it has been simply a good relationship with Dr. Fisher.

MDVIP

Unfortunately, my experiences with Dr. Tobin Fisher do not involve high drama or hyperbolic near-death experiences. Rather, it has been the development of a professional and personal relationship that has taken place over the past 16 years.

It was not long after he had begun his practice in family medicine in Huntsville. My wife, who was a pathologist, had heard good things about him and recommended that I check him out.

During 20 years at Yale I had become extremely spoiled by their health care system in which each staff person had his own physician whom he could visit as the need arose. These physicians were members of the Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University School of Medicine. They were not members of a B-team but were individuals who chose to work in the setting of the universitys health center. They were on salary and not paid by the number of patients seen. (In fact, the monthly cost of the health program was next-to-nothing, and everything, including prescriptions, was covered.) I had the same physician for nearly the entire time, and we had become good friends.

Being a biologist, I can converse in medical jargon, read the primary literature, if needed, and ask penetrating questions. In return I respect good explanations and have little tolerance for condescension. As such, I joked that I wanted a physician whom I could yell at, and who would yell back, if the situation demanded it, without acrimony.

Dr. Fisher and I hit if off from the beginning. Because he is young and energetic, he stays abreast of his field and is willing to suggest new approaches to treatment. Lets try this for a week, and see if it helps. Let me know! Because he understands my personality and proclivities, he is able to refer me to specialists with whom I will get along.

In this regard I need to relate an incident that took place about 10 years ago. My wife had served me divorce papers, and I was beyond distraught. Dr. Fisher suggested that I see a psychiatrist or psychologist.
NO! was my response. I had a couple of really bad experiences in the past with psychiatrists, and categorically rejected his recommendation.
He persisted.
I am NOT paying good money to play head-games with some shrink!
Finally, he prevailed upon me to give Dr. So-and-so a try. Im sure youll like him.
I left with the invective the if this turned out to be a debacle, I would return with the bill and do something not nice with it. (Of course, I am leaving out a stream of expletives on my part!)

When I got to Dr. Rs office, I was angry, to say the least.
Within five minutes the unexpected happened. It was as if Dr. R. and I had been good friends for 40 years.
After a few preliminaries, we spent the hour gabbing, talking trash. For the next sessions we discussed my interest in birds, photography, the Bible, my research career, etc. with Dr. R. asking as many questions as I could answer. All the while he was gathering information in this most disarming way. What he concluded was that I had been mis-diagnosed in the past, and the medications I had taken were counterproductive. He suggested a change of treatment and gave me several items of practical advice that improved my life style and overall emotional well-being.

I twas a virtual miracle, and I was pleased to offer my sincere apologies to Dr. Fisher and eat a generous helping of crow as well.

So, it has been simply a good relationship with Dr. Fisher. Dr. Fishers staff is also great. They understand that I am certifiably crazy and we share a lot of hilarity. Perhaps the best summary is that which follows.

Since my divorce, I suffered a total financial collapse. Many well-meaning friends have advised me to jettison the MDVIP program in order to conserve money. I will not consider it. At 73 I may be in decent health, but that could change in the blink of an eye. Madison County may have several hundred physicians, but where am I going to find one with whom I can interact as well as I do with Dr. Fisher? As I tell them, my bottom line is, I will beg, borrow, or sell street drugs to pay my MDVIP membership. End of discussion. End of story.

Thanks for letting me share. Jon A.