The transfer.

As some of you may know, Yishun Community Hospital has been set up right next to us, and a research institute (Geriatric Education Research Institute, GERI) was established by MOH with the aim of incorporating more studies on geriatrics and geriatrics-related training. 

It was March school holidays and the good doctor went on leave to accompany his kids. Before he went on leave, he asked me to meet the deputy of GERI to discuss with him what studies that we currently have and whether some of these studies can be transferred over to be part of GERI research.

However, the agenda of the meeting turned out to be something different - it turned out to be like an interview. The deputy began the conversation with "What is your background?" and as it went on, I sensed something was really wrong. He asked me if I want to transfer to GERI and I was kind of taken aback by it. I asked, "Could it be a mistake, because Dr. J (the good doctor) didn't inform me?"

And he said no, and went on to tell me the benefits of joining GERI - "the better career, the more proper training, working with people with more experience in research, and Dr. J is a doctor; he doesn't know much about research and he's not experienced, etc."

Whatever he said then became fader and fader; all I cared about was ... the thought of leaving the good doctor. The thought of leaving someone so nice, so inspiring, so genuine, hurt me. I asked when I finally got the chance to speak, "Will I still be working with Dr. J?" After rolling his eyes a little, his reply was, "Move is natural. I can't guarantee that you always work with the same doctor. In GERI, you work with different doctors, and you learn a lot more by working with a variety of people..."

Oh well, I went out of the meeting feeling so lost and confused. I hate to be transferred and follow a new leader. I hate to leave the good doctor. The good doctor changed my life (not exaggerating). He told me that life is all about building relationships. Everything in life, the way to work with our "clients" (basically anyone) should be based on trust and relationship. I've never seen someone so intelligent but so patient, so accepting, so grateful, and so calm.

Who else would spend 3 hours explaining to his staff about something and even drew a diagram of the human body system?

All I've experienced so far at any workplace before meeting the good doctor has not been good. There are a lot of finger pointing, quarrels, and discrimination etc. it's scary to survive day to day in that form of environment.

I asked the small doctor if he knew about this and he said no. He came out of his workshop halfway to talk to me in person. His words were so gentle and so kind, "I'm sorry that you have to experience this news early in the morning. I'm glad that you still chose us over what's called a better opportunity. I'm quite certain that Dr. J won't transfer you without asking for your permission. You know, we just want the best for you. If by the end of the day, if it's your wish to do the transfer, we make sure that we do a proper one for you. Of course, we will be happier if you stay with us. And ya, of course you still have your 3rd option: to open a pet grooming shop and as promised, I'll be your investor and support you for that." I teared (again) because I was so moved by his words. 

Dr. L, the small doctor, said he loves to help people and helping people is his main goal in his life: he can set a KPI for the amount of people he wants to help / helped.

When the good doctor came back the following week, I texted him, and he called and said it was not his intention to transfer me. It could be a wrong impression formed by the deputy.

I said "I thought it was a decision made between both of you." He said, "What? If really that was the case, I would have asked you. I wouldn't do such a thing without asking you and respecting you..." :')

How can I ever leave, the doctors who really care - people who are truly worthy to be called the true healers of our society? They changed my life; and how I look at things - mostly it's to let go, and love people more, as much as I love dogs. Haha.