Reflections of a Grady Doctor

William Ralph Draper, Sr. 10/8/1943 - 6/22/2022 What if missing your father was the singular burden he left behind for you? What if he...

On rounds the other day Him: "You alright, doc?" Me: "Me?" Him: "Yeah you. You seem outta sorts." Me:...

*as always, details changed to protect anonymity. Afternoon rounds last week Her: "Did you feel nervous when got that?" M...

There was this older gentleman who'd been admitted to my team and his admission was soft. We call admissions "soft" whe...

Today was my day to drive carpool. That makes my morning crazier than usual and the struggle even real-er than it is at baseline. Grrr...

Mines. Last month on rounds Her: "Before you say anything, hold on for a second, okay?" *fishes around in bed for her pho...

When my alarm went off this morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. Not because I'm a person who struggles with mornings--I d...

When I saw you on rounds today you were quiet. Your eyes looked in my direction but were otherwise vacant. This was a change. Me: ...

I was walking near the hospital entrance today and saw three young brothers standing out front talking and laughing in the sunshine. O...

I took care of you in the hospital for fifteen days straight. I was there when you first came in with those symptoms. And I held your ha...

Any and every resident or medical student who has ever worked with me at Grady has heard me say these words: "Rock steady, baby...

When you came in, this problem was barking like a dog. It looked like one and behaved like one, too. A few tests later, it was confirmed...

*image shared with permission I’ve passed you too many times to count in the last decade and a half. Our eyes always meet and the same...

“Where are your people from? Maybe Mississippi or an island?”  - India.Arie, “Brown Skin” ______________________________ Grad...

"I don't know no love songs and I can't sing the blues any more but I can sing this song  and you can sing this son...