Now I'm Really Upset

[Ross]

I just found out that my life saving angel, Dr. Patrick McCarthy, is no longer at The Cleveland Clinic. He has taken a Directors position with Northwestern in Chicago. While I'm happy for those in Chicago, it's a terrible loss for us around the NE Ohio area. Now I'm really bummed. For me, this is like saying Dr. Cosgrove just relocated elsewhere to some of you.

http://www.nmh.org/for_the_press/front_page/2004_02/story/st_2004_02_20.html

 

[Johnny Stephens]

OUCH. I know that my surgeon has been taking on more and more Administrative duties, and branching out into heavy research. I think of him in much the same way you think of Dr. McCarthy. I feel like if it hadn't been him in command, I'd not be here typing this now. He also had to have major back surgery about a year ago, so I was worried he'd no longer be accessible. Ironically, I've not seen or spoken with him since my surgery, although my cardio speaks with him regularly about my case.

It's been nice to know he's still out there if I need him, but things change.

Can he get you hooked up with someone else? That might help put you at ease

 

[Ross]

I'm sure there are others, perhaps Roger Mee, but I know a couple of people who could really use McCarthy's expertise because they are high risk patients. For myself, I hope to never have to make use of his service ever again, but as life and hopes go, you just never know.

Actually I think this is a plot thought up by Gina. She keeps trying to get me to Chicago, so what better way to do it then to draw my favorite surgeon away from here and in to her area!

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Ross,

I remember reading about Dr. Patrick McCarthy coming to Northwestern in the paper last week. I was thinking how cool! Someone from Cleveland Clinic would be too awesome. I just read the name and unforunately didn't relate him to you. I'm sorry!

No, Gina, nor myself had anything to do with the move just to lure you to Chicago. Sorry you're bummed. Like you said though, hope you don't need his service again, but knowing he's moved so far away from you doesn't give you much comfort in case you do. Like Johnny said, maybe you can hook up with someone else if need be. We would love to see you in Chicago but not because of illness!

 

[NascarfanMary]

Sorry but...

Sorry but...

Ross,

I am a patient of Dr. Roger Mee, Dr. Brian Duncan,( surgeons ) and Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Lorber ( cardiologists) and they would all take good care of you I am sure. I would be lost too, if I lost my cardiologist Dr. Rosenthal is super and has a wonderful bedside manner not to just the patient but to the family. There are so many good Drs. there and I hope that you never have to have anymore done, but we are very lucky to have the cleveland clinic . Best wishes!!

 

[Nancy]

Sorry to hear about Dr. McCarthy. He helped a lot of high-risk patients. I can only hope that in his new capacity he'll do as much, if not more, good.

 

[RCB]

Shocked!

Shocked!

I too was sick when I heard about this. For pts. on the margin
(extremely high risk) having the best doctor with the best surgical
team, best CIC can be life or death. Dr. McCarthy does valves,
the Maze procedure and high risk surgery-no one else does.
I have been planning on him for a couple of years. Now I
need surgery in a couple of month and he's gone.
It is a sad and troubling day and in the weeks ahead.

 

[Ross]

RCB you are one of the people of which I speak. The other is an old friend of mine who lives nearby to me. He's in trouble NOW and no one up there seems to know exactly what way they want to approach his case.

 

[RCB]

How about a 6 month notice?

How about a 6 month notice?

I know this sounds like "sour grapes", but a surgeon of
his irreplaceableness should give more warning. Pts. need to plan life and death issues.
It could be years, if ever before NW is as good as CCF or Mayo
for high risk pts.

 

[Karlynn]

Ross,
That is good news for us. My cardiologist is at Northwestern - so it's very comforting for me to know of someone with a great rep is around for her to consult with.

If you ever miss him too much, there's plenty of us in this area that would fight over putting you up for your visit!!

PS - I know the feeling tho'. My beloved surgeon, Dr. John Sanders, moved from Northwestern to Duke about 2 years after my surgery.

 

[KathyH]

Sorry to hear your Dr left town. Like you said, hopefully you won't need his services again.
KathyH

 

[Ross]

You know RCB, I can't help but wonder if his leaving doesn't have something to do with malpractice insurance rates in this state. I read a physicians statement in the paper today who works in Cleveland and he said he's shelling out $170,000 a year for insurance. I know in my area alone, we've lost a lot of very good Doctors because of this issue. Sure the State is now going to do something about it, but as with all Governmental help, it comes too late.

 

[Harpoon]

Mee and Rosenthal at CCF were great to me (granted, Dr. Mee saved my life of course here, but, he was still really good to me)


I'm going to lose my primary physician in May.

Or at least, I'm going to have to drive a hour to see him.

He works in a group practice that has several satellite offices and one of the doctors in the practice is leaving to take up a missionary project in Africa (they all take month long trips to some African nation to give basic medical care to folks who really have none) and my doc is going to fill in his position in one of these satellite offices. It's a gret position for him, he's really looking forward to it, however a lot of his patients will now have to travel two and three times further to see him.

I haven't decided if I'm going suck it up and make that trek too or just pick out another doctor from the same practice now....


If I could get the insurance to cover it, maybe I could go see the guy who's moving to Africa, go on safari after I see him for a physical.... =)

 

[RCB]

Malpractice

Malpractice

Ross it could be, I know many OBS/GYN have left the state
because of insurance cost, but I didn't know it affected Heart surgery that much. Thank the trial lawer's lobby- they own
the legislature cause most of them are lawyers.
I can't find Dr. Mee or Dr. Rosenthal on The CCF list of cardiac
surgeons or cardiologist. What gives?

 

[Ross]

I found both in the normal directory, but not the cardiac services directories.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/staff/getstaff.asp?StaffId=4661

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/staff/getstaff.asp?StaffId=455

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Ross,

Wish I could take credit for such a move.

Will do one better. You need Dr. M and find yourself in Chicago......our house is your house. Don't ever forget that. Door is wide open. I am so sorry to hear of such a loss for those in the OH area.

On the filpside...I was very concerned that come that day....I would have to travel elsewhere for surgery. Now it appears things may be a little brighter. There are many great surgeons left in Cleavland. Let's just pray you don't have to use one!

 

[RCB]

I should be that lucky!

I should be that lucky!

Ross,
At 54, I don't think I will be able to avail myself of these
fine drs. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Bryan B]

This may be a little off the subject, but yours posts about a physician not showing up or showing up on a list is something that happened to me recently. My surgeon did not show up on the list of United Healthcare surgeons at Duke when I first looked in January (although his partner did). He said that since his partner didn't do VSD repairs they would work it out with my insurance company. A couple of days ago I pulled up the list and now my surgeon is showing up on my list of network surgeons for UH. I was happily surprised that he showed up, just wondering if this is something he did after taking my case?

 

[Guest]

Oh, Ross, I'm sorry.

But, as has been noted already, you have friends (aka "family") here in Chicagoland that would love to spend time with you, show you the "big city" and help you in whatever ways we can during your stay .

My cardiologist is also at Northwestern; however, my surgical team is at Children's Memorial. Thus, my surgeries have all been at Children's....

BTW, Ross, Happy Belated Birthday .

Cort, "Mr Road Trip"/"The Uniter", 30swm w/pig valve & pacemaker
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB = http://www.faithcob.org
"Mr MC"'s Family...& train & models = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
RIP = '76, Parents' [my] MC ... '88 MC LS ... '00 "mc" LS
Spotting MCs = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
MC's Future = http://www.projectmonte.com/petition/

 

[RCB]

Bryan

Bryan

Sorry about the misunderstanding about drs. missing fron the list. I thought Ross was joking with me because I was looking at the adult section- the drs Ross refered to have a pediatric practice. A feeble attemp at humor by me, but what do you expect from a guy who feels like he jump out of a plane and
finds out someone cut his chute lines. With McCarthy gone from
CCF- that is what I feel like.