Question Answered

After another seemingly long month and a half alone at the clinic, support has arrived in the way of another doctor coming from the states. Originally from New Orleans, but most recently having worked in Georgia at one of the Family Medicine residencies, she was a much anticipated arrival. Yes, because she fills the void of a much needed second doctor for the clinic, but more to determine her origins. Was she Caucasian American or African American? It makes not one bit of difference to the clinic or the community, for there is a decently large percentage of immigrants from Zimbabwe and other African countries to New Zealand escaping persecution. However, it would open a new chapter in the hiring practices of the clinic, and something they are bound to encounter more regularly as they continue to employ locums from the states. It was definitely a hot topic of debate for many weeks since we all first talked to her by phone conference back in February. So with much anticipation, I went to meet her at dinner last Sunday night, and walked in to find a very pleasant African American. Now with several encounters between us during the last week, I know she will fit in quite nicely to the clinic. However, the community response has been quite interesting as they struggle with the political correctness of what to call her and how to address her. More interesting to me is her response to the lackadaisical ways of New Zealand and discovering that nothing happens with quite the rapidness as in the states. Hopefully, having gone through the same struggles only 15 months ago, I can assist with her acclimation into New Zealand life, as much as she assists others in adjusting to her. Welcome.