A Word to the Wise…
Ken Dixon’s father was one of the first surgeons of Hall County, Georgia and as a result Ken is an encyclopedia of medical stories. I did not realize until I began this book that most of Ken’s stories involve people who are “characters.” Recently he was telling me about a time during his surgical residency at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta when he lost his temper with an attending and that “his outburst” was witnessed by an older attending standing nearby. Ken then said to me smiling, “The guy was abusing me and it was time for it to stop. John have you ever seen me get mad?”
At this point in telling me this story, it is clear that Ken’s memory of the older attending vividly came back to him. He recounted that this particular attending, whom he admired very much, would get very close to your face and put a hand on your shoulder while he talked. (They say that LBJ had this habit of speaking to people.) He said that the attending only called people “Pardnuh” or “Chief” and that his philosophy of life came down to two scenarios. For any event or action there were only two consequence; either good would come of it or only bad would come of it.
After Ken’s tirade was completed, the attending called him over and characteristically pulled him close and secured him there with the hand on the shoulder technique.
“Pardnuh,” he said. “No good can come of that.”
The Rotary Four Way Test:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Will good or bad come from your words or actions? Not a bad motto Ken.
Rule: A word to the wise is sufficient- or as my mother said, “A wise man does not need advice and a fool won’t take it.”
Prostate Diaries 