McGovern Allergy Clinic – President’s Message

     Perhaps we are witnessing the greatest revolution happening in medical practice since the inception and evolution of Modern Medicine. A noble field of service has been taken hostage by a web of bureaucratic regulations which have seized control of Medicine from patients and physicians. Emphasis has shifted from lofty ‘Hippocrates Principles’ of helping the sick ones to a mess of legal manipulations, governmental commandments, and disturbing roadblocks. The numerous non-medical training sessions, circulating memos, privacy jargons, booklet handouts, computer upgrades, skyrocketing insurance, falling incomes and the overall fear of uncertainty are all the resultant fallouts from these regulatory burdens.
     We at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic are celebrating 57 years of existence, providing quality care to many thousands of allergy sufferers. While many practices have succumbed to the ongoing external assaults, it is of great comfort that McGovern Clinic has stayed alive.
     Nevertheless, we should not be complacent about the steady decline of the number of patients and consequently, that of the revenue. It is crucial for us to go the extra mile in committing our best efforts in providing the most efficient service and care to every patient who comes to us for relief. Our success and our survival depend entirely on happy and contented patients. Each one of us as an important member of the ‘Team McGovern’ should proudly play their role. I do not have adequate words to express my appreciation and gratitude for the excellent job that you all are doing. Please keep up the good work; it is essential for our existence, more than ever before.
     The year 2003 has been hectic for our clinic in many ways, both professionally and personally. We moved from Administaff to Epix, survived the HIPPA challenge and upgraded our computer system to server and MS application. We have renewed the lease on our building for another five years, put up a new sign in front and have the parking garage renovated. After a long interval and exhaustive search, we have recruited a young, well qualified and pleasant young physician, Dr. Reddy. Carrie Kane has retired after devoting 29 years of excellent service to the clinic. Susan and Nancy had babies and few of us have new grandchildren. Dr. Thorne and Sandy and my daughter Kala got married and Sonia is getting ready to reaffirm the vows. We participated in numerous health fairs and asthma screening sessions.
     As we embark on the New Year 2004 and as we face and meet challenges in the ever-changing medical climate, we will remain confident, optimistic and assured, continuing to do what we always did well – providing quality care to our patients.
               Wishing you and your family members the very best of health and peace. May God bless you.

Venugopal K. Menon, M.D. (President) Christmas luncheon, 2003

Author: Dr. Venugopal Menon

Was born and raised in a loving family in pre-independent India, became a doctor, served Indian army, got married, then came over to America with wife and a daughter, established as a successful Allergist, raised a family of three children, was involved in many social establishments, retired, and wrote memoirs, 'My Mother Called Me Unni, A Doctor's Tale of Migration'. View all posts by Dr. Venugopal Menon