Rabbi Gabrielle's Defiance by Roger Herst

Author:Roger Herst
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, thriller, crime, suspense, rabbi, washington dc
Publisher: Diversion Books

CHAPTER SEVEN

POLITICS EVERYWHERE

On Friday evening before calling an end to an arduous week, Anina Norstrom's partner, Franklin Terkenoff M.D. popped his head into her office to share an elaborate treatment plan for Tybee Morgenstern's facial reconstruction. He was not the Morgenstern's attending surgeon, but as a member of an inter-hospital surgical ethics board was apprised of special procedures in the region. Planning for Tybee had started two weeks before to accommodate the tight schedules of specialists involved in the first phase of her treatment. A pediatric dentist, child orthopedist and an ear-nose-and throat specialist produced an array of CT and MRI scans of Tybee's skull and soft-tissue organs. A specialist in maxillo-facial prosthetics contributed a three-dimensional model of Tybee's head, followed by four test therapeutic masks for controlling facial scars. Plastic surgeon Hank Rasnick, whom the family has elected to lead this team endeavor, kept in close touch with all the specialists.

"I know Asa has an interest in Tybee Morgenstern and I thought you might want to participate in one of the planning sessions," Franklin Terkenoff addressed Anina.

On multiple occasions Asa had asked her how surgeons would approach Tybee's injuries. Unfamiliar with specifics of the case, Anina's response remained general. Without knowing the depth of the burns and the extent of damage to the eyes, nose and throat, she could only make calculated guesses. As a member of Georgetown University's medical staff, she had been invited to surgical boards meetings but, more often than not, declined to attend. For years, her relationship with the Department Chief of Plastics, Hank Rasnick, had been less than cordial. From the moment she and Hank clashed over treatment methodologies of eye reconstruction at a national conference of plastic surgeons in New Orleans, they disliked one another. Old-timers in the field enjoyed telling jokes about a battle of soap and brushes when two feral cats, Drs. Norstrom and Rasnick, inadvertently met at the scrub basin.

"I don't think Hank would welcome my presence," she answered by exaggerating the separation between each word. "He suspects me of stealing his patients. Every time I speak on television, he writes nasty memos to the Hospital Center medical director accusing me of misleading the public and acting unprofessional. At our monthly departmental meetings, he's out rightly condescending."

"Hank hates to be upstaged and, more importantly, he isn't as pretty as you, Anina," Terkenoff responded, trying to both flatter and impress.

"No excuses, please. He's a schmuck and you know it. But if you happen to attend one of the meetings, I'd be interested to know more. I can then give Asa informed answers."

Franklin thought long about the implications of that. "I'll see if I can work it into my schedule. If I show up, our colleagues will probably put two and two together. Since they won't be fooled, you're better off going yourself."

"What? And listen to Hank pontificate? Spare me, please. His good-old-boy club hates strong women."

"That sounds like a bad line from an afternoon TV soap opera. Haven't you heard that

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