least my mind is safe). I remember the joking award that I got for seeing the most patients out of my graduating class - I am still proud of that - cause that is what I do every day, see and care for patients.
The sad facts are less than 2% of the graduating classes from medical school choose family medicine and fewer of those choose rural family medicine. The hours are long, sometimes I have little privacy (i.e. getting ask to look at a boil in the grocery store or calling in a prescription right after church), and my financial burden is high with low compensation when compared to medical specialist. Then to hear even friends say - "Oh, so your not a specialist..." Yes I am!!! And proud of it, I am specialist in knowing my patients and knowing many diseases and when and to whom to reffer my patients, I care about prevention and families, and I care about my community. Some of these cares were born in me growing up in a small rural town in Tennessee with little access to health care and wanting to make it a better place and became a resolve when as I went through my medical training each specialty group tried to break my resolve to be "just a family doctor in a small town".
I want you read my blog and live my life and see my world and still say that I am nothing but a Family Doctor. I advocate for medicine and for agriculture, I am a full time working Mom, and I care about my patients and my community.
Think about how proud I am to thank these people that have shaped who I am and think about what you want from your life. America is in a time of change and maybe agriculture and medicine aren't your cup of tea, but I encourage each of you to know who to be thankful too, to know what is worth fighting for, and to be proud about your beliefs...
In today's modern world, you here a lot about what is wrong with medicine, but last night, I spent it with people - young energetic people - who reminded me what is right with medicine.
Drs. Mody were there - they took the time to bring Ella into this world. Even though I was a practicing resident at the time - she listened to my concerns and alleviated my fears through two miscarriages and finally through the birth of Ella and then was there through the terrible fears of Will (my Nephew's) birth. She showed me compassion and grace in all her actions.
Dr. Wright, Dr. Bale, and of course Dr. Clouse was there too. I have worked under their care and training and learned the why and how of modern medical practices from each, although I admit that if I never get up to round at three in the morning again it will be too soon. Dr. V. Reddy taught me about the human heart and how to be concerned about cardiological concerns. And all my teachers in Glasgow never tired of taking TIME to teach a sometimes hot headed young doctor about life, medicine, and patience.
The other best thing about my visit last night was to see the unsung teachers of my youth and to get to hug and thank them for their patience and friendship. The nurses and staff of the TJ Sampson Family Medicine Residency Program are the finest support staff that I have ever had the privilege to work with. Kim, Faye, Angela, Nancy, Beverly, Leigh Ann, and all the other girls that I had the honor to work with on a daily basis taught me so much about being a practing MD. The nurses taught me what to expect from a nurse and from myself. When to work and when to have fun. They expected the best from me and I tried to not disappoint them. In order to be a good doctor, in my opinion, you need to take the time and patience to learn from your nurses and front office staff. They will make you a better doctor.
The other thing I learned in Glasgow, I learned from John Asriel, MD, a teacher who was not there last night and whom I missed. I know that the program will go on, but I feel for the loss of the other residents to not have know him. I remember as I graduated he ask me what I was going to do to stay current in private practice in my hometown in TN... I would like to think that my work in implementing ICU protocols for our hospital, teaching continuing education for the nurses, being in the TMA Physician Leadership College, being a AAFP Key Contact to Congress, Chairing the Pharmacy/Therapeutics committee, and my working the Agricultural world would make him and my other teachers proud of the life that Brian and I made at home.
You are never who you want to be, you are only who you are... looking back I can see the mistakes that I made in Glasgow and in Medical School for that matter. Some were small and some weren't. I can say that I would not be the person that I am today without all of the support that I received in my residency program, so for those people in medical school who think they would like Family Medicine - GO FOR IT... its a great life. I am still proud of my Residency memories and keep my wooden memento box on my desk at work - I cannot keep up with my keys otherwise (a neat desk is a sign of an ill mind someone once told me - so trust me at least my mind is safe). I remember the joking award that I got for seeing the most patients out of my graduating class - I am still proud of that - cause that is what I do every day, see and care for patients.
The sad facts are less than 2% of the graduating classes from medical school choose family medicine and fewer of those choose rural family medicine. The hours are long, sometimes I have little privacy (i.e. getting ask to look at a boil in the grocery store or calling in a prescription right after church), and my financial burden is high with low compensation when compared to medical specialist. Then to hear even friends say - "Oh, so your not a specialist..." Yes I am!!! And proud of it, I am specialist in knowing my patients and knowing many diseases and when and to whom to reffer my patients, I care about prevention and families, and I care about my community. Some of these cares were born in me growing up in a small rural town in Tennessee with little access to health care and wanting to make it a better place and became a resolve when as I went through my medical training each specialty group tried to break my resolve to be "just a family doctor in a small town".
I want you read my blog and live my life and see my world and still say that I am nothing but a Family Doctor. I advocate for medicine and for agriculture, I am a full time working Mom, and I care about my patients and my community.
Think about how proud I am to thank these people that have shaped who I am and think about what you want from your life. America is in a time of change and maybe agriculture and medicine aren't your cup of tea, but I encourage each of you to know who to be thankful too, to know what is worth fighting for, and to be proud about your beliefs...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Animal Welfare Questioned in Tennessee...
Well, its happened, then news and animal rights activist have decided that Tennessee needs to be the next target - at least middle Tennessee where I live is feeling the strain. There is legislation in the state at the moment to change the laws that we have dealing with animal cruelty that were written by people that do not understand the current system of legislation that is in play. These same people have been quite vocal in denigrating farmers and the Tennessee Farm Bureau in our lack of sponsorship of these bills. These are poorly written legislation that do little to protect animals, Tennessee already has some of the strictest animal cruelty laws in the nation if they were enforced.
In no shape form or fashion do myself or any decent farmer that I know condone the mistreatment of any animal - neither does the Farm Bureau. For years farmers have been the stewards of our environment and our livestock. In years past, farmers depended on their animals not only for their food but for assistance with producing their crops. Now we depend on our animals for income and in some cases for enjoyment. I take offence when the local new media in our area choose to interview owners of 1-2 burrows and a horse as a farmer instead of a production agriculturist on this issue. Farm Bureau Members believe that whenever someone is found guilty of animal cruelty there should be swift and just punishment in accordance of the law.
Speaking of the law, lets talk a bit about Tennessee's animal cruelty laws since the news is not educating you about it... Today in our state we have two separate statutes on animal abuse.
The first is TCA 39-14-202 Animal Cruelty - passed in 2002 and Farm Bureau worked with the bills sponsors- this deals with intentionally or knowingly torturing, maiming, grossly overworking, failing to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal, abandoning and animal, or transporting and animal in a cruel manner. This law carries a punishment of up to 11 MONTHS & 29 DAYS IN JAIL AND $2500 FINE PER ANIMAL. (It is already against the law in this state to fail to feed and water your animals - it may not being enforced) This law applies to all animal including livestock. A second conviction of this act is already a felony.
The second is TCA 39-14-212 Aggravated Animal Cruelty - this deals with crimes against animals that they merited a Felony charge on the first offence as it presently stands. this deals with crimes such as setting an animal on fire, chopping an animal up, etc. This is due to the fact that persons who are willing to commit these crimes against animals will likely commit crimes against people latter in life. Again Farm Bureau worked with the bills sponsors when it was passed.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Tennessee animal protection laws in the top tier of 50 states. This Fund was founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law, ALDF pushes for stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws and more humane treatment of animals. The report is release on a yearly basis and ranks based on 14 categories of animal protection laws. BUT we did not hear that on the news.
As a Tennessee Farmer and Farm Bureau member, I am very disappointed in the one sided reported and misrepresentation to the House Ag committee and to the People of Tennessee. the local new media has chose to report that farmers do not care about animal rights when we have a record in this state of being proactive champions for animal rights.
Since 2002 Farm Bureau has actively supported every ethical bill for animal rights as is show by our high ranking to such organizations as the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Farmers want and need healthy animals. We already have good laws to this effect. We need to support and enforce the laws we have. Thanks for listening...
In no shape form or fashion do myself or any decent farmer that I know condone the mistreatment of any animal - neither does the Farm Bureau. For years farmers have been the stewards of our environment and our livestock. In years past, farmers depended on their animals not only for their food but for assistance with producing their crops. Now we depend on our animals for income and in some cases for enjoyment. I take offence when the local new media in our area choose to interview owners of 1-2 burrows and a horse as a farmer instead of a production agriculturist on this issue. Farm Bureau Members believe that whenever someone is found guilty of animal cruelty there should be swift and just punishment in accordance of the law.
Speaking of the law, lets talk a bit about Tennessee's animal cruelty laws since the news is not educating you about it... Today in our state we have two separate statutes on animal abuse.
The first is TCA 39-14-202 Animal Cruelty - passed in 2002 and Farm Bureau worked with the bills sponsors- this deals with intentionally or knowingly torturing, maiming, grossly overworking, failing to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal, abandoning and animal, or transporting and animal in a cruel manner. This law carries a punishment of up to 11 MONTHS & 29 DAYS IN JAIL AND $2500 FINE PER ANIMAL. (It is already against the law in this state to fail to feed and water your animals - it may not being enforced) This law applies to all animal including livestock. A second conviction of this act is already a felony.
The second is TCA 39-14-212 Aggravated Animal Cruelty - this deals with crimes against animals that they merited a Felony charge on the first offence as it presently stands. this deals with crimes such as setting an animal on fire, chopping an animal up, etc. This is due to the fact that persons who are willing to commit these crimes against animals will likely commit crimes against people latter in life. Again Farm Bureau worked with the bills sponsors when it was passed.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Tennessee animal protection laws in the top tier of 50 states. This Fund was founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law, ALDF pushes for stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws and more humane treatment of animals. The report is release on a yearly basis and ranks based on 14 categories of animal protection laws. BUT we did not hear that on the news.
As a Tennessee Farmer and Farm Bureau member, I am very disappointed in the one sided reported and misrepresentation to the House Ag committee and to the People of Tennessee. the local new media has chose to report that farmers do not care about animal rights when we have a record in this state of being proactive champions for animal rights.
Since 2002 Farm Bureau has actively supported every ethical bill for animal rights as is show by our high ranking to such organizations as the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Farmers want and need healthy animals. We already have good laws to this effect. We need to support and enforce the laws we have. Thanks for listening...
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