Dr. Cantrell

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting my doctor, Dr. David Cantrell. My wife sees Dr. Cousins, with whom my doctor shares a practice, but to my mother in law and me, Dr. Cantrell is it.

The building is brick, house-like, and sits on a treed lot off of the beaten path on Vann Street at the far side of the hospital district. Walking in, the cool air hits me, and it feels good. I signed us (mother and myself) in and turned to the waiting room.

The whole interior of the building is colored with earth tones, primarily that old brown reserved for a quiet den or study. The waiting room is like all doctor's office waiting rooms of my childhood. There's a fireplace, easy chairs and country style paintings. It is quiet and well, but softly lit. In the background I hear the soft buzz of voices from the office. The lighthearted office chatter and efficient movement of the staff lends a sense of security, like you're being cared for by mom.

The sample reps in their business suits and perfect smiles come and go while the patients, mostly mid thirties and older (when and why did we ever get away from the whole family seeing the same doctor?), wait to hear their name called.

As soon as my name is called, I knew that I would have to step on the scale. The nurse smiled at my balking and weighed me just the same. When she walked me to the examination room and took my vitals, I realized that everyone I passed had looked me in the eye, smiled and spoke.

I waited only a few minutes, and then in came Dr. Cantrell. He is the epitome of the family physician. Balding on top and microscopically close cut on the sides, his glasses perched on the end of his nose so he can read my chart and look over them to see me. He reaches out with a firm handshake, looks me in the eye and asks "Why are we here?", as if he didn't already know. The real reason he asks is because he wants me to talk. My mother in law, a hard to please retired RN, says she likes him because "he lets you talk and LISTENS when you do". He tilts his head and listens to my whole statement, and then addresses my chart.

Soon, the examination is over, and all is well. Dr. Cantrell's advice is clear, and my questions have been answered.

When checking out, I schedule my next appointment, happy to know that I get to come back.