Goodbye, Popi

In 2004, my father in-law passed away.  Dr. Juan Delgado—his kids called him “Popi”—lived an amazing life of tragedy and triumph, a life that would make a great novel or movie of the week.  And his life has taught me a couple important life lessons that I’d like to share. 

In the late 50’s, Popi was a country doctor in Matanzas, Cuba.  His office was next door to his house;  he worked 7 days a week, made frequent housecalls, and often accepted farm animals in payment for his services from patients who had no other way to pay him.  Doctors Day was a circus at the Delgado home each year, as hundreds of patients dropped by to offer their thanks (and more farm animals!) for his friendship and care.  And he enjoyed the rewards of a successful doctor:  a large home, a house staff to care for the family, beach home, and financial stability.

But,  Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959.  The dictator stripped the Cubans of their liberty and their rights, seized property, and began the oppression that continues today.  Popi wanted better for his family.  So, in 1966, he made the difficult decision to leave his country behind.  He was told he would have to remain in Cuba in order for his family to go to Miami…and he agreed.  At the last moment, the soldiers told him he could go, but one of his daughters would have to stay behind.  The solders searched the home and inventoried all their belongings, because everything they owned now belonged to the government.  Each member of the family could take only 1 item from the home with them.  At the airport, the soldiers changed their minds again and allowed the entire family to fly to Miami—and freedom. 

Landing in Miami at the age of 54,  Popi the successful doctor, found he didn’t speak the language, couldn’t practice medicine,  had no job and had no possessions.  But he had a dream.  He kept the family together, living in the housing projects on $100 a month while he learned English and studied for his medical license.  And he succeeded.  He practiced medicine in Louisiana for 20 years as the medical director for the state’s largest psychiatric hospital.  He saw all three of his daughters attend college, two of them attending graduate school.  He lived to see 6 grandchildren.  And when he retired to Miami, he began to receive phone calls from former patients from Cuba who had settled in Miami and sought him out.  As the calls increased, he eventually opened another successful practice in Miami—at the age of 74! 

So, here’s what I learned:  Nothing is impossible.  Follow your dream.  If you can visualize it, you can achieve it.  Pay no attention to the naysayers, for those telling you it can’t be done get in the way of you doing it.  “Life, you know,” as Popi told me once with a grin, “is really something!”

Every Life Improved

Earlier in my career, I was a hospital CEO with the Triumph Healthcare company based in Houston TX.  Triumph founder and president Brock Hardaway built his company on a simple concept that became the motto for all of his hospitals:  “Every Life Improved.”  Three simple words that carry a very powerful message:  Each and every one of us has the privilege and opportunity every day to have a life changing impact on our patients.  Every encounter, every patient, every day.  And you may never know where that life changing impact will lead.

This was driven home to me recently when I was invited to talk about our new Crisis Stabilization Unit at a symposium in Americus Georgia sponsored by the Carter Center for Mental Health.  I was seated at a table near the stage with seven other folks who were also going to give talks about their innovative programs that serve the mentally ill.  I introduced myself to the fellow sitting next to me who told me he was Stuart Perry, the founder of the Perry Center in Americus.  

When I told him I was with The Bradley Center, his eyes lit up, he broke into a broad grin, shook my hand with enthusiasm and said:  “The Bradley Center saved my life.”  He went on to tell me that at the age of 21, he was witness to the suicide of his father, who suffered from depression.  For years after, he struggled with feelings of loss and his own depression, but was not diagnosed until a psychotic break in 1989 led him to The Bradley Center and a diagnosis of major depression.  After hospitalization, medication, and group therapy, Stuart began his road to mental health.  This past year, he celebrated 20 full years of recovery.

In 1999, he founded The Perry Center as a peer-to-peer support program for those suffering from chronic mental illness.  The program operates on a several acre farm and clubhouse and also runs a restaurant and farmer’s market.  It has gained national recognition for its innovative programs. In 2007, Stuart conducted his “Journey for Life,” a walk from Americus to Chicago to raise awareness about mental illness and addictive disease.  The story of that walk is told in his book, Journey for Life.   In 2009, The Perry Center was named Peer Program of the Year.

 Former First Lady Roselyn Carter visits The Perry Center.  Stuart Perry (left)

Host and sponsor former first lady Roselyn Carter called Stuart to the stage to give his talk about the successes of The Perry Center.  Stuart walked up the steps and faced the audience.  Then he turned towards our table and said to the audience:  “I want to recognize my new friend from The Bradley Center.  The Bradley Center saved my life in 1989 and if it weren’t for them, none of what I’m getting ready to tell you about would have ever happened.”

Every Life Improved.