Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Julian
Still slightly dazed, Alisha Manning leads me into a conference room, calling everyone to attention.
“Dr. Jacobs, we are so glad you could join us today. We here at Palmetto Regional Medical Center are very excited and eager to have you join our hospital and community. As this is a formal introduction meeting, we have gathered these esteemed members of our hospital administration and leadership that you’ll come to know and see regularly at Palmetto Regional. ”
Blinking, the sun-filled room comes back into focus. I’d hoped the short walk from Grind House would be long enough to help clear my mind and get my head back in the game for this meeting. But it’s becoming obvious that I need to work a little harder on paying attention.
With a polite smile for the assembled group, I move further into the large room.
A wall of windows offers a view of downtown Bayberry Park and large trees swaying in the breeze, making adjoining streets nearly invisible.
I work my way around the large, gleaming wooden table, shaking hands and greeting each person Alisha introduces to me.
Until finally, I stand before the head of the Orthopedic Trauma Surgical Department.
“Dr. Jacobs, welcome.” I’m greeted by Dr. Connor Walsh, the very reason I want to work with this ortho trauma team.
Genuinely smiling for the first time since arriving at the hospital, we heartily pump each other’s hands. “Thank you, sir.”
With an amused roll of his eyes, Connor reclaims his seat.
I first met the man during my surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Hospital. I had already been leaning toward orthopedics as my preferred specialty when he’d been brought in to consult and lead on a difficult case. Seeing him operate had been awe inspiring.
I started following his career, and was lucky enough to work with him again on a few other cases during my residency where we developed a lasting rapport.
Connor is a brilliant surgeon, and had he been working at a teaching hospital, I would have done everything I could to complete my Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship under him.
We’ve kept in touch over the years, and I was honored and thrilled when he reached out to me when he was looking to add another surgeon to his team. It had to be kismet that he was now working at a hospital between where I went to undergrad and not far from Saltmeadow Point.
The combination of working with my mentor and being closer to home was irresistible.
Once everyone is seated, Alisha proceeds with the meeting. “Dr. Jacobs, once again, we are excited to welcome you to Palmetto Regional and look forward to adding your accomplished talents to our group of distinguished medical providers.”
I clear my throat, surprisingly nervous to address this group of established individuals at my dream job.
“Thank you, and I’m very pleased to be here.
I value the opportunity to meet with this group of hospital and surgical leadership.
I’m looking forward to taking this next step in my career, and I’m extremely thrilled it will be here.
I greatly respect the values and standards this organization represents and the resources they provide for the community and surrounding areas.
And for a long time now, I have wanted to work with and continue learning from Dr. Walsh. ”
Connor dips his head in acknowledgement.
Murmurs and nods of assent are shared from around the table. Dr. Diego Merritt, the Director of the Surgical Physicians’ Group and Chief of Surgery, booms, “Excellent!”
After the initial introductions and a brief round table discussion, most of the group departs. Connor slaps me on the back as he leaves the room, leaning in to whisper, “You’ve got the job, no need to fawn all over me.”
Covering my almost snort by clearing my throat, I grin and shrug my shoulders.
“Get this wrapped up. We need you here and part of the team,” he says more loudly.
“Yes, sir,” I say while maintaining a straight face, but the gleam in Connor’s eyes tells me he heard the sarcasm.
The VP of Medical Operations, Alisha, and Diego remain in the room.
We video conference in a Human Resources associate.
“We understand your desire as an ABOS Board Certified surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine and as an Orthopaedic Trauma Fellow, you wish to continue practicing both specialities. Therefore, we would like to present you with the most up-to-date contract that we have diligently negotiated over the past month that reflects our commitment to providing you with that opportunity.”
The group proceeds with reviewing the contract, but my mind keeps wandering to thoughts of Leena as they highlight the previous points of differences and agreed-upon compromises.
When we go over my elective Sports Medicine practice clinic and OR block time, I force the beautiful distraction from my mind.
“It has been agreed to give you a temporary OR block outside of your regularly scheduled trauma shift.” Handing me a sheet of paper, she continues, “The highlighted block, every other Friday morning has been assigned to you. In six months’ time, we will reevaluate your utilization of this block to determine if the numbers are there to continue or if we must decrease your allotted time. ”
“I appreciate your confidence in me, and greatly value the opportunity to prove it is a worthwhile investment.”
After the lunch that was delivered, Alisha and the HR associate are readying everything on the table as we wait for a paralegal to join us. I stand to stretch my long legs after the prolonged sitting in the uncomfortable chair.
I should be relieved to be signing this contract today, and I am. The desire to work somewhere closer to my family has been growing with each year that passes, and Bayberry Park is less than a two-hour drive home. Also, I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to work with my mentor and friend.
But my heart beats dully in my chest, despondent at my missed chance with Leena. It’s like there is an uncomfortable sensation buzzing under my skin, making me edgy.
I curse myself for getting so distracted by Alisha’s call, because had I been in more control, I might now be sitting with Leena’s number programmed in my phone, wondering if it was too soon to text or call.
“Dr. Jacobs, we’re ready.” A soft brush of a hand over my forearm jolts me from my depressing thoughts. Looking down, I see Alisha’s hand is still resting on my forearm. Shifting my arm away from her, I extend it towards the table, indicating she should proceed.
While signing my employment contract and other onboarding paperwork, both of our phones ping with a text notification.
Connor: Trauma STAT coming in. Based on the report, I’ll be tied up in surgery most of the evening.
So I obviously won’t be able to make dinner.
Possibility of changing flight to stay 1 more day?
I would really like Jacobs to tour a few departments, especially the OR and spend time with me in surgery tomorrow.
We could have dinner tomorrow evening after I get off shift.
Hope you can make this happen. I’ll check in later. Thx.
Alisha leans back in her chair, looking at me behind the paralegal’s back and asks, “Does your schedule allow for you to stay one more day?” I nod, and she beams at me. “Great! I’ll get my admin started on changing your flight and extending your hotel reservation.”
My mind starts racing with possibilities as I pack up my bag.
Should I surprise my parents and show up for dinner?
Do I want to make that drive and back tonight?
Even though I will now for sure be relocating here in a couple weeks, it may be longer before I can spend time with my family while I settle in.
Plus, it may be the diversion I need from my preoccupation with a certain pint-sized beauty who I stupidly let slip through my fingers.
Pulling the chair out next to me, Alisha sits and spins in my direction while leaning forward into my space. I realize we are the last people in the room. “So it’s official! And what a pleasure it is being the first one to officially welcome you to our team.”
Leaning away from her on the pretense of standing, I say, “Thank you,” as I hold out my hand to shake hers.
Standing, she grasps my hand in both of hers. “I’m looking forward to seeing you around.” Fluttering her lashes at me, she continues, “Maybe we—”
At that exact moment, Diego steps into the room. “Hear you're staying another day.”
“It looks that way.” I run my hand over my beard and rock back on my heels, trying to create space between Alisha and me. I’m grateful to whatever forces are at work for his interruption.
Taking a step back, she begins tucking her hair behind her ears.
“Dr. Walsh anticipates being tied up in the OR all evening. He requested Dr. Jacobs stay one more day so he can join him in surgery. We’ll be moving dinner to tomorrow.
Will that work for you?” She is all business again, but that brief moment when it felt like she was about to ask me out makes my gut clench.
I check the time on my phone as Alisha and Diego discuss dinner details. It’s early enough that if I leave soon, I can make it to Saltmeadow Point around my parents' usual dinner time.
As we leave the conference room, Alisha lets me know that my hotel stay has been extended and she will be sending my updated flight confirmation. Once we are in the main lobby of the hospital, I make a polite but hasty exit.
Alisha wouldn’t normally catch my eye—actually, no woman has for a long time.
But I am very much not interested now when my mind is in disarray and I’m flooded with disappointment.
Even though our interaction was brief and I badly fumbled my chance, my head has most definitely been turned by a petite, green-eyed siren who will no doubt haunt my dreams.