BRATTLEBORO — I owe a debt of gratitude to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Surgeon Thomas H. Lewis, who died unexpectedly earlier this month while on vacation.
I first met Dr. Lewis in the old emergency room. The on-duty physician - an out-of-the-area doctor on loan to BMH - was verbally abusive. I was in distress, facing emergency surgery, which I understood would be under the knife of that horrible individual.
Then, Dr. Lewis showed up. He had left a family picnic on a beautiful Sunday and traveled 40 minutes from his home to be there for me.
He was extraordinary. After giving me a shot of Demerol, he performed a tricky and difficult maneuver to stabilize my situation.
After explaining his plan, Dr. Lewis assured me that he was confident he could do it, adding: “I will take full responsibility.” Having been the patient of at least one physician who was unable to be honest and accountable, my thought when Dr. Lewis said that was: “This guy is a mensch!”
That he had taken such a risk to help me is phenomenal, and if something had gone wrong there is no way that I would have faulted him.
Thanks to Dr. Lewis, I was able to schedule the needed operation as elective surgery.
His compassion and empathy were matched by his medical skills. He thoroughly researched a clotting disorder and heparin allergy that I have, and consulted with a Dartmouth-Hitchcock hematologist.
Respecting informed consent, Dr. Lewis went over everything with me and my wife in advance, never expecting rote deference to his expertise. Years later, when I needed a second surgery, Dr. Lewis was again there for me.
The truth is, BMH does get some physicians who had to leave where they were, and one of their resumes found its way to Brattleboro. And, of course, they can be good. But we have been particularly blessed by some great physicians who appreciate our special community, and give us, their patients, extraordinary care.
I ran into Dr. Lewis at Dottie's a few weeks ago. After inquiring into my well-being, the last thing he said was: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Thinking of what he could do for another person was typical for him.
Thomas H. Lewis, M.D. exemplified the best among physicians.