NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 11

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amily physicians are well trained to care for the whole person; body, mind and more recently the role of spirituality
in wellness. All aspects require time and commitment if
we are to find and maintain wellness. So what is the role of the
doctor and the family in developing this balance? I often use the
example of a three-legged stool representing body, mind and soul,
already wobbly and easily knocked over. If one leg loosens we
have to steady on the remaining two until repairs can be made. If
our physical leg should be weakened by an illness or disease such
as cancer we must lean heavily on our emotional and spiritual
wellbeing. If not, the physiological effects of fear will disable our
immune and recuperative abilities. Developing this foundation in
wellness is most easily accomplished when we are well because
of the associated time commitment each leg involves.
Once life's storms arrive it is often too difficult to strengthen
the foundation, allowing the stool to topple. We will never be
able to develop a wellness program in our nation's healthcare
system focusing only on our physical leg. We have too long chose
not to support mental health initiatives and therefore for the
most part our wellness programs fail. Habits we develop trying
to cope with emotional and behavioral stressors such as drinking, drugging and smoking frequently result in physical illness
combined with staggering financial costs. More common but
less criticized are the effects of stress eating and the resultant
obesity with its comorbidities.

Life goes on and our weight shifts dependent on the storms we
encounter. Family is the glue that holds this stool together, because
without God and family none of this can be accomplished. Only by
recognizing the physical, mental and spiritual person and the family
that surrounds them can we ever be successful as a community
and a medical society in developing effective wellness programs.
What drew and currently holds many of us to this valley is family.
There is a sense of family here that is quite unique and not present
in other parts of America. We need to recognize, celebrate, and
market it to others who will choose to settle here and raise their
families. I choose to practice family medicine in this valley because
I believe all I outlined above still happens here but needs to be
protected and nurtured if it is to survive the next generation.
WILLIAM J. DEMPSEY, M.D., practices family medicine
and is the Associate Program Director for family medicine
residents at The Wright Center in Clarks Summit, PA. Dr.
Dempsey enjoys biking with his children and grandchildren on
the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Trail.

Often overlooked is the role that family plays; allowing patients
to develop coping skills and where they are exposed to the spiritual
tools that allow us to grow and develop as responsible human
beings. Increasingly we have witnessed the destruction of the
family unit and with it our society. Recently drug and alcohol
abuse has reached epidemic proportions which I feel is directly
related to our loss of spirituality as a society, because if we don't
worship God we will worship something, if not drugs then sex,
pornography, money, gambling or power. In order to strengthen
our spiritual leg we need a map to help us find our creator. That
map is a religion which helps us to remain on the straight and
narrow and avoid the turns that lead to some of the habits listed
above arresting our spiritual and behavioral growth.
If we suffer emotionally from a significant loss, once again we
need to shift our pain to the other remaining legs. An example
would be how Forrest Gump dealt with the loss of his girlfriend
Jennie. If you remember he ran for 3 years until one morning he
awakened and the pain was finally gone, it all having been sent
to his physical leg. Likewise we can shift that same pain to our
spiritual leg where we find peace in the relationship we have with
our creator. Those not religious can utilize other tools such as
meditation, yoga, music or mindfulness to promote relaxation.
N E PA

920 Viewmont Drive, Dickson City

570-346-1464

* Open NIGHTS and WEEKENDS for Well & Urgent Care
* Proud to be Serving Our Community Since 1977
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Visit us at www.pedsofnepa.com

PEDIATRICS OF
11
VITAL SIGNS

* Timothy D. Welby M.D.
* Kate A. Tigue M.D.
* John H. Marx M.D.
* Debra S. Georgetti M.D.
* April Troy M.D.
* Kathryn Horutz PA-C
* Dawn Strong PA-C

ISSUE: 1706
ORG/PUB: NEPA Vital Signs

http://www.pedsofnepa.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017