— from Phoebe Hershenow, Family Nurse Practitioner, Orcas Family Health Center —
Dear Orcas Friends, Colleagues, and Patients,
With very mixed feelings my husband Nick and I have decided to leave Orcas. My last day of work at the Orcas Family Health Center will be January 2nd.
It’s been a lovely time here on Orcas, but we’re ready for a change of climate and landscape.
I have really loved my job, the patients, and the collegiality of my coworkers. I doubt that I will ever again have the opportunity to work with as much freedom from the constraints of corporate medicine as I have had here.
I’ll miss the patients especially. I have met the most interesting, challenging, lovable, frustrating, admirable, earnest, quirky, inexplicable, charming, adorable, forgiving, fascinating, and resilient people here.
Thanks to everyone for letting me be part of your lives for these years and for so graciously seeing me off on the next phase of my life.
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I’m stunned! Health Care and care in general without your touch, your words and your demeanor will be sorely missed. More, probably, than you realize. Dang!
“NO!!” I said it aloud when I read your message. Phoebe, although we can only wish you well on your new adventures, your compassion, skill, and understanding will be greatly missed by all of us who have been cared for by you. Although I am not sure which of your string of adjectives you assign to me, I know we have been fortunate to have been in your care.
Gosh, that’s tough news for all of us Phoebe fans out here.. Sorry you’ll be going and thank you so much for all the humanity and good medicine that you practiced for all of us.. We’ll miss you!
Phoebe- As a fellow nurse practitioner, and also as your patient and friend, I have such respect for your skill and compassion. We’ll miss you and Nick!
Thanks, Phoebe, for your very important part in keeping this ancient 92-year-old contrary goat ticking.
Here’s to happiness in your future endeavors.
Paqo and I will miss you.
Love,
Harry
And yes, Phoebe, I HAVE taken my morning pills.
Please don’t call again, I’m watching the Play Boy channel . . . .
Not a lot to say here other than you will be missed more than you know. Thank you for making sure that everyone in our family was taken care of with the best care available.
Phoebe: So sorry, for us, to learn you are leaving the island – best wishes go with you. Thank you so much for listening to John and I and for being so helpful to both of us medically. Hope your bike fits into your new home/work, too.
Phoebe I feel like it was just yesterday that you and I first met as we drove down a wintery icy road… ditching the SUV to hike /slide through the snow to check on Mr. Harry Patton. I’m glad he’s still taking his morning pills and enjoying his tv programs. But I’m so sorry to hear you are leaving us! You have been such a wonderful addition to our medical services and our rural community…and I for one really miss you. As my practitioner and as my friend. Hoping the next adventure is a great one. xo Mahalo & Aloha nui loa