Poetry in Medicine - No Rash Decisions

This month, Stanley Hartness, MD, our brilliant and multi-talented long-time JMSMA associate editor now retired, offers a poem. In his retirement, Dr. Hartness still performs a myriad of primary care duties, including disability exams. Dr. Hartness reflects: “To paraphrase that insightful philosopher Forrest Gump, performing Social Security disability exams is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Each time the exam room door opens, a new list of allegations presents itself. I’m often left ‘scratching my head’ at just what claimants think qualifies them for disability…which led me to the inspiration for my ‘poem.’ Fortunately, I escaped hands-on interaction since this claimant had tested positive for COVID, requiring him to reschedule.” Any physician is invited to submit poems for publication in the Journal either by email at drluciuslampton@gmail.com or regular mail to the Journal, attention: Dr. Lampton.—Ed.