Patient David Howell and Joe Eron, MD

When David Howell, PhD (鈥�78), a medical writer for peer-reviewed journals in San Francisco, moved back to North Carolina in late 2020, he needed to find an infectious disease specialist to follow his chronic disease. But physician shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic complicated his search. He knew people who were established patients of Dr. Joe Eron, Chief of the 黑料网 Division of Infectious Diseases. He wondered if he might accept a new patient.

鈥淚 remember writing Dr. Eron a rather formal note to introduce myself, expressing that I would appreciate if he had an opening that wouldn鈥檛 take away from his existing patients. He immediately responded.鈥�

鈥淲hen I met him in January, it was as if he had cancelled everything on his schedule for the day. It was just a wonderful way to start talking about my particular situation and what he did for that.鈥�

The sacred nature of the physician-patient relationship can significantly shape health outcomes, and this includes trusting that a physician is working in a patient鈥檚 best interest. Howell says Dr. Eron鈥檚 way of being is centered around compassion, goodwill and rigorous science.

鈥淗e鈥檚 just so humble and caring. I鈥檓 grateful to him on many counts.鈥�

Last summer, Howell booked a trip to Europe but the planning came to a halt when his sodium levels were low. Dr. Eron cautioned him against long distance travel if the levels didn鈥檛 return to where they needed to be. He ordered new blood tests on a Thursday before the Tuesday that David was scheduled to travel. Then, on Monday at 6:30 pm, David got a call with the results.

鈥淗e said, 鈥業 know you鈥檙e scheduled to fly out tomorrow.鈥� And then he said, 鈥榃ell, go!鈥� And from there, I started frantically packing because I鈥檓 superstitious, and the demoralizing unpacking of a suitcase outweighs the freneticism I鈥檓 willing to pay to get the job done at the last minute.鈥�

After Europe and Dr. Eron鈥檚 own vacation, David had a follow up in October 2021.

鈥淗e said, 鈥楤efore we get started, I just have a question.鈥� And I said, 鈥楤efore we get started, I also have a question,鈥欌€� recalled Howell. 鈥淎nd at the very same time he asked me 鈥楬ow was Paris?鈥� and I asked, 鈥楬ow was the beach?鈥� And that was how he wanted to start the appointment.鈥�

鈥淚nteractions like this endear him, but more than that, I know people who are really ill who are seeing him. And the care that he takes with them, which I see two degrees removed, is nothing short of remarkable.鈥�

Making a Grateful Patient Gift

Every year, Howell donates to various 黑料网 programs, but this year he knew he wanted to thank 黑料网 Infectious Diseases by making a grateful patient donation to honor Dr. Eron. The 黑料网 Health Foundation provided assistance.

鈥淭his is a moment of gratitude for me. I could have passed away 40 years ago, and been in a decorative urn by now. But thanks to infectious disease physicians, I am not.鈥�

Howell鈥檚 gift is the first direct 鈥済rateful patient鈥� donation to 黑料网 Infectious Diseases. He says he finds this hard to believe, but hopes this will change, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic turned the spotlight on the critical role of ID physicians and researchers.

鈥淭hese physicians are at the forefront, working to mitigate the threat of future pandemics and bolster public health infrastructure. My hope is that more people will recognize how valuable ID physicians are in maintaining health and safety throughout the healthcare system.鈥�

The 黑料网 Health Foundation鈥檚 Grateful Patient Program is a fundraising initiative designed to foster a culture of gratitude while raising funds to support the many services 黑料网 Health provides. To learn more, contact kathryn_hunter@med.unc.edu.

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