Evening star., 1961-03-19
Tom DooIey's Advice
Too Young Doctor

then come to the developing
nations Of the world for a while.
Bring your gadgets; and the
armamentarium of drugs, to be
sure, but most Of all, bring your
human spirit. Bring your youthful
enthusiasm, your drive, your en-
ergy, your dedication to help the
sick. Bring your wonderful spon-
taniety, your belief in the good
and the right.
Bring along a sense Of humor:
don't forget 1t, you'll certainly
need 1t when the roof leaks, the
patients eat all the pills the first
dosage, and the witchdoctors put
COW dung over your sterile COM
presses.
You will be allowed to come to
these underdeveloped areas and
build your small hospital. You can
cure sometimes, relieve often, and
comfort always. Splash some Of
the warmth and goodness Of your
human spirit on people who here
tofore knew little Of this element
in the Western man. My villagers
lives were just one great groan Of
agony before the medico hospi-
tai was built. They knew only
Western men bent on colonizing
them, and perhaps exploiting
what little they had.
You are probably thinking,
Tom, I hate to sound this way,
but what's in it for me2 We are
all little selfish, you know"
Right you are, Bart. Perhaps we
should be a bit wary Of the man
who is completely unselfish.
There is a great deal "in it" for
you. BY investing a portion Of
your life for work here, by de-
posting year or two Of your time
you will take back with you into
private practice a great sense Of
accomplishment, coupled with a
vast human experience.
Your accomplishment will be
beyond the narrow confines OF
continent and custom. Your ac-
compliShments will be on a wider
scope; along the broad horizons
Of peace for the whole world. You
will always know that you have
given a fragment Of your life for
the good Of many.
All men yearn to lose themselves
in something greater than them
selves. You will have done this,
and will have helped to achieve
that unquenchable promise that
some day all men Of all races will
learn to live together in peace. I
do not believe this fulfillment Is
achievable in private practice.
You've always been a bit Of
cynic. I imagine you are quietly
snarling, "Okay, Tom, you've
made your point, but to give UP
a year or two for spiritual thing
called 'fulfillment,' don't know
bout that"
The Happiness Formula
I can only remind you that the
history Of mankind constantly re-
peats the exclamation that the
only way man can achieve his own
happiness is to strive for the hap
piness Of others. And you reply.
ugh, Dooley'S murky mysticism
again" History also proves, Bart,
that men rarely learn from the
teachings Of history, but must
learn for themselves. Come to
Asia. Learn.
There are programs in the
world with which you could work.
Programs like the world health
organization, our own medico.
and others. These will pay you
enough to keep you out Of debt
(though perhaps not much more).
They will handle the mechanics
Of medical procurement and sup
ply.
Today demands q deeper en-
phasis on the brotherhood OF man.
All professions must seek ways
to do this. For the doctor it
is not a difficult thing. It is
in the root Of the tree Of q doctor
to understand and believe in
brotherhood. This concept was
not so important in the. times Of
our fathers. 1t is now. The
brotherhood Of man exists as
definitely as does the fatherhood
of God. And we must not forget
it.
The world is made up Of per-
sons. Internationally is only a
conglomeration Of individuals. All
individuals yearn for something
human. This filings a special
challenge to you as there is no
more intimate person-to-person
relationship than that Of the doc
tor and his patient. Bring the
talents Of your degree. and the
spirituality Of your heart, to dis
tant valleys like mine. And take
back with you rich, rich re-
ward.
Dedicate some Of your life to
others. Your dedication will not
be a sacrifice. 1t will be an ex-
hilerating experience because it
is intense effort applied towards
a meaningful end.
So along with my congratula-
tions on your graduation I send
my wish that you will utilize
yourself as force Of unity in
the fragile peace Of today. And
that you will know the happiness
that comes Of serving others who
have nothing.
Sincere best wishes always,
Tom.