Memories

I was privileged to work in John Stoeckle's practice for more than twenty years. He was a brilliant physician. He embodied the art and science of medicine. He was a master diagnostician. He was an innovator. He was a pioneer in team-based medicine, and involved nurses and social workers in his academic papers. He was a mentor. He opened doors for patients and colleagues alike. He was kind and thoughtful. He loved to laugh. I was lucky to have known him.

My first job out of college in 1992 was filing papers into his patients' charts. I've had some experience at being a patient when I was younger and immediately my instincts knew he was a good and kind doctor. I watched how this man in his 70s remembered personal details about his patients, dealt with complex medical issues, nurtured and trained new physicians and was an early and enthusiastic adopter of technology. He was the most passionate user of an early Medical Record System—COSTAR, for which I worked, first as a transcriptionist and then as manager. I'll never forget his second office being filled with gifts around the times of the holidays. His patients obviously loved him dearly. And I'll never forget him sending staff in to pick something out for themselves.

John was many things to many people. I will always remember his genuine interest in caring for people. The story I have, to illustrate this, was...

When I was first starting out, filing paper into his patients' charts I gave myself the mother of all paper cuts on my hand. I went about my evening, and noticed the area around the cut swelling. I ignored it but it continued to get worse. One of the nurses in the office noticed me focused on my hand. She inquired, I held up my hand and from several feet away she could still tell something was wrong—cellulitis. She took a look and then carefully took me by the wrist and walked me into Dr. Stoeckle's office. He was reading something but looked up with that gentle and kind smile, listened to the nurse and he motioned me over. He looked carefully and then took me over to a sink and cleaned out the cut as best as he could. This took many minutes, maybe 15 or 20... he was singularly focused on making me well and genuinely cared. After cleaning it, I think he wrote out a prescription and told me to follow up with my PCP. The next night he heard me rustling with some papers and quietly came out. "How's the hand?" "It's fine doc... thanks." Then in that Dr. Stoeckle way, he replied, "good, good, Ok." Smiled and receded back into his office.

The world is a better place for Dr. Stoeckle's lifetime of achievements. He may have departed but he leaves a legacy of teaching and having profoundly impacted Primary Care practices.

I had the good fortune to have my clinic assignment when I was a Primary Care resident at MGH in the suite with Carol Ehrlich and John Stoeckle. They were both extraordinary influences during my training. After residency I moved to Seattle for my first job at the University of Washington for six years. In 1999 I returned to MGH and asked if my office could be in the suite with Dr. Stoeckle. For the next two years we worked side by side. Even after residency and six years as a clinician I learned much more from him. The best part of my day was the end when sitting at my desk finishing notes I could listen in while John called several patients from the phone in the work station just outside my office. He had many gifts but his remarkable ability to communicate with patients is something I have seen so infrequently since.

I was doing my doctorate at Brandeis in the early 1980s and my advisor kept telling me that I needed to meet John Stoeckle. I later took a position at the MGH Institute of Health Professions and inherited a nursing clinic at Amy Lowell House behind the MGH with John as my physician back-up. We had opportunities to talk about practice, patients, sociology of health over the years. I interviewed him for my research on nurse practitioners as he really was an early supporter of the role. Because I lived in Winchester and had a son at Oberlin we also saw each other generally by the library and talked about family. I remember him telling me how he left Oberlin in the 1950s because he was not allowed to publish an article in the college press about birth control. He was always ahead of his time and willing to take risks for the right reasons.

I knew John as a colleague and greatly admired him. He championed people's access to medical care before it was widely valued and he was dedicated to his patients. A special memory was being welcomed into his MGH office for a chat, as a new member of the MGH staff. It was filled with pictures and mementos of a career dedicated to primary care, both research on patients and providing it! I hope the John D. Stoeckle Center which carries his name at MGH that he founded will remain strong, celebrating and advancing the cause he stood for.

John Stoeckle was my doctor for over forty years and became a friend. He was a superb physician who practiced what he preached about listening to the patient. He was always up to date on the latest developments in medicine and enjoyed discussing the ramifications of new research. He was genuinely interested in his patients as people and their families. I remember him telling me about his wife's illness and then her death. I will miss him.

I worked with John Stoeckle in the 1970s and 1980s as a nurse and a nurse practitioner. We were good friends and would meet for lunch even after his retirement. When meeting for lunch he always wanted the check. He was a wonderful man to work with and a great physician.

I worked as a nurse with Dr. Stoeckle in the 70s. He was an amazing physician. He valued our nursing skills and taught us physical assessment. He was ahead of his time and we had so much respect for him! He would come to our kids' events and his door was always open. His teaching changed the way I practiced. I had a long nursing career and he definitely shaped it.

I worked for Dr. Stoeckle for ten years. He was a wonderful doctor and a wonderful person. He cared about his patients and he cared about us. He was a true gentleman. I will miss him.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Stoeckle at MGH for many years. He was gentle, kind and thoughtful, a wonderful role model. We enjoyed each other's company and often talked about our mutual love of sailing.

John was a wonderful mentor to me when I was a medical student and then a resident at MGH. He helped shape my career in primary care and social medicine. He was always generous with his time and his wisdom. I will miss him greatly.

My very first day at MGH was his very last day. I had a brief brush with greatness as I got to share in a celebratory piece of cake with him. He was kind enough to say hello and wish me well.

I had the good fortune to work with Dr. Stoeckle at MGH. He practiced compassionate, thoughtful medicine and was a role model for all of us.

Many years ago I was a patient of Dr. Stoeckle. I had the pleasure of meeting such a gifted and professional doctor. He showed genuine concern for his patients. He was always very welcoming to my parents and showed me the utmost respect. It was always a pleasure to see him. He was truly unique.

Dr. Stoeckle was my doctor for over fifty years, my parents' doctor too. He was the very best of the best. There will never be one like him. John, thank you for taking care of me.

Met him in 1975, treated my entire family and myself for many years. Will always remember him and be grateful for all we received. He has joined the galaxy of angels in heaven.

When I was about ten years old and had my tonsils removed at Mass General, Dr. Stoeckle stopped by my bed to see how I was recovering. This is a clear and kind memory from more than fifty years ago.

Our family were patients of Dr. John Stoeckle for many years. His primary care practice was one of the best. He was a kind and understanding doctor who really cared for his patients. We were extremely lucky to have him as our doctor.

I was a longtime friend of John's beginning with Oberlin days. I always enjoyed time with him and appreciated his friendship.

I knew John through The Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester. He was a kind man who showed much grace under pressure. During coffee hour after church services, he was eager to talk with anyone who stopped by. His humility was impressive, given his professional accomplishments. He will be missed.

We knew your wonderful Dad at Brookhaven. He was a kind, warm, very smart, delightful man. The world has lost one of its best.

I was a patient of Dr. Stoeckle for thirty years. One day I called his office and Dr. Stoeckle answered on the first ring. I asked to speak with the nurse. He asked if he could help me. I asked again for the nurse. She wasn't available. Then he asked, "What's the matter?" I described my symptoms. He told me to come in. It was only when I arrived that I realized that it was the doctor who answered the phone.

You don't find doctors like that anymore.