Sunday, June 20, 2004

On Fathers Day, many people get together to spend time with their dads. Today, however, busy work schedules will keep Dr. Mark Patton from seeing two of his three sons, but he understands why they cant be with him.

Patton said a physicians schedule is always full, and with three sons, all of whom are in the medical field, it is difficult to get the entire family together even on Fathers Day.

Its a major decision to become a doctor because its very competitive and demanding, said Patton, 61, of Bowling Green. Its not an easy job, and there is always something you have to do.

Patton said, because he is a doctor, he understands how difficult it is to get the family together for visits and holidays.

Getting together on days like this can be difficult because of all the medical training, he said. Its hard to get everyone together with all the requirements on physicians.

Patton said sons, Chris, 35, and Chad, 27, will not be in town today to celebrate Fathers Day with him, but he is hoping his son, Todd, 33, will be. Chris wife, Marianne, and his two children, William, 8, and Caroline, 6, may spend part of the day with Mark, and if Todd comes to town, hell bring his wife, Mika, and daughter, Hannah, 2.

Mark said he and his wife, Faye, a registered nurse, never expected any of their sons to go into medicine, much less all three of them, and he is happy they have found a career they enjoy.

Im just overwhelmed sometimes that all my sons have chosen medicine, and I a very proud, he said. I was thrilled when they all told me.

I had never encouraged or discouraged them to be physicians, Mark continued. However, the practice of medicine is a good place to be. I have enjoyed every year Ive been practicing. Its not an easy job, because its very rigorous and demanding; however, it is every satisfying for me. Faye and I are really fortunate to have three fine young sons.

After four years of practicing family medicine and 29 years of practicing anesthesiology at Greenview Regional Hospital, Marks three sons have been around medicine their entire lives.

Chris, who attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville for his undergraduate studies and medical school, said he can remember from when he was younger that he didnt always want to be a doctor.

I would say I was pretty sure in high school, but I do remember times, maybe in elementary school, when I thought about being an architect or a cartoonist because I liked to draw, Chris, an orthopedic surgeon with Western Kentucky Orthopaedic Associates, said. But now, looking back on my drawing, I think I made the right decision.

He said growing up in a medical family helped him know what to expect when he became a doctor.

I guess in a certain degree I would say I have followed in his footsteps, Chris said. I knew what I was getting myself into and the territory that came with it.

I think it was just a natural path to follow my parents in health care, he continued. Once I got into it, it just seemed like it was what I was meant to be.

Although Chris did follow his fathers footsteps into the medical field, he chose a slightly different path when he started his residency.

As soon as I did my surgical rotation, I knew that was my calling, he said. I tend to be more handson, and I find surgery very fulfilling.

Chris said his father was a positive influence in his life and medical career, but never pushed him or his brothers into it.

The chances of all three of us becoming doctors was pretty low, and looking back, I am shocked that we all three chose medicine, he said.

He said his father is a calm, patient man who really cares about his family and friends, as well as his patients.

Thats the thing Im trying to emulate, Chris said. I would say Im a little more impulsive, and at times I must remind myself what he taught me about being patient and thinking things through.

Chris said he and his father are very close, especially since they live in the same town and work together a lot.

I chose to come back to Bowling Green, he said. We dont live too far from him, and my kids love to come visit. I think theyd probably rather stay here than at their own house.

I get to see my dad almost every day with work, and I think we have a great relationship, Chris continued. My father and mother have always been there for me to help me make tough decisions, no matter what they are. I have been fortunate enough to have great parents, and I hope I can emulate that in my own family.

Chris said he met Marianne in a high school chemistry class, and the couple has more or less been together ever since. They were married in 1992.

Todd, in his last year of residency at Vanderbilt, said he was a teenager when he realized he wanted to go into medicine. Like his father, Todd is an anesthesiologist.

Todd said telling his father he had decided to go into medicine was something hell always remember.

I was nervous and excited, he said. I thought hed be proud that I followed in his footsteps.

As for why he chose medicine instead of another career, Todd said it just seemed to fit.

I think its something that just seemed natural, he said. I grew up around medicine, and it sort of just fell into place. Im sure there were times that I questioned being in medicine, but its definitely very rewarding.

Todd said his dad is the perfect father, just as Mark said Chris, Todd and Chad, Marks youngest son, are the perfect sons.

I think we are very close, and we enjoy a lot of the same hobbies, Todd said. We just enjoy spending time together. He was a great role model, and to emulate him is definitely an honor.

Todd said when Chad told him he also decided to go into medicine, he was happy for him.

I know it was something he really wanted to do, and I knew that hed make a great physician, Todd said.

Chad is completing his third year of medical school at the University of Louisville, and is thinking about specializing in orthopedics, but will not decide on his field until next spring.

Chad said he realized he wanted to be a doctor in elementary school, but telling his father he had definitely decided on a career in medicine was great.

Of course he was very excited, he said. Its a good feeling to share the same career with my dad and my brothers. I mean, Im the last in line, so now all of us are in the field.

My father was a strong influence, he continued. I mean, we see what he does and we hear about it from other people every day, but he never pushed us into it. It was our decision.

Chad said as he and his brothers get older, he sees more and more of their fathers characteristics in each of them.

Im starting to notice, in myself, all the things I liked about him as a kid, but Im also seeing the things that everyone makes fun of their dads about, too, he said with a laugh. I think he is the nicest guy, and I hope the three of us take after him in that. Hes very genuine. What you see is what you get. Hes just very easy-going and caring with everyone.

Chad said he loves that he has a father who would do almost anything for him.

I dont know if its because Im the third kid and Im spoiled or what, but I think its pretty cool that hes always been very willing to help me out.

Mark said being a father is not always easy, and perhaps the hardest part about being a dad was watching his sons struggle with the stress of medical school and life.

There are so many steps along the path of medicine, and all of these can be stressful for the entire family, he said.

As for one of the best parts, Mark said it would have to be getting to work with one of his sons. Since Chris is an orthopedic surgeon and Mark is an anesthesiologist, they frequently work together during operations.

I am very fortunate to work with one of my physician sons, Chris, who chose Bowling Green for his practice, he said. It is an overwhelming joy I experience when I get to work with him. It is very pleasing for me to get to work with him in medicine.

Chris said he enjoys working with his dad, but it wasnt always so natural.

I must say the first surgery I did with him was a little nerve-wracking maybe more so for him than for me but it turned out beautifully, and ever since weve had a great time working together.

While Mark said it is difficult for some physicians to balance their time between work and family, he is glad his family has remained close through the years.

There are so many things that can add stress to a family, he said. Ive had close to adequate time with my family, but I wish I had spent more time with them. I dont really think you can over do that.

Mark attributes his tight-knit family mostly to his understanding wife. He said it really helped that Faye, a registered nurse, knows more about the demands of a doctors time.

Faye is the glue that holds us all together, Mark said. Its the same with Chris and Marianne and Todd and Mika.

Todd said being a father has so many great parts, its hard to pick the best one, but there is just something about coming home and getting a big hug from my daughter.

Todds daughter, Hannah, is 2 years old.

Its a very good feeling, he said.

Chris agreed with his dad when Mark said having a family while being a physician can be difficult, but its all worth it.

When I was in my residency to do orthopedic surgery in St. Louis a few years ago, one of the physicians I worked with, who became a mentor, worked very, very hard, Chris said. I heard that for his birthday one year, his children gave him a license plate that said, No Time. Im sure it was meant as a joke, but I knew then that I didnt want to be like that. I wanted to be a good father whos around.

Chris said, for him, the best part about being a father is just being able to see his children grow and change from day to day.

There is no question for me that until you have kids, Im not sure you know true happiness, he said. There is just something about holding your baby in your arms. It changes your life.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700