Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2018 - 9

As quickly as I could, I made it into the parking area, slammed
the car in park and literally threw the keys to the valet at the front
door. As I grabbed the speech from the floor, I quickly explained to
the middle-aged and quite bewildered valet that this was Senator
O'Pakes car, I needed to get him his speech quickly, we were leaving
after the Senator concluded his remarks, and to find me and give
me back the keys ASAP. I sprinted into the building and handed
the Senator his speech (we were about five minutes late). Now, I
have heard the Senator deliver many good speeches as I worked for
him, but I don't remember a single word of this one. I do remember
talking with Don and a few colleagues as the valet awkwardly
stumbled into the event and handed me the Senator's keys, thus
completing the ordeal. I sighed a great sigh. I survived my first event
and stayed a PA State Senate employee for another 10 years.

10 Years Later
I am now a newly hired Executive Director of the Berks Medical
Society. One evening, I met with some of my old co-workers/friends
for some drinks, including Don. And we began to laugh about
my misadventures through West Chester, how Don was quietly
badgering me on our whereabouts and how frazzled and completely
unhinged I was. I started regaling the table with how I was easily
doing 80 mph in a 15 mph zone and how I threw the keys to the
valet and sprinted away. At that part of the story, Don raised his
eyebrow and uttered the most earth-shattering response I have ever
heard: "We didn't have valets."

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So let's unpack this. I, a newly hired, twenty something lackey,
literally threw State Senator Michael A. O'Pake's brand new car
keys to a complete stranger who just happened to be standing in
the parking lot at the time I barreled through. I barked at him to
park the car and to find me inside the event to give me back the
keys. Which. He. Did. Had he not, I would probably still be selling
encyclopedias.
This edition of the Berks County Medical Record is all about
communication, as is this memory. Had Don told me to go right
instead of left, I probably would not have this story to tell. Had the
Senator realized I didn't go to West Chester, some other staffer would
have been debating with the Senator on if he should have taken a
left two blocks back or not. Had I not so forcibly explained to the
would-be valet that the keys I rifled at him were owned by Senator
O'Pake, I would have been looking for a new job and a ride home
from West Chester.
I'd like to think the mistakes of that day helped me grow
professionally. Communication and dialogue is everything. As this
harrowing tale proves, lack of communication is chaos and proper
communication restores it. This memory has helped me appreciate
the art of discussion, openness and collaboration... It also has given
me a healthy fear of having my car valeted.

SUMMER 2018

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Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2018
