I work twice a week with an amazing doctor...not stuffy, not egotistical, not arrogant.
Quite the opposite...a rare breed.
He is humble, with a quick wit, a gazillion ‘war’ stories and full of compassion.

I thought he must be 80 but I checked it out and he is 72. He looks much older, he’s worked hard and given much. He dedicated his life to serve the indigent and does so with such care.

He is a transplant from Kansas a million years ago and knows more about the history of this region than most natives...he loves it that much.
His Spanish is perfect.
He loves it here that much.
It takes people by surprize...a white man with twinkling blue eyes that speaks the language like a native speaker.
He was a peace corps doctor...that says something right there.
His first name is William and I can’t tell you how many grateful moms have named their boy babies William or Guillermo.

The other day he is there with a Medical student and he is going over a patient's chart...they come out of the room and I ask him ‘what book would you suggest to read if you wanted to know more about El Paso history?’ Without a missed beat he suggests a book and then goes on to tell me about a musician who was born right up the street from the clinic in Segundo Barrio who made it big time with big band leaders and jazz great, Charles Mingus. Don Tosti. I have never heard of him before.
El Paso is also called El Chuco...this goes back to the Pachuco days.
You will see 'El Chuco' and 'Chuco town' spray painted all around the barrio.

...Then he goes on to tell the story of how he almost was born a Mexican.
His grandfather and father were cattleman and lived in Matamoros for a year and then 1911 happened.
The Mexican Revolution.
His dad said, ‘we’re going home.’ and packed his cattle onto the train and headed back to the US.
I looked at him and said, ‘oh, but you are Mexican.’
Big laugh and a happy twinkle in his eyes.
And he says, ‘yeah, I suppose I am, guera!’

What an honor it is to see this man in motion. Giving to those who would not otherwise receive prenatal care and have healthy babies.

He’s bringing me a copy of the book he suggested and said, ‘read it, kid. If you like it, you can buy volume 2...I loaned out volume 2 but can’t remember who I loaned it out to.’

and off he goes to see patient number 18 who he addresses as he walks in the room,
‘Buenos dias, Senora...como se siente?’ and the door closes.

I say to the Medical student who already has the look of a cocky doctor, ‘watch this man, he’s the one to watch. Today is your lucky day.’



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there is always something new to learn about El Chuco...as the good doc said, 'this is a land that is very interesting.'