Admiration

Ryan Abbott was very excited when he had heard that the famous Dr. Luc Bovell was going to work at Three Rivers. He had heard Dr. Jordon talk about him sparingly, but with a tone of respect that she hadn't used with anyone before. The senior physician had been working abroad for some time, and was looking forward to a "splendid homecoming." Ryan knew that Dr. Bovell had the charm that he did not have, and his smile was infectious. The senior physician was telling the crowd of his fellow days when Dr. William Foster was alive when Dr. Yablonski suddenly appeared. The tall man seemed to be the only one to not be pleased that Dr. Bovell was there. Although no one else seemed to notice it, Andy stiffened when his rival called him by his given name. Ryan could tell that Dr. Yablonski was somewhat insulted, and seemed to smirk when Dr. Bovell mentioned his work in Spain. When Ryan asked Miranda about it, she seemed annoyed, but grinned at his question. "The arrogant son of a bitch didn't know a lick of Spanish before he went off to Madrid. Andy had to teach him." Thinking about the conversation days later, Ryan realized that he should have stopped the conversation there. But he hadn't. "Why do you not like Dr. Bovell? He's amazing with machines, and travelled the world." Miranda had scoffed at his statement, and went on a rant of how Dr. Bovell was an ass. "He may work with patients, but it's Andy who does the real work. Luc only sees patients as machines. He sees anyone lower than him as his underlings."

Ryan hadn't figured out what she meant until he had a personal conversation with the physician himself. The older man was looking at the computers in the room near Ryan's desk, marveling at the technology. Ryan had called Dr. Bovell over to look at a new heart for his patient, but he had simply shaken his head. "I don't need to look over the heart, Brian." That was when Ryan had a twinge of annoyance. No matter how busy they were, the physicians he had known for months know had always checked over the condition of the organ. My name's Ryan, not Brain either. At first Ryan was about to open his mouth in protest, but then Dr. Bovell looked over to a book on the young man's desk. "I see you're reading Dragonlace, not medically involved at all. I guess that's expected of a transplant coordinator."

Ryan remembered the burn of anger he had felt at those words. He had remembered the arrogance that had seeped from Dr. Bovell's voice. He treated the nurses and the housekeepers in the same manner as he treated Ryan. And again, the week after, the said physician had not remembered his name. "It's Ryan." Ryan had gotten worse insults from his father, but this insult stung for some reason, days after. It was only now, celebrating with Koul after his successful heart transplant, did Ryan realize what being a physician meant. It didn't mean what degree you had at the end of your name. It meant how you treated your patients, and the dedication you had. It also meant treating people, no matter what their status, with respect. Ryan had seen his colleagues treat people part of the medical field and patients with respect. And the others had respected him for being a member of their team. Dr. Bovell didn't know how to do that, although Dr. Yablonski cautioned Ryan against his bitter feelings for his superior. "He's learning, you know. Luc checked up on Lester when a couple years ago he would've left it to me."

But still, Ryan knew who he admired now and why.

Dr. Sophia Jordon, for her integrity with her patients.

Dr. Miranda Foster, for her guts to never give up.

Dr. David Lee, for his diligence and willingness to work with others.

Dr. Andy Yablonski, for his pleasant beside manner and sensitivity.