A tribute to beloved Duke Family Medicine Center nurse Pam Terry
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
We are about to say farewell to an important member of our Division of Family Medicine family, Pam Terry, LPN, as she retires from the practice.
Pam has established a long-lasting presence within the division through the love and kindness she continues to impart on others.
The trickle-down effects of her approach to patient care and to her interactions with everyone at Duke Family Medicine all embody the concept that an act of kindness, however small, is never wasted.
Pam’s altruistic attitude has been evident during every single one of my interactions with her. It is exemplified when she advocates on behalf of a medically “non-adherent” patient by giving them the benefit of the doubt, serving to remind us that everyone is fighting a battle that may be unbeknownst to us.
Or, she demonstrates it by consistently offering her support during clinic sessions to anyone in potential need, including to providers on the other teams. An act of kindness such as this neither goes unnoticed nor ends at completion of the task at hand, because her thoughtfulness is contagious.
The positivity that Pam brings to work creates a chain effect by brightening up a provider’s mood and workflow, which is then translated into a more mindful approach toward interactions with patients, staff and people beyond the walls of the Marshall I. Pickens Building.
Appreciation from the residents
Speaking especially on behalf of the residents, Pam will be greatly missed. She would go out of her way every July — as well as throughout the year — to offer her unconditional support to the new, overwhelmed interns and, come to think of it, even now in my second year of residency.
I remember a time during intern year when I felt completely overwhelmed by too many responsibilities with too little time to realistically complete them all. Fortunately, when I arrived at clinic that afternoon, I serendipitously ran into Pam, who always maintains awareness that one kind word can change someone’s entire day. She helps people rise to their potential by always focusing on the good in them.
I am sad, of course, for the many future Duke Family Medicine residents who will not have the opportunity to directly hear Pam’s timely words of love and encouragement. Fortunately, she leaves behind wonderful staff members in her wake, many of whom are already kindly providing support to us residents.
I encourage everyone to dedicate a moment every day to performing a simple act of kindness in honor of all that Pam has contributed to Duke Family Medicine’s work culture and customer service. At the very least, extend a kind word to someone and perhaps unexpectedly and unknowingly save a life, directly or indirectly. One small moment of your time can impact the rest of someone else’s.
Whatever any person starts out with or has now, everyone still always has the remarkable ability to change someone’s life. Do not ever waste that extraordinary gift.
Samantha Eksir is a second-year resident with the Duke Family Medicine Residency Program. Email samantha.eksir@dm.duke.edu with questions.
Editor’s note: Duke Family Medicine residents guest blog every month.