Message from the President

“You saved my life!”

It’s something that most physicians hear, on occasion, from their patients. It’s always inspiring. It makes the years of education, the long hours, and the hard work worth it.

Dr. Clancy was searching his brain to remember the story behind that compliment. Nothing came to mind. He certainly didn’t expect what came next.

“You called Security on me.”

The patient had the doctor’s full attention. He then recounted the details of an event that happened nine years earlier.

Steven Agler’s wife was recovering from surgery. Steven was not acting like an engaged patient advocate and not acting like the most loving and supportive husband. According to his own words, he was acting “like a jerk.” Mostly that was the result of alcohol. He had a history of drinking way too much and way too often.

Dr. Clancy, looking after the needs of Steven’s wife Linda and those who were caring for her, had made the call to Security.

So, what happened next? Steven went home and drank some more.

Linda had had enough. When she returned home she and a couple of friends loaded Steven into a car and drove him to Grand Rapids. They literally kicked him out of the car in front of an organization committed to caring for the homeless and the impaired.

That was the beginning of recovery for Steven and ultimately a reconciliation with his wife, his family, and his faith.

Steven just graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary and now serves as a chaplain at Serenity Hills in Berrien Center. He has committed his life to helping others who are struggling with addiction. You may see Steven in the Emergency Department of Lakeland Medical Center working to connect patients and their families with the recovery services they need.

I talked with Steven about his life and he graciously allowed me to share his experience with you. Steven had a very traumatic childhood and his share of challenges as an adult. Steven was grateful to Dr. Clancy, and his family and friends, for their tough love.

Recovery is a difficult journey. Those that need help the most are typically the least likely to accept it. It’s often difficult to afford. It requires a lot of support over a long period of time. Success is often preceded by failures—often, a lot of failures.

We are grateful to those in our community who also have a mission of helping our friends and neighbors recover. We are part of those efforts and are working on several fronts to improve the scope and availability of alcohol and drug abuse services across our region.

Steven’s story inspired me. Together, we can do more. Together, we will do more.

If you would like to read more of Message from the President, click here