An Old Friend

An Old Friend

By: Danielle Howe, Cornell University 

I recently had the opportunity to learn from one of the founders of ophthalmology, Dr. Seth Koch. I was externing at an emergency and specialty hospital when the manager asked if I wanted to meet Dr. Koch since he only flies in to work for one week each month. I introduced myself to the 80 year old man and he immediately forgot my name and called me every other name he could think of. He told me there were 2 rules to understand veterinary medicine: all pet owners are crazy, and all crazy people own pets. He said exactly what was on his mind and my first impression was that he was a cynical man. He asked if I wanted to stay and watch his next appointment so I did. The eye had always seemed like a mystery to me but Dr. Koch told me to describe what I see and take it one step at a time. Although I don’t plan on becoming an ophthalmologist, I gained confidence in diagnosing and treating eye disease. The next day he asked if I wanted to watch him perform a parotid duct transposition and how could I say no to the expert that pioneered this surgery in the veterinary world! I had such an unexpected and amazing experience though I was initially intimidated by his brutal honesty. After hours of getting to know him, laughing about his absurd life stories, and learning about the eye, I would consider him a friend… even if he can’t remember my name.