Patients are often caught in a system of impersonal treatment when the “business” of medicine and health insurance predominate over human health.
It is extremely rare today for physicians to see and know their patients outside of their medical office hours; I have known only a handful. When they do, they come to really know how the patients’ medical conditions affect their ability to function physically and emotionally. Is there no better gift that a doctor can give? I would like to share a tribute to a physician who has transformed the care of people with Multiple Sclerosis in a rural area of southwest Virginia, and worked with the 2000-member, all-volunteer support program founded by a patient.
I want everyone to see the “human” motherly side of Dr. Jill Cramer! She has devoted her life to people living with MS in Southwest Virginia for 20 years, the last 5+ developing our first-ever MS Center. She is one person who did something the big hospitals and clinics have not been able to do (even with their millions of dollars, extensive staff, and resources) by giving us our first MS Center. As she is preparing to move on, please take time to thank her for all she has given us. Since she started treating MS patients in our area, she has had 3 children, survived cancer, continued her education, and expanded her fields to learn more about our crazy disease. Her family vacations were incorporated into International MS Conferences so she could continue her education and spend time with her wonderful husband and children. Her holidays were spent joining us fully engaged at our annual weekend respite — with her whole family volunteering, helping, and even having fun with us, doing things like attending our Holiday Gala, modeling at Cinderella’s Closet events, and more. She has helped us feel whole.
Dr. Cramer has additionally worked diligently and successfully to find an MS Specialty group to provide continuity of care to her patients in the area. As she explains below:
Generally, a person who is prescribed disease-modifying therapies needs an MS specialist. If you do not have disease-modifying therapies, do not take amphetamines, and only have medicines for MS symptoms, some primary care will be comfortable refilling medications until you can see an MS specialist. It is up to the specific general neurologist whether they are familiar enough with your case and your specific treatments whether they can continue your care without an MS specialist.
Without her efforts, most patients would have had to drive long distances to reach a neurologist specializing in MS. In addition, she has provided the space for the MS Alliance to get together for education and socialization, because patients can support each other in ways that are not available from those who do not live with a condition.
We join with others to say Thank You for your service, Dr. Cramer, and God Speed!
Original author Suzanne O’Connell is living with MS, and is the President and Founder of the Roanoke Valley MS Support Group and the Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia. For more information, please feel free to reach out to [email protected], or visit in person at 431 Apperson Drive, Salem, Virginia 24153.
