Surprise surprise surprise!

Life is full of unexpected turns.
Last night I spoke on the telephone with my employer in Albuquerque. We were scheduled to discuss my return to working at Presbyterian Medical Group (PMG), after finishing my work here in Lubutu.

As a physician, taking time off to do volunteer work is tricky. When I first started with PMG, my boss was Dr. Phyllis Floyd. Dr. Floyd was wonderful to me and everyone in the group. I had been doing some short term volunteering overseas but in 2007 I asked her if I might leave for 5 weeks to volunteer in Malawi. My neurologist co-worker was willing to pick up extra hours so that our patients wouldn't have to wait too long. Dr. Floyd agreed. I went to Malawi, did my teaching, and came home.
A year later I began to think about what it would be like to have a once-in-a lifetime long term volunteer experience. I had heard about Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders and thought I might give it a try. I approached Dr. Floyd about taking a nine month leave of absence to volunteer with MSF. My neurology co-worker was again willing to put in extra hours. Dr. Floyd thought about it and then told me she was sure we could work something out. Great! I was set. I applied to MSF, got accepted, and am now a field volunteer here in Lubutu.
Except for one problem. A few months after my initial conversation with Dr. Floyd, she suddenly and unexpectedly resigned. Rumors flew that she had been forced out.
So a new administration of Presbyterian Medical Group took over. When I approached them about fulfilling the promises given to me by Dr. Floyd they initially balked. Finally after a lot of haranguing, I was told that for this nine month period I could switch from employed to "PRN" status. Being "PRN", a physician is an independent contractor. They receive a salary but no benefits. I met with Dr. Mark Epstein (Dr. Floyd's replacement) and discussed this at length. He encouraged me to keep in contact with him by email, letting him know when I would be returning. When I mentioned the possibility that I may be gone for only six months (instead of the nine planned) he brightened. I had been thinking that perhaps for my patient's sake (as well as my hard working co-worker) that if I were only gone for 6 months that might be easier. The medical group was considering interviewing someone to work temporarily in my absence but this person could not start until January 2010. If I were only gone until January, interviewing this temporary replacement wouldn't be necessary. Dr. Epstein was pleased, my practice administrator was pleased, my co-workers were happy, and I was happy. I signed the papers to switch to "PRN" status, got on the plane, and was off to Congo.
In retrospect, though, there were a couple of odd things that occurred long before I flew away. Several weeks before my departure, a letter was sent to all of the pediatric neurology patients at PMG informing that I was leaving to do humanitarian work. There was no return date given. I was puzzled and the patients were, too. Our office received many calls and visits from patients asking what they should do. We assured them I would be back at in early 2010 and not to worry. In my absence, their wait time to see my co-worker would be longer, but this would be only temporary.
Many physicians were puzzled that Presbyterian wasn't making more of a positive spin on my volunteering with MSF. Isn't doing something like this a good thing for the world? Wouldn't they want to publicize the fact that one of their employees was doing this?

So last night I was on the telephone with Dr. Epstein. He greeted me, asked me how I was, and fired me.
Wow! I really wasn't expecting that one! I was told that taking time off to do humanitarian work "is not compatible with the vision of PMG leadership."
Conveniently for the PMG leadership, I was switched from "employed" to "PRN" status before being discharged. Interesting that while I was still employed full time (and thus entitled to benefits and a severance package) that a letter was sent out to my patients detailing my departure and not giving a return date. Coincidence?

Like all events of this nature, this event is likely a blessing in disguise. Still it stings. I worked hard for them and thought I did a good job. I suppose if I have to be fired once in my life, it is good that the reason given is that I am doing humanitarian work.