Larry N. Finkelstein, DO 鈥�87, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at 黑料传送门, has seen a lot in his nearly 40 years of practicing medicine, but he recently encountered a first. Thankful for his care, a longtime patient dedicated a book to him.
Arlene J. Surrency, who has been seeing Finkelstein as her primary care provider for more than 25 years, began writing children鈥檚 books in January 2023. During a visit with Finkelstein at , Finkelstein said, 鈥淎r, what have you been up to?鈥� Surrency recalled. She displayed three books she had published, prompting Finkelstein to ask whether she had considered writing one to promote healthy lifestyles for children.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I was inspired to write it,鈥� Surrency said of the book, titled Healthy Living Leads to a Healthy Me. 鈥淲hen someone sees something in you, it makes a big difference. When Dr. Finkelstein looked at these three books, he saw something in them.鈥�
Published earlier this year, Healthy Living Leads to a Healthy Me includes this dedication page: 鈥淚 want to give a 'special thanks' to my primary care physician, Larry Finkelstein, DO, for the excellent service he has provided me through the years. Most of all, I want to thank him for inspiring me to write this book. Thank you, Dr. Finkelstein.鈥�
Told through the story of Elijah, Surrency鈥檚 youngest son, the 44-page book emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and hygiene as some of the keys to good health. Surrency has also published a companion coloring and activity book to accompany it.
Surrency, who lives in Philadelphia, is a licensed childcare provider, ordained minister and notary public. She is also a mother of four children and has seven grandchildren. Surrency was married to the late Pastor Stanley J. Surrency, Sr., whom Finkelstein made house calls to before Surrency鈥檚 passing in 2017.
Finkelstein said that, as an osteopathic physician, he is naturally hands on. With longtime patients like Surrency, it is common for him to greet with a hug.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 overemphasize what it鈥檚 really meant to me to receive this acknowledgement,鈥� Finkelstein said. 鈥淚t really feels good. After 30 years, it鈥檚 the first time this has happened for me. I appreciate it, and it keeps me going.鈥�
Surrency said it鈥檚 one thing to express something verbally and another to commit it to writing.
鈥淚 figured if I can put this inside of the book, if he picks this up, he鈥檒l see it and he鈥檒l know I really care and I鈥檓 really thankful for his service,鈥� she said.
Finkelstein added that the dedication 鈥渞einforces that what I鈥檓 doing makes a difference.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e always known that I鈥檝e had strong relationships with my patients and developed rapport with my patients, but here it is in black and white, in print鈥攚hich is a first,鈥� he said.
More information about Surrency鈥檚 books is available at .
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