Error in Diagnosis by Mason Lucas M. D. Page A

distress or the development of a serious malformation. We’ve also done ultrasounds and amniocenteses on almost all of the patients, and they’ve all been normal.”
    Jack would be the first to admit he suffered from his fair share of professional shortcomings, but being completely clueless regarding a medical case had never been one of them. But at the moment, that’s exactly how he felt. Just then, the door opened and the unit secretary poked her head in.
    â€œEverybody’s looking for you, Marc. They’re ready to start rounds.”
    He stood up, removed his stethoscope from around his neck and shoved it into his back pocket.
    â€œC’mon, I’ll introduce you to Dr. Shaw. I’m sure she’s looking forward to meeting you.”
    Jack followed Marc out of the room. He had always relied heavily on first impressions. Marc struck him as bright, personable and mature. Spending a great deal of time with the residents and fellows at Ohio State, he often wondered how a particular one would fare in the real world after his or her training was over. In the case of Marc Jaylind, he had little doubt a promising career awaited him.

12

    Poised to begin rounds, an anxious group of residents and students congregated in front of the nursing station. As a frequent visiting professor, Jack had seen the same scene play out at a dozen different medical schools. While some of the aspiring doctors feverishly paged through pocket-size manuals, others shuffled index cards packed with medical information, preparing to present their assigned patients to the group.
    Marc raised his hand, signaling to a petite-framed woman in a knee-length white coat who was talking on her cell phone. She gestured back and a few seconds later, she slipped her phone into her coat and walked over.
    â€œDr. Wyatt. This is Madison Shaw.”
    â€œDr. Wyatt,” she said.
    â€œPlease call me Jack.” He smiled, extending his hand. Even though his social life was in the doldrums, it wouldhave been difficult for him not to notice she was an attractive woman. She had willowy fingers, a thinly pointed nose and the neck of a ballet dancer. “It’s nice to meet you. Dr. Morales had a lot of nice things to say about you.”
    â€œThat was kind of her,” she responded, stone-faced with a clipped handshake. “If you need anything, please let Marc know.” She looked at the assembled group and then motioned to one of the residents who walked over. “Go ahead and get started with rounds. Have J. C. present the first case. I’ll join you in a couple of minutes.” Madison turned back to Jack. “As I said, if there’s anything you need, just let Marc know. Please excuse me. I have to get back to rounds.”
    â€œOf . . . Of course,” he answered.
    With a stiffened posture, he watched Madison start to walk away. Just at that moment, Helen Morales approached. She motioned for Madison to return.
    â€œI’m glad to see you two have had a chance to meet. I just got off the phone with the Office of the Surgeon General. There’s an emergency meeting tomorrow in Atlanta at the CDC. I think it would be an excellent idea for the both of you to attend.” Her gaze turned to Jack. “Do you think you can make the trip?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œIt’s a three-hour meeting. It’s scheduled to begin at eleven. I’ll have my assistant make the travel arrangements and e-mail you the information. You should make it back in plenty of time for our dinner.” She looked down at her watch. “Just once I’d like to be on time for a meeting. I’ll speak with you both later.”
    â€œWill you be attending the dinner tomorrow evening?” Jack asked Madison.
    â€œIt’s not voluntary, Dr. Wyatt. Dean Morales expects all of us to be there.”
    Madison returned to the group, leaving Jack’s head nodding like the Woody Hayes bobblehead