Doctors

     The men and women on staff at Bangkok International Hospital are graduates of the finest medical training programs worldwide. Many of the physicians have spent at least 3 to 5 years in residency training at hospitals in major US cities. Often they remain to work in the United States even after completing their residency.  Typically they have a comfortable command of the English language and understand American culture. They enjoy the opportunity their work brings to interact with Americans.
 

 MEET DR. KAY
Richard Smith, Vice President of International Medical Resources, interviewed Dr. Kay on a recent trip to Bangkok. They met in one of the café bars in the wide hallways of Bangkok International Hospital.

RICHARD SMITH: Hi, I am Richard Smith of International Medical Resources.

DR. KAY: I'm Dr. Kay.

RICHARD SMITH: You have only spoken one word of English and I did not detect one iota of an accent. Where did you learn your English?

DR. KAY: From 6th grade through high school graduation I lived in Northern Virginia.

RICHARD SMITH: Hmmm, what part of Virginia?

DR KAY: Northern Virginia, Fairfax.

RICHARD SMITH: And where in Fairfax?

DR KAY: Annandale.

RICHARD SMITH: Wow, I live in Annandale. My daughter is in high school there, plays for Woodson varsity field hockey.

DR. KAY: Ah, Woodson was one of our key rivals in high school football.

RICHARD SMITH: Where did you go to college after that?

DR. KAY: Virginia Tech.

RICHARD SMITH: What did you major in?

DR. KAY: I started in engineering and wanted to be an engineer, but my parents insisted that I study medicine—kind of understandable since they were both medical doctors. It worked out well in the long run.

RICHARD SMITH: What do you mean? Did you have to turn your back on your interest in engineering? How could that turn out well?

DR. KAY: I continued my interest in engineering-type questions and combined it with medicine. I developed an interest in the effects of flight on the human body. I went on to work with NASA in San Antonio Texas and aero space medicine. Astronauts needed to benefit from this field as well as air force pilots.

RICHARD SMITH: That is exciting stuff. Have you done anything a bit more ordinary that commercial airline passengers can relate to?

 

DR. KAY: I am the flight surgeon at Bangkok International Hospital. The doctors in BH consult with me if there is any chance that hospital patients will face medical complications during the flight. I certify when the patients are “fit to fly”.

RICHARD SMITH: After VA Tech, where did you study?

DR. KAY: I moved with my parents to Thailand.

RICHARD SMITH: Was that a big change for you?

DR. KAY: Yes, at first. I was at ease studying in English and it was difficult to study in the Thai alphabet, but gradually I picked it up. I can roll along now in Thai and English.

RICHARD SMITH: Why did you stay in Thailand? Wasn’t the income a lot less than in the USA?

DR. KAY: Yes, I though about that. But my parents moved back here. They spent so much time taking care of me, it is now my turn to take care of them. They are alive and well, age 84.

RICHARD SMITH: Do you have other professional ties to the USA?

DR. KAY: Yes, I am recognized by the FAA to administer flight physicals for US airline pilots. I am also certified for this in Australia, Canada, and Thailand. Just as I certify that hospital patients are fit to fly, I certify if and when commercial pilots are “fit to fly”.

RICHARD SMITH: What about the other doctors that you work with in BH? Most of them have studied in countries such as England, Germany, Sweden, Japan, or Australia. You have worked in so many countries, you would have a good basis for comparison. Any comments?

DR. KAY: If a doctor is board certified in a European country or the USA, that is a high standard.

RICHARD SMITH: What is your view of the BH nurses?

DR. KAY: BH is a private hospital similar to a hotel functioning at a 5 star level: the nurses are super attentive, responsive to the patients and providing excellent care.

RICHARD SMITH: Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the hospital. Let’s go out for a drink before I leave Bangkok and we can swap stories about our hometown.

DR. KAY: What are you doing this Saturday night? We're having a Halloween party. Do you want to come?