Dr. Linda M. Dairki Shortliffe

Pediatric Urology

August of 1988 to November of 1988

Stanford University Hospital

I spoke to Dr. Shortliffe on the phone a few weeks before the birth of my middle son. There was an abnormality on the sonogram between the kidney and bladder. She was referred by our pediatrician.

I met her at Stanford University Hospital 5 days after his birth. She was the most reassuring physician I've ever known, kind and compassionate.

After a month of testing and gathering of the results, she operated on my son on Oct. 31, 1988. Other doctors raved to me that week about her and her skills. She repaired the defect and saved his kidney.

Throughout the hospital stay and the post surgery tests and follow-ups, she continued to kind and compassionate. She always had time for our questions and concerns. We were so proud when we heard she had been made head of the Pediatric Urology. She is such an asset to the medical school and to medicine.

Dr. Edith Irby Jones

Internal Med

November 1963

Riverside Hospital, Houston Texas

November 1963 I was Assistant Medical Record Librarian at Riverside Hosp. when I prior met Dr. Irby-Jones and became in awe of her dedication. She listened to my complaints. I was only 21years-old and had a deep passion for my profession. 5 other male physicians had dismissed my inner instincts that there was 'something wrong'. Dr. Jones hospitalized me and continued to probe, eventhough many test
returned 'normal' and I was persistant to which she offered the final 'three test' before my discharge.
2 test were negative. 3rd LE PREP for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: POSITIVE x2. Medical books showed me the "FATAL" Dx.. Dr. Jones showed compassion/expertise/detail follow-up to me. Later, I discovered Holistic medicine. Throughout the 6 decades, I am now 65years old, I have continued to internally and spoken loud to others, my heart-spirit felf gratitude to this 'early diagnosis' which relieved
the emotional drama of living in the unknown for longer periods of time, as many of other lupus patients.
In 1994 having met a Swiss girl here in US, was referred to her MD in Geneva Switzerland with a French
partner. I, to date, have been the only American to receive DNA/HLA serum laborotory produced to match my individual groups pattern, for which i was given a copy along with publication studies completed before my treatment. I have lived in and traveled to Europe for 15 years and became symptom free. Today, out of necessity, I remain here. I am the mother of a female Ed.D Mental/Public Health with BS in Biology who papered Lupus, and a son Firefighter; Paramed. My health status is now deteriating. I will always be endeared to Dr. Irby Jones for her early work..

Dr. Susan Baxter

Internal Medicine

Years 2000-2007

Wooster, Ohio

I was a long time patient of this wonderful, sweet and beautiful person. She was not only my physician but my dear and closest friend. She had to leave Wayne County Ohio in 2007 and I will deeply and truly miss her. She not only treated her patients with the upmost respect but she was compassionate, caring and loving. You do not see enough of these type of doctors in today's medical field. She had the ability to know exactly what her patients needed. For me, she could always take one look at me and know exactly what needed to be done and with my numerous illnesses I would end up in the hospital (which was always needed). She took time at each and every appointment to go over thoroughly any test results, any problems or complications her patients would have. She saved my life many times over. Even if she was not on call, when I would have to go to the emergency room, Dr. Baxter would be contacted and she would either come or tell the hospital ER staff exactly what to do. There was one instance where she knew exactly what was needed for me and the ER Physician took it upon himself to disregard her recommendations and when she was told what had happened she quickly took care of that matter. The result of that physician not taking her orders for me complicated my situation to where I had to be admitted to the hospital for a length of time because of his disregard and disrespect for her orders. No one will ever be able to take her place. Take you my dear friend and you will always be my physician.

Dr. Harriet Guild

Encinology

Harriet Lane Clinic 1955-1974

Baltimore Maryland

My sister, Gloria Hudkins was diagnosed with diabetes, polio, and mental retardation in 1952. My parents were so grieved and looking for hope. Gloria spent much time in the hospital in the early years of her illness. Doctors advised my parents to institutionalize her, as they feared she would not live long. The love and devotion of my parents said no, and thus Dr. Harriet Guild trained and encouraged my parents to give Gloria a wonderful life. I remember my mother taking Gloria to the Harriet Lane Clinic once a month and she returned home determined every day would be a gift for my sister. Dr. Guild was wonderful through the years and we felt as though she was a gift from God. My sister will be 60 years old this August, having diabetes for for 54 years. Her doctors are amazed at her wonderful progress through the years and she is a joy to her family. My mother who so faithfully taught me as a child to help care for Gloria is now passed away. Gloria and my 95 year old Father lives with me and my husband in Atlanta now. Dr. Guild will always be remembered as a bulwark and guiding light at John Hopkins. The treatment she gave my sister has shown our family that God gave us a great gift through her healing hands, and Gloria is most precious to our family. Thank you so much for such a great hospital and caring spirit.
Linda Goss
lindafaygoss@aol.com

Dorothy Gaither

Obstetrics

1986

Washington, D.C.

I never got the chance to thank this remarkable woman for the impact she made on me.
I was a 4th year resident in (male-dominanted) orthopedic surgery. I was pregnant with my first child and getting no support from my colleagues. I remember bursting into tears in her office-thinking that I was never going to make it. It was just too hard.
Dr. Gaither spoke gently and authoritatively and put things into persperctive for me. She made me understand that being a mother was every bit as important as being a doctor. she said I could make it work-but it would be different from my male colleagues. Today, I have 2 well adjusted daughters and a fulfilling career. Unfortunately Dr. Gaither died in a tragic accident not long after I had my second child.
Dr. Gaither-thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gentle counsel and your great example. Rest in peace.