Good for the Soul: What I Learned Wearing the White Coat
by Maggie Elder
What’ s it like to spend three hours shadowing Dr. Laura Bishop at Norton Children’ s downtown Hospital and University of Louisville? Impressive. Dr Bishop trained in Med-Peds at UofL and helps direct its residency program. Our day started at 9 a. m. in the lobby of Norton Children’ s. Dr. Bishop met me there and we went upstairs to meet some other hospitalists before beginning rounds with another doctor and resident team.
Now, I’ ve been to Norton Children’ s many times before. My daughter, Jane, aged 18, has had many overnight stays. We’ ve experienced many surgeries. She has been admitted for breathing trouble, visited the ER on numerous occasions and had blood transfusions at age two. I’ ve been the anxious parent in the room with her while we awaited the team for updates. As a parent, I experienced support and love from the Norton team. Seeing it from the other side was even more impressive.
We saw several patients there: a preschool age burn victim, a teen with significant back pain, a toddler with a whole host of digestive challenges. We met a child with significant delays who was extremely behind on immunizations. In each room, the team of doctors listened to the parents and the patients. The medical students and doctors reflected on how to meet the families where they were and how best to maximize the outcome for the children in their care. Each room came with different challenges, and each family was given their full attention and kindness. As I asked questions and reflected on my own experiences as a parent of a former patient at Norton Children’ s, the team listened to my ideas and thoughts and considered how my experience could help them improve their work. They were open, caring and thoughtful: exactly the type of doctors I would want caring for my family and me.
Mid-morning Dr. Bishop said,“ Let’ s go over to University of Louisville so you can see the adult side. You’ ll see how different and similar the care is.” On the drive between parking garages we talked about the significant challenges her patients face and the reality of the social determinants of health in her work.
We found the team of doctors we planned to shadow and my experience began. Almost immediately, the team got word they were admitting several patients, and we needed to go straight to the ER. There we met a patient with significant diabetes, another patient who had developmental disabilities and who lived in a special facility and another patient new to Louisville who was undergoing cancer treatment with significant foot pain. There was a patient who left to get on a bus to Detroit, and a patient who couldn’ t tell us why she was there but needed to be admitted. Each patient had unmet needs and an individual story. Yet again, the team of doctors approached them with care. They asked thoughtful questions. They listened. Again, I found myself thinking,“ These are the doctors I would hope would care for my family and me.”
The Wear the White Coat Experience showed me that UofL is training doctors to embody a value system that matters to me. Their residents and medical students are learning how to care for patients, see their strengths, listen to their challenges and develop a plan for the best outcome. They understand the many challenges people face and are up for the task. Thank you for giving me the chance to see this up close and in person. It was good for my soul!
Maggie Elder is the Chief Executive Officer at The Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana and is a member of the 2025 Wear the White Coat class.( non-member)
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