Dad Says ....
“You’re So Much More than a Podiatric Assistant”

This past weekend we spoke to an awesome group of assistants at the Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association’s Annual Symposium.  We had two special guests attending the program, Richard Ornstein (my 83-year-old dad) and Tyler Ornstein (my 8-year-old son).  Dad has had the opportunity to listen in on some of our other programs throughout the country and even was one of the lecturers at the Region III assistants programs in Atlantic City two years ago.  It was just the three of us for an overnight journey from New Jersey to Connecticut and a true blessing to have the generations bond.  But as you can imagine, putting an energetic 8 year old (and almost as talkative as his dad) and impatient grandfather together for a six hour odyssey in the car can drive anybody to check in at the funny farm!

My dad was a traveling salesman selling children’s clothes and has people skills equal to none.  He is intelligent, warm, perceptive, appreciative, loving and has the knack of making everyone he touches feel valued and important.  He is quite perceptive and is typically right on target.  While driving home from Connecticut I solicited his opinion on how our assistant programs can be improved.  He related that an inherent problem is that many assistants do not realize that they, like doctors, are professionals.  They are not front, back or billing staff, but are a direct extension of the doctor and our profession. 

Assistants must take a hard look at the perception of the patients, whose health and well-being they serve, as to their value and importance.  My dad’s comment was an eye opener to the reality that it is not just the doctor who needs to realize the value of their staff, but more importantly, the staff understanding the professional stature they possess and their absolute importance to the practice.  Our patients’ well-being and quality of life depends on our team of assistant and doctor.  They put us on a level playing field, so let’s not trip on the bases.  Thanks, Dad, for your infinite wisdom!