I remember the moment I knew I wanted to become a doctor.

I was in college shadowing Dr. Silverstein, a pediatric oncologist, when he told me he’d be out of town for the weekend. One of his very first leukemia patients was getting married, and he needed to be there.

In his 12 years of knowing this patient, Dr. Silverstein had attended both her high school and college graduations. Now, it was time for her wedding, and not only was Dr. Silverstein invited, he’d been asked to walk her down the aisle alongside her father.

I was blown away. From that moment on, I aspired to build long-term, personal relationships with my patients. I opened my first gastroenterology clinic in Huntsville on July 9, 2001, and had seven patients scheduled that day.

Of those original patients, two have sadly passed away, but I still have an appointment every summer with each of the five who are still here today. No longer to provide care, but simply to say hello, hear how they’re doing, and catch up with one another.

I don’t see medicine as my job, but rather, as my joy. Receiving a Doctors’ Day recognition and note from one of my patients is the greatest compliment and highest honor I could be given. It reminds me of the day I knew I wanted to become a doctor, and all of the lives I’ve been honored to be a part of since then.

This Doctors’ Day, March 30, I ask you to honor your HH Health physician with a gift to Huntsville Hospital Foundation. 100% of your tax-deductible donation can be designated to help the hospital unit or department of your choice, and will provide equipment and programs that help us better serve patients at our not-for-profit hospitals.

Your personal note will be delivered to the honored physician. Thank you for showing your appreciation. It means the world to doctors like me.

With gratitude,

Suresh Karne, MD, PhD

Huntsville Hospital Digestive Disease Center

Doctors' Day 2024