Volunteer Spotlight: Tuesdays with Julie
Today one of my favorite books opens as a play at Indiana Repertory Theatre. Tuesdays with Morrie is lovely story about a student and his college professor who continues to teach valuable life lessons until his last day on earth.
Here at Trinity, we are blessed to have “Tuesdays with Julie.” Every Tuesday morning, Dr. Julie Fecht leads Trinity’s pediatric clinic, providing well-child visits for infants and toddlers, acute care for children, and immunizations for kids from 0 to 17. She’s accompanied by a team of dedicated nurses, a clinical assistant, and sometimes a second pediatrician.
Julie has led our pediatric clinic since August 2011. For those counting, that’s about 400 Tuesdays. She’s an amazing doctor and a great teacher, too.
Last week I personally learned a lesson from Julie about how a small group working together can achieve big things. Julie shared that for the past six years she’s been part of a group of “hockey players and friends” who together have raised more than $1 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Julie said she didn’t realize the group’s collective impact until her daughter Karen joined the fundraising effort this year. “When I went back and did the math, I couldn’t believe that we had raised more than a million dollars in such a short time,” Julie said. “When everyone does their part, great things can happen! Every dollar donated adds up and can be part of making a difference!”
For Julie and Karen, it’s personal. Karen is named after Julie’s mom who lost her own battle with leukemia. An aunt and father-in-law have also had different forms of leukemia and lymphoma.
Julie is thrilled that Karen has taken up the torch to raise funds to support LLS. To learn more about Karen’s fundraiser,click here.
We are grateful to Julie for her service to Trinity and for the many lessons she imparts each week:
1. Julie leads (and teaches) by example. Despite working in her own busy medical practice, she finds time to serve those without access to traditional medical services.
2. Service is a value to be shared and passed on to others.
3. Any one of us can make a huge difference by doing our part.
Happy Tuesday. Stay warm and healthy,
Sincerely,
Mel Wischmeyer, Executive Director