The New Social Worker Vol. 20, No. 3, Summer 2013 | Page 13

his bed. Second, I made sure that the reluctant attending physician could get the other phone in the room to reach the patient’s bed, too. Third, I got out the Yellow Pages and turned to the section on restaurants. “Hello, House of Ouzo,” a man answered. “Is this an authentic Greek restaurant?” I asked. “Yes, it is.” “Do you speak Greek?” “No. Sorry, I don’t.” “How about your authentic Greek chef? Does he speak Greek?” “Yes, sir. The chef is from Greece.” “Great. Can you help me out here?” The Right Stuff is only right when it works. Lucky for me, the Greek chef was able to communicate with the Greek fisherman, as well as with the doctor, who made his diagnosis based on translations relayed by a bilingual moussaka cook. He quickly overcame his skepticism and the awkwardness of the situation and was able to treat what was ailing the patient. Someone from the restaurant arrived and picked the fisherman up when we discharged him. Maybe it was the chef himself. I don’t know, because I was somewhere else doing everything else. I got back in time to grab the last of a plate of stuffed grape leaves and to catch part of a conversation between two of the E.R. docs about “that new social worker.” So my Everything Else list started with Greek restaurants, with the Right Stuff, and with the seeds of opportunity. Some of my most enjoyable moments on the job came from compiling that list over the years. It explains why every E.R. should have a social worker on staff 24 hours a day. Everything Else is a really long list. Robert Lanz, LCSW, MFT, received his MSW from Fresno State University and his bachelor’s in sociology from Cal State University. He spent five years doing family therapy in juvenile hall in LA County, followed by thirty years at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, CA, working the night shift in the E.R. Currently retired, he is now President/Chairman of the Board of Giving Music, A Music Charity at www.givingmusic.org. His blog, My Life in the ER, can be found at http://robertjlanz.wordpress.com/. Social Work! An Awesome Profession Social work note cards now available! Cards are 5" x 3.5" with red background and multi-colored lettering. 10 cards and envelopes for $10 plus shipping. Quantity discounts available. Order today from: shop.whitehatcommunications.com Call 717-238-3787 for rush and bulk order prices or to get a quote for a mail order. FREE Online CE for Social Workers Access to Cancer Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Patients Questions? [email protected] 713-792-2277 www.texascancer.info/ce Understand barriers to care Address adverse health outcomes and disparities Anticipate the future impact of health care reform Identify resources available to you www.texascancer.info/ce View content I Complete evaluation Print certficate Improve Access & Earn Free CE! The New Social Worker Summer 2013 11