A few weeks ago I was in the intensive care unit at Martha Jefferson Hospital standing next to the ventilator of a patient who just had his large aortic aneurysm repaired. As I watched the monitors, the respiratory therapist looked over at me and asked, "Dr. Owens, why are you here?" And this is what I said.
"I've pondered a lot about it but I'm not sure it's all that complicated. I think maybe I'm here to make sure each one of my patients and their families enjoys the Martha Jefferson experience so much they would not want to go anywhere else for their healthcare. I'm here to do my part as a vascular surgeon and assist in helping create a very special community hospital that prides itself on educating fellow physicians, their patients and the people of central Virginia.

I'm here to do my part as a vascular surgeon and assist in helping create a very special community hospital that prides itself on educating fellow physicians, their patients and the people of central Virginia.

I'm here to help care for all patients with all types of vascular conditions. I'm here to support our ICAVL accredited peripheral vascular lab that performs over 6000 non-invasive studies each yearÒassisting in the diagnosis and treatment of a vast array of conditions from carotid occlusive disease to mesenteric and limb threatening ischemia. I'm here so that I can look back and be proud that in just over three years our vascular services division has grown to three vascular surgeons, two interventional radiologists and five vascular technicians. That we provide advanced endovascular care and that we have just completed our 100th aortic aneurysm repair with outcomes that rival any medical center in the U.S. I'm here so that my grandkids can look back and be proud that their granddad was a part of the growth and expansion of Martha Jefferson Hospital. I don't think the meaning of being a physician is bickering over turf issues and who controls who in a hospital Ò but to enjoy the many small events that come together to make our patients well. We're here to be the patient advocate, always, under all circumstances.
I don't think I am here to save the world or be on every national board committee. No, I think I am here just to help the few people who happen to walk into my office with a vascular problem. I guess I'm here to be a humble physician Ò like Dr. Hawkeye Pierce on MASH once said, ÎI just try to do my best in my own little world.'
See, I think too often as physicians we get so bogged down with many of the perceived negative things in our field when all that really matters is this gentleman lying right in front of us waking up from his surgery. And the tiny, precious moments when his wife and family know he is going to be okay. Does that answer your question?"
And he said, "Not really, Dr. Owens."
And I said, "No?"
And he said, "No, what I meant is, why are you here when I can wean and extubate your patient for you. You should go get something to eat. You must be starving. I'll page you with his blood gas."