Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 - (Page 64)

M E M O R A B L E E X P E R I E N C E S AT W O R K O R P L AY A unique perspective Julie Anne Eason F rom learning different techniques, to making new friends, to experiencing other parts of the country—everything about the mobile lifestyle appeals to Michael Green, RT(R)(T). Since his wife, Elaine, prefers to stay at their home in Sugarland, Texas, the radiation therapist opts for short-term assignments and works about 6 months a year. It is a compromise that has worked well. When Michael, a traveler with Media, Pennsylvania-based RTTEMPS, accepts a contract outside of Texas, he speaks with Elaine every day by phone. But he also communicates with her through pictures. “I photograph everything I see,” he says. “My images fill in the details that can be difficult to convey in words.” Chapter #49 Texas MICHAEL GREEN, RT (R)(T), (left) is pa rt of The Alexa Society Sons nder Hodge of the Americ an Revolution. enjoys places of extreme historic importance to 18th-century America. “I went to Yorktown, Jamestown, and Colonial Williamsburg. There is history everywhere you look! As a traveler, I often see more of an area than people who have lived there a lifetime.” Learning from the locals Michael’s patients often give him the best ideas for places to visit. “I tell them I’m new to the area and ask if they know any places I should see before I leave. It’s a great way to break the ice, and they always have excellent suggestions.” As an introduction to modern-day Jamestown, one patient in Virginia told Michael he needed to see the Jamestown Settlement. And a patient in Michigan told him about Bond Falls, an impressive waterfall. “I never would have found it by myself. It’s just not that well known.” Moreover, Michael says talking about beautiful, local spots takes his patients’ minds off their radiation treatments and makes them feel special. “I love seeing the smiles come over their faces when they discuss places in their home states,” he relates. “As a traveler, I get to be a tourist and an insider at the same time.” He also enjoys photographing nature. “During my Portsmouth assignment, I made three trips to the Virginia Zoo because I fell in love with its lion cubs. They were about 6 months old at the time and just a delight to photograph. Also, we don’t have Canadian geese in Texas, and they fascinated me. They are like the clowns of the natural world.” Every weekend provided a new experience for Michael, and he recorded them all through the camera’s eye. Returning the favor “Everywhere I go, I leave pictures behind. It’s my way of giving something back to the communities that share so much with me.” Michael considers his photos somewhere between tourist snapshots and a National Geographic photo essay, and creates 4” x 6” postcards to give to patients and 24” x 36” downloadable posters of the best pictures from an area. He also donates his photography for hospital fundraisers. Michael never fails to find a special connection to the places he visits and enjoys sharing his unique perspective. “Things happen so fast; it’s easy to miss the little details. And I love details. My pictures freeze moments in time and allow people to see things they would normally pass by in the hustle and bustle of daily life.” HT Julie Anne Eason is a freelance writer based in China, Maine. A member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Michael enjoys places of extreme historic importance. A photographer’s dream One of Michael’s favorite assignments was in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he had a contract at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center’s Martha Davis Cancer Center. “There were so many things going on all the time in and around the area. I never lacked places to visit and always brought my camera with me.” A member of the history-based Sons of the American Revolution, Michael Copyright ©2008 Advanstar Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the publisher. 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Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Cover Story: Day Trippin' A Matter of Choice Clinical Highlights Drug Update When In... On Assignment Name It Advertisers' Index Travel Tips Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Going the Distance Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

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