Published: July 12, 2008 09:40 am            

Tribute to a mentor

Editor:

It seems as though every time you pick up the paper or look at the news on the internet, you’re hearing about corruption in this area. You read about those who pillage with no regard for the community in which they live or the persons for which they affect. It has become much too easy to accept the status quo, rather than stand up and be the voice of reason. Sadly, this community has lost one of those voices of reason.

Dr. Dwain Doyle passed away on June 28. For the community it was a loss of one of our top health providers and for others it was the loss of a friend and family member. He was a hometown boy who became a hometown leader. While I am not eloquent enough to fully describe the impact of Doyle’s life and career on this community, I felt it would be a disservice to not express what an honor it was to even be considered his colleague.

It is so difficult to even describe on how many fronts Doyle impacted this area. He was not only an OB/GYN, but a mentor, leader and friend. He always believed in this community and more so the quality of our healthcare.

Doyle was a torchbearer for the physicians of this community. He always stood up for the local physicians, even when it might not have been the enjoyable or popular stance. He thrived on taking physicians concerns, fears and questions and providing them with intelligent and achievable solutions. There was never a problem that Doyle couldn’t find a solution in which all parties were happy. While much of this was do to his immense intelligence and work ethic, his unquestioned optimism was always an asset.

Doyle’s role went far above the duties of women’s health. He was an unbelievable physician recruiter. One visit with him and you knew where you wanted to practice medicine. While many patients may not feel that he had an impact on their life, always remember the family doctor that treats your parent’s diabetes, the orthopedic surgeon that treats your child’s arm fracture, or the general surgeon that saves your life, very possibly arrived here through the hard work and recruiting efforts of Doyle. He always felt that good doctors led to a great hospital which led to a thriving community.

Most importantly, Doyle was one of us. He grew up here and thus knew the concerns of its people. He didn’t just practice in this community, he loved this community. When I was unsure of whether I wanted to come back to my hometown to practice orthopedics, I never will forget Doyle’s advice: While it may be more profitable to practice in larger cities or wealthier areas of the country, there is no amount of monetary compensation that can match the pride in seeing the fruits of one’s labor and the positive impact we have on the people’s lives in the community on an everyday basis. After being back in McAlester and practicing orthopedics over the past year I couldn’t agree more.

Sadly, an era has ended. We are a weaker medical community due to the loss of Doyle, however, we will march on and get stronger over time, just as he would have wanted. His contributions to the healthcare of this area will go on long after June 28. I can only hope that when my time on earth has passed, my career or body of work will inspire some young physician to be more than just a doctor, but a representative for all that is good in this area.

Thank you Dr. Doyle. Thank you for always being an unwavering voice for other physicians. Thank you for always answering that 2 a.m. call when it would be so easy to go back to sleep. Thank you for showing me that one doctor can make a difference. Myself and this community will always be in debt to your service.

Dr. Chad E. Crawley

McAlester



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