Physician's Assistant With Empathy to Spare

On May 5th, the New York Times introduced us to John C. Welton, a physicians assistant at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Mr. Welton is a polio survivor who suffered post polio syndrome that has left him atrophied from the waist down. He wears leg braces and walks with crutches while he works 12 hour shifts in the palliative care unit.

The story about Mr. Welton is inspiring. He is an example of providing compassionate and competent end-of-life care, even in the midst of battling his own medical crises. Most recently, Mr. Welton has been experiencing symptoms of a weakened diaphragm including shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing. About his own health, Mr Welton says, “It’s nothing that’s gotten in my way yet.”

Read the full New York Times story on Mr. Welton.