Last month, my husband stopped to help a woman with car trouble near our home. Learning that she was a home health care nurse who had run out of gas on her way to see a patient, he rushed home, grabbed the gas can and went to buy her some fuel. He would have done it for anyone in a similar situation, but the fact that she was a nurse gave him an extra measure of motivation. You see, we hold nurses and allied health professionals in special esteem in our house.
Ten years ago, Martha Foster and John Brieske, editors in the special sections division of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, asked me to become the editor of Pulse. I had no idea that this would be my best writing and editing job ever.
Although I’d been a writer/journalist for many years, I hadn’t written much about health care and had no clinical background. My dad was a pharmacist and my mom a lab technician, but I was an English major all the way. Still, I was intrigued by the challenge of finding and writing the kind of stories that would interest health care workers. Not the daily headline news stories, but the behind-the-scenes stories that would shed light on what and how you do what you do.
Along the way, you’ve taught me a lot about nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology and other allied health professions. I’ve also developed a deep admiration for your knowledge, your compassion and your dedication to caring for others. I never had to work to make Pulse stories inspirational. They just were.
I felt the difference as soon as I began calling you for story ideas and information. No matter how busy you were with jobs, family, school or life you were always gracious and willing to help. You took the time to answer my questions, to explain terms and procedures, to suggest background materials, to discuss trends and to recommend other sources.
You let me into your lives, shared your work, your triumphs, your challenges and your devotion to the very complex and overwhelming job of taking care of your patients. I’ve seen your work in burn units, cardiac floors, children’s oncology clinics, skilled nursing homes and schools. I’ve met the dedicated faculty who are teaching the next generation of workers. I’ve talked with clinicians who volunteer their time after disasters and those who do medical mission in poor neighborhoods here and in foreign countries.
Leaving has been a difficult decision, but I’ve decided to step down as Pulse editor in order to make time for some personal writing goals. I’m proud that the magazine is heading into its 22 year stronger than ever. I know it’s in the capable hands of special sections editor Lane Holman and you – the ones who give Pulse its purpose and meaning. I can’t thank you enough for your support.
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