Last week we lost two of our colleagues, one a friend who was a periodontist and 2 years senior to our batch and the other a General Dentist whom I used to work with 5 years ago in his clinic.
Both news with a day apart were shocking. Even the dental community in our state was shocked. Both young and were amongst the best of us in their field. But what actually caused the sorrow aside from their early unexpected incident was what they were both remembered for; attitude.
They both were active in their community and had much responsibilities in the dental community (specially my dentist friend) and no one could remember any misbehavior or wrongdoing from any of the two.
I myself remembered how our dentist friend was active in all the social and political activities and showed concerns for all the challenges our colleagues (specially the new graduates) were facing lately.
There were times some other dentists would oppose his views and gave him harsh and difficult times but I never heard or saw him saying or typing or uttering swear word. He was always calm and loving and caring towards all specially patients and colleagues. Even those who opposed his political views respected him. Even the chief of medical and dental council of the country came for his burial to his province and gave a speech remembering and pinpointing his passion and great attitude.
His sudden passing was due gassing and the mismanaged heater ventilation! And there is no one to take responsibility. Also, the problem is the gas supply of the country which is being cut in daily basis in different locations because of misgovernance. Much for the 3rd richest country in gas resources.
My Periodontist friend passing too was shocking. She was amongst the kind and lady type whom no one remembers a wrongdoing from her. She was nice, calm and supportive. Saddens me knowing she tried to migrate to Sweden for her 8-year-old son and because her husband, they decided to come back and her 2nd attempt for migration to Canada ended with this tragedy. She was able to apply and get a visa and she just was waiting for her son’s visa to arrive.
Going back to both their wake and memorial services; both were crowded and many have had attended. And all were sad for such losses.
Seeing both farewell ceremonies made me think, how are we remembered by colleagues and patients. How our attitude and work quality can affect the people whom we interact with.
The responsibility to be good at all time and do good at all cost is simple to say but hard to do. Yet being able to do such makes one remembered positively and stay immortal in the minds of many, colleagues or patients. That is how our job (as a dentist) can make us closer to people whom we serve.
“There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone.” – D. Morgan
It is up to us, how we want and wish to be remembered by our colleagues and our patients.