Journal of Sacred Work

"The good physician treats the disease. The great physician treats the patient who has the disease." – William Osler, M.D. (left,1849-1919)

   Dr. Osler’s famous quote distinguishing the great physicians from the good speaks volumes about the role of compassion. When great physicians treat patients rather than diseases, they reflect the essence of Love. For when physicians see the true human being, they will want to relieve their suffering.
   Nashville physician Joseph Delozier is an example of a great doctor. For many years, he has been using his extraordinary gifts as a plastic surgeon to care for patients regardless of their ability to pay…

   Dr. Delozier has often performed his magic on patients in far away lands through the international
program know as Operation Smile. Unless you  have seen him at work, it would be difficult to know the difference doctors like he and others (left) have made in the lives of patients.
   Sadly, physical appearance is far too important in this world. A patient with a disfigured face may not only suffer verbal abuse and discrimination, but may also  experience physical difficulty speaking and eating.
   More recently, Dr. Delozier has been applying his gifts to patients in need nearer to his home community. "In my practice…we don’t make an issue of who is paying and who is not," he says. What a lovely thing for a doctor, especially a plastic surgeon, to say. Even more important is the way this caregiver lives out his belief in practice.
   Too many Americans are inclined to think of plastic surgeons as focusing only on making people look pretty. Dr. Delozier goes far beyond this calling. He helps patients feel better about themselves. And this is a true act of compassion. That is why the Baptist Healing Trust chose, this year, to give Dr. Joseph Delozier our Servant’s Heart Award.

-Erie Chapman