Donald Withers Fund | Dr. Donald E. Withers Street Medicine Education Fund |
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| Written by Jim Withers | |
| Friday, 30 March 2007 | |
 I wanted to let those of you who had the pleasure of meeting my dad, and all of you who live the ideals of his life to know that a wonderful healer passed from this life on March 20th, 2007. He read an article in LIFE magazine when he was young about "a day in the life of a country doctor" - and decided that he wanted to dedicate himself to becoming such a physician. My dad certainly exceeded this goal both in the excellence of his medical skill and the way he practiced medicine. Though he resepected specialists who treated such organs as the liver, kidney, etc., he would describe himself as "the kind of doctor who treats people".
I learned about the nobility of medical care making rural housecalls with him in his little car. His sense of humor was magical and his shy love for those he served transformed their spirit in healing ways. He really had a great sense of humor. Children would look puzzled when he would look in their mouth and say "stick out your liver!" Dad was available to his patients day and night, he often provided free care, or accepted gifts of food as payment, drove them to the hospital and always, always listened. From him I learned that 'healing begins with listening'. He delivered over 1400 babies and felt that each of them were precious ("even those who became lawyers"). With my mom as his part time nurse, he became more than a doctor to thousands of people and their familes. Most of my dad's acts of love will never be known. My father loved not only those who were in his local area, but had a great passion for those in other countries who were in need. Many of his "vacations" were spent working in hospitals in Nicaragua, Guatemala, St. Lucia and Jamaica. And whenever someone from another country would be in need in his home town, my parents would reach out to them. Dad recently started a program to provide Spanish translation to immigrants and I found out that he was active in (and named) the group "Hanover Juntos" that served all immigrants regardless of legal status. Dad loved what all of you are doing in your countries and cities. He followed the work you do and was so proud to know that there were healers like you doing the work of medical/social justice. In my unconventional career, he gently and wisely encouraged me to reach out to those in need. Even in his late seventies, he showed in action that he was with us by working all night (sleeping on the floor) at the local homeless severe weather shelter. He was excited to know how each of you were working direclty with those who had the greatest need. My father always told me that being a physician meant you were also a teacher. Not just to each patient, but to those who were called to this noble profession. He taught many medical students, and I was moved to see him "teaching" even as he lay dying in the hospital. It is for this reason, that I have decided to dedicate my funds (and those in his memory) to the Fellowship we have been discussing in Street Medicine. This will allow those students who are called to serve and learn with us to be able to deeply explore the work with the street population. Ultimately, the unsheltered homeless will be their true teachers, but to allow them to work with each of us and even travel to our network cities is my dream. I know my father was thrilled with this idea and I believe we can have a part in transforming medical care in the process. In a way, we may be able to help bring back the values of those like my dad who went before us. If you are willing, could you help me find funds for the Donald E. Withers, MD Street Medicine Education Fund? Any other suggestions would be precious to me. "Love as much as you can, as many as you can, in every way that you can, for as long as you can".
Donations: Donald E. Withers, MD Memorial Fund for Street Medicine Education Comments (3)
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