Andy and I were kindly invited last week, by fellow gastroenterologist Jay DiMarino of Thomas Jefferson University hospital, to play golf at Pine Valley. The course is consistently ranked number one in the world! A real treat to play with Jay and his son Michael. Not ostentatious or fancy, just a pure golf experience. Great course,… Continue Reading
Enhancing quality in GI health care
How do you/we choose from all those who wish to serve us, whether restauranteurs, plumbers or doctors? How do we know which or who is good, or even excellent? Locally we can rely on our own experience and the recommendations of friends. But it is more difficult away from home. Some things like restaurants… Continue Reading
A National Health system in USA?
The current bizarre health care “discussions” in Washington prompt me to comment. I grew up with, and served in, the National Health Service in Britain. When initiated in 1947 it was relatively inexpensive, since medical care was much less complex and most people died soon after retirement, if not before. The funding did not keep up… Continue Reading
I don’t often sing, but….
I think I was selected for the choir at school for my looks rather than my voice. Indeed, I was asked to open and close my mouth , but try not to let any sounds out My reluctance to sing ever since was finally overcome during an emotional celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary at our… Continue Reading
Fred and friends go to the beach!
Delighted to announce that the 5th book about Fred the friendly snake is now published. Jack the boy’s Dad comes home from a trip and takes the whole family with Fred, Bernadette, Jungle Jim and all the animals on the ferry to Dewees island, where I live. They have a great time, but had a… Continue Reading
International reunion on Dewees
One of the great benefits of my career has been to meet (some as trainees) special people from many countries, some of which have become closest friends. There is now a “gang” that meets every year or so in diverse places, consisting of five Australian couples (Tim and Susy Heap, Tony and Michelle Clarke, Paul… Continue Reading
South Africa part three – CapeTown
After the wonderful week in the game parks with family, Marion and I headed to CapeTown, where I was to be visiting professor at Groote Schuur hospital. We splurged by arriving on the famous Blue Train from Pretoria. 36 hours of pampering, with great (too much) food. The landscape was rather monotonous until the mountainous… Continue Reading
With family in South Africa – Phinda Mountain lodge
We couldn’t believe that anything could top Makakatana, but Phinda did. Great accommodation, with a plunge pool at each room. super service and food (too much). We had awesome rangers, Andy and Eric, and their trackers, Sibu and Mr M. Very knowledgeable but also fun. Nothing was too much trouble. … Continue Reading
With family in South Africa- Makakatana
Marion and I were so lucky to have been able to take all the English family on Safari earlier this month. We were actually 4 days late leaving USA (it took a total of 93 hours to get from Charleston to Johannesburg, another story), but arrived in time at Makakatana game park in KwaZuluNatal to… Continue Reading
We lost a gentle man this week
Marion Wier passed peacefully a few days after his 74th birthday. He had a rare disease for which he had a successful bone marrow transport 15 years ago, but it came back with a vengeance and unresponsive to medication. He bore his illness with the grace that typified his life. His oldest son, Alex, wrote… Continue Reading