Reminiscence-1

Watching the TV news of snow storm in the Northeast, I feel relieved that we had left Chicago eight or nine years ago. At my age, I would certainly like to avoid shoveling snow or driving in icy weather. When we were young and vigorous, we could live in any place. I still remember how I answered Dr. Lloyd Old when I saw him in early 1970’ s while looking for a job. He asked me where did I want to live and work. I said if the work fit, I could go to Alaska . He nodded understandingly. It was such a long time ago that I do not remember when and how I got to visit him. It could be upon the suggestion of Dr. Cooperband who taught me the lymphocyte culture technique.

Reminiscing the days in Chicago , I thought of a funny exchange at my hospital in 1980’ s that still makes me laugh. There was a very smart, quick-witted and humorous chief resident, Dan Fisher, at our Columbus Hospital in Chicago . The Northwestern University Medical Center (NUMC) was trying to include this catholic hospital as one of its teaching hospitals. The house staff, the chief of medicine, and I, from NUMC, were assigned there to draw salaries. But eventually the negotiations failed. I was not interested in those administrative matters and never had any idea of how, why, and the potential consequences to us later.

The medical director and the chief of medical department of Columbus Hospital was Dr. Erl Dordal, a professor of clinical medicine in gastroenterology. He is highly intelligent, sharp as a needle, and can be very humorous. Sometimes his comments can be so funny that I could not stop giggling. He can grab complicated situation in an instant and seems to be able to think many steps ahead of you and then back to you within a fraction of a second. He was very nice and protective of his men.

At that time, almost weekly, the chief resident would arrange a drug company to host noon conferences with outside speakers to talk on some subjects. The drug rep would provide simple lunch and small gift items to attract residents to attend. The conference would go on while we munch on those lunches with drinks. The topics discussed were on various clinical issues and usually very useful. They were not necessarily related to the company’s products, but the company would distribute drug brochures.

One day, after the conference, three of us met in the hall way. Dr. Dordal did not attend the conference, and asked Dan:

“Noon conference?” the director asked softly with an inquisitive look. He did not want to be involved in those company-related matters, I supposed, but still wanted to be kept informed.

Dan answered, “Yes, by so-and-so company”.

He asked, “What was it?”.

Instantaneously, Dan replied:

“Pizza and penlight”.

I burst out laughing and Dr. Dordal broke up grinning. Every time I recalled this episode, I could not help laughing and also admired Dan’s fast and humorous response.

I wonder where Dan is working now. And Dr. Dordal, who must be over 80 years old, from a web search, seems to be associated with the University of Chicago . I wish I could call them and say hi.