WEARING THE White Coat
Councilman Stuart Benson
On October 27 , 2016 , I had the opportunity to participate in the Wear the White Coat Program and observe Dr . Shiao Woo with the Brown Cancer Center .
I wanted to do this because I had some health problems including a heart attack last December . Since then , I ’ ve become acutely more aware of how amazingly we are designed and my interest in using nutrition to treat disease , and in developments in the medical field , has increased .
Dr . Woo specializes in treatment of lung and brain tumors as well as many others . My first wife passed away almost 30 years ago from a brain aneurysm , and my wife Chris has had cancer , so I felt an immediate connection with him .
I shadowed Dr . Woo at the Brown Cancer Center and had the rare opportunity to review scans , hear about treatment options and meet with patients and their families .
During this experience , I witnessed compassion , care and a deep desire to heal . As he discussed the various patients and their diagnosis , I saw the complexity in which he works , the need to integrate so many sources of information . As a tool maker , I was fascinated to see how they deliver radiation therapy to a pinpointed area . He showed me molds made to hold patients in an exact position as the team can monitor each breath . By holding the patients perfectly in position and still , they are able to compensate for movement during each breath and allow the team to radiate lung tumors .
Walking into a patient ’ s room , I know all too well , the feeling of anxiety and anticipation of what you are about to hear .
Dr . Woo , with his warm smile and inviting bedside manner , could relax the patient and then proceed to explain the treatment plan . I felt the patients felt comfortable , heard and cared for . They were assured that he was going to do everything he could to tackle their tumor .
Being a patient or a family member of many ill patients over the years , I admired how he made everyone comfortable and eased their anxiety . That alone is a form of healing !
Behind the scenes , I watched technicians and a team of doctors discuss each patient ’ s case as together they developed a plan for the best possible options . I was impressed with this level of thoroughness and the team approach .
I appreciate the White Coat Program and the opportunity to talk to doctors about how the Metro Council could help them more effectively , and how we could work as a team to make health care in our community better . On the council , we often receive requests
16 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE