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Spring 2016 • Kentucky
“I feel fortunate to have good health and supportive relationships at home. I think
it’s important to have other professionals to talk with. Ideally they are in your
workplace, but if not then outside the office.” – Russell Eldridge
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partners remind each other of the need
to set limits and regularly take time off.
His partners are all hard workers and have
good working relationships that include
this important aspect of peer protection,
self-care and well-being. He believes health
care organizations should spend more time
encouraging such collegial relationships.
Elvis Donaldson has been an oncology
partner of Eldridge’s for many years and
says ‘he truly listens to his patients and
is empathic to their needs. His practical,
down-to-earth manner makes people feel
comfortable. I can’t imagine anybody feeling uncomfortable in conversation with
Russ. Even when there is no more treatment available, he explains ‘we will support
you and see that you have the highest quality of life possible.’” Lorraine Le Stephens
is Eldridge’s office nurse and describes
him as ‘kind-hearted’. She adds, “He makes
sure he introduces himself to each person
in the room- not just the patient. As an
oncologist, he knows he is not only taking
care of the patient but working with their
family member/care provider to care for
the patient as a team. Dr. Eldridge always
sits down at the patient’s level to talk. He
allows the patient to ask questions or
discuss concerns, and after taking care of
the patient’s needs, he always asks if the
family member/care provider has any questions.” He reminds the family caregivers
that taking good care of their loved ones
includes taking good care of themselves.
He reminds them “You don’t have a cape
on your back and a big red ‘S’ on your shirt.
You are not Superman or Superwoman.”
Andrew Merrill is supervisor of counseling for Hospice of the Bluegrass, where
Eldridge provides end-of-life and palliative care in-service for staff. He describes
Eldridge’s approach as bridging the gap
between aggressive care to prolong life
versus supportive and compassionate care.
Kim Wilder is administrative director for
orthopedics at Baptist Health Lexington,
where she has worked as an RN for many
years. She says “I love him. He is wonderful
with nurses as well as patients.” She recalls
being apprehensive 18 years ago having to
call and wake Dr. Eldridge at 5 AM about a
dangerously low platelet count on an ICU
patient on ventilator support. She remembers him saying – “I just want to thank you
for calling me about this patient.” This was
such an unexpected and welcome response
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