Tragic Accident

Our entire community was devastated last week by an airplane accident that took the lives of ten individuals from our area. One pilot and nine medical personnel were killed when the plane they used to fly to remote clinics went down shortly after takeoff on Friday night. I was friends with several of those who were on board, but especially with the physician assistant, Dave Goddard. I had just worked with him while he took an extra shift at the ER last week. The PA who usually worked had a to take the day off and Dave took her shift. This is just one example of what a good guy he was. While he was in the ER I got to see him work up an especially difficult abdominal pain case. Dave, even though he now works primarily in Dermatology, had a vast amount of experience in medicine. Watching him take the history and do the physical was another pearl for me to add to my medical training. You couldn't have done a more thorough and complete exam if you had been reading from a textbook! A fantastic example of a good PA! He was very good to me, always giving me journals to read, guiding me through medical procedures, and above all, offering good advice and help.

These were, all of them, great individuals who will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to their friends and families.