An Open Letter
October 25, 2011
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
For the past three years I have served as a "House Doctor"
for the Cleveland Orchestra. As a Board-Certified emergency
physician and CWRU alum, with almost 20 years of experience in the
ER, this was an opportunity to serve the patrons who attend each
concert and keep the Cleveland Orchestra healthy. As a Juilliard
alum, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to also serve my musical
colleagues on stage.
For the past three years, while serving as House Doctor, I had
been permitted to park at Severance Hall for free. I believed this
was a gratuity for the free services I was rendering.
On Thursday, October 13, 2011 I was engaged to serve once again as
House Doctor for the Orchestra. As usual, I announced to the
attendant I was the House Doctor. This time, though, I was
told, in no uncertain terms, that "there are no provisions for
the house doctors" and that I must pay. I explained,
incredulously, that for three years I had always been permitted to
park at Severance, had no cash with me, and that I was expected to be
present immediately. I asked the attendant to contact the
house manager. After a less than amicable exchange in front of my
now very frightened 11-year old daughter the gate opened and I was
told this matter would be dealt with later. I raced to my seat
and in less than 5 minutes was summoned to assist a patron who had
slipped and fallen on a soaking wet floor of the rain-drenched
entrance.
The following Monday, the House Doctors received an email stating
that, indeed, we did have to pay for our own parking. In addition,
another physician (who had met the same fate that weekend) and I were
sent a separate email asking us to not render our services in the
future.
It is sad, unfortunate, and an embarrassment that such a minor
request by physicians who provide their medical services for free has
led to their immediate dismissals. Ten dollars is not the issue
here. The lack of respect and appreciation for the physician
guarding the lives of those in attendance is.
Show the house doctors that they are appreciated. Make a
donation to the Music Therapy Department of University Hospitals.
They are gracious, their work is truly amazing, and they can
certainly use your help.
I have created a special video, which is up on Youtube and my
website bachtohealth.org. I ask that you watch it to the end,
forward it to you friends and family, post it to your Facebook
account, and do the right thing.
Enjoy the performance.
Eric Roter, M.D.