Hathian’s beacon of hope shines from a shimmering cement structure that is Hathian General Hospital.
Angel Caproni reporting. ((angii.caproni)) Photos by John Childermass ((DarkStalker Darkfold))
Within this establishment, Doctor Claire Goodman stands strikingly tall, presenting a Lily Munster-esque hairdo, feint facial scarring, and piercing heterochromic eyes – flanked by two colleagues who are just as contrasting. Doctor Goodman greets this reporter with a sing-song voice and what’s more, an offering of good coffee – and that generous gesture, dear Hathianites, makes all the difference.
“TALLY HO!” hails Doctor Goodman. These words deck the halls with boughs of a battle cry as she explains the Air Force expression (an echo from her past) to this baffled reporter – an expression that simply declares the hunt is on. This adds yet another contrast for this reporter – as previously Tally Ho only defined a cigarette-paper brand from her ol’ stomping grounds back in Melbourne, Australia.
Doctor Goodman and her quiet and unobtrusive colleague Samantha sit primly in an upstairs glass-walled and vinyl-chaired room, which above all, provides a quiet space where the beeps, voices and general hustle and bustle of the hospital become a distant hum below.
“Living on the west side, I have been in and out of this city since 2015. I started as an intern in 2020,” Goodman states, reminiscing about dealing with Ultra Karens upon starting her internship at HGH. She explains that the hospital can, at times, be understaffed, though assures us that HGH staff are usually top-notch and motivated.
A Jack-of-all-trades, Goodman completed her residency right here at HGH. She is an attending physician who is fully trained and qualified in her specialties, which are as follows: Trauma Surgery, General Practice, Pathology and OBGYN. “The latter being my favorite,” Goodman says with a wry smile. “I am also a certified counsellor, but I will always defer to a full time therapist when we have one on staff.”
“Tally Ho” Goodman decks the halls with boughs of a battle cry
Goodman continued: “I have worked with many trauma surgeries: gun shot wounds, stabbings, and sadly, SA and clear signs of torture, which are remarkably common in this city – much more than anywhere else I have ever worked.”
“I have met some amazing people here, though, both as patients and as colleagues. One of my oldest friends and I met as interns here together. I have also met several patients here who have become extremely close friends. One of them is also a nurse here now. I believe that these experiences are why I tend to be willing to continue to take on assignments in this city.“
Regarding new members of HGH staff, Goodman advises: “Talk to your co-workers. Say hi. If you’re an intern, make friends with other interns. If you’re a physician, take care of your team and listen to your nurses. Include your team. They work massive hours for far less accolades and far less pay. If I am the most senior member on the team, I provide snacks and drinks. This city is all about its people. It always will be. It is because of the good ones who work for their community and family that I have not put this place behind me – and believe me I have tried.“
“This city is all about its people. They make every drop of blood and gunpowder spilled worth the effort”
“Some people tend to fall off. We had a really promising intern who seems to have disappeared. They suffered some unfortunate trauma and I think HGH was no longer for them. To those who suffer trauma, get help! Don’t triple down and seek revenge or a sucker punch. Get support. Get friends. Build your tribe. That’s what I do here. I have a tight group of people I spend most of my time with.” (At this point, Doctor Goodman smiles at her quiet colleague, now busying herself with a handheld video game, who in turn wholeheartedly agrees with the doctor’s sentiment.)
When asked to give advice to HGH patients, Doctor Goodman adds with gusto: “Please, trust your doctors. We’re not here to harm you. I have met several people who have this strange little thought process where they do not trust doctors, but we are here for you! Your Medical Professionals are here to save your life! I have had people who just refused to listen to me. I have had people who come in and try and order me around like I am a fast food window. We are not here to trick you! Just let us serve you, and it will be okay!“
To the overall survival mode ringing throughout the streets of Hathian, Goodman advises: “All I can say is that it is very, very important to be prepared. Train and prepare yourself.“
Such a strong call to action resonates with this reporter, being a new kid on the block. Being prepared to avoid having to end up in the safe and saving hands of Doctor Goodman and her trusted colleagues at Hathian General Hospital sure sounds about right. As much as this reporter suggests that this city can believe in our medical staff – why not also practice prevention before the cure?
It is certainly advice that will not go unheeded.
Angel Caproni, Hathian Observer
Contact: ((work phone is IM inworld angii.caproni ))
Twitter: @CDAngelAngel
