Dr Segal, you are greatly missed! Our entire family were your patients for 35+ years and since your retirement we have struggled to find the kind of personal and medical care that you provided!
Please Keep writing about health issues and it’s great to stay in touch with you that way!
Ted
While I know that nothing is for free I do have a Medicare Advantage plan and I am very happy with it. I have never needed a referral and have never had a problem seeing any doctor I chose. I am sUre there are people who have policies that are awful but mine is very good and is not Priced somewhere in the stratosphereP
Dr Segal you are definitely missed very much. It is hard to find a pcp that I like. I used to scratch your back or brings a cup of white hen coffee and so far even before this pandemic I have not been able to fine a friendly doctor. Gail
I was so happy to find your blog and then so sad to hear of your retirement and health issues. You were my doctor for over a decade and I enjoyed sharing my backpacking adventures with you. When my retirement insurance changed and was not accepted, I had to find a new doctor and the one I found was one who had spent time with you. You often told me that you were working on a book and that I was going to be in it as the best, most cooperative patient you’d ever had. That was a compliment I cherished. I pray for you as you travel this horrendous road you are on and am glad that you have an outlet for your writing talent with this blog. Bless you!
Stewart, In reply to your request about what makes a good doctor the number one thing is be a good listener. The second thing is to treat everyone with respect.
I’m having difficulty with the difference between a good/great doctor. Though I have no problem categorizing a poor/not so good doctor vs good/great. I guess it’s a matter of time. You were a good doctor for a number of reasons but you were great for me because you gave a lot of your time to me. You would ask me what was on my list and we would cover it all. You listened. You responded. You didn’t make me feel like you needed to get to the next patient. I couldn’t be the only one who felt like that or why would we wait as much as two hours to see you? That’s my final answer.
As I am 71 years of age and have gone through a multitude of tests in my life, many of which were not pleasant. I haven’t lost my respect for my doctors but I am not intimidated by any of them. That’s because of my age, the fact that I’ve been through a lot of shit, and I have no interest in taking anymore. I trust my doctors to care for me but I am ultimately responsible for me. So no, I’m not intimidated. Just today I called a doctor by her first names or the first time in 18 months.. She was a taken back and said that’s Dr. (insert first name). I asked, what do you call me? Her answer was hi or hey. Sorry, not acceptable. If you’re Dr. such and such, my name is Mr. Corbin. Otherwise, you lose the title. Respect is a two way street.
I just want to say Hi Dr Segal. My name is Gail Rucker. The patient that you used to say I always gave you a challenge! You used to call me unique! Well my new pcp is saying the same thing. Remember I used to bring you White Hen coffee when I would come. I had been thinking about you for awhile and today I had an appointment with Dr Benjamin Nager and he had told me he talked to you so that is what really motivated me to write. He told me you are now living in North Carolina and I guessed with your son I hope your health is not really bad. Know I am praying for you in my religion (really doesn’t matter) take care of yourself know you were the B E S T with Love Gail Rucker
Good doctor/bad doctor – after you retired Amita didn’ t seem to even have a doctor. Both appointments I had were serviced by a nurse practioner. Changed PCP to a doctor in my plan near the house. Talk about “cookie cutter”medicine. In two visits all my questions are answered with your getting older, physical exam consists of listening to breath sounds and then the nurse draws blood. Lab results have been good, but I’m looking for a new PCP. Never fully appreciated how good I had it with you as my doctor.
Sr. Segal,
We need the blogs to continue. We turn to you to learn from your experience and value your insight. Please keep your sharing of thoughts and knowledge coming.
Stewart … Awe, admiration and inspiration are what I’ve come away with after my recent accidental discovery of your blog. You were one of the smartest men I’ve known and you knew how to impart that knowledge with ultimate care and concern for your patients. You also taught and nurtured your staff and treated us all with ultimate respect. Vic and I send warm hugs and most positive thoughts to you and your family as you navigate through your most difficult time of life.
Great though provoking posts Doc.
I will also write to 60 minutes and 20/20 to highlight plights of the handicapped in transportation; there is certainly strength in increased numbers of people highlighting these conditions.
Hi Dr. Segal,
Every spring we return to Barrington, you are always in my thoughts. Even after we moved to Marco Island, I still came to you for my yearly check-ups, until you retired. You were our family Dr. for twenty plus years, I remember always trying to persuade you to move to Florida with us, but I knew you would never leave all our patients. No one could ever replace you!! With luck, I ran into Dawn at Costco today, and she informed me about your blog. Our family is doing great. Our son Paul, is 20 years cancer free, thanks to you for getting us to the right Drs. for his treatment. He and his fiancé also live on Marco. Our son Ryan, still lives in our Barrington home, taking care of things here. Thank you so much for taking such good care of our family. We wish you and your family the very best. The Crain Family, David, Carol, Paul and Ryan
Amita, the corporate entity that took your practice, does care. Yesterday (2/18/20) I got a mailing saying you retired 9/19/19.
Very prompt because they care? The whole new system sucks!
Dr Segal, you are greatly missed! Our entire family were your patients for 35+ years and since your retirement we have struggled to find the kind of personal and medical care that you provided!
Please Keep writing about health issues and it’s great to stay in touch with you that way!
Ted
While I know that nothing is for free I do have a Medicare Advantage plan and I am very happy with it. I have never needed a referral and have never had a problem seeing any doctor I chose. I am sUre there are people who have policies that are awful but mine is very good and is not Priced somewhere in the stratosphereP
Glad to hear you like your policy. Just don’t get real sick and all will be well.
Dr Segal you are definitely missed very much. It is hard to find a pcp that I like. I used to scratch your back or brings a cup of white hen coffee and so far even before this pandemic I have not been able to fine a friendly doctor. Gail
Miss you too. really miss the back scratching!
I was so happy to find your blog and then so sad to hear of your retirement and health issues. You were my doctor for over a decade and I enjoyed sharing my backpacking adventures with you. When my retirement insurance changed and was not accepted, I had to find a new doctor and the one I found was one who had spent time with you. You often told me that you were working on a book and that I was going to be in it as the best, most cooperative patient you’d ever had. That was a compliment I cherished. I pray for you as you travel this horrendous road you are on and am glad that you have an outlet for your writing talent with this blog. Bless you!
Stewart, In reply to your request about what makes a good doctor the number one thing is be a good listener. The second thing is to treat everyone with respect.
I’m having difficulty with the difference between a good/great doctor. Though I have no problem categorizing a poor/not so good doctor vs good/great. I guess it’s a matter of time. You were a good doctor for a number of reasons but you were great for me because you gave a lot of your time to me. You would ask me what was on my list and we would cover it all. You listened. You responded. You didn’t make me feel like you needed to get to the next patient. I couldn’t be the only one who felt like that or why would we wait as much as two hours to see you? That’s my final answer.
As I am 71 years of age and have gone through a multitude of tests in my life, many of which were not pleasant. I haven’t lost my respect for my doctors but I am not intimidated by any of them. That’s because of my age, the fact that I’ve been through a lot of shit, and I have no interest in taking anymore. I trust my doctors to care for me but I am ultimately responsible for me. So no, I’m not intimidated. Just today I called a doctor by her first names or the first time in 18 months.. She was a taken back and said that’s Dr. (insert first name). I asked, what do you call me? Her answer was hi or hey. Sorry, not acceptable. If you’re Dr. such and such, my name is Mr. Corbin. Otherwise, you lose the title. Respect is a two way street.
such a joy to read these blog posts miss you and your caring approach!!!
Someone left off your family from tennessee ,your brother and sister in law is coming to see you,it will be a hard ride for me due to stroke.
I just want to say Hi Dr Segal. My name is Gail Rucker. The patient that you used to say I always gave you a challenge! You used to call me unique! Well my new pcp is saying the same thing. Remember I used to bring you White Hen coffee when I would come. I had been thinking about you for awhile and today I had an appointment with Dr Benjamin Nager and he had told me he talked to you so that is what really motivated me to write. He told me you are now living in North Carolina and I guessed with your son I hope your health is not really bad. Know I am praying for you in my religion (really doesn’t matter) take care of yourself know you were the B E S T with Love Gail Rucker
It’s great to hear from you. I loved the white hen coffee. I loved caring for you. Miss seeing you.
Good doctor/bad doctor – after you retired Amita didn’ t seem to even have a doctor. Both appointments I had were serviced by a nurse practioner. Changed PCP to a doctor in my plan near the house. Talk about “cookie cutter”medicine. In two visits all my questions are answered with your getting older, physical exam consists of listening to breath sounds and then the nurse draws blood. Lab results have been good, but I’m looking for a new PCP. Never fully appreciated how good I had it with you as my doctor.
I miss practicing medicine and my patients. Medical care has changed remarkably. I’m dealing with the same things you are dealing with.
Sr. Segal,
We need the blogs to continue. We turn to you to learn from your experience and value your insight. Please keep your sharing of thoughts and knowledge coming.
Your reply has inspired me. I’ll return to writing soon.
Stewart … Awe, admiration and inspiration are what I’ve come away with after my recent accidental discovery of your blog. You were one of the smartest men I’ve known and you knew how to impart that knowledge with ultimate care and concern for your patients. You also taught and nurtured your staff and treated us all with ultimate respect. Vic and I send warm hugs and most positive thoughts to you and your family as you navigate through your most difficult time of life.
Thanks for the kind words.
Great though provoking posts Doc.
I will also write to 60 minutes and 20/20 to highlight plights of the handicapped in transportation; there is certainly strength in increased numbers of people highlighting these conditions.
thanks for the support
Hi Dr. Segal,
Every spring we return to Barrington, you are always in my thoughts. Even after we moved to Marco Island, I still came to you for my yearly check-ups, until you retired. You were our family Dr. for twenty plus years, I remember always trying to persuade you to move to Florida with us, but I knew you would never leave all our patients. No one could ever replace you!! With luck, I ran into Dawn at Costco today, and she informed me about your blog. Our family is doing great. Our son Paul, is 20 years cancer free, thanks to you for getting us to the right Drs. for his treatment. He and his fiancé also live on Marco. Our son Ryan, still lives in our Barrington home, taking care of things here. Thank you so much for taking such good care of our family. We wish you and your family the very best. The Crain Family, David, Carol, Paul and Ryan
Its great to hear from you. Stay healthy and wellthy!