Following Serious Accident, Dr. Larry Bishop Praises Quality of Care Under Heavy Strain

By  //  September 14, 2021

Health First hospital teams demonstrated a high degree of compassion

DR. LARRY BISHOP, above left, had a few plans when he retired last spring, but last month, some of those plans went sideways when he has a terrible crash on the road, suffering 17 fractures, a partially collapsed lung and a bruised heart. Upon arrival at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Dr. Bishop was treated to a “personal, caring approach.” (Image for Space Coast Daily)

Following his traumatic accident, a retired Health First dermatologist worried about his stay in “an already COVID-overloaded system.” His hospital teams instead demonstrated a “high degree of compassion” and “extreme precision of medical care.” 

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Larry Bishop had a few plans when he retired this spring. One was to see more of the world than he was able to running a full practice for many years at Health First – another was to do that on a bike.

But last month, some of those plans went sideways when Dr. Bishop suffered a terrible crash on the road.

Despite immediately sensing he had multiple fractures and internal injuries, “the first thing I thought of was, ‘Oh, no. I am going to add stress to an already COVID-overloaded system.’ I felt badly.”

Personal, Caring Approach

Instead, Bishop, upon arrival at Holmes Regional Medical Center, was treated to a “personal, caring approach … a high degree of compassion that led them to connect with me, the person, not just me, the patient,” an unwavering focus on his needs and “extreme precision in my medical care.”

“I expected a team of battle-fatigued warriors. Instead, I got a team that was energized, compassionate and all-in on my care.”

Dr. Bishop has worked in several Emergency Departments in his career. As a patient this time, he found himself at the will of his clinicians and observed as they made decisions based on clinical data.

“The decisions they made were very good, but they also informed me each step of the way as to what they were thinking, what their options were, who would be my next caregivers in my journey through the system.”

Longtime physician Dr. Larry Bishop has worked in several Emergency Departments in his career. As a patient this time, he found himself at the will of his clinicians and observed as they made decisions based on clinical data. (Health First image)

17 Fractures, Bruised Heart, Partially Collapsed Lung

At the Trauma Unit, the staff explained the extent of the injuries – 17 fractures, a partially collapsed lung and a bruised heart. Afterward, it was on to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

There, “my world shrank considerably. The nurses I worked with were the epitome of spectacular care.”

He noted the way they reminded him, frequently, and “in an upbeat way,” that his injuries were reparable – his condition temporary.

They helped make the recovery less daunting. They used humor to cast a cheery light on matters. “At the same time, behind their masks, they transmitted their concern. They cared.”

“I know it is easy for people to take caregivers for granted – ‘Oh, it’s their job.’ – but I would encourage patients and families to think differently. The person in scrubs before you has, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessed unspeakable tragedy and suffered incredible fatigue.

“They have volunteered for extra shifts so the Emergency Departments, the Intensive Care Units, as well as the medical and surgical floors don’t go unmanned. They have measured the risk and answered the call. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word,” said Dr. Bishop.

To stay up to date on developments related to COVID-19 news and treatment at Health First, visit HF.org/StayWell.

Last month, Dr. Larry Bishop suffered a terrible bicycle crash on the road. Despite immediately sensing he had multiple fractures and internal injuries, “the first thing I thought of was, ‘Oh, no. I am going to add stress to an already COVID-overloaded system.’ I felt badly,” said Dr. Bishop.
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