A people place

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is my hospital of choice. My respect for DHMC started with my first visit, with Dr. Michael Mayor, when he spent an hour and a half discussing my knee problem.

The same thing happened when I first met with Dr. James Bernat. My latest experience has been with Dr. Franklin Lynch. He, too, takes time to understand his patients. The interest shown by the professional staff is exceptional—especially in light of the financial pressures and impersonal environment in medicine generally. The same applies to all the other staff and administrative personnel I see every time I have an appointment at DHMC.

Your magazine reflects the same concern for people—the personal as well as the clinical and research aspects of the institution. And the articles are well written and interesting.

Joe Kerr
Vergennes, Vt.

Lens of literature

I am a patient at DHMC, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. I spend a lot of time at the Medical Center so have become familiar with your magazine, enjoy it very much, and look forward to each issue.

I recently became involved in a project with the DHMC Continuing Health Education Office called the Phoenix Book Group. We plan, starting on January 12, to hold a monthly book discussion group focused on dealing with chronic illness and loss, and finding inspiration through the lens of literature.

In trying to collect potential reading material for the group, I remembered an article in your magazine a few years ago. It was by a man who was reflecting on his cancer treatments at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center. I believe that the construct he used was of the changing of the seasons. If possible, I'd like to obtain a copy of the article. Thank you very much.

David Salvatore
New London, N.H.

The article Salvatore recalls is "The Seasons of Survivorship," by John Milne, from our Summer 2001 issue. Coincidentally, Milne wrote a news article for the "Vital Signs" section in this issue of the magazine—see page 13. More information on the book group Salvatore mentions is available by e-mailing DaveSalvatore@Aldelphia.net.

A world of opportunity

As a member of the World Health

The Web site above and the photograph below both sparked letters.

Committee of the Dartmouth Medical School Alumni Council, I would like to make readers of Dartmouth Medicine aware of a Web site that catalogs hundreds of international medical service opportunities. DMS students, alumni, and faculty have always been eager to help improve the quality of life and the delivery of health care in underserved areas of the globe, and this site was created to further foster that interest. It is also available for use by anyone interested in international medical service.

The World Health Committee, chaired by Dr. Chuck Wira, has worked over the last several years to create this comprehensive catalog. It started as a print resource, was updated and expanded, and recently was placed on the Web. The opportunities are currently indexed by country, and the committee plans to expand the site to allow users to search for opportunities by specialty, too.

To get to the site, click here.

Charles Carr, M.D.
DMS '81
Hanover, N.H.

Photo finish

I noticed with interest the letter from Kay Amsden on page 27 of your Fall issue. I would like to add to her identification of the persons in the photo with Mr. Wilson. In addition to Mr. Amsden, the nurse pictured is Bette Bowler (now Ward). She was temporary director of nursing at that

time, which, as Ms. Amsden said, was in the early 1950s.

I enjoy your magazine so much, especially news of those from that time period.

Arline Rich
Enfield, N.H.

Rich is a 1947 graduate of the Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing. The file copy of that photo identified only Wilson; we're delighted to now know the names of all three individuals in the picture (which is reproduced above).

Right of assembly

The Fall 2004 issue of Dartmouth Medicine was beautiful and contained many interesting stories. However, I was unable to read it in full, as the pages in my copy were not assembled properly. Is it possible to get another copy that is readable?

Dollie E. Ash
Keene, N.H.

With even the best printer, it happens every once in a while that a copy is produced with pages out of order or missing. We're happy to send a replacement copy to any reader who gets a defective one.

Copy that

Could you please put my name down to receive your excellent magazine? The articles are super. For the last three years I have had occasion to be at DHMC on a regular basis—first as I underwent an operation and then four chemo treatments, and then when my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. Since I recently had my third cancer-free checkup, and my husband died last May, hopefully I won't be in the hospital to pick up a copy in the near future.

Carol R. Powell
Woodstock, Vt.

An old friend

I had the pleasure of working at DHMC from 1983 to 1992 (my name then was Pat Wager); when I left, I was director of the intensive care unit. I am now director of the emergency department at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, Idaho.

I came across a recent issue of Dartmouth Medicine and was happy to catch up on old friends. I'd love to be added to your mailing list. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at DHMC and would like to follow the accomplishments of this great medical center.

Pat Burton, R.N.
Eagle, Idaho