Max
06-06-2003, 07:39 PM
Paralyzed doctor wins annual award
By MARK GUYDISH
markg@leader.net
NEW YORK - Nearly 18 years ago, while practicing shallow dives for a merit badge in life-saving, Boy Scout James Post jumped into 4 feet of water and hit bottom. The spinal injury paralyzed him.
It also turned the Hanover Township native into near legend.
From his wheelchair, he became Eagle Scout, summa cum laude King's College graduate, doctor of medicine at Albert Einstein College - after rejections from every medical school in Pennsylvania - and did his residency at Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital
On Wednesday, Dr. Post received recognition from Lenox Hill: the annual Leon Hess memorial award for fellowship excellence.
Simply put, he was judged the most outstanding of about 20 people to win fellowships, which are positions given to those completing their residency and seeking additional training as specialists. Post's specialty is nephrology, or kidney disease.
It is a fitting landmark at a cusp in his storied life.
"I'll be finished with my fellowship July 1," Post said in a phone interview Thursday. "I'm trying to decide where I'd like to settle down and practice, whether to stay here in New York City or move out, whether to join a hospital staff or open a private practice."
Post, 32, came to Lenox Hill six years ago, did his residency and was chosen as chief medical resident before obtaining a fellowship. And although he disproved doubters who rejected his applications - his plight prompted changes in Pennsylvania discrimination laws - he holds no grudge.
"In fact, they rejected me again despite that legislation. I could have followed with lawsuits but I didn't. I got what I wanted and I'm happy doing what I'm doing."
Doing what he's doing does require more time than "able-bodied" doctors, Post concedes. He needs an assistant to help with physical exams - including positioning patients and stethoscopes. Yet clients rarely show concern about his physical limits.
"When they see I'm getting down to the business of helping them, the wheelchair really disappears," Post said. "It's never a question of competence. I'm not a surgeon. I'm not going to be taking out a gall bladder. It's more a cerebral specialty."
And while he derives joy from medical success - and from a thriving marriage that brought two children, ages 3 and 7 - there are other challenges that inspire him. He champions those who are where he was.
"I'm working with two people right now." One girl in Louisiana suffered a spinal injury midway through medical school and is being urged to drop out. Another finished pre-med and is being rejected for more training.
"She's being told if she can't draw blood or suture a wound she can't become a doctor," Post said. "That makes me a little bit angry. But I feel great satisfaction when I can write to the dean of these schools and counter their argument with my own experience.
"A lot of arguments used against me were flawed and, frankly, antiquated ideas about medical education."
Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161.
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/thetimesleader/news/6024000.htm
By MARK GUYDISH
markg@leader.net
NEW YORK - Nearly 18 years ago, while practicing shallow dives for a merit badge in life-saving, Boy Scout James Post jumped into 4 feet of water and hit bottom. The spinal injury paralyzed him.
It also turned the Hanover Township native into near legend.
From his wheelchair, he became Eagle Scout, summa cum laude King's College graduate, doctor of medicine at Albert Einstein College - after rejections from every medical school in Pennsylvania - and did his residency at Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital
On Wednesday, Dr. Post received recognition from Lenox Hill: the annual Leon Hess memorial award for fellowship excellence.
Simply put, he was judged the most outstanding of about 20 people to win fellowships, which are positions given to those completing their residency and seeking additional training as specialists. Post's specialty is nephrology, or kidney disease.
It is a fitting landmark at a cusp in his storied life.
"I'll be finished with my fellowship July 1," Post said in a phone interview Thursday. "I'm trying to decide where I'd like to settle down and practice, whether to stay here in New York City or move out, whether to join a hospital staff or open a private practice."
Post, 32, came to Lenox Hill six years ago, did his residency and was chosen as chief medical resident before obtaining a fellowship. And although he disproved doubters who rejected his applications - his plight prompted changes in Pennsylvania discrimination laws - he holds no grudge.
"In fact, they rejected me again despite that legislation. I could have followed with lawsuits but I didn't. I got what I wanted and I'm happy doing what I'm doing."
Doing what he's doing does require more time than "able-bodied" doctors, Post concedes. He needs an assistant to help with physical exams - including positioning patients and stethoscopes. Yet clients rarely show concern about his physical limits.
"When they see I'm getting down to the business of helping them, the wheelchair really disappears," Post said. "It's never a question of competence. I'm not a surgeon. I'm not going to be taking out a gall bladder. It's more a cerebral specialty."
And while he derives joy from medical success - and from a thriving marriage that brought two children, ages 3 and 7 - there are other challenges that inspire him. He champions those who are where he was.
"I'm working with two people right now." One girl in Louisiana suffered a spinal injury midway through medical school and is being urged to drop out. Another finished pre-med and is being rejected for more training.
"She's being told if she can't draw blood or suture a wound she can't become a doctor," Post said. "That makes me a little bit angry. But I feel great satisfaction when I can write to the dean of these schools and counter their argument with my own experience.
"A lot of arguments used against me were flawed and, frankly, antiquated ideas about medical education."
Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161.
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/thetimesleader/news/6024000.htm