She is the ever cheerful upbeat voice who answers doctors’ phones at the Whitehorse Medical Clinic.
She knits the cutest little dog sweaters in her spare time. And she arrived in this world on Halloween.
After caring for Yukoners five days a week for 39 years, she is retiring to care for her aging mother full time at the end of this month.
I was elated for her when I found out because (as she said) she is “ready” and also happy about her decision.
I cannot help that my heart also feels very sad that we will be losing a person who is the epitome of what great health care is all about. She is a great example of why nurse practitioners should be used to help ease the burden of insufficient numbers of doctors and too many patients.
I have called her so many times over the past 39 years that I am sure her work phone number is tattooed on my brain. Her desk at work usually looks like somebody dropped a case of forms, notes and labels on it. I have observed her simultaneously talking to someone on the phone, waving at me to acknowledge I’ve showed up for my “squeeze you in” appointment, and/or covering the phone while she is still listening to the person on the other end while providing verbal assistance to a colleague. She was training her replacement with the same cheerful dedication and kindness she has shown to many of us for 39 years.
I swear she could write the general administration manual about providing health care service that is bar none.
She recognizes and understands illness cannot be scheduled into an appointment six weeks from now.
She knows that when we call it is because we know she will help us. If she can’t help, she makes sure we get in to see someone who can.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s about a sick child, aging parent, medical travel or a dying family member, she always has a moment to talk to you. My own doctor has commented to me that she “runs the place.”
Margie Potter (Doctor Potter to many of us), we are finding it very hard to express how much we are all going to miss you.
I want to thank you publicly for all the times that you found a “moment” for me and my family, no matter what the crisis was.
I know that many share my sentiment: I admire and respect you for the generous, dedicated service that we have been privileged to receive from you all this time.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so much of your care, kindness and wisdom for so long.
I wish there was an award dedicated for Angels on Earth because you are definitely one.
The treat is that we had you in our corner for so long à the trick, to find your replica.
Denise Leschart
Whitehorse