Table of Contents
Response to Dr. Holly's Retirement Announcement
This is a partial table of contents to the responses to my
retirement. In that the circumstances of my leaving SETMA were not
by plan or by choice, Carolyn and I have struggled with the abrupt change
in our future. It has been particularly difficult for her, which
causes me pain.
Nevertheless, it is my hope that the organization which will have the
name of "SETMA," but which will be something very different, will prosper
for the sake of hundreds of people about whom I deeply care.
As Carolyn and I grieve and work through depression brought on by these
events, we have had to depend upon our assessments and that of those who
have expressed their judgement in writing. Those assessments make up
this document.
One comment sent to me stated, "I can think of no one who has had more of
an impact on Southeast Texas medicine than you. You have touched many
lives, directly and indirectly...and that includes a former young medical
student in 1978. When God welcomes you to his permanent kingdom, he
will most surely say, "Well done, my son, well done indeed'. I can only
echo that Larry. Congratulations my dear friend!" (Author not
named, permission not sought)
The following 183 comments about my resignation have been comforting to
us, and thus I have organized them so that when doubts creep into our
thoughts, we can remember that there are those who do remember, who do
care and who do appreciate our lives.
The following are the page numbers and comment numbers of significant
parts of this document. There are several comments accented in "red"
which are particularly important in our judgment.
Announcement of Retirement
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Karli Bourque
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Elizabeth Pannill, daughter of School of Medicine
Dean, my mentor
|
Two NextGen Executives -- SETMA's EMR vendor
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College Station Healthcare Executive
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Visitor from China
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Carlos Jaen, Holly Distinguished Chair
Patient-Centered Medical Home
|
Visitor from Australia
|
Founding Professor from UT Health School of
Medicine
|
President, UT Health San Antonio
|
Beaumont City Councilman
|
Leader of the Chinse Delegation
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Leigh Parker and Atticus
|
Scott Anthony
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Ted Carpenter
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Fifty Years of Memories
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My Valedictory Address and the Announcement of my
Retirement
|
Debbie Morrell
|
Ross Shauberger
|
Retirement Response Mark Toups
|
Valedictory - James L. Holly, MD
|
A difficult heart wrenching task - James L. Holly,
MD
|
Theresa Bailey
|
Marvin Forland, MD
|
DR. CHRIS MAGGIO, President, Northwestern State
University
|
A worthy reflection at the end of my career by Joe
Bill Holland, MD
|
Doug & Judy Tomplait
|
Dana Melancon
|
Reverend John Davis
|
John Vardiman
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Final Draft of Dr. Holly's Address on November 29,
2018 at Retirement Dinner
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Last Patient Mr. Hill
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Mrs. Kris Doyle’s watercolors lord and our gift
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Rebecca Andrews Dr Holly’s Nurse’s Address
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Retirement Dinner Master of Ceremonies
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John Vardiman
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Mrs Faisal Anwar (wife of Syed Anwar, MD, SETMA Partner)
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The Citadel and Dr Henrich’s Address at Retirement Dinner
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Chris Ingram, Cardiologist, Natchitoches, Louisiana
|
Richard Smith
|
Rubén Rangel
|
Joe Bill Holland, MD
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Dr. Holly’s Final Note to SETMA Staff
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Addendum to Final Note
|
Responses to Dr. Holly's Final Note to SETMA Staff December 21, 2018
|
Marcella Wheeler
|
Scott Anthony
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Mr Holland’s Opus - What is the music if your life?
|
Presentation copy of Dr Bill Henrich’s Address at the Dr and Mrs James L.
Holly Retirement Dinner, November 29, 2018
|
Serwat Perwaiz, July 22, 2019
|
From Serwat Perwaiz to Mrs Holly
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From Serwat Perwaiz to Larry & Carolyn Holly
|
Carolyn Holly’s Response to Serwat
|
It is with sadness and regret that I announce my retirement from
Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP and from the practice of medicine
in Southeast Texas, effective December 31, 2018.
November 4, 2018, I turn 75 years-of-age. When asked I have always
assured others that I intend to work until I was eighty. That was my
intent, but circumstances prevent that from happening. Over the past
three years, SETMA has experienced economic pressures caused by Health and
Human Services' (HHS) CMS's reduction over the past seven years of the
reimbursement for Medicare Advantage by twenty-eight percent, aggravated
by the Affordable Care Act tax on the funds paid to the HMO, which tax
cost the IPA in which SETMA participates, $1,700,000 annually.
A principle of organizational life is that when change is made, the most
constructive thing old leadership can do is to step aside and wish the new
leaders the best. This I do. SETMA is well prepared to proceed
into the future, true to its values and aware of the challenges which need
to be faced.
I am very proud of SETMA. I am proud of the decisions we made and
how we have conducted our practice. SETMA has done things which no
one has ever done and the things we have done which others are now doing,
we did before almost anyone. We have also cared for the most
vulnerable and needy people in our community. I am proud of
that. The partners of SETMA even funded a Foundation which helps
provide care for patients.
As I write these words my mind races across the past forty-three years.
Mental images appear of thousands of individuals whom I have cared
for, worked with, or known. I wish I could begin naming them, some
living, some long since gone, but all cherished in memory. HIPPA and
the inevitability of omitting important people makes it impossible to name
names.
These years have been rich and rewarding. There are many things
which I know I could or should have done better, but where I failed it was
never for want of trying. I am comforted and challenged by the words
of President Theodore Roosevelt who said:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the
strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them
better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly;
who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort
without error and shortcoming; but who does actually try to do the deeds;
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself
in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid
souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt,
"Citizens in a Republic," the Sorbonne, Paris, France, April 23, 1910,
quoted in The Man in the Arena, ed. John Allen Gable (Oyster Books, N.Y,
Theodore Roosevelt Association, 1987), p. 54)
There is not a community in which I would rather have spent my career
than in Beaumont, Texas and the Golden Triangle. As a young man and
wife with two young children, two dogs and a cat, my family arrived in
Beaumont in 1975. And, now forty-three years later, at the end of a
long career, we do not think of "moving" to a retirement center but we
look forward to spend all of our coming years doing what we have always
done in a different venue but in Beaumont. We look forward to the
adventure of realizing who we are in a new arena. And when our time
is done, our resting place will be in Beaumont, Texas.
Due to the circumstances of my retirement, I will not have the option of
practicing medicine in Southeast Texas, at least not for the next five
years, but I can continue to perform my most important roles which are to
practice my faith in Jesus Christ, to perform my vows to my wife of
fifty-three years, Carolyn Ann Bellue Holly, to love my children and
grandchildren and to reintroduce myself to the health and wellness
center. I do not fear for my well-being there, but I am anxious for
the Center's staff's emotional stability when I appear.
As I try to put this announcement in context, I recall that in 2008,
Carolyn and I were in England when we lost an extremely valuable
object. The manager of the Connaught asked, "Dr. Holly, you don't
seem to be very upset about this?" I responded, "Oh, I am
disappointed but that object can be replaced, or it can be lived without;
if I had lost my wife that would be something to be devastated over."
And, so it is now, as I make this transition, it is disappointing to me
and I suspect it will be to others that I am retiring, yet to be "fair and
balanced," there may be some who sigh and think, "I'm glad that's
over." But, the reality is that what is fundamentally and ultimately
important in my life is not changing. As a result, while my heart is
heavy, my face is smiling and my mind rushes about imagining the future.
The reality is also that the name SETMA will continue, the management
will not change significantly, the care available will continue to improve
and it will still be a very good place to work and to perform the act of
"health caring" for others. Change is always stressful, but if we
take a deep breath and believe in who we are, "this too shall pass."
The closest biblical reference to such an affirmation is II Corinthians
4:17-18 which states: "For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but
the things which are not seen are eternal."
It is my hope and expectation that all of the staff and professionals in
SETMA will remain and will be committed to the same values and standards
which have been our credo for the past twenty-three years, all will find a
new iteration of who and what they are in this great community and
practice.
And so, I bid you adieu which in its origin meant "to God." It is
not good-bye as each of you will always be a part of our lives and
hopefully we of yours. We will be as close as our prayers, our
memories and our hopes and dreams. God bless each one of you.
James L. Holly, M.D.
CEO, SETMA
Adjunct Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine
UT Health San Antonio
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Texas A&M University
School of Medicine
- Bob Nix - "Larry, well deserved my friend! Godspeed."
- James L. Holly - "We are still going to take you and
your husband to dinner."
- Lana Hampton Morris -- "Congratulations,
James!!!!!!!You need to spend more time with your wife and family."
- Julee Doiron - "Larry - congratulations!! I
remember when you and Carolyn were just starting out - You must realize
how fortunate you are that you had such a long and fulfilling journey
with your career. AND - you're getting out while you're still
young enough to get out and have some fun with your new freedom!
Happy for you!!"
- David Stone - "thank you for all that you have done
in the way of medical care for me and my family. Thank you even more for
your spiritual guidance and wisdom shared with me, which I believe will
continue."
- Janice Lambert Hebert - "Larry, this was absolutely
beautifully written. So glad you shared it. I know you will enjoy your
time with family and friends. Love to you all!"
- Fred Patterson - "Best Wishes on Your Retirement!!
Now on to the "other" important stuff!"
- Willie Dell. Weaver Boswell - "You are amazing.
I will always remember your kindness to me when I asked you to see my
late husband, Paul. Enjoy your retirement! Southeast Texas is losing an
excellent and caring doctor."
- Gayle A Griffin - "I'm sure going to miss you. Have a
blessed, wonderful retirement."
- Mark Douglas Fittz - "Thank you for your years of
service to the people in Southeast Texas and beyond! What a blessing
SETMA is to the various communities it serves. I am humbled by your
consistent care and attention to our family through so many
situations. You have always been there for us. Thank you Larry!"
- Delores Mayeaux Nail - "Congratulations Larry. In a
few months you'll wonder how did I ever have time to work. I know you
& Carolyn will stay busy & active. Enjoy every minute.
Ya'll deserve these golden years."
- Inez Cagle - "Dr. Holly, Charles Cagle said tell you
that he knows that Bill and Irene are so very proud of you. We
both know what a wonderful medical career you have had and I'm sure it
isn't over yet. Enjoy your time with Carolyn and your family now
but you may be like Charles who at 89 yrs. still works hard at the
computer and is still doing some work he has loved for many years.
He never retired - just changed locations!! You write well
and we have enjoyed hearing from you but I had tears in my eyes as I
read between the lines of what you wrote. God Bless you and
Carolyn in every way in the future. You have enjoyed many
wonderful years as a MD. Your talent will just change locations as
well."
- James L. Holly - "You are a delightful
connection for me to my mother and father."
- James L. Holly - "Does he do genealogy?"
- James L. Holly - "All I have ever wanted to be is to
be an honor to your father."
- Jerry P. Abraham - "Dr. James L. Holly, now you can
come take a vacation in Southern California! Hope you and Mrs.
Carolyn Holly can make it out to Los Angeles at some point, ! would love
to visit with you in East Texas soon as well. Love, jj"
- James L. Holly - "You are and always will be one of
ours. We love you."
Jerry P. Abraham - "Dr. James L. Holly and Mrs.
Carolyn Holly, I love you both very much. These first few years out of
residency have been very tough...but doing my utmost best to get through
the healthcare challenges we're facing, ji"
- Carolyn Holly - "Good to hear from you, Jerry!
Friends are dear at this time for us."
- Paula Page Davis - "Our very best to you Larry...I
shared this with your friend John."
- Gay Dale Ferguson - "Josh and I are very happy for
you! We will miss you greatly. Josh loves you SO much. He asks to
see you all the time and is actually looking forward to come in for his
flu shot. Lol. Hopefully you can help us find a new doctor Josh will
like."
- James L. Holly - "Josh is one of the reason's i
regret retiring."
- Tommie Whatley - "Congrats on your retirement!"
- Kristi Mean Dunn - "Thank you Dr. Holly!!! You
so totally rock dude!!"
- Irene Cardenas - "Enjoy this fall season of your
productive life."
- Jim Carson - "Enjoy your retirement!!👍"
- Manuel Mendoza, Sr. - "I will always be part of SETMA
till I reach 70 years. I'm 67 now and will always support the laboratory
activities where I work. Thanks for the opportunity you've given me and
will always be proud of whatever we do. Congratulations and God Bless
you and your family."
- Stacie Warren Clark - "This makes me so sad - I loved
working for/ with you - I was there from the get go, few months
after setma first opened - you have done amazing things - I am
privileged to say I was able to be a part of what you built"
- Felicia Gonzales - "Congratulations, Doc! Now
you guys can come visit us at the lake!"
- Scott Irwin - "Dr Holly, You will always be
synonymous with SETMA and Leadership- both within SETMA, in healthcare,
and life. Continued success in your next chapter.
Thanks for being Dr. Holly!"
- Fran Bellue Mullins - "Congratulations You have been
a Good & Faithful Servant!!! I couldn't be more happier for you and
Caddy. Wishing you both the best as you enter this new chapter in
your life."
- Mary Beth Rose - "Congrats Doc! God bless you!!!"
- Michelle Satchfield - "Best Wishes! It was my
pleasure to be a part of the SETMA family and I continue to be grateful
to you for that opportunity."
- Sandra Chippewa Martin - "Thank you so much for
everything you and Carolyn have done for my family... best wishes on
your retirement, we ♥️� you both!!"
- Sandra Pierson Smith - "Just cried. It won't be the
same without you. Our family will always be thankful to you and yours
for all that you have done for us and what you mean to us. I am happy
for you to be able to retire and enjoy your beautiful wife even more.
You are in my prayers."
- An Employee - "Dr Holly my heart is so very heavy!! I
have been so very blessed to work for a godly man who started and
founded this practice on that faith!! I know I did not talk to you daily
but I always knew I was welcome and that I could ask for guidance and
even prayer !!
"I have learned so much working for the group of people you have brought
together over the years. I'm going to miss food flying at my head at
Christmas parties !!! I know changes forces growth. And that is what our
Lord wants for us to grow in wisdom but to never loss integrity always
stay humble and to love others especially the ones that don't love us.
Thank you for standing for your faith and being the man of God called
and created you to be! I and my family bless you and yours and we would
love to have dinner occasionally with you and Carolyn."
- David Slaughter - "It has been a pleasure working
with you and I will always appreciate the support you've given me."
- Doug Vaughn - "Doctor Holly, as you will I have
already done, retired that is. Thank you for being my first
Response to Retirement."
- Keith Carter - "Ohhhh Larry - I am so so sorry to
read of your upcoming retirement. You were, and remain, a wonderful man
& thoughtful physician. You will be truly, sorely
missed. Blessings, Keith "
- DOUG Vaughn - "doctor in Beaumont and
ministering to me and my family all these years. Never ever will I
forget the introduction from you to the Holy Spirit. As I reflect,
what a chance you took but of course you had an unction that morning and
I was prepared to receive. Thanks for your obedience and impact on
my life. God bless as you begin this new journey."
- Jerry Jordan - "Hope to still see you around from
time to time. Enjoy your retirement."
- Nancy Singleton Williams - "Wish I could think of
something to say. Guess I really never thought you would retire. Please
tell me the coffee pot will still remain on.😿"
- Felecia Caywood Colton -- I am very proud for you,
yet selfishly sad to lose such a fine Doctor for our area. I wish
you and Mrs. Holly many, we deserved, years of retirement!"
- James L. Holly - "I remember the day I hired
you."
Michelle Satchfield - "Me too! 😊
I didn't know then how much I would learn, grow, and
be inspired. I was looking for a job, but it was so much more.
Thank you.
- Kandi Kay Bellue Distefano - "Wow! I had no idea this
was coming! Good for you! Congratulations! Love you!❤"
- Michelle Burch -- "Best wishes for you Dr. Holly, I
learned so much working at SETMA and will cherish every moment when the
day we went from paper to electronic records what a day that was."
- Carrie Holland Evans - "I was there and a part of
that! Wow!!"
- Sherry A. Hilton - "Dr. Holly I hope you enjoy your
retirement. Just one question. Who will become my doctor?"
- James L. HOLLY - "Several options."
- Gwen Johnson -- "Dr. Holly, you worked in the
Emergency Department at St. Elizabeth Hospital on the Night Shift.
Remember? Of course you do! I remember you, for sure!
"On a given night, during a slow period of time, I came into the ER as I
was making Rounds "to see you doing "wheelies" in an ER wheelchair with
the ER staff laughing & clapping!!!
"The grin on the face of our newest ER Physician was priceless. It
clearly lowered the bar taking you off the traditional pedestal on which
we placed physicians. Even as we all laughed at your brashness, we in
that moment accepted you in your silliness as the mark of your being a
"good guy'! Thank you for being a great, caring, approachable physician.
I appreciate you." Mrs Johnston, RN Retired Administrative Supervisor
(MsJ)
- James L. Holly - "Friends, she has no video,
fingerprints or corroborating witnesses. I deny everything. Smile. I do
remember. Do you remember the holes in the sheets? Can't
tell that one."
- Gwen Johnson - "James L. Holly shhhh"
- Ruth Wallace - "What is Carolyn going do with you at
home all of the time? LOL"
- James L. Holly - "Run!!!"
- Kevin Herrington - "It has been a pleasure knowing
and working with you all these years. A true mentor, a needed
disciplinarian with fatherly love at times, ALWAYS a friend in Christ.
Your family is very dear to me. Very happy for you and Mrs.
Holly."
- Response from China to my retirement
announcement - Of all the responses I have
received since announcing my retirement eighteen hours ago,
this one is the dearest. Huang Yanli is a young Chinese
woman, who has been to SETMA two times. Her personal
affection - she has always called me Grandpa - and her
affirmation of SETMA's impact upon healthcare in Wuhou
District, reassures me that it has all been worth it.
The following is her unaudited note
"On Aug 31, 2018, at 3:43 AM, ∞风猫∞ wrote:
"Dear grandpa: I was shocked when I saw your announces
and very sad when I finished. At this moment I must tell you
How I adore you, grandpa.
"Under the guidance of your experience, primary medical
transformation in wuhou district has achieved initial results.
WONCA invited me to make an speech at the conference in
Seoul in October. I would like to share the joy with you
by email, but I did not expect to receive the news that you
are planning to retire first. For SETMA, your persistence and
guidance along the way have brought value to it, showing us
how essential the primary care should be
"As you hope, the spirit and method of SETMA's has landed
in distant China. Our team is blessed with your generous
guidance, and my team will definitely stick to it. I
hope to have the opportunity to visit you again in Beaumont
in the next few years. Take care. Your sincerely
Shirley"
------------------ 原始邮件 ------------------
发件人: "James L. Holly";
发送时间: 2018年8月31日(星期五) 凌晨2:37
收件人: 主题:
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Index |
- Thurman Bono - "wishing the best to both of you"
- Steve Flink -- Physician friend from Indiana (SF(
"Larry, you told me that this was coming when we talked recently.
What an incredible impact you have had on health care not only
locally, but nationally and internationally because of your leadership.
You are an amazing man! Thank you for your wisdom and your
generous sharing of what you know and learned. We, in Hancock
County, Indiana have benefitted from what you made freely available on
your SETMA website.
"Although you didn't choose to retire at this time we both know that God
is sovereign. The Lord has something else for you to do now.
I know you are not going to play golf 5 times a week and eat
bonbons all day. I imagine you will spend more time with your
grandchildren. May you continue to fulfill the purpose that the
Lord has for your life. Thank you for your friendship,
Steve"
- Pat McNeel - "Oh Dr. holly, I'm so surprised to hear
this. You have been a great Dr. for us and I thought we would have you
as long as we lived. I can't imagine not having you as our doctor, I
don't know anyone as good as you are.
- Theresa Nix - "Dr Holly, you are a life saver
and life giver at every level. The Bob Nix family will
always hold you in high regard. We love and value you for your service
and ministry. Thank you"
- Carlos Jaen
Dear Larry, thank you for your inspirational note and life
example. We have often talked about our mutual mentor
Dr. F. Carter Pannill. I know that he is smiling from
above as he reviews how his medical student from his years in
San Antonio has dramatically changed how primary care is seen
and valued. Your leadership and example inspire all of
us in the Primary Care trenches, in our arena, to continue
with our fight on behalf of the patients and communities we
serve. We learned from Dr. Pannill first-hand how to do
primary care and how to practice with a team.
"In the same way, future generations will learn how to
practice integrated, patient-centered, high-quality care
from Larry Holly's legacy and SETMA's example. Your
generosity continues to influence our UT Health San Antonio
deeply as we plan to receive our next Bellue-Holly
Distinguished Visiting Professor, Dr. Jeannette South-Paul
Chair of Family and Community Medicine at the University of
Pittsburg. Dr. South-Paul is a member of the National
Academy of Medicine. She will be in San Antonio the
first week of October during Primary Care Week.
More information to follow. I hope that you and
Carolyn can join us as we honor her parents and yours.
"Warm regards and my highest level of respect and
admiration, Carlos
Carlos Roberto Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Professor and Chair of Family and Community Medicine
James L. and Carolyn Bellue Holly Distinguished Chair,
Patient-Centered Medical Home"
|
Index |
- Peggy Pitman - "You deserve it. It is the
Medical Professions loss. You and Carolyn have certainly earned some
free time to do as you please. You will forever be our favorite
PCP. Best Wishes!"
- T. Bailey -- A note from an LVN who should be an MD - "Dt.
Holly, I would like to thank You for all of the hard work and genuine
love you have poured into SETMA. I appreciate the faith and trust
you have had in me over the last 18 years.
"As you recall I came to the "Evil Empire" with my friend Dr. John
Vardiman. I have grown tremendously, professionally and
personally. I am truly at a loss for the right words. I am
saddened by this announcement but excited for your new ventures.
"The song that I requested played at my grandmother's funeral is now
echoing in my head, although for a different reason, seems appropriate.
The is a song by Ray Boltz. Although the song refers to our
heavenly home, so much of it rings true in your leadership and
life. I just want to say THANK YOU for GIVING TO THE LORD.
Your generosity and love has had a positive impact on so
many. "Your Friend, Theresa,
THANK YOU."
I dreamed I went to heaven
You were there with me
We walked along the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw a young man
He was smiling as he came
He said friend, you may not know me now
But then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday school
When I was only eight
Every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
One morning when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
His pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that is why I'm here today
Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
His pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
One by one they came,
As far as the eye could see
Each one somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth, heaven now proclaims
And I know up in heaven
That you're not supposed to cry
But I was almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
And He said my child look around you
For great is your reward
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave
- Jennifer Salyer -- From a missionary family
in Africa
"It occurred to me that y'all might not see me in the newsfeed often, so
I've sent this privately. I posted it yesterday. We back home are all
healthy and well, although I can feel the warfare quite keenly. I read
about your retirement and am, on one hand, flabbergasted, and on the
other hand not surprised at all, as all good things do come to an end.
It did amuse me, though to hear Brad's voice echoing your sentiments
about when Caddie's ring went missing. How many times have I lamented
that something got lost in the mail (care packages) or that we otherwise
"lost" something and Brad's response it, "IT DOESN"T MATTER! Those are
just things! At least we have everybody still alive and well!" Many
years under your tutelage....
"Oh, there was one more funny thing that was said recently and after
telling Brad, he said you would be amused. Bianca, who is 5 and every
bit my mini-me, has ALWAYS loved the color pink. A few weeks ago, she
told me that her favorite color is no longer pink, but blue. Obligingly,
I asked why. She responded, "Cause there's more blue in the sky than
Carter's got little pills!!!"
"Sending love. I can't wait to tell Brad when he returns that you have
finally decided to retire."
- Marvin Forland -- Note upon my retirement from one
of my favorite Medical School Professors
From: "Forland, Marvin".
Date: August 31, 2018 at 10:16:57 AM CDT
Subject: Retirement
"Dear Larry, as a veteran "retiree' let me extend my
congratulations and appreciation to you. Our relationship
began very early in your preparation for a career in medicine
- indeed, almost fifty years ago, and
it has indeed been a pleasure to see you fulfill so
expansively all your early promise. Your highly successful
efforts at SETMA, your ongoing community initiatives (which
have spread internationally), and your continued loyalty and
efforts on behalf of our shared institution reflect core
values which I have greatly admired through these
years. (emphasis added)
"My key suggestion for those approaching retirement comes from
the Swiss physician Paul Tournier's book, "Learn to Grow Old'
(1972). He urges those preparing for retirement to plan
ahead to assure stimulation from continued or new activities -
these should be in place so that one does not retire from -
but retires to. I'm certain you already have many
exciting activities planned.
"With fond regards And all good wishes to you and Carolyn,
Marvin
Marvin Forland, M.D., M.A.C.P.
Professor of Medicine Emeritus
Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
UT Health San Antonio
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Index |
- Peggy Lee -- From an associate with the IPA with which SETMA
works upon my retirement
"Dr. Holly, thank You for sharing this with me. My heart is heavy
and sad. Tears come to my eyes. You have been the driving
force of SETMA. Although this is not what you had hoped for,
perhaps you will find peace with it. You are going to finally get
more time with the family you love so dearly.
"Whatever you decide to do going forward, I am sure that you will have
the same dedication that you have had all these years of service to your
patients and the community that you serve.
"I genuinely appreciate all that you have done and I too want great
things to continue for the SETMA organization. God has other plans
for you now, Sincerely, your friend, Peggy"
- Kenny Eberhart - "What an outstanding contribution
you have been blessed to dedicate yourself to the good of so many. I am
one who has been fortunate to spend a season in your company. God has
blessed me and my family in our friendship. Thanks now go with joy and
many good years ahead."
- Glenn McNeel - "Appreciate your years of service to
our family. Thanks also for bringing Doctor Michael Paul Thomas on board
at SETMA. May God's riches be yours and your wife in this new venture."
- Judy Derick - "Dr. Holly have wonderful
retirement. I am sure you and Carolyn have earn time to do the fun
things this life has to offer. Your faith in Jesus Christ has
always been special to me. So glad for a Brother and Sister in
Christ. God bless and keep you both."
- Bill Henrich, UT Health San Antonio President
- "Dear Larry, by Aristotle's definition of happiness, you
should be the happiest person in the world:
You've given your life to something worthwhile, to the healing
and care of others. You've earned the chance to take a
deep breath and take a look around. I look forward to
seeing more of you and Carolyn and know you will cherish the
time with family and friends.
"It will be difficult to calibrate
the magnitude of your contributions. More than any
numbers, you are an example of what physicians aspire to be:
Caring, competent, creative and humble.
(emphasis added) I count myself fortunate our paths have
crossed - what a lucky day that was for me. Love to you
and Carolyn. Bill"
Larry, I love reading the heartfelt tributes and
notes from so many of your colleagues and
friends. The central theme in
them is the love they express for you and Carolyn, a sentiment
Mary and I deeply share. Moreover, these
expressions of affection are completely sincere.
You and Carolyn are role models to all, sterling
examples of how to live life. Bless you
both. Your friend, Bill
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- College Station Hospital Administrator
-- "You are a legend and I am so glad
I had the opportunity to benefit from working with you. I often
speak of you and SETMA as the true model for medicine."
- Michael Oz - "Sorry to hear...congratulations and
best wishes..well done.."
- Charles and Alicia -- From a Pharmacist Colleague -
"It is with much dismay that I read your post about your retirement.
Our professional practices started very close together. Mine
1972. I worked for others in order to be able to open my current
independent practice in 1983. I hope to keep going with my one man show
as long as I can. When you love and enjoy what you do, why retire?
"I remember your ER days, and Drs. Fortney and English, and then the
building of one of the premier medical practices in the US, with you at
the helm. Alicia and I have felt so privileged to be part of the SETMA
family for the last 9 years. Thanks so much for what you have done
to help and enrich our SE Texas Community.
May God bless you and Carolyn and your family. Charles & Alicia"
- Chris Maggio. University President -- "Dr.
Holly, Thank you for the email and I wish you the best in your
retirement. You have truly made an impact on your profession and
mankind. I know this is a tough decision for you, but please know
that you certainly enhanced healthcare in southeast Texas over the past
four decades. I look forward to visiting with you soon in person
to again let you know how much I appreciate your contributions to
others. Sincerely, Chris:
- Ruth Berggren, Comment from UT Health Professor
-- "Painful for you and Carolyn I'm sure. But none of this can undo or
erase the loving kindness and healing touch you have provided to your
patients and community over these many years, nor the role modeling you
have provided nor the contribution of your mode of health care delivery.
You have much to be proud of and your community has greatly benefitted
from your work." Ruth.
"Dear Dr Holly, This letter took me by surprise, and considering the
circumstances you described, it saddens me a great deal. We here
at the Center are grateful for the friendship and generous support you
have shown us through the years, and we hope we will continue to see you
at many of our upcoming events sponsored by the Center for Medical
Humanities & Ethics. Please give my very warmest regards to
your lovely wife Carolyn. With all my best wishes for a safe and
happy Labor Day weekend. Ruth"
- Beaumont Hospital Admin - "Sad day for medicine in SE
TX region; however a celebration of decades of accomplishments,
innovations and successes, all accomplished honoring God's Word and
Principles. DP"
- Pat Crawford - "Dr. Holly, I know that you are doing
what you feel is best at this time taking all things
into consideration. I know that we will do the best we can to
continue on without you but you must know that SETMA will never be the
same. You are SETMA. Hopefully, we can continue the work
that you began and make you proud. I will miss you terribly. Pat."
- Texas A&M Medical School Professor - "Dr. Holly.
just wanted to say thank you for your many years of selfless service and
sacrifice. You have made a difference in so many people and
places. God bless your new ministry as you now get more time to
focus on your family and friends. God Bless and GigEm. Kory.
Texas A&M"
- Laurie Liebel - "Dr. Holly, I had to take a moment to
process this news. I think you have been giving me warning that it
would happen but I was hoping that it would be down the road. I
have worked for you for twenty years and when I say work for you I know
that there is so much more to it than just working for you. I care for
you. I have always looked up to you and Mrs. Holly.
"As I am writing this I am crying because I am so saddened. I do not
know what quite to say. I know that I told you the story that my
oldest daughter has a rare disease and I felt that SETMA played a major
part in getting her well. This has made me feel dedicated to SETMA
all these years.
"I do not know what else to say. I feel like I am not saying
enough."
- Baptist Hospital Administrator - "You will be greatly
missed as a physician. The service you have provided to our
community and the dedication to healthcare has benefitted so many
people. I'm very grateful to have worked with you. Congratulations
on this next step. Hope your grandson is doing well. Regards,
Bryan"
- Phuc Lee, A SETMA Partner - "Sometimes my emotions
won't allow me to express what and how I truly feel but i just wanted
you to know that I am truly grateful and appreciate everything you have
done in the past 6 years as I have gotten the opportunity to know and
work with you. The sacrifice you made for SETMA is heartfelt and beyond
what is expected. You are an honorable man and an awesome physician and
you shall be sorely missed upon your retirement. Thank you for
everything sir."
- Faiza Anwar, a SETMA Partner's Wife - "My dear Dr
Holly, I read your beautifully written email. You are an icon and
institution for healthcare. The vacuum that you will leave will be
impossible to fill but I know that you will be exceptional at anything
that your heart desires. I wish you nothing but the best for this new
journey of your life.
"You will be dearly missed. You and Mrs Holly are more than friends to
me. You are like my family. Love you both! Yours
lovingly, FA"
- Jim Shepherd - "Larry, I am devastated and saddened
in equal measure by this news...
If it is any comforts it reminds me of the fate of some of my personal
heroes.These include Sir Winston Churchill, General Charles De Gaulle,
Dame Margaret Thatcher and General Douglas Mac Arthur.
"All were agents of change and though shunted aside for expedience, they
left behind enduring generational changes.
"In my own retirement I knew I would miss my patients but never
suspected how much. However this past summer i have been able to
interact spontaneously with my grandchildren in ways that were
impossible when I worked. We have gone to the beach, flown cost to
coast and have picked out a new bicycle and an I-phone.
"Hopefully you can also enjoy some of this precious time. Perhaps
you and I could cooperate on some other venture, especially if it is of
a voluntary nature. Jim"
- Steve Best - "Wish you the best Doc, Lord bless."
- Mary Jane Castro, a Partner at SETMA - "Dear Dr
Holly, I appreciate your understanding.... I still respect and
appreciate everything you have done for SETMA and your people.
Your kindness, understanding and all the support you have given me
and my family, will never be forgotten. You have a legacy that
will stand the test of time. We will cherish and protect it.
Sincerely, MJ."
- SETMA Department Head -- "I've always really
liked you Dr. Holly and through the years I've grown to love you and
your family. I've always felt privileged to be part of SETMA.
I'm very grateful that you have allowed physical therapy to be a
part of this great organization.
"You have supported my family and myself far beyond what any boss is
ever expected to do and you have done it with grace, love and
compassion. You have seen me at my best and my worst and you have
always instilled a confidence in me that has truly helped me. You
have shown consistent faith in me even though I have always felt that
I've come up short in meeting our goals. You have helped me far
more than you could ever know.
"Again, I'm very honored to have worked with you in providing health
care to the patients of SETMA and forever grateful. I sincerely
hope the very best for you and all of your family. I hope sometime
we may have a chance to visit some and whatever the future holds for us
I will always truly value you as my friend.
God Bless you Sir"
- Mrs Henrich. Attorney, Wife of UT Health President -
"Larry, you are such a wonderful doctor. We love you and Carolyn and
look forward to your whatever your ACT II will bring. I hope that
it includes much more writing. I always open your emails first.
Love, Mary"
- Jon Summerhouse -- "Congratulations Larry, You
are one of the best men I have ever met, I look forward to seeing you
before your retire. May our Lord Jesus Christ Bless and keep you
in His mighty right hand! Jon"
- Alumni Director, UT Health San Antonio - "Dr. Holly,
As always, you have written a beautiful message that captures your
feelings so wonderfully. I know that this is a new beginning for
you. I'm anxious to see what God has planned for you next!
Thank you for sharing this. God bless you and yours, sir. Steven"
- SETMA Laboratory Supervisor - "This news saddens me
greatly, what you have built here has greatly impacted so many people!
Most of my family members' primary care physicians are SETMA
providers and I'm always recommend people to come here as patients .
I've also encourage a lot of people to apply to work here when positions
are open.
"My 6 y/o daughter has sickle cell anemia and has had countless hospital
stays, starting next week she will start her biweekly blood transfusion
leading up to her bone marrow transplant in January. SETMA's
ability to give me vacation time every year , the patient care dpt
that helped me knock out a few of her hospital bills and the wonderful
insurance offered by you guys has made it possible to care for her and
still be able to successfully manage the lab.
"Hopefully the positives qualities you've instilled in this company
continue after you are gone .People get accustomed to ways that have
been set for a while but change although difficult can be good.
Enjoy your retirement!!! Tiffany"
- A Minister Friend from California - "There is no
surprise in this to me, as it expresses what I believe your previous
email suggested. Clarification and clarity are what it is.
"Now, here is the BIG thing: God is allowing this for His
purposes! I so believe this must have been necessary to pave the
way for what lies ahead. This storm surely has brought anguish.
But this is a brief "night" that is prelude to a wonderful New
Day. clergyman
"If the creator of this document has dementia, I hereby volunteer for it
also. Clergyman
(Editor's Note: This response came from the fact that one SETMA
partner was spreading the rumor that I have dementia.)
- University President's Response to Chinese Note -
"Wow! Your obvious impact that people see is in Southeast Texas,
but I know what your generosity has done for us at Northwestern.
To see the email below, and I know hundreds/thousands more (some
written, some not), just shows how your reach is not regional or
national, it is worldwide! Sincerely, Chris Maggio"
- From Department Chair at Lamar - "Dr. Holly, This is
beautiful and inspiring. I wish I would have had the opportunity to be
one of your colleagues or patients! However, I'm thankful for other
circumstances bringing us together. Thank you for sharing and I
will be sure to pass it along to my dad. I hope you and your family have
a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
Brian Shook, DMA
Department Chair
Associate Professor of Music (Trumpet)
I enjoyed your note. Here is an article I wrote about being a physician.
Sounds like your father http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Your-Life-Your-Health/pdfs/the-honor-of-being-a-physician.pdf
- Chinese Leader Expresses Sadness and Gratitude
From: 刘晶炜
"Dr Holly. I remember the following words from: you:
"From a personal standard point, in the 36 years I have
maintained a private clinic before and including SETMA, 39% of
the time I have used EMR as a means of documenting a patient
encounter and as a means of improving the quality of care
delivered in those clinics. If I practice for eight more years
(a total of 44 clinic years), I will have practiced 22 years
or 50% of my career with an EMR. To the next generation of
healthcare providers, this observation will seen quaint but to
those of us who form the bridge between "the before EMR' and
"after EMR', it is significant."
"It's so sad to get your retirement announcement. I
still remember the first pilgrimage visit to SETMA in 2014,
and the "PCMH Bible" you provided us which guide me and my
team in the following years on the journey of PCMH & EPM
exploration. You are the beacon light of future primary
care, right now my eye is fulled with tear, no word to express
my gratitude, respect and admiration for you.
"I still owe you a trip to China, we are still exploring
new primary care transformation journey in China following
your direction. Whatever you decide to do going forward, we
genuinely expect you to give us the opportunity to host you in
China and continue help us to re-build EMR infrastructure for
next generation primary care. Jingwei"
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Index |
- From a SETMA NP - "ok. now that I have composed
myself and gotten over the shock....
SETMA will not be the same without you and Mrs Holly. Thank you for
everything you have done for YOUR Company. Many years of blood, sweat
and tears has gone into this place and for that...
"I am grateful. I will never forget your generosity and support when
Stone was born and in the NICU even when you tried to kidnap him 🙂 you
and Mrs Holly came to my room and prayed with me and that powerful pray
brought me to tears and I knew then things were going to be ok with my
little boy.
I hope you enjoy retirement because you have earned ever moment of it.
Maybe you could even sleep past 4 am some days! Thank you Dr
Holly!! Kelly
- A Beaumont Banker - "Wow. I will look forward
to visiting with you about this. You are a great leader.
- NSU Executive - "Dr. Holly: Congratulations on an
extraordinary career. You have been a positive influence on thousands of
lives, and your impact on your community, state and nation has been
enormous. We at Northwestern are proud and honored that you are an
alumnus and that you have represented our university through the years
with such dignity and distinction. Please let me know if we may ever
assist you in any way, and please stay in touch. J. Pierce"
- SETMA Employee CPA - "Dr. Holly, I was going to write
to you for another reason... literally opened my e-mail to do so... and
saw this e-mail. It brings tears to my eyes to think of what a
great organization you have led and how exciting the times ahead for you
must be. I'm so happy for you that you will enjoy the next many
years with your wife and family as well as serving Christ in whatever
capacity He may lead you. I mean that with all my heart.
"So my other reason for writing is that I just gave Richmond notice of
my resignation. I'll have been here at SETMA for 15 years in
January, so this was a difficult decision to make, and my heart is sad
for all the people I'm leaving. I too plan to finish out the year
at SETMA to adequately train my replacement, but I didn't want to leave
without expressing to you my sincerest and deepest gratitude for the
opportunity to work as a CPA here. I never expected to be able to
work and raise my children at the same time, but SETMA gave me the most
flexible job opportunity I could imagine that let me put family first.
It allowed my family to initially make it through tough financial
times and then for the last ten to just enjoy what I do in an
environment that I feel is as good as any I ever could have found.
"I didn't want to leave without acknowledging to you that what you
did for me in giving me this position and letting me work it as I do
is one of God's greatest graces to me in literally my whole life.
I am very grateful and will always hold you and SETMA in high
regard and honor.
May God bless you and Mrs. Holly with the greatest of adventures in
this next phase of your life, Sincerely, Laura"
- Richard Smith - "My first thought is will I ever see
my Dear Friend again ?
I sure hope so "Doc" ! I'm going to be totally lost for a while !
I love you my Dear Friend ! Thank you for taking care of me and along
with GOD!"
- SETMA NP -- "Your retirement announcement
shocked me as it did so many. It saddens me to see you leave but I
rejoice in knowing God has great plans and purpose in your life. I look
forward to hearing about some of your surprise blessings that you bestow
upon complete strangers. It wouldn't surprise me at all to
see you and Mrs Holly one week in the snow marveling at the Northern
lights and the next week in the dessert praying over our
troops. You have been so much more than a founder of SETMA,
you have been our true North. Your leaving does make me a bit
nervous about the future. As you know 15 years ago I took my mom's
advice when she told me to go work for Dr Holly "he is a good, honest
man". Thank you for giving me that opportunity. I wish many
blessings to you and Mrs Holly during this next adventure in
life. Dana"
- Johnathan Flowers - "Congrats, Doc! Well deserved"
- Leigh Parker - "I remember Atticus -- Doc,
I just heard of the news of your pending
retirement. While the timing is inconceivable to me, I am
confident that your decision is another act of sacrificial
love for SETMA. The bonus is that you get to redeem
those five or so years you had planned to stay at SETMA and
exchange them for an early start to the decades of adventure
you get to share with your wonderful bride and those
grandchildren.
"I've known you for 40 years. Regardless of the situation or
the person, you never chose the easy path of least resistance.
You were called to do the unpleasant things. Your callings in
ministry and in medicine compelled you to navigate terrain
that most refrain from traveling:
"I remember your conviction to bring a bus load of poor people
and minorities into your house of worship in the 1970s and
early 1980s.
"After 9/11. in the midst of fear, I remember your public
stand in the newspaper to defend your colleagues and friends
of the Islamic faith.
"You raised issues and provided accountability in the Southern
Baptist Convention in areas that would have happily remained
untouchable by everyone else.
"You challenged (and likely infuriated) some of your
colleagues across the nation about the necessity of
electronic medical records and why it was no longer a
prudent medical practice to rely upon paper documentation.
"I remember your deep friendships with people suffering from
AIDs and those about to spend many years in prison.
"And, I know of only a fraction of the times where you, in
secret, freely gave away your time, your treasure, and
medical expertise to those who would never be able to return
the blessing.
"I gave you the following literary reference on your 50th
Wedding Anniversary to Mrs. Holly, but it seems more
appropriate now than ever. In To Kill a Mockingbird,
the Finch children are brought into the home of their
elderly neighbor, Miss Maudie. Atticus Finch has inevitably
lost the trial of Tom Robinson, and faces some isolation and
certain backlash from his town. "As we ate, we sensed that
this was Miss Maudie's way of saying that as far as she was
concerned, nothing had changed. She sat quietly in a kitchen
chair, watching us.
"Suddenly she spoke: "Don't fret, Jem. Things are never as
bad as they seem.'
Indoors, when Miss Maudie wanted to say something lengthy
she spread her fingers on her knees and settled her
bridgework. This she did, and we waited.
"I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this
world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us.
Your father's one of them."
"We're the safest folks in the world," said Miss Maudie.
"We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we
are, we've got men like Atticus to go for us.'
"I often wondered why a self professed shoe-less poor boy,
who walked dirt roads in Louisiana, would not simply take
the easier paved road of success and embrace the crowds and
the love of the masses by going along to get along.
"It is simple, really. You love people enough to help them
by espousing truth, despite the loneliness or the pain it
inflicts upon you.
"Doc, you are Atticus Finch---
You simply exchanged a brief case for a medical bag.
Go enjoy your next calling. We love you. Leigh"
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Index |
- Scott Anthony, SETMA NP
-- "I watched"
"Dr. Holly, it is with sadness and a heavy heart that I write
to you now. In my past 19 1/2 years at SETMA, I never thought
I would see this day. My emotions vacillate between anger,
shock, sadness, fear and happiness for you. My wife and I have
never worked as an NP for anyone but you. We have learned so
much from you and respect you deeply. I hope the lessons you
taught us will be evident in our actions on a daily basis.
I watched as you went to other pods on Calder after you
were finished to help other providers see pts
I watched as you came in early after waking up at 3 am and
making hospital rounds to read x-rays
I watched as you told other providers " they are not my pts,
they are not your pts, they are OUR pts
I watched when you treated NPs as colleagues and spoke
against the term "mid-level"
I watched when you didn't ask anyone to do something you
were not willing to do
I watched when you put GOD first in all of SETMAs dealings
I watched when you pushed all SETMA providers to be better
and pursue excellence
I watched when you were a man of your word
I watched when you loved your wife so much that you refused
to make rounds with a female provider
I watched when you created templates to help us take better
care of our pts
I watched when you based your success on how successful you
made other people
I watched when you were SETMAs ambassador and told others
our story and we were all proud
I watched when you worked tirelessly on whatever project we
needed done to improve our care of our pts
I watched when you treated all pts and employees with
dignity and respect
"This is just a small list of what I have seen while working
with you. I know I am leaving hundreds of examples out. I
can only hope that along the way I become half the husband,
provider, grandfather, father and Christian that you are.
You will be missed more than you know. I wish nothing but
health and happiness for you and Mrs. Holly in your
retirement. I hope now you can "watch" us and see us doing
things that make you proud. God bless you Dr. Holly and
please keep in touch."
Second Note from Scott: "My heart hurts. I wish
I had better words to tell you what you have and still do
mean to me. I have looked up to you for 19 1/2 years
and don't know how things will go. if you get a new
cell you better give me the number(half-hearted smile)
I love you and Mrs holly I hope y'all have great
times and make wonderful memories"
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Index |
- Maureen -- "Larry, zo sorry to hear about your
retirement, but I do hope that you continue to share your innovative and
patient-centered ideas with us all! You are an amazing leader and a
wonderful friend! Warmly, Maureen
Wow, what an honor to read these amazing tribute to your life,
your career, your integrity, inspiration, expertise and
humanity! Enjoy every minute of learning in China and stay
close! Hugs, Maureen
- Alicia, SETMA NP - "Thank you Dr
Holly for the email. This transition is unsettling. I valued
working for you because of your integrity, honesty, and respect. I
struggle to envision a SETMA after you are gone. I thank you
for all of your leadership; but I remain especially grateful for
your friendship and assistance during difficult days. I will never
forget your understanding and kindness. I also respect your
gracious wife; she is an example to me daily. I will continue to
pray for you during the coming months. Very sincerely, Alicia"
- Nicole, SETMA NP - "Dr. Holly,
Though I have not had the opportunity to work beside you for long, the
time that I have had has been at the least fulfilling. You are kind,
supportive, and driven in all of your endeavors. I just want to
thank you again for providing me an opportunity to start my career as a
nurse practitioner with SETMA. For many years, I have dreamed of
being a part of the SETMA team as a provider. With that said, I will
definitely miss you and your Monday morning "hello" Thank you for
believing in your team of practitioners and valuing what we bring to the
table for healthcare. I know I will work hard to continue proving our
value as a provider in assisting patient's best outcomes with the
support of SETMA doctors in this transition. God is good and He provides
in time of need. When we stumble, He prevents our fall. I reach up to
Him daily for strength, wisdom, and endurance. Praying for you is in
this transition, as I know you have struggled with this decision since
July. Have fun and ENJOY retirement. Sincerely, Nicole"
- Ted Carpenter, Universal American
September 19, 2011
Deborah H. Morrill, Vice President and Chief Development
Officer, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
Dear Ms. Morrill,
On behalf of Universal American, we are delighted to make a
contribution to the University of Texas health Science
Center San Antonio to the endowment of he James L. Holly
Distinguished Professorship in Patient-Centered Medical
home. We are making a total contribution of $100,000 I honor
of Dr. Holly. Enclosed is an initial check for $50,000, and
we are pledging the remaining amount by July 21, 2012.
Our organization works with thousands of physicians across
the United States. Further, we collaborate with dozens
of physician leaders who dedicate themselves to organizing
outstanding patient care by seeking new and innovative ways
to improve the entire patient care process. We are
very fortunate to work with some of the very best physician
leaders in the country.
That said, Dr. Holly is in a
league by himself. His energy, passion, and
unrelenting commitment to improving quality of care is
without equal in my experience. He drives positive
change within his practice and community, implements
value-added technology to improve clinical outcomes, reads
and write prolifically regarding clinical and public
health issues and generously shares what he has learned
with all interested parties across the United States.
Under Dr. Holly's leadership, SETMA has been honored
countless times for their innovation, technology and
services to the community. By far, however, their
greatest accomplishments is the care and quality that each
SETMA patient receives. The are the real beneficiaries of
this extraordinary physician practice. (emphasis
added)
For all these reasons, it is a real pleasure to support the
endowment for the new Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly
Distinguished Chair at the UT Health Science Center in San
Antonio.
Sincerely, Theodore M. Carpenter Jr., President Universal
American, MA Division
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Index |
- Larry and Carolyn Sadness -- Memories and Musings
As I prepare my final newspaper column which will be published on
September 13, 2018 -- 21 years since the first -- which is entitled "My
Valedictory Address and Retirement Notice," I look around my desk and
office and see " a life and a career" in a snapshot.
I see my framed diploma from the University of Texas Medical School
in San Antonio dated May 26, 1973, along with my Texas license to
practice medicine dated August 1, 1973 and my Louisiana medical
license dated December 6. 1973.
I remember the day I took the Texas examination and the day I took
the Louisiana examination. I remember the physician from Cuba who had
emigrated to the USA and who were taking the Louisiana exam. They
expressed amazement at how quickly I finished each part of the exam. I
told them, "It just does take me long to look at a horseshoe."
Prominently on my desk and in my office are pictures of my wife and
me, and of my children and grandchildren. There is a picture of Ron
Fittz, my closest friend who died over thirty years ago but whom I
remember every day.
There are books and other pictures and objects which reflect awards
and honors and personal relationships but which mostly reflect a
life.
I am not melancholy as I look around but I am sobered. I realize that
in a few months, this chapter -- more like an encyclopedia than a
chapter -- will be done.
Yet, I am already looking forward to January 1, 2019, which will
begin this news part of my life and of Carolyn's. I am looking forward
to studying French at Lamar University and maybe Creative writing. I
wonder what that costs? I wonder if I will do well? I look
forward to having extended time to read through the Bible and to
exercise regularly.
Of course, I will write. Maybe, I'll write a novel -- I think
everyone imagines doing that. In that SETMA, as we know it today, will
cease to exist, I may write the history of this organization. I
certainly will continue to opine upon the political maelstrom in which
we find ourselves.
I will play cards and chess with my grandchildren and Carolyn and I
will travel. For most people that means exotic, faraway places but for
us that will mean visiting places which have meant a great deal to
us.
And as I walk around my office, I look at certificates and mementoes,
I realize that I am doing that in our home more and more. Daily, I
create mental images of the tapestry of Carolyn and my life together.
Who could have asked for more -- not me. I am grateful for hundreds
and thousands of people who have contributed generously to our lives.
And, of course, there is the "Hall of Fame," of those who are at the
heart of these memories.
Maybe, I will write about them.
Have you ever told yourself that everything is O.K., only to have
reality tell you that it's not?
This morning as I have begun telling my patients of my retirement,
the heavy sadness that has come over me, let's me know what a poor
liar I am when I keep telling myself "it's, O.K."
- Fifty Years of Memories By James L. Holly, MD Your
Life Your Health The Examiner September 6, 2018
In September 2018, UT Health San Antonio Long School of
Medicine marks its fiftieth year training physicians in
Texas. As the school looks back on fifty years, my
wife, Carolyn Bellue Holly and I look back on our journey
which brought us to San Antonio in 1969 as first year
medical students. I use the plural because as much as
it is possible for two people to occupy one place in a
professional school, we did. After graduating from
college in May, 1965, Carolyn and I married, August 7,
1965. That first year we taught school in Golden
Meadow, Louisiana and then moved to Waco, Texas to enter
graduate school at Baylor University.
In August of 1966, after moving to Waco, Carolyn and I had
a portrait made. When she commented that we did not
have a lot of money, I told her that someday, we would be
very glad to have that portrait. Fifty-two years
later, we are. This is the portrait. Alas, all was not
so great. For our first anniversary, I gave Carolyn a
tall, pole ivy with a note that as this plant grew and
flourished it would reflect our love and marriage. One
week later, it was grave-yard dead from a cut worm.
During that first year at Baylor (Fall, 1966 - Spring
1967), it became increasingly obvious that while I had
started college in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M,
human medicine would be my life's work. In the fall of
1967, I worked full time and began doing part-time pre-med
courses at Baylor. In the spring of 1968, I took the
Medical College Admissions Text (MCAT) and applied for
admission to medical school. One of the ironies of our
journey was that the American Association of Medical College
(AAMC) sponsored the MCAT. It was impossible to know
at this time that in 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 I would serve
as a voting member of the Executive Committee of the AAMC
and would vote twice on the accreditation of the Long School
of Medicine, and would be the first medical student to serve
as a voting member of a medical school accreditation site
visit (Cornell Medical College in New York).
In the fall of 1968, in class one day, I learned of my
future, when a fellow student said to me, "I hear you are
going to be a doctor." I looked at him in amazement
because he knew something which I did not. The Pre-Med
Advisor, a remarkable man, Dr. Virgil Tweedy, had received a
copy of my acceptance letter which I had not yet
received. Immediately, I knew where the letter
was. It was at our previous address.
Immediately, I left school and drove to 2623 Bosque where we
had lived. For several minutes, I stood at the mail
box. I knew my letter was in that box, but I also knew that
it was illegal for me to open that mail box and no one was
home.
For the first and for the last time to my knowledge, I
intentionally broke a Federal Law. I opened the box.
In it was my future. It was December 8, 1968
when I opened that mailbox, but my acceptance letter was
dated November 22, 1968, which curiously was a Sunday.
I still have that letter as Carolyn had it framed for
me. As we look back on those days and remember the
events that marked our journey, we both remember that as my
acceptance letter was received with one semester and a
summer left before I was to start medical school in
September, 1968, I still had to complete three semester
hours of biology, eight hours of organic chemistry and eight
hours of physics. Working full time and completing
nineteen hours of science by August, 1969 now seems
daunting, but we did it.
The letter also instructed me to send in a $30.00 deposit
to secure my place in the 1969 class. I did.
As we look back on those halcyon days fifty years ago, we
realize that we have lived the entire history of UT Health
San Antonio Long School of Medicine. We have
participated in the momentous events which have created one
of the premier medical schools in America.
In August, 1969, we loaded up a U-Haul trailer and moved
our little family which included Nina, our Shetland Sheep
dog, to an apartment complex across the street from Fort Sam
Houston Beach Pavilion Medical Center in San Antonio.
Carolyn was to teach and we were to manage the apartment
complex. It meant a long drive each day to school, but
it was worth it for free rent and a one hundred dollar
monthly stipend. Our first day there, the owner came
to our door and told Carolyn to get a bucket and mop.
I asked what that was for. The owner said that Carolyn
was going to clean an apartment and that I needed to climb
up to the roof of the third story of the complex and reset a
switch for the air conditioner system.
When I objected, she said, "You didn't think you were
getting free rent and a salary just for showing apartments
did you?" I reminded her that that was our agreement
and she indicated that it was being changed. I thanked
her and told her we would be out in one hour. I rented
another trailer, went to the Work Force office and hired two
men and we moved.
These fifty-year-old memories are crystal clear in our
mind. What at the moment seemed like a crisis, over
the next four years it was a blessing as it would have been
impossible with only one car to work out the details of
transportation to and from Carolyn's teaching job and my
classes.
Again, ironically, on January 22, 1973, I was in a clinical
rotation at Fort Sam Houston Beach Pavilion when the word
spread over the facility that former President Lyndon
Johnson had been brought into the emergency room. He
had died at home. I was not in the building where he
was brought but it was just one more remarkable event which
marked our time at UT Health.
On the first day of medical school, we had an assembly in
the main auditorium. Forty-three-years later, due to
the benevolence of a friend, that auditorium would be named
after Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly. This portrait hangs
in that auditorium today.
In 1975, I began moon lighting in the emergency room at
Christus St. Elizabeth in Beaumont, Texas, and in 1976 moved
my young family, including our two children, two dogs, a cat
and a bird to our home for the next 45 years.
The years have been filled with wonderful, sometimes sad,
and sometimes glorious, memories. It has never crossed
our minds to live anywhere else. We have never had any
regrets about our choice of where to raise our family. We
have given our best to this community and we have received
back the best the community has to offer.
As we attend the 50th Anniversary Gala in San Antonio later
this month, we will retrace our trip which we made in 1976
when we moved to Beaumont. We will sit with some of my
professors who taught me medicine and we will visit with
classmates who made a different journey to the same
destination forty-nine years ago. We will celebrate
the remarkable advances which UT Health San Antonio has made
from a two-building campus to a packed landscape of
world-class facilities for teaching students, training
doctors, researching new treatments and treating patients.
Carolyn, our family and I look back on these last fifty
years with awe and wonder for the honor of having the
privilege of being a physician and for having the joy of
serving this community. And, when we soon offer our
valedictory to the Golden Triangle, it will be with
unfettered and unconditional thanksgiving and gratitude.
|
Index |
- My Valedictory Address and the
Announcement of my Retirement By James L. Holly, MD Your
Life Your Health The Examiner September 13, 2018
For twenty-one years -- September 11, 1997 to September 13,
2018 -- in columns entitled "Thoughts About Things"
and "Your Life Your Health," the owner, editor and publisher
of The Examiner have allowed me to write a weekly
column in their paper. I am grateful for that
and in the last of these articles, wish to express my
appreciation and gratitude to them for this privilege.
It is inevitable that all things come to an end
and as I announce my retirement from Southeast Texas Medical
Associates, LLP, I present my final column for The
Examiner. In these twenty-one years, this
column has discussed exciting innovations in healthcare,
announced transformative initiatives in the delivery of that
care, discussed public health issues and policies and
examined many health issues. All columns are
catalogued at www.jameslhollymd.com
(soon to be changed to JLHollyMD.icloud.com.
As time goes by, the information in these columns will become
dated, but they will always reflect the foundation and the
history of Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP (SETMA),
which can name among other honors being named as "one of
thirty exemplar practices in the United States by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation".
Thank each one of you who has read this column and who have
encouraged SETMA through these years.
Retirement Announcement
It is with sadness and regret that I announce my retirement
from Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP and from the
practice of medicine in Southeast Texas, effective December
31, 2018.
November 4, 2018, I turn 75 years-of-age. When asked I
have always assured others that I intend to work until I was
eighty. That was my intent, but circumstances prevent
that from happening. Over the past three years, SETMA
has experienced economic pressures caused by Health and Human
Services' (HHS) CMS's reduction over the past seven years of
the reimbursement for Medicare Advantage by twenty-eight
percent, aggravated by the Affordable Care Act tax on the
funds paid to the HMO, which tax cost the IPA in which SETMA
participates, $1,700,000 annually.
With my years in solo practice in Beaumont, I have practiced
in this community for 43 years. These have been
wonderful years for me and for my family.
A principle of organizational life is that when change is
made, the most constructive thing old leadership can do is to
step aside and wish the new leaders the best. This I
do. SETMA is well prepared to proceed into the future,
true to its values and aware of the challenges which need to
be faced.
I am proud of SETMA. I am proud of the decisions we
made and how we have conducted our practice. SETMA has
done things which no one has ever done and the things we have
done which others are now doing, we did before almost
anyone. We have also cared for the most vulnerable and
needy people in our community. I am proud of that.
The partners of SETMA even funded a Foundation which helps
provide care for patients.
As I write these words my mind races across the past
forty-three years. Mental images appear of thousands of
individuals whom I have cared for, worked with, or
known. I wish I could begin naming them, some living,
some long since gone, but all cherished in memory. HIPPA
and the inevitability of omitting important people makes it
impossible to name names.
These years have been rich and rewarding. There are
many things which I know I could or should have done better,
but where I failed it was never for want of trying. I am
comforted and challenged by the words of President Theodore
Roosevelt who said:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could
have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who
is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and
sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes
short again and again, because there is no effort without
error and shortcoming; but who does actually try to do the
deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions,
who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in
the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst,
if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his
place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know
neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt,
"Citizens in a Republic," the Sorbonne, Paris, France, April
23, 1910, quoted in The Man in the Arena, ed. John Allen Gable
(Oyster Books,
N.Y, Theodore Roosevelt Association, 1987), p. 54)
There is not a community in which I would rather have spent
my career than in Beaumont, Texas and the Golden
Triangle. As a young man and wife with two young
children, two dogs and a cat, my family arrived in Beaumont in
1975. And, now forty-three years later, at the end of a
long career, we do not think of "moving" to a retirement
center but we look forward to spend all of our coming years
doing what we have always done in a different venue but in
Beaumont. We look forward to the adventure of realizing
who we are in a new arena. And when our time is done,
our resting place will be in Beaumont, Texas.
Due to the circumstances of my retirement, I will not have
the option of practicing medicine in Southeast Texas, at least
not for the next five years, but I can continue to perform my
most important roles which are to practice my faith in Jesus
Christ, to perform my vows to my wife of fifty-three years,
Carolyn Ann Bellue Holly, to love my children and
grandchildren and to reintroduce myself to the health and
wellness center. I do not fear for my well-being there,
but I am anxious for the Center's staff's emotional stability
when I appear.
As I try to put this announcement in context, I recall that
in 2008, Carolyn and I were in England when we lost an
extremely valuable object. The manager of the Connaught
asked, "Dr. Holly, you don't seem to be very upset about
this?" I responded, "Oh, I am disappointed but that
object can be replaced, or it can be lived without; if I had
lost my wife that would be something to be devastated over."
And, so it is now, as I make this transition, it is
disappointing to me and I suspect it will be to others that I
am retiring, yet to be "fair and balanced," there may be some
who sigh and think, "I'm glad that's over." But, the
reality is that what is fundamentally and ultimately important
in my life is not changing. As a result, while my heart
is heavy, my face is smiling and my mind rushes about
imagining the future.
The reality is also that the name SETMA will continue, the
management will not change significantly, the care available
will continue to improve and it will still be a very good
place to work and to perform the act of "health caring" for
others. Change is always stressful, but if we take a
deep breath and believe in who we are, "this too shall pass."
The closest biblical reference to such an affirmation is II
Corinthians 4:17-18 which states: "For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but
the things which are not seen are eternal."
It is my hope and expectation that all of the staff and
professionals in SETMA will remain and will be committed to
the same values and standards which have been our credo for
the past twenty-three years, all will find a new iteration of
who and what they are in this great community and practice.
And so, I bid you adieu which in its origin meant "to
God." It is not good-bye as each of you will always be a
part of our lives and hopefully we of yours. We will be
as close as our prayers, our memories and our hopes and
dreams. God bless each one of you.
|
Index |
- From Debbie Morrell
Dear Dr. Holly,
I am like Mary Henrich, and always look at your emails
first. They, and you, have inspired me over the years, and
invariably given me an unexpected lift when I really needed
one and a reminder to always strive to be my best self
- and honestly, I save them and go back to them often.
Your devotion to your lovely Carolyn, your consummate
kindness; your genuine caring for others; your wonderful and
warm smile from a face that shines with joy; and your
exemplary generosity, in every way, are but a few of the
many things I admire about you.
I hope this transition will allow more time for you and
Carolyn to be with us here in San Antonio.
You are a bright light for medicine and the world, and we
are truly blessed to have your enduring legacy as a
significant part of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School
of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio!
The comments and good wishes from people who love and
admire you from across the world are testament to your
impact --- and are almost as remarkable as you are. You have
paid much good forward, and so many of us owe you so
much.
Love to you and Carolyn,
Debbie Morrell
|
Index |
- Dale Fontenot
Final Column for Your Life Your Health September 13, 2018
The announcement of your retirement, although a surprise, has not hit me
like the words "Final Column" has hit me today. For more than 15 plus
years I have had the privilege of working with you on a weekly basis,
both as a contractor and an employee...In that time I have cared for a
chronically ill wife and I have buried that wife, I have suffered
loneliness and I have found a new love that I have taken for my wife.
All these changes occurred while I continued to serve you and SETMA.
The money I have earned over all those years has gone to supporting my
family in many different ways and has been very much appreciated.
When I was at that lowest point in my life, SETMA (you) gave me hope
that things would get better and I have never forgotten that.
I will miss working with you weekly as much as I will miss my lovely
wife asking me every Thursday "Did you get the article finished?" but I
will also be available should you need help with any future
endeavors. So, with this reply to you, at least as far as the
weekly articles go, Done for the final time. Dale
-
Ross Shauberger
A physician's response upon my retirement. I met
this physician when he was a five-year-old patient. He
told me at 5 that he wanted to be a physician. I shook his
hand and told him he could be. He almost joined SETMA
Howdy!
I was chatting with Laura today, and she told me you were
retiring. I would first like to say congratulations. Your
lifetime of striving to build a practice that not only
serves the community that you adore, but also has inspired
and ministered to more folks than you will likely ever know.
In truth, you don't need some young, snot nosed Internist to
tell you these things. You know your worth and are likely at
peace with the extraordinary life you have lived.
I do think it is important however to express my gratitude
to you. You see, you have served as a stalwart mentor to me,
even if you were never aware of this fact. You gave me a
gift a few years ago. The gift of opportunity. I will always
be grateful for that gift. Although I was lead in a
different direction, I truly believed that our paths crossed
for a very important purpose.
You showed me the boundless opportunity for hope within the
practice of medicine. I took those lessons to Virginia,
where I have helped build a successful Hospitalist practice.
The success we have enjoyed has been predicated on the
principal that People are the key to building a successful
team.
Well, I won't take of anymore of your time. I wanted you to
know that you made a difference in this Doctor's life.
God Bless You Dr. Holly.
Regards,
Ross
Ross Shauberger, DO
Board Certified Internal Medicine, ABPS
Internist/Hospitalist
Internal Medicine Faculty
Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA
|
Index |
-
History of UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine
Larry
Thank you for including me in this email communication.
I had no where near the personal contact with these remarkable
educators as you but I can share with you several notable encounters.
As I have previously related to you my first day on the Med school
campus started with a private meeting with Dean Panhill where he
welcomed me to the class entering the fall of "69 and in my presence
signed my letter of acceptance. He offered to help assist my needs in
any way he could and I felt enormously reassured.
Dignified to the point of elegance and with enormous aplomb is how his
image remains in my memory and he had the cleanest, neatest white
jacket I have ever seen. It seemed to glow but then that was probably
his aura.
My first encounter with Dean Taylor was over the phone. I was visiting
my wife's family in Weimar, Texas where my beloved father in law and I
were planning to go dove hunting.
The phone rang and Dean Taylor asked my mother in law if I was there
and could he please speak with me. It was the most important call I
have ever received as he informed me that despite the fact that the
academic year had begun several weeks earlier there was currently an
opportunity for me to join the class if I was interested understanding
there would be special challenges to overcome.
I immediately packed up, headed for San Antonio and lived with Jack
Harvey and Jay Hoecker in the hospital until my family got moved into
some apartments on Fredericksburg road. I saw Dean Taylor off and on
thereafter and his soothing bass voice was always reassuring. He was a
good man.
These two men were superheros
To me.
Dr Cander was a tough dude. He wanted nothing less than excellence
from all of us and I'm still not so sure that his eastern roots didn't
in some way influence his view of us Texans. I had to take an oral
exam hosted by Dr Cander regarding the recognition and management of
CHF. He wasn't terribly pleased with my explanation. I felt bad days
later but I never forgotten the lessons learned that day and the
section of cardiology was clearly staffed by some brilliant
physicians.
Regarding your eminent retirement I wish to extend to you my
congratulation on a long and productive career in you chosen community
and your specialty.
I cannot imagine any graduate from our class having contributed more
to well being of so many patients who have been fortunate enough to
have you supervising their medical care.
I have the very greatest respect for you as a person and as a
physician.
No one in our class more thoroughly epitomizes the successful
application of the education we received 69-73.
No one in our class will better represent the legacy of our experience
in medical school at the upcoming celebration.
To you I wish all the best.
Dennis Toland
-
Dante Rangel
Prelude
"By creating a legacy, by living a life worth
remembering, you become immortal." Bousman and Whannell; 2005
It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the sudden
retirement of Dr. Holly. He is someone I admire greatly and it pains
me to know that this decision was not of his own choosing. The quality
of care he provides is not something that can be replaced, especially
not by a larger corporation. It is by no means that I degrade or
attack the character of the physician that replaces him but I know
that it is impossible for someone to provide his degree of care. His
EMR is something that should be celebrated and used nationwide. It is
a poor choice of any company to terminate its use and an even worse
decision for the patients and the providers that once relied on it. I
want Dr. Holly to know that he has already gone beyond the typical. He
isn't one to resign himself to the norm and his life's work reflects
this. But the story isn't over quite yet, he has instilled in each of
us what it truly means to be human and it is up to us to carry his
influence out into the world.
Shadowing Dr. Holly
Being invited to shadow Dr. Holly was a welcome but unexpected
occurrence. My father and Dr. Holly met some years ago in Santa Fe, an
event that forever changed my path forward. I admit I trembled as I
read the email invitation. The past few months have been tumultuous
for me. I was rejected from medical school in late February and lost
my grandfather shortly after in late March. It weighs on me heavily
knowing that he never had the opportunity to see me succeed after his
years of sacrifice, a fault that lands squarely with me. I had no idea
what to expect really. Beaumont in a sense was far away from my scope
of view and I never believed I would have the chance to work with Dr.
Holly with his busy schedule. In the middle of July it was decided, I
was to shadow him.
Monday morning, 6:30 sharp, I arrived outside of Dr. Holly's office
on Calder Ave. Before I even had time to collect my thoughts I locked
eyes with a man who was waiting for me outside. It was Dr. Holly
himself.
The first day at the office was overwhelming to say the very least.
From the very moment I met Dr. Holly I admit I was intimidated. Not
because he was rude or offending, it was because of his eminence. Here
was a man who has dedicated his life to the betterment and protection
of others. Someone I would consider a genius and I had the opportunity
to shadow him. "What would he think of me? How should I act?" These
were some of the many questions that I tried to think about, but with
Dr. Holly there was no moratorium. Instantly we entered a conversation
of my background, my skills and academic performance. He had bigger
plans for me. He wanted to talk to some medical school deans and
garner information to aid in what appeared to be my never ending dirge
of a journey. And suddenly it was 7:30. In a flash Dr. Holly informed
me that we would be traveling to the nearby town of Lumberton. When we
arrived he introduced me to his team for the day. Soon the first
patient arrived and that is when the day truly began.
I was in awe at his speed. Immediately Dr. Holly was on the move,
careful to make sure each patient was seen quickly. This was directly
contrary to what I was used to, physicians letting their team do all
of the work. Once we were inside he introduced me to another one of
his treasures. His EMR. It was incredibly comprehensive and was the
culmination of a lifetime of work fueled by the need and desire to
shrug off mediocrity. The entire system was geared towards maximizing
efficiency and assisting the patient in documenting their special
needs. What impressed me the most had to be the heart study that was
included in the EMR. This study ran probability to predict the
outcomes patients could expect if they changed specific things in
their lives. This astounded me. In all of my days shadowing I had
never seen an EMR of this caliber. Everything else paled in comparison
and seemed clunky, inefficient, and most importantly, a massive waste
of time. It was clear that Dr. Holly was unlike any physician I had
ever shadowed before. Lunchtime came and I had the lovely opportunity
to meet his wife Caroline. This meeting was unfortunately brief
as she informed me that she was needed in Louisiana to help take care
of her mother and then soon, we were back to Lumberton.
As we were returning Dr. Holly reminded me of the devastation
hurricane Harvey had wrought. Devastation that was still very much
real for many people here even though mentions of the damaging
Hurricane were now nothing more than whispers. A great deal of
patients we had seen in the morning had been affected and to be honest
I was disgusted. I was aware of what the "outside world" thought of
many of the people here. A twisted caricature that they had created to
demonize the people that supported an ideology they might not
personally agree with. People they would consider "white trash". I was
disgusted because these were people first and foremost. Not
ambassadors of an ideology. People that needed our help and Dr. Holly
did an amazing job embodying the exemplar of what not only a physician
should be, but what we should be as people. Looking beyond petty
squabbles and reaching into what really matters, the support of our
fellow man. He made them laugh, smile, and most importantly, trust
him, a boon in a time where it seems like many physicians forget about
the importance of empathy. Dr. Holly would finish with: "Now here is
my personal number. I want you to call me on "this day' so you can
tell me how you are doing." Unbelievable, is the only word I can use
to describe this.
It was less than 24 hours into my stay with Dr. Holly and I could
feel that I was forever changed as a person. The days progressed at
lightning speed with Dr. Holly at the helm, blazing along in a
tireless surge. By this time I was already exhausted and mystified by
his seemingly unyielding fervor. My experience with Dr. Holly ended
with an incredible trip to Avery Island in Louisiana to visit the
Tabasco factory. On this trip I was able to speak to him about so many
different things and being 74 years young, I knew he had the
experience and wisdom I was looking for. He counseled me on my dreams,
my progress, and my skills. I admit that it hurts knowing that I have
been trying to get into medical school for so long and sometimes I
feel that I am not worth it or not capable. Dr. Holly made it very
clear that I was not a fraud and was someone he saw not only doing
well but excelling in this field. I can tell you that it has meant so
much to me to hear these words from someone that I look up to. I am
forever grateful to him for this opportunity and I will remember it
eternally.
Dr. Holly embodies everything that I want to be. From his endless
wealth of historical knowledge, to the love of his fellow man, his
disdain for mediocrity, ambivalence, and his tactful entrepreneurial
skills. He is the kind of person that only comes about once every few
generations. There are few words that can describe someone as
mercurial as him and where words fail, only an epithet will do. As for
now, I know that this experience has changed me for the better and I
can only hope that I will have another chance to get to know Dr.
Holly, the ineffable.
-Dante N. Rangel, 11/09/18
-
My Granddaughter Holly Victoria's Note About her Grand's
stories
I am going to pick my package up today because I was super busy
yesterday with school and homework 😭
I miss y'all so so much. I love you and Grandy immensely. I am beyond
thankful for the opportunities y'all have given us throughout our
lives.
Along with the opportunities, I am thankful for the guidance, morals,
and advice y'all have awarded us along the way.
Growing up and hearing Grandys stories always seemed to be repetitive,
but I have since been using almost all of them in everyday life
without even knowing about it.
I was asked in a homework assignment last week to recount the best
advice I was ever given and grandy's story about the possum and
unintended consequences immediately came to mind.
Without realizing it I had been applying that story to everything I
was doing for the past few years. I just wanted to thank y'all for
going above and beyond for all of us 💙
Holly's Grandmother's response
Holly, you can't imagine what this note means to me & Grandy.
That's, all We need from our life, our grandchildren knowing God
and living successfully bc of faith in God.
You have made my day. We have been through some tough days.
Grandy is retiring Dec. 31st & not bc he wanted to.
Very unpleasant time for us.
Holly Victoria's response about Retirement.
I am so sorry to hear that. I got Grandy's email and was concerned
about it. But just like y'all have taught us, God has a plan and
reason for everything. It may not be what we all want or what we think
we need. But He knows the plans he has for us.
I can't imagine how Grandy must feel as I know he doesn't but
like his job, but LOVES it. I love y'all so much 💙
-
Retirement Response Mark Toups
Larry,
Our community both lay and professional benefit from your
insights and drive past, present and future. Pray Stanley
Kunitiz poem gives pause to consider "where to what next"
Carl Sandburg. Stanley wrote his last poem The Round at age
100.
From The Round:
I can scarcely wait till tomorrow
when a new life begins for me,
as it does each day,
as it does each day.
Sandburg moved at age 65 beginning a new season in an
extraordinary journey writing Honey and Salt
Can love be locked away and kept hid?
Yes and it gathers dust and mildew
and shrivels itself in shadows
unless it learns the sun can help,
snow, rain, storms can help
birds in their one-room family nests
shaken by winds cruel and crazy
they can all help:
lock not away your love nor keep it hid.
Carl Sandburg, from Honey and Salt 1963
The Layers
Stanley Kunitz<https://www.poets.org/node/44308>,
1905 - 2006
I have walked through many lives,
some of them my own,
and I am not who I was,
though some principle of being
abides, from which I struggle
not to stray.
When I look behind,
as I am compelled to look
before I can gather strength
to proceed on my journey,
I see the milestones dwindling
toward the horizon
and the slow fires trailing
from the abandoned camp-sites,
over which scavenger angels
wheel on heavy wings.
Oh, I have made myself a tribe
out of my true affections,
and my tribe is scattered!
How shall the heart be reconciled
to its feast of losses?
Respectfully,
Mark Toups
|
Index |
-
Valedictory
November 29, 2018
Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP
By James L. Holly, MD,
CEO, SETMA, LLP
A valedictory is a farewell address on an occasion of
"leave taking," but, what do you say when you stand before
people with whom you have shared life for twenty-four to
seventy-five years? It is impossible to name each one,
although in the coming years, many of you will be written
about.
As I stand here before you on the occasion of my "leave
taking" of SETMA, I remember seminal points in my
life. I don't remember the first time I met my mother
and father " I was very young " but my first memories of
them were the same as those I have years after their
deaths. They were wonderful and bigger than life to
me.
I remember how my life was defined by an experience when I
was four-years-old in 1947. My father borrowed a
wooden boat and we went fishing on Little River in Central
Louisiana. There were four of us and only three seats,
so as the youngest, I sat in the bottom of the boat. I
did as any four-year-old would do, I rocked the boat.
That would come to be a metaphor for my life as in the
intervening years I have rocked many boats.
My academic career started when I was five-years-old in the
first grade. I couldn't count but my neighbor could,
so my success in the first grade was "borrowed" from
him. In the second grade, when I was six, I discovered
that I couldn't see, and I was introduced to the world of
corrective lenses. My world became larger and clearer.
When I was ten, I attended 4-H camp at Camp Grant
Walker. I was awarded the outstanding camper only
because I could work harder and longer than anyone
else. This was the second seminal moment which would
define my life. I learned, you don't have to be very
bright, if you are willing to work hard, and if you are
willing to keep up the hard work up over a long period of
time.
At twelve, I started high school, which at that time was
the 8-12 grades. In math class, I had my third seminal
moment. The teacher publicly told each student what he
thought about them. Before the entire class, he said
to me, "Larry, you'll never be a leader. You'll always
do what other people tell you to do." All of my life,
I have worked to lead, direct and drive progress and
development wherever I worked. In 2012, the Medical
Group Management Association (MGMA) named me a "Change
Agent." Earning that designation required me "rocking
the boat," working harder than anyone, and setting the pace,
the direction and the goals everywhere I worked. .
As a seventeen-year-old, I started Texas A&M College in
pre-veterinary medicine. In October 1961, I trusted
Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, an experience which
would define the rest of my life. In 1986, I repeated
that history to a public meeting in Beaumont. A lady
in the audience turned to the young woman sitting next to
her and said, "That's the most disgusting thing I have never
heard." The young woman said, "I know, that's my
Daddy!"
In 1962, at eighteen and a sophomore at Northwestern State
College, I saw the "girl" who would change my life. I
met her shortly after that. That "girl," Carolyn Ann
Bellue Holly, sits here tonight as my wife of nearly
fifty-four years. At twenty, I spend the summer in
Kenya, East Africa and in October 1964 spoke to 2,000
students at the state Baptist Student Union
Convention. I addressed civil rights and racial
prejudice. My message was not well received.
In May 1965, Carolyn and I graduated from NSU and in August
1965, we married and started the adventure which would lead
us to this evening. Just saying these words brings a
smile and joy to my heart. Through the years, upon
occasion Carolyn would say, "Sometimes it's not easy being
your wife;" to which I would respond, "Sometimes it's not
easy being me." Other than my experience of personal
salvation, our marriage is the most important, significant
and rewarding experience of my life. And, our alma
mater, where we met and fell in love, to this day is an
important part of our lives.
While a graduate student at Baylor, Carolyn and I decided
to go to Medical School. At that time, it never
occurred to me that we would not be successful, but looking
back now, I realize how improbable even acceptance to
medical school could be. We graduated in 1973, having
had both of our children in those four years. UT
Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine has been and
remains a central place in our lives. It may sound
strange to some for me to say that "we" graduated, but we
did it together. Carolyn sat on a stool and read late
at night when I was dissecting a cadaver. She worked
and made our home while "we" went to school.
In 1975, we moved to Beaumont. We have never
thought about leaving Beaumont and in fact we have our
family cemetery plot designed and paid for, so we will never
leave. Not surprisingly, when we were invited to join
the Country Club, we asked if African Americans and Jews
could join.
After twenty-two years in solo practice, Drs. Wilson,
Finley and I founded Southeast Texas Medical Associates,
LLP. Over the next twenty-three years August 1,
1995 to November 29, 2018 -- through thick and thin, we
built a premier multi-specialty medical practice and help
lead the transformation of healthcare in America.
Like other innovators and transformers, we pioneered
electronic medical records, the application of analytics to
healthcare and the adoption of the patient-centered medical
home model of care. We developed and built electronic
solutions to the most complex healthcare challenges.
SETMA has been presented multiple citations for excellence
in healthcare delivery.
SETMA has taken care of the most vulnerable patients and
through the SETMA Foundation have supported the care of our
patients who could hot otherwise obtain care. It is
these whom I think of tonight and for whom I hope the best
in coming years.
In the past nearly forty-six years, people have come and
gone. My mind races across the years remembering the
people whom I have cared for and truly loved and who are not
with us tonight. Each one has enriched our lives and
we are grateful for them.
No matter the difficulties which have brought us to our
present circumstances, nothing can rob us of the memories,
experiences, joy and triumphs of these years.
I, as you, have often played the "what if" game.
"What if," this had changed, or, "what if" that had
changed. "What if" I had stayed at Texas A&M; I
would not have met Carolyn" that would have been a
tragedy. "What if" we had moved somewhere other than
Beaumont, our children would not have met their spouses, and
that would have been a tragedy. We would not have the
eight remarkable young people we call "grandchildren" and they are "grand" and that would have been
disastrous.
I have always wondered, "What if" life were not like
Solitaire. What if the game does not turn out
well, you could go back and make a different move and get a
different result? Unfortunately, as in
Solitaire, in life there are no opportunities to try a
different move and get a different outcome. However,
in the Holly family, there is no desire for any "what
ifs." There is nowhere, the Holly Family would make a
different choice, not out of hubris or complacency, but out
of contentment and gratitude.
Tonight, I am grateful to God for my faith, my family, my
friends and I am grateful for Beaumont, for SETMA and for
the forty-three years we have spent in this community.
I would not change anything out of the knowledge that if we
could change one negative experience, it would be at the
expense of all of the good ones, which are overwhelmingly
the nature of five decades. If any change would mean
not having known Beau, Hannah, Holly, Elizabeth, Emma, Kate,
Richard Everett, and Wyatt, then thank you, no." We
will celebrate the life we have known, with the good, the
bad and the ugly.
But what about the future? We don't know; but, we
know the One Who does. Carolyn and I will find a new
way of relating as I will not leave home between 2 and 4 AM
each day. We will have a face-to-face relationship
rather than telephone conversations and quick lunches.
I smile as I think this because for me that will be
wonderful, but for Carolyn ¦well, "sometimes it's hard
being my wife."
We will have more time to spend at our undergraduate
school, Northwestern State University, and at our medical
school, UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine.
We will teach and write and visit. We will read
and write. We will probably go to Lamar University and
study French. I would like to write a novel, or two,
or three. I wonder if each of you will recognize
yourself. "Let not your heart be trouble" as my
memories filters conflict or difficulties and I remember
only our best.
The truth is, Jimmy Steward is not the only one who can
confess, "It's a Wonderful Life."
Carolyn, on August 7, 1965, we both said, "For better or
for worse." It may frighten you a little, but it is
thrilling to me, to say to you, "Now, more than ever, I am
yours, alone, for better or worse." Due to the
benevolence of our God, I know it will all be for "the
better."
To the rest of you, I say, "Thank you for the
memories." We will always truly love you and be
thankful for you. The phrase, "God bless you,' is not
a social custom. It is a fervent prayer for you and
all those you love, that the richest blessings God has in
His storehouse will be yours today and for every day of your
life."
Farewell, dear friends and colleagues. God speed to
you.
James L. Holly, M.D.
CEO, SETMA
|
Index |
-
James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
A difficult heart wrenching task
As I prepare to make the biggest transition I have ever
faced in my life, I am experiencing many "firsts" and
"lasts." Preparing to conclude a 46-year career of
practicing medicine, particularly in the face of having to
sign a five-year non-compete in order to protect the welfare
of hundreds of people I deeply care about, this morning I
face the need to fulfill a requirement of the Texas Medical
Board which is to write a letter to all patients I have seen
in the past two years notifying them of my withdrawal from
practice.
Through my career, I have written many such letters for
others but it is different when I and my career I are the
subjects. Surprisingly, the stress of this task is
not created by the noble, well funded and strong people in
this number, they will be fine. I will miss them, but I
don't worry about them.
The people I worry "for," and I mean "for" and not "about,"
are those who have special needs, or who are difficult to
care for. One of my roles in my practice over the
years has been as a "last resort." When a person had
been dismissed from care by everyone else, I was the "last
resort."
The following is about my first contact with one such
person which started with the addressing of the fact that
this was the end of the road. If they could not "get along
with," or "cooperate with" me, they would have to find
healthcare somewhere else. Not surprisingly, some on
my dearest relationships arose out of this exchange and
challenge.
As I write this, a man comes to mind who is deceased. Just
prior to my seeing him for the first time he was being
dismissed from our practice. Through the years we
became close and I miss him. He had serious health problems
but once you pierced the thin veneer of hostility and anger,
he was a delightful man.
Dozens of faces come to mind as I write this and I
smile. One lady was a whiner. One day, many
years ago, she was in the hospital and began to whine "at
me." I said to her, "if you whine at me once more, I
am going to strangle you in that bed." (O.K., before I
get a thousand letters objecting to this approach, I agree
it was not ideal.). Her response? She stopped
whining and said, "Doctor, can we discuss my
condition?" And, we did.
There are children with disabilities who are difficult to
care for but whom I love. There are many who make me proud
to be a part of a society which cares for and provides for
people who have nothing to give except to give us the
opportunity to love people who frequently are unlovely if
not even unlovable.
I will write the letter, which fortunately is prepared
electronically which means that the tears will not stain the
paper.
Carolyn and I have been blessed. And, I say "Carolyn and
I, "because for many of you the excellence of the care you
have received has been the result of her tireless advocacy for
you for 46 years.
|
Index |
-
Carolyn Holly
This is dearer and more professionally validating & heart warming
than anything you have written so far. And, yes, I merit your
accolades of/to me; I did advocate for your dear people called
patients. We are a good team.
-
Carolyn Holly
Theresa, your words of honor and respect comfort. Thank you for
taking this opportunity to offer words of esteem & encouragement.
The person that you have become, that you are assured that our life, our
influence will live on. You make us proud!n And yes, God only
knows what is in His plan which is our future.
We are available to & for you if you ever have need.
This is a most difficult assault on our person; But no more so than
Calvary on our Lord, who was a perfect man. We are not, but it is
hurtful none-the-less.
Mrs. Holly
-
Ruth Berggren
Dear Dr. Holly
My heart weeps with you for the circumstances of this parting from
your practice, as well as for the loss and sadness you are
experiencing. Last night we heard from Reverend Dr. Kenneth Kemp, a
physician and senior pastor at Antioch Baptist Church. I wish you
could have been there to hear him. He spoke at the conclusion of a
lengthy community meeting held at UT Health in our academic learning
and teaching center.
We had heard about the continued rise of maternal mortality in the US
despite continuing declines in comparable nations. We examined the
disproportionate burden of this morbidity and mortality on black women
and considered its root causes from all angles. We heard about support
and treatment programs from experts on opioid addiction and about Dr
Charlotte Guillory's Honey Child program in Houston churches. (Honey
Child provides health education and wrap around social support for
expectant mothers to decrease rates of infant prematurity and neonatal
mortality.)
Dr. Kemp provided our call to action, noting that losing a wife or a
mother or a daughter to childbirth is a condition of desperate pain ,
but in our nation it is also disparate pain. Offering the example of
how songwriter Thomas Dorsey looked to his faith for divine strength
in the face of desperate loss, Dr Kemp concluded remarks by telling
the story behind the circumstances of this song:
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear, precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
The song was written in the setting of desperate pain. You can read
the story here:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.staugustine.com/article/20141106/LIFESTYLE/311069943%3ftemplate=ampart
I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand," Isaiah 41:13
Dr. Holly-there is so much to be done in the world of ours and you
have so many gifts. I am certain you will find much more light along
your journey.
Your friend,
Ruth
-
Carlos Roberto Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.F.P.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Carolyn as you face this
difficult task. It is hard for me to imagine when that time gets
here for me. May you rejoice in the knowledge that you used your
talents for the benefit of those in need. Their friendship, love
and affection for you will last a lifetime and beyond.
Thank you for your great example.
With much respect and gratitude,
Carlos
Carlos Roberto Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Professor and Chair of Family and Community Medicine
The Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly Distinguished Chair, Patient-Centered
Medical Home
-
Julie McClure - SETMA Nurse Practitioner
I have no idea what you must be feeling. You have accomplished so
much to be proud of and I know God has other plans for you too!
I truly wish you much happiness going forward.
-
Rubén Rangel
Dr. Holly even in your emotional struggles you continue to inspire. I
wish I had but a small measure of your intellect, faith, and
greatness. Because of you, I try to be a better man. Remember all
things will come and end and mostly not by our choice.
You have done wonderful things as a physician. Your patients will
never forget you. I struggled mentally and physically when I was
forced out of my dream job. I know what you are going through.
Time will help heal your wounds, but the hurt will never completely
go away. Your life work will stay with you the rest of your life. It's
okay to cry. We all pray for you and Carolyn. Stay busy and focus on
other things. Remember we have a dinner date in Santa Fe. 😍
-
Bryan Stephenson
I've always admired your openness and honesty about SETMA and the
reflections on your life. It seems like some of this post could be
woven into your farewell letter to those you care for. It was always a
pleasure when you rounded at Baptist, always with a smile and a joke,
all peppy even though it was about 3:30 AM. Best wishes.
-
From the wife of my dearest friend, Ron Fittz. who died over
30 years ago
Larry and Carolyn, So surprised to hear you are "retiring" but hardly
believe that word is in your vocabulary!
It just gives you more time to minister as you have always done
in your life. Our family has been truly blessed many, many
times
In your ministry. (From milkshakes to monetary gifts thru
foreign missionaries.) you will now have the time to double or even
triple these ministries.
"Retirement" has allowed us more time for family-our most precious
ministry. I pray for more blessings for the two of you than ever
before! Love the two of you greatly!
Sherry
-
Gary Voydanoff
Dr. Holly,
I hope you and your family are doing well. I wanted to pass
along my personal contact information below as July 31 is approaching
fast and it will be my last day at NextGen.
You've had an enormous impact on my personal and professional life
these last 18 years at NextGen. You helped build the foundation
of this company in so many ways that it's impossible to list them all.
As God unfolds this mosaic we call life I have no doubt he put you in
my path for a reason. I'm blessed to know you and call you a
friend.
I hope to continue to receive your SETMA updates, I always
enjoy reading them. I pass some of them along to my son who has
just completed year one of his medical school journey. I still
hope that he can meet you some day.
As I move to my next professional challenge I hope that my travels
will bring me to Beaumont. Please stay in touch.
In Christ,
Gary Voydanoff
-
In San Antonio for UT Health 50th Gala
Yesterday, Carolyn and I repeated one of our favorite journeys.
We reversed a trip which we made in August, 1975, when we drove
from San Antonio to Beaumont, Texas. We have always loved
returning to San Antonio. This is where our roots are. Carolyn
commented this morning, "I could move back here."
This morning, I read aloud my November 22, 1968 letter-of-acceptance
to the 1969 entering class. We both marveled that at that time,
with only nine months before we had to move to San Antonio, I had 19
semester hours of science to complete. Carolyn responded, "Only
you!"
Finishing the reading of that letter and as I read the name and saw
the signature of F. C. Pannill, M.D., I smiled. Almost five
years later, the entire graduating class protested his signature not
being on our diplomas. I then showed Carolyn my "my little black
book," which I produced between 1970-1973. It was my attempt to
bring to bear upon patient care "what is known," a process I carried
to its logical conclusion in the design of an electronic medical
record twenty-three years later.
Today, the anticipation of the 50th Gala, feels me with joy. I am
particularly delighted that this celebration will be led by the only
man, William Henrich, M.D., I have known, whom I believe reflects the
character, the elegance, the standards and the nobility of the
founding dean.
Carolyn and I love our school and we are grateful to all of those who
made the Long School Of Medicine what it is today and that lists is
long (no pun intended). We are grateful for all who allowed us
to be part of this history. Thank you; it is not false humility
for us to state that we have always felt unworthy of the opportunity
and the career given to us. Nevertheless, we continue to be
grateful for both, and have worked with diligence and dedication to
repay this debt of gratitude.
We look forward to tomorrow night
God bless you all,
James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
C.E.O. SETMA
-
In anticipation of the Long School Of Medicine and UT Health
San Antonio 50th Gala - From UT Health San Antonio President Dr.
Bill Henrich
Larry,
You and Carolyn are an inspiration to me and to your many friends and
colleagues here. I have told you many times that a
priceless gift I will always treasure is the day our paths crossed.
To see your transformational success in Beaumont created after your
time at our exceptional School of Medicine is a lift to our spirits.
You and Carolyn need to have a celebratory night tomorrow night ---
you both have more than earned it. I hope the evening meets your
expectations.
With great respect,
Bill
-
After Retirement Notice
An awkward situation which arose after the announcement of my
retirement with an employee being treated badly- note from executive
leaders
R. .............your giving her the
money. It is so much a part of your character and your
generosity in situations like this is so common that sometimes I
believe I fail to mention them. I did not want to fall into
complacency and not praise a man when he is deserving of it.
Thank you for defining the spirit that has governed this business for
the last 24 years. The three of us will do our best to follow in
your footsteps and continue your work taking care of patients and
employees alike.
M. Here here I totally agree.
..... was overwhelmed that you sent the money. I have witnessed your
generosity over the years and am always impacted by your
thoughtfulness
J. Couldn't agree more.
-
A worthy reflection at the end of my career by Joe
Bill Holland, MD
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Your-Life-Your-Health/pdfs/Address-to-Freshman-Weekend.pdf
Address to Freshman Weekend
By James L. Holly, MD
Your Life Your Health
The Examiner
March 29, 2007
(Author's Note on March 24, 2007, the University Of Texas
School Of Medicine at San Antonio this author's alma mater
held Freshman Weekend to introduce the class of 2011 to
the School of Medicine. The following is Dr. Holly's address
to this class as the President of the Alumni Association)
I envy you, but it is not your youth that I envy I envy
that you are the inheritors of the experiences and
achievements of the first 40 years of our School of Medicine
and I envy that you have your lifetime to compound that
inheritance. You are the recipients of the legacy and of the
trust estate of two generations of students, alumni, faculty,
administrators and staff of the University Of Texas School Of
Medicine at San Antonio.
Furthermore, you face the challenge and opportunity of a time
when medicine has a greater capacity to change the lives, the
health and the future of those to whom you minister your art
than in any previous generation. You have a virtual tabula
raza upon which to record your contribution to the history of
your college and to the advancement of your profession.
As you consider your opportunity and your obligation, picture
the scene portrayed in Chariots of Fire, when the Master of
Caius (pronounced "Keyes") College, University of Cambridge,
speaking to the Freshman Dinner in 1918, said:
"I take the war list and I run down it. Name after name,
which I cannot
read and which we that are older than you cannot hear without
emotion.
Names which will be only names to you, the new college, but
which to us
summons up face after face, full of honesty, and goodness,
zeal, vigor and
intellectual promise. The flower of a generation, the glory of
England,
and they died for England and all that England stands for and
now, by
tragic necessity, their dreams have become yours.
Let me exhort you, examine yourselves; let each of you
discover where
your chance of greatness lies; for their sakes, for the sake
of your college
and your country. Seize this chance, rejoice in it, and let no
power or
persuasion deter you in your task."
By 2011, you of the new School of Medicine will have laid the
foundation for who you will be as healthcare professionals.
You will have collected the experiences and the memories which
will guide you in your quest for greatness.
Hopefully, you will have learned the skills of collegiality
and collaboration which must supplant the competitiveness
which has brought you this far. It is sage counsel to admonish
you: Seek greatness; not conquest; seek greatness; not
surmounting others. It is in building and in participating on
a healthcare team, and in working for the success of that team
that each of you will have the greatest chance of greatness.
Greatness is not
defined by winning or by wealth; greatness is defined by
honesty, goodness, zeal, vigor and of intellectual promise
fulfilled in service to others.
Hear and remember the words of Dr. Peter Senge of MIT:
"Most of us at one time or another have been part of a great
"team,' a
group of people who functioned together in an extraordinary
way who
trusted one another, who complemented each others' strengths
and
compensated for each others' limitations, who had common goals
that
were larger than individual goals, and who produced
extraordinary
results.
I have met many people who have experienced this sort of
profound
teamwork in sports, or in the performing arts or in
business. Many say
that they have spent much of their life looking for that
experience again.
What they experienced was a learning organization. The team
that
became great didn't start off great it learned how to
produce
extraordinary results."
Recognize and embrace the debt you incur when you accept the
opportunity of membership in the class of 2011 Watch another
scene in your mind as in the movie, Saving Private Ryan, the
title character, tremulously, now in his seventies, approached
the headstone of Captain John Miller who gave his life that
Ryan might live.
In perhaps the most poignant moment in a great film, tears
streamed down his face as Ryan plaintively said to his wife,
"Tell me that I have lived a good life; tell me that I have
been a good man." The sacrifice of others imposed upon Private
Ryan a debt only a noble and honorable life could repay.
Everyone owes such a debt to someone. The circumstances of
that debt may not be as dramatic, but it is just as real.
There are few gifts as great as that of the opportunity to be
a physician. Caring for others has always been a sacred trust.
It is a trust which should cause each person so honored to
tremble with fear that he or she will not have lived worthily
of that honor. It should cause us to examine our lives for
evidence that we have been good stewards of the treasure of
knowledge, skill, experience, and judgment which has been
bequeathed to us by our university, by our professors and by
the public which funded our education.
What nobler calling could one have than the opportunity to
collaborate with others in their quest for health and hope?
The honor of trust and respect given by strangers, who share
their deepest secrets, knowing they will be held sacrosanct,
is a gift which exceeds any pecuniary advantage. The pursuit
of excellence in the care of others is a passion which is
self-motivating.
Passion is the fuel which energizes any noble endeavor. It is
what makes a person get up early in the morning, work hard all
day, and go to bed late at night looking forward to the next
day. It is a cause of great sadness that today's society is so
devoid of true purpose driven passion. Sadly, many only
vicariously experience passion through the eyes and lives of
athletes, movie stars, or musicians. Yet, ultimately,
personally-experienced passion and purpose are what make life
worth living. Those of us who have been allowed the privilege
of being physicians, can and should know the passion of a
noble purpose every day of our lives.
Never has there been a time when a physician's knowledge and
skills could have more positive impact upon the lives and
futures of others. Never has there been a time when the role
of the physician has been more defined by the concept of
"team," in which each participant - doctor, patient, family,
nurse, clerk and others coalesce into a vanguard against
illness and pain.
Now, well into the last half of my career, I do not crumble
by the headstone of one who has given his life for mine, but I
do stand humbly before the cornerstone of my life as a
physician. I stand there grateful to God, to my parents, to my
wife and children, to my University of Texas School of
Medicine at San Antonio, to my professors -- among many, Drs.
Pannill, Taylor, Wesser, Beller, Fuller, Forland, Gold, Sears,
George,
Persellin and Cander -- to medical school class mates who
challenged me with their abilities and drive. Each has
contributed and continues to contribute to the passion and
drive born of the honor of being a physician.
The tale is not yet told as to whether you and I shall have
been faithful to this great honor, but it is a responsibility
which motivates me daily and which must motivate you. To our
university and to all who have contributed to the honor of our
being physicians, we say,
"Thank you."
Today, you begin accumulating a debt of gratitude which can
only be repaid with your excellence in service to all who seek
your medical counsel or care. As the President of the Alumni
Association of the University Of Texas School Of Medicine at
San Antonio, I
welcome you; I applaud you and I admonish you. Under the
leadership of our new Dean and of the faculty, your school
will make you proud it is your responsibility between now
and two thousand eleven and for a life-time afterwards, to
make your school proud. In two thousand eleven, I shall
purpose to return for your commencement and inquire as to how
well you have pursued your chance of greatness.
James L. Holly, MD
President, Alumni Association
University of Texas School of Medicine, San Antonio
CEO, Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP
www.jameslhollymd.com
Wonderful speech spoken from experience, love, and
passion...you passed the torch to these new doctors, and your
imprint will be felt not just in Southeast Texas, but
literally all over the world. Not many folks can say that.
With great pride,
Joe Bill Holland, MD
|
Index |
-
Dana Melancon
I'm not sure if Charles Vessels was able to relay to you an
accurate depiction to my response when he let me know of you
wanting me to be a part of your retirement gala...and I'm
not sure I can fairly do it through text.
But please know that in all of my broadcast career, and
over the hundreds of emcee jobs, judging events, and panels
that I have been asked to be a part of, I teared up a bit
when Charles said the kind things to me from you.
I've been in Southeast Texas all of my life, and there are
a select few individuals that I am in awe of. And you are
certainly in the top 3. You were instrumental in my early
years at Channel 4 in putting us on the map with the first
state of the art radar.
You have the unique ability to possess all of the grandeur
of the biggest of dignitaries, and at the same time, you mix
it up with me in the funniest of ways. I consider that to be
the most valuable trait a man can have.
I hope I'm relating my feelings accurately to you, because
I respect EVERYTHING that you've stood for, and continue to
represent. Even though we haven't talked on a regular basis
like in years past, I've always had a feeling that I could
come to you anytime and be comfortable.
With that said, I so truly respect your friendship Dr.
Holly, and you're right. You can't afford my fee. I mean,
really, who COULD afford all of the awesomeness that I will
bring to your event?
C'mon. If you're looking for a "second rate" emcee, I can
track down Jay Leno's number or Bill Cosby....well, he might
be delayed a bit.
Dr. Holly, If you would grant me a cup of coffee and some
conversation every so often, that's pay enough. I'm truly
honored that you thought of me.
I'm here for anything that you need.
Dana
|
Index |
-
Dr. Peggy Wolfe
Good Morning Dr. Holly
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and Carolyn. I could
see that the two of you have a very special relationship many
only wish they could have. As Ann has already said, you are a
remarkable man with so much wisdom about life and healthcare.
You've done so much and have so much yet to do. I can only
imagine how much you will miss your practice world but I know
you will find a way to impact the lives of many more in the
future.
Thank you for all your references! am planning to
read them very carefully as well as request a copy of the
Fifth Dimension. Thank you as well for your generous
contribution to our graduate program. We are so excited to have
been thought of by you for this honor.....
Peggy L. Wolfe, PhD, RN
Dean and Professor
College of Nursing and Health Professions
McNeese
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Your-Life-Your-Health/northwestern-state-university-commencement-address-2016
-
Jennifer Leger
Hi Dr. Holly,
It was wonderful meting you, Carolyn, Pat and Brandon as well. Thank
you again for the SETMA Foundation's generous gifts to endow a
scholarship for nurse practitioners and for Brandon's education. Your
thoughts on the gift of giving and the discipline of giving resonated
with me and will stick with me throughout my career and life.
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Leger ('06, '13)
Planned Giving and Donor Research Specialist
McNeese University Advancement
Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609
-
Virginia Ann Warner
Good Morning, Dr. Holly --
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and your wife Friday and want to
again thank you for establishing the scholarship for our students.
Nurses are fortunate that they can work while in school, but it is
difficult for them to negotiate employment, family, and school
responsibilities at the same time. Dr. Dilks and I plan to award the
scholarship to a Texas student who has progressed to the clinical part
of their education because clinical education responsibilities make
employment more difficult during that portion of their education.
I am awed by all that you have done in your life and think your NSULA
commencement speech reinforces many of the values you shared with us
at lunch. The NSULA students were lucky to have heard it. As you
were talking at lunch I thought of several examples of how McNeese
students and faculty give back to McNeese as well. It is amazing that
seemingly small contributions can grow so much over time.
I have ordered The Fifth Dimension for some semester break
reading. Systems thinking is important for health care providers at
all levels to understand.
Again, thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Ann Warner
Ann Warner, PhD, RN. CNE
Professor and CoCoordinator
Graduate Nursing Program
McNeese State University
550 East Sale Road
Lake Charles, LA 70609
-
Reverend John Davis
Do you recall that day many years ago back in your office
on 10th street which I asked for us to become "blood
brothers" (by having our fingers pricked and touching blood
to blood)? Shortly before this I had for the first
time began genuinely to miss that I would never have "a real
brother." You smiled at my request, saying we already
were brothers. While I am grateful to God for the
privilege to live long enough and well enough to develop
some wonderful friendships, there is for me a profound sense
in which you are in a category of one. I treasure
that; you are SPECIAL.
November 4 is arriving this Sunday. What a SPECIAL
weekly day (Sunday) for you to become 75! Genesis 12:4
allows us to know that Abram's great faith journey began at
this age. I write this because I believe God is
offering the same thing to you ... a new beginning ... one
that will prove to be SPECIAL indeed.
The moment I learned in an email from you that there was to
be a "divorce" between SETMA and you I began special prayers
for you concerning this. As the founder and chief
human "father" of SETMA, your soul is intertwined with
it. I imagine that this "divorce" is even more like
"death" for Carolyn and you. I say this in terms of
feelings. How could you not feel under-appreciated ...
rejected ... unloved by people whom you have received,
promoted and helped to prosper?
I believe, as you do, that God superintends. He did
not cause this, but He has allowed it. AND He
definitely know how to use it for good! I promise you
He would not have allowed this door to close without
planning in His time and His ways to open a larger door for
you. SPECIAL! To use the example of standing on
a ladder, one where the step you have been on is giving way,
God smiles and says "come up higher, My son"!
I believe God has both MORE and BETTER for you.
SPECIAL!
|
Index |
-
History of Concert Grand Piano and Naming for Sara and Hugh
Thompson
Dr. Holly:
Thank you so much for sharing your comments about your personal
musical 'journey' and your role in helping Lamar acquire our new Sara
and Hugh Thompson Steinway grand piano. I felt especially
privileged to be invited to the luncheon yesterday which brought
together the primary parties involved in that project.
It has been a joy and a privilege to have gotten to know your
personality as well as your professional expertise in my regular
visits to SETMA. It was especially enjoyable yesterday to hear
you share your story with the other guests. The Lamar community has
benefited greatly from your generosity, but not as much as our region
has benefited from the gift you have given the Golden Triangle in the
form of SETMA. It has been rewarding to watch its birth and
growth under your stewardship. Both Pat and I have marveled at
your important achievements over the years, improving the lives of so
many Southeast Texans.
Our very best wishes to you and Carolyn in your future endeavors!
Bob (and Pat) Culbertson
Robert M. Culbertson, Jr., DMA
Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music
Lamar University
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Letters/dedication-of-the-sara-and-hugh-thompson-steinway-grand-piano
-
Martha-Marti Rollo Leonard
This note is from the daughter (Martha-Marti Rollo Leonard) of one of
my mother's dearest friends. Carolyn and I taught her at
church when she in high school. This was before Carolyn and
I ever dated. Her note is very perceptive.
She mentions Dr Robert Sills who was our physician for many
years. He and his wife were two of my parents' dearest
friends. Dr Sills was my ideal of a physician.
One weekend in 1974, I covered the ER at Natchitoches Parish
Hospital. At one point a car accident was brought in with 7
victims. As I began triaging them, Dr Sills came into the ER. I
was relieved, help had arrived.
To my surprise, he stood by the desk and watched. I passed the
test successfully dealing with all of the patients with no help.
When Dr Sills died, Mrs Jo Sills asked me to memorialize him.
It was a joy, a pleasure and an honor.
To be compared to Robert Sills by Martha is a great honor.
The Note
Larry, I read your post the day you announced your retirement.
I was surprised and a little sad.
You seem to give so much thru your practice. I am sure many
people are sad with the announcement.
I may be wrong, but feel this was not quite the schedule you planned.
I am positive the next chapter in your and Carolyn's life will be
blessed. I wish at some point I could have been near enough to have
had you as my Physician...
you remind me of Dr. Sills...you gave it your all and more, both in
your practice and in your private life.
I am privileged and honored to have had Carolyn and you as part of my
life at a time I was struggling with just staying alive.
Your entire family has always been a valued part of my family. Bless
you.
- John Vardiman
As I start the week which will conclude with my retirement
from the practice of medicine, I am reviewing many aspects of
the past 46 years. The following is a note dated
February 14, 2013, from Dr. John Vardiman about his experience
with SETMA and me.
2/14/13
I was 66 years old and wanted to practice maybe another 2 or 3
years. I joined SETMA and stayed with them twelve years.
SETMA was a shock. First, I had to master the EMR (which
to my 5 year old grandson would have been literally child's
play) but to me was a major hurdle. My brain and the"
electronic brain" just seemed to have a hard time getting on
the same wave lengthy. But Dr. Holly walked me through it and
walked me through it over and over and finally I began to get
it.
One day, the computer fell out of its track and bounced off
the floor and I thought to myself, "There you ungodly hunk of
ceramic chips; I've finally killed you!" It blinked
green, stuttered, then blinked blue - when I replaced
it in the rack it kept right on working (only a mild
concussion) and I thought myself - "You can't kill them if you
try!!
Well, truth is of course these are fantastic machines (damn
them anyway) and they have helped make SEMTA what it is)
SETMA & Dr Holly are now recognized world wide (yes world
wide) as an authority on EMR!
My first weekend on call at SETMA was cultural shock.
SETMA had about 6 docs then and there over 60 hospital
patients!! I'd been seeing at most 12 patients in a
weekend call; so even with three SETMA doctors on call, I was
seeing 20-30 patient on weekend calls - all of whom were very
sick.
I felt like an intern again. But medicine (always the
jealous mistress) has you dutifully falling into line and
pretty soon that "chore" became the joyful burden - (a burden
only, I think, the physician can appreciate and understand.)
Now, an American primary care doc, if he's going to make a
living, has to see a minimum of 25 patients a day. At
this point in time, in the US, 10,000 people turn 65 years old
every day, so the primary care doc doesn't lack for customers!
Wouldn't it be nice if when you go to HEB to grocery shop and
you're handed your bill of $50 you just hand the clerk $25 and
say, that's what you get today thanks and good bye.
That's the situation today for the American doctor. And
if you don't like it, well you can to Truck Driver School at
Lamar.
It only cost $200,000 and eleven years of education after high
school to get a medical license but it takes a full six months
to get a truck driver license and a truck driver can easily
make as much as the average primary care doctor makes.
I'm sure the hard working third world doctor would laugh at my
pathetic complaining!
Now Dr. Holly and D r. Wilson have created the only
multispecialty clinic in Southeast Texas (something like
herding a bunch of CATS) and made it very successful
. I'm proud to be one of those cats.
Dr. Holly. traveling for years to Boston and working with
Joslin Diabetes Clinic, has had the Joslin Clinic make SETMA
its SE Texas s affiliate -- a truly remarkable feat. The
Joslin Clinic is considered the world's best diabetes care
clinic. What an honor for all of us is SETMA.
SETMA made me a better doctor and a better person. Dr.
Holly has set the bar high for himself and we all have had to
stretch every day to try to hurdle that bar.
SETMA has cared for me as if I were the aged patriarch,
though, through my wife's' three critical illnesses, through
my amputation episode. They have been extremely generous
with me, all the while heaping upon me more respect and esteem
than I deserve.
Thank you, Dr. Holly and SETMA.
|
Index |
- Final Draft of Dr. Holly's
Address on November 29, 2018 at Retirement Dinner
(note added - before I begin, let me say, with the Presidents
of the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio and of
Northwestern State University sitting here, "If I had to
choose between the Distinguished Alumnus Awards both have
given me, and hearing my wife's words, I would choose to have
a wife who could and would say such things about me."
Thankfully, I don't have to make that choice and I say
unashamedly and publicly, "Carolyn, I love you and thank God
for you."
Valedictory is a farewell address on an occasion of "leave
taking," but, what do you say when you stand before people
with whom you have shared life for twenty-four to seventy-five
years? As I look around this room, I see hundreds of
people who are dear to Carolyn and to me and, yet, you are
also representative of many thousands who have contributed to
our lives.
I see the Cowards and the Collins, dear friends and
patients. I see the Stones and I see Lanell, with whose
husband, Mark, I started SETMA. I see the four ladies -
Rebecca, Cheri, Sandra and Conteaka -- who have staffed my
clinic and collaborated in the care of patents. And, I
remember those who preceded them in the practicing of
medicine.
I see my family and close personal friends who have shared the
joys and heartaches of the past 43 years.
It is impossible to name each one, although in the coming
years, many of you will be written about.
The good news is that even though our professional status is
changing, our personal relationships will continue.
I want to thank each one of you for honoring Carolyn and me
with your presence tonight. I am tempted to start naming
you, but that would inevitably overlook many who are important
to our story.
Therefore, I resist the temptation and silently thank God for
each one of you.
As I stand here on the occasion of my "leave taking," I
remember seminal moments
in my life.
- I don't remember the first time I met my mother
and father - I was very young - but my first
memories of them were the same as those I have years after
their deaths. They were wonderful and bigger than
life to me.
- I remember how my life was defined by an experience in
1947 when I was four-years-old. My father borrowed a
wooden boat and we went fishing on Little River in Central
Louisiana. There were four of us and only three
seats, so as the youngest, I sat in the bottom of the
boat.
I did as any four-year-old would do, I rocked
the boat. That would come to be a metaphor
for my life as in the intervening years I have rocked many
boats.
- My academic career
started when I was five-years-old in the first
grade. I couldn't count but my neighbor could, so my
success in the first grade was "borrowed." In the
second grade, when I was six, I discovered that I couldn't
see, and I was introduced to the world of corrective
lenses. My world became larger and clearer.
- When I was ten, I attended 4-H camp at Camp Grant
Walker. I was awarded the outstanding camper only
because I could work harder and longer than anyone
else. This was the second
seminal moment which would define my life.
I learned, you don't have to be very bright, if you are
willing to work hard, and if you are willing to keep up
the hard work over a long period of time.
- At twelve, I started high school, which at that time was
the 8-12 grades. In math class, I had my third
seminal moment. The teacher publicly told
each student what he thought about them. Before the
entire class, he said to me, "Larry, you'll never be a
leader. You'll always do what other people tell you
to do." All of my life, I have worked to lead,
direct and drive progress and development wherever I
worked.
In 2012, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
named me a "Healthcare Change
Agent." Earning that designation required me
"rocking the boat," working harder than anyone, and
setting the pace, the direction and the goals everywhere I
worked.
- As a seventeen-year-old, I started Texas A&M College
in pre-veterinary medicine and experienced my fourth
seminal moment. October 10, 1961. I trusted
Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, this would
define the rest of my life.
Twenty five years later, in 1986, I related that history
to a public meeting in Beaumont. A lady in the
audience turned to the young woman sitting next to her and
said, "That's the most disgusting thing I have never
heard." The young woman said, "I
know, that's my Daddy!
- In 1962, at eighteen and a sophomore at Northwestern
State College, I saw the "girl" who would change my
life. Over the next several months we became good
friends.
That "girl," Carolyn Ann Bellue Holly, sits here tonight
as my wife of nearly fifty-four years.
- At twenty, I spent the summer in Kenya, East Africa and
in October, 1964 spoke to 2,000 students at the Baptist
Student Union Convention. I addressed civil rights
and racial prejudice. My message was not well
received.
In May 1965, Carolyn and I graduated from NSU and in August,
we married and started the adventure which would lead us to
this evening.
Just saying these words brings a
smile to my face and joy to my heart. Through the
years, upon occasion, Carolyn would say, "Sometimes it's not
easy being your wife;" to which I would respond, "Sometimes
it's not easy being me."
Other than my experience of personal salvation, our marriage
is the most important, significant and rewarding experience of
my life. It is without exaggeration for me to say that
it has been Carolyn's influence which has changed a relatively
undisciplined and frivolous young man into what he is today.
Northwestern State College, where we met and fell in love, to
this day, is an important part of our lives.
While a graduate student at Baylor, Carolyn and I decided to
go to Medical School. At that time, it never occurred to
me that we would not be successful, but looking back now, I
realize how improbable even acceptance to medical school could
be.
We graduated in 1973, having had both of our children in those
four years. UT Health San Antonio Long School of
Medicine remains a central place in our lives.
It may sound strange to some for me to say that "we"
graduated, but we did it together. Carolyn sat on a
stool and read late at night when I was dissecting a
cadaver. She worked and made our home while "we" went to
school.
In 1975, we moved to Beaumont. Invited
to join the Beaumont Country Club, we asked if African
Americans and Jews could join. We were told that no
one had ever asked that. We responded, "We're
asking."
After twenty-two years in solo practice, Drs. Wilson, Finley
and I founded Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP.
Over the next twenty-three years - August 1, 1995 to November
29, 2018 -- through thick and thin, we built a premier
multi-specialty medical practice and helped lead the
transformation of healthcare in America.
Like other innovators and transformers, we pioneered
electronic medical records, the application of analytics to
healthcare and the adoption of the patient-centered medical
home model of care. We developed and built electronic
solutions to the most complex healthcare challenges.
As a result, SETMA has been presented multiple citations for
excellence in healthcare delivery. SETMA remains the
only practice in America which simultaneously held
accreditation for Ambulatory Care and Patient-Centered Medical
Home by all four organizations which offer such accreditation.
With EMR and electronic patient management, SETMA has taken
care of the most vulnerable patients and through the SETMA
Foundation has supported the care of our patients who could
not otherwise obtain care. Tonight my hope is that these
needy and noble people will continue to find excellent care in
coming years.
In the past nearly forty-six years, people have come and
gone. My mind races across the years remembering the
people whom I have cared for and truly loved, and who are not
with us tonight. Each one has enriched our lives and we
are grateful for them.
No matter the difficulties which
have brought us to our present circumstances, nothing can
rob us of the memories, experiences, joy and triumphs of
these years.
And, nothing should rob us of a grateful spirit for the
years the partners and staff of SETMA have given me the
opportunity to create a laboratory of excellence in
healthcare delivery.
Through difficult times over the past three years, SETMA
partners and staff have kept faith with those who have
entrusted us with their health.
And, through the compassionate spirit evidenced by the SETMA
Foundation. through lean times, the partners and staff
continued to support generously the needs of this community,
often in the face of their own unmet needs.
I, as you, have often played the "what if" game. "What
if," this had changed, or, "what if" that had changed.
"What if" I had stayed at Texas A&M; I would not have met
Carolyn - that would have been a tragedy. "What if" we
had moved somewhere other than Beaumont, our children would
not have met their spouses, and that would have been a
tragedy. We would not have the eight remarkable young
people we call "grandchildren" - and they are "grand" - and
that would have been disastrous.
"What if" life were not like Solitaire. What if,
if the game does not turn out well, you could go back and make
a different move and get a different result?
Unfortunately, as in Solitaire, in life there are no
opportunities to try a different course and get a different
outcome.
In the Holly family, there is no desire for any "what
ifs." There is no change the Holly Family would make a
different choice, not out of hubris, or complacency, but out
of contentment and gratitude.
Tonight, we are grateful to God for our faith, our family, our
friends. We are grateful for Beaumont, for SETMA and for
the forty-three years we have spent in this community. I
would not change anything out of the knowledge that if we
could change one negative experience, it would be at the
expense of all of the good ones, which are overwhelmingly the
nature of our last five decades.
If any change would mean not having known Beau, Hannah, Holly,
Elizabeth, Emma, Kate, Richard Everett, and Wyatt, then,
"Thank you, no." We will
celebrate the life we have known, with the good, the bad and
the ugly.
But what about the future? We don't know; but, we know
the One Who knows.
Carolyn and I will find a new way of relating as I will not
leave home between 2 and 4 AM each day. We will have a
face-to-face relationship rather than telephone conversations
and quick lunches.
I smile as I think this because for me that will be wonderful,
but for Carolyn...well, "sometimes it's hard being my
wife."
Carolyn and I have been blessed. And, I say "Carolyn and
I, "because for many of you the excellence of the care you
have received has been the result of her tireless advocacy for
you for 43 years.
We will have more time to spend at Northwestern State, and UT
Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine. We will
teach and visit. We will read and write. I
will probably go to Lamar University and renew by study of
French which was suspended 55 years ago.
I would like to write a book or a novel, or two, or
three. Each of the previous comments in this address
have a story behind them. I would like to tell those
stories partially to help others learn how to tell their
stories.
I wonder if you will recognize yourself in my stories.
Surely the statutes of limitation have run on most of
them. But you are safe as my memories filter conflict or
difficulties, and I remember only the best.
Jimmy Steward is not the only one who can confess, "It's a
Wonderful Life."
Carolyn, on August 7, 1965,
we both said, "For better or for worse." It may frighten
you a little, but it is thrilling to me, to say to you, "Now, more than ever, I am yours,
alone, for better or worse." Due to the
benevolence of our God, I know it will all be for "the
better."
To the rest of you, I say, "Thank you for the memories."
We will always truly love you and be thankful for you.
The phrase, "God bless you,' is not a social custom. It
is a fervent prayer for you and for all those you love.
It is a prayer that the richest blessings God has in His
storehouse will be yours today and for every day of your
life."
Farewell, dear friends and colleagues. God speed to
you.
Together we continue our journey. In different
circumstances for sure, we continue our journey, but it
certainly will be together.
James L. Holly, M.D.
CEO, SETMA
|
Index |
- 11.27.2018 Note from J. Parker
Dr. Holly, I know it's tough to have "retirement" looming because
it's not on your terms. Despite that, I know that you will seize the
opportunity to redefine your plans and that there are great times
ahead for you and Carolyn.
It's a privilege to work with you and to have been along for the ride
with SETMA. Hope you realize your worth and how appreciated you are,
See you Thursday, Jane
- Carolyn Ann Bellue Holly Retirement Celebration Address November
29, 2018
Alert Alert Alert!
It's the WIFE!
And as it should be, the dynamics in business associations are similar
to marriage. You don't always agree; you don't always like each other,
but you work hard toward a common good.
So as the wife, I have not been a casual observer.
That being said, tonight this has been a worthy tribute!
From my standing, I have seen the good, the bad, and now, the ugly.
Any married couple here this evening would not try to portray their
marriage, any marriage, as all roses & chocolates. Who would believe
that?
So with all the beautiful accolades of this evening and recent days from
around the world , and, I re-iterate worthy praise, has poured in; I
would not insult integrity by portraying that all has been rosy.
It has not been. There have been heart-wrenching obstacles of natural
disasters, legal disasters, betrayal, crippling government regulation,
personal disasters, death of a founding partner to cancer, to name a
few.
But I have noted and commended your unity of purpose and determination.
I was impressed and proud of you as you walked together through the
matter-at-hand. And many times at crippling expense. You went w/o your
own salaries in order to care for your employees and continued to work
for the good of your patients. You carried on, undaunted in purpose.
That being said, I would like to give a few thoughts tonight on the "F"
word!!
Bet that gets your attention!!.!!
The single most asked question of me as we have travelled around the
speaking circuit of healthcare policy, medical home and informatics in
management of healthcare, has been, "How do you keep up with him!"
My reply, "I don't!"
There is a phrase we have heard: "He's a force to be reckoned with.""
So the "f" word is force!
The definition is: a push or pull upon an object. Whenever there is an
interaction between two objects there is a force upon each of the
objects. Forces only exist as a result of an interaction.
Let's think a moment about that word. There is force for good,
force of nature, evil force, like hate, jealousy, greed, love of money
which Scripture tells us is the root of all evil. And we all know
too well the destructive force of a hurricane and of water.
There is a force for good like friendship, brotherly love, the
redemptive force, the creative force... You get the idea. This is not an
exhaustive rendering.
There are external forces and internal forces. It
is an external force that brings us to tonight.
This was not of our choosing. I have my understanding of the forces at
play that brought us here, tonight. You can have your own.
- So what is the driving force of a man who rises to make rounds at
2:30 in the morning?
- What is the force of the man who will take a 350+ page book and
read it in a week-end and condense it to a software template to
better facilitate management of a patient's care and to be better
reimbursed for that care?
- What is the force behind the man who reduces his own salary by 60%
in order to care for employees and partners, potentially risking the
financial stability of his own family for others?
- What is the force of a man when gifted $200,000 by a wealthy
businessman whom he met around SETMA-related affairs, refused to
take the money for his personal enrichment, but insisted it be put
in coffers of all partners? He never wanted any hint of impropriety.
That is a rare man!
- What is the force of the man
who comes up with the mantra for SETMA: "Healthcare where your
health is our only care."
I used to tell everyone, "if you are a patient you want him as your
advocate. Because I have seen him not care about who he offended in
order to get what was needed for the patient.
That is the force of a man who is not self-serving. That's the force
of a man who looks to the needs & cares of others to his own
hurt.
The Psalmists says of the righteous man: "He swears to his own hurt
and changes not." Once he's made the commitment, he stands by it, no
matter his bottom line.
That's the force behind this man.
It is the force of integrity, commitment, fidelity, passion, a clear
conscience.
That is the force from within; that is the force of character. That is a
man you can trust & follow, who seeks for the good of others.
That is why I declare this is a meritorious tribute.
From where I stand before you tonight, I have walked through every step
of this. I know of what I speak.
The Bible says that our lives are "an epistle written and read of all
men. Written not with ink on tables of stone, but by the spirit on
fleshly tables of the heart."
So, Larry, tonight you have heard some of the readings of your life as
told by others. (Ref. Old television show, "This is your life!" This is
your life as read & told by others.
We live in the day where story telling is encouraged. I would dare to
say every person in this room is a story of our life.
Larry, without doubt, the epistle of your life, your story will live on
and impact others for good.
So I say to all of you, people are reading your life. Words are cheap,
saying the right things are not the epistle of one's life. It is the
living, the deeds done.
Winston Churchill said it best:
"You make a living by what you get;
You make a life by what you give."
This man gave you his all.
So with the force of our internal character, we will reckon with this
forced retirement, just as we have lived our life, with honor,
integrity,
So to all of you, I adjure you to choose well because your epistle is
being written and read.
Larry, as your wife, I stand to your honor; I stand in agreement; I
stand in affirmation with all that has been said.
To all of you, May God bless you. And may the force for good,
righteousness and peace be with you.
Larry, the only thing that could make this harder is if you were not at
my side.
I leave you with a quote:
"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But
when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something
very special." Nelson Mandela.
- Responses to Carolyn’s Address at Retirement
Sherry Fittz — Beautiful tribute to you and to Carolyn. We look forward to enjoying the rest of the epistle being written. May God continue to bless the two of you. We will have lunch soon!
Reuben Rangel — Very well said. Carolyn did an outstanding job describing you and your work ethic, when most of us think it but can’t find the words to describe you. Congratulations on your retirement. Dante told me it was a beautiful event. Sorry o couldn’t make it. Jesus is calling my mother home. She woke me up early with her pneumonia cough. She’s asleep now after my attention. God bless you and Carolyn. You all are wonderful.
Janice Hebert — carrie told us what an eloquent speech you gave and how proud she was. I just read it and I must say she was right and I am not surprised ! May God bless you both on the next chapter of life. Love😘
Kelly Darden — Mrs Holly is a lovely eloquent and elegant lady. Her love for you, your children and for SETMA was evident in her speech last night.
Carolyn’s Response to Kelly Darden — We have all walked through good & bad things together, caring for each other. That makes a bond of friendship. Thank you Kelly for sharing our special evening with us.
Sylvia Kerl — That’s one very special lady you have Dr. Holly! Her love for you is apparent to anyone that has ever watched her look at you - this speech put that “look” into words. Beautiful!
Norma Duncan — Nothing to add except I give thanks to you both and love you both. Currently in Mandela country and he and all South Africans would be proud to here you quote him! Laura Duncan says you are also a “force” Carolyn Holly
Math Ramirez — Powerful message provided by Mrs Holly and yourself Dr James L. Holly .. Love you both and wish the Best on your new chapters in your Life!
Brandon Sheehan — I did not dare get the microphone because I did not think I would be able to keep my composure. The one thing I would say from my heart is thank you. Thank you both for so many things. Your leadership , your guidance, your example, your dedication, your generosity, and thanks for all the choices you made that created the leader you are and the friend you have become. I am a better man having known both of you.
Jannette Aaron — Beautiful words to a beautiful soul. You and Carolyn are the “force” inside your family and your family at work So proud to call you both friends!
Carolyn’s response to Jannette — You have great insight! You read our souls accurately.
Alicia Horn Daleo — We are in New York City and I listened yesterday to people discussing your pioneer-ship of Medical Home. I am proud to have worked with you! And Mrs Holly is a gracious lady!
Carolyn’s Response to Alicia — We value you, Alicia. You bring credit & value to us & healthcare.
Pat McNeel — Know your proud of your wife, so thankful we got to know you, you were our great doctor, ya'll enjoy your your time together now, God Bless.
Willie Dell Weaver Boswell — A beautiful and eloquent speech from her heart. I’ve personally never met another doctor more caring and committed than you. I will continue to pray for God to direct your path forward.
Charles Daleo — It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of the SETMA family.
Laura Forester— I was stunned at how thoughtful and well written it was as well as how well spoken she was! I thought you had amazing talent with your writing and speaking, but I think she may have even surpassed you in my mind! The way you both honored each other made me proud to know you both and proud that your marriage represents your faith so very well. Unbelievably well done, Mrs Holly!!
Dr Holly — Laura Scott Forester I agree
Mary Lee — Beautiful words. Best wishes to you both! XX
Elizabeth Key — Carolyn, well said! Excellent speech!
Judy South — That was so beautiful. I don’t know what you two are going through but I do know our God is walking with you and He has a plan. Walk through the fire of trials with Him and you will come out on the other side with Him. What a wonderful celebration last night must have been. I remember well your care of physical and spiritual needs as we served at NEBC and as we walked through some difficult fires and you were there for us. When our son had a serious health issue and with prayer, compassion and leading us to the help he needed he is now a healthy and successful young man. Force and compassion both describe you. Carolyn quoted Winston Churchill and I have another quote from him to you. “Never never never never give up.
May God shower you and Carolyn with His richest blessing
Paula Davis — Very well done, Carolyn...I'll share with John.
Dana Broussard — The love that each of you have for Christ, for each other, for our community and for all of those in need resonated with such passion last night. It is truly an honor to be in both of your presence. The two of you have made the world more kind and beautiful
Kathleen Corley Massey — Whew! That said it all! Well done, Carolyn.
J. W. Bill Phillips — Well written, lovingly delivered. My compliments to Carolyn....and to you, Larry.
Chris Maggio — It was an amazing evening and such a wonderful tribute to you and your family. Carolyn did a phenomenal job with her heartfelt remarks. Thank you so much for including me in the ceremony. Congratulations!
Peggy Pitman — Well stated!
Brenda Van Dyke
Wow - Well stated. That took courage!
I hope you take this well - I don’t think Nancy Reagan is dead! I always admired her for her strong unwavering commitment to stand with her husband during the good, bad and ugly, no matter the personal cost.
You were brave and courageous to speak the truth. Believe me - those words will resound in the minds of the listeners, for good or bad, for a very long time.
For good, many will continue to say “Amen”, for bad, unrest because of their conscience, which can be a living hell.
Now - go rest high upon that mountain, while you have breath and enjoy ALL that the Lord has for the two of you - and it is good!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey, prayer wise.
Remember: God has you in the palm of His Almighty Hand. This is only the beginning of a very exciting and rewarding new journey for you two.
Love you my dear friend.
Kathy Moore
Well I just read your speech from last night!! All I can say is this... the Force was with you!!
Beautiful words you shared and I totally can hear you as I read them!
As much as your beloved was honored and pleased, your Father was honored and pleased!
❤️❤️❤️❤️..... Kathy
Great quote at the end! Mandela surely knew of a Larry Holly!! Surely he did! 😉
Joanne Brown
Thanks for last night – see my note on the back
Dr. and Mrs. Holly,
I have had dinner with Laura and George Bush, Anita and Rick Perry, had dinner at the White House with the Bushes, had a mass in Pope John Paul II’s private home chapel, followed by breakfast, has a private meeting with only us and Tom Harkin and Robert Shuler…Nothing compares to the speeches the two of you gave last night and the love you shared with me by inviting me.
Beverly Burchett
The lioness roared over Beaumont tonight! Your eloquence pleased our ears, your regality blessed our eyes, your dignity pierced the atmosphere--sprinkled with grace and honor..tonight you were a "force"! It has always been our honor to walk by your side, and you can count on us always. We love you both. I will give Charles your message in the morning.❤️
Richard Smith
Very well said Mrs. Holly. I could not make it to the event, but I will say this, Dr. Holly was like a big brother to me ! He treated me like a friend, more like a family member. The man went very far in helping me. We were so close we even had a couple of " tiffs" but would hug each other before my departure from his office. I do love him like a brother and will miss him immensely! As for you Mrs. Holly you were also so kind to me. I pray that I will see y'all again.
I must say this also, I was treated very well by all at SETMA
Mrs Faisal Anwar (wife of Syed Anwar, MD, SETMA Partner)
Dear Dr. And Mrs Holly,
Thank you so much for making us a part of your evening celebrating Dr. Holly, his life, his work and his accomplishments.
Mrs Holly you looked beautiful and were elegant and eloquent on the stage but I wish I could have done something to take away the pain that I could hear in your speech and your voice.
Dr. Holly, you are a true icon for health care. Everything that was said in your honor was a true testament to your character. I know that SETMA and the health care industry will not be the same without you, but the legacy that you have created will live on forever.
I wish you both nothing but the best.
With love,
Mrs Faisal Anwar (wife of Syed Anwar, MD, SETMA Partner)
Dr. Holly - Retirement – December 8, 2018
It has been nine days since our retirement dinner and it is twenty-three days before my retirement is finalized. I have had a lifetime habit of processing things by writing. I have continued doing that for the past four months.
Over the past several days, I have been surprised by an overwhelming feeling of joy and of positive expectations. These feelings do not yet have a great deal of substance except in one case.
I always have loved and enjoyed my wife and her company, but since and during medical school, I have been driven by medicine. Her tolerance of my obsession is legendary but now she is the full time object of my attention. I love it and I love her.
I find that I am more relaxed and patient. I have almost an irrational optimism about the future, not because it is delusional, but because it is not subject to attack by events. I have a joy which seems irrepressible. I have a joy which seems to bubble up and to overcome events.
And, with a spirit which filters out the negative, my joy seems unfathomable. Slowly my relaxation is filled with peace rather than ideas about my next project, paper or innovation. And, my heart — my emotion — is comfortable with that.
This also allows me to be thankful for the past 46 years without disturbance from recent events
It will be interesting to see how this progresses.
Invocation by Reverend Charles Burchett at Retirement Dinner
We have gathered here this evening to honor and express our appreciation for Dr. James L. Holly and his wife, Carolyn. As I begin this time of honor and appreciation with prayer, I know that one of the best ways to honor the Holly’s is to honor their God, so I invite each of you to join with me now as I do that.
Heavenly Father, by Your loving and merciful revelation to us, we know that You are Jehovah Elohim. It is with great joy, in the presence of these witnesses, that I praise You for being the only One true God. There is no God but You, Jehovah Elohim, and Jesus is Your only begotten Son, THE Creator and Sustainer, THE Redeemer and King of all that was, is, or will be.
I join with my long-time friends, I join with Larry and Carolyn in thanking You, Jesus, for being Lord and Master over, Friend and Brother to, and Savior and King for us, for many others here, and for millions of people around the world.
Spirit of the Living God-Man and Messiah I thank You for teaching Your Word for decades to and through Larry and Carolyn so that hundreds of men, women, and children have come to know You and know You more.
Holy Spirit, I thank You for building the virtue and character of the Lord Jesus Christ into Larry and Carolyn so they could demonstrate and display His virtue and character to their family, friends, neighbors, patients, co-laborers, and even to strangers.
And, Spirit of Truth and Holiness, during this time of transition, which surely includes some uncertainty, I thank You for being their encouraging and strengthening Comforter. As you number their days and order their steps, I ask You to give them many more opportunities to see hundreds more come to know You and know You more.
Father, I also want pray for all who have come to honor and bless Larry and Carolyn tonight, and for all the partners and staff of the South East Texas Medical Associates. So in their behalf I lift up to You the words of King David, a man after Your own heart:
Heavenly Father, I ask You to give them grace so that they will personally choose to worship You with reverence, rejoice before You with trembling, and so that they, with love and honor, will bow their lives in submission to Your Son, Jesus, and faithfully take refuge in Him as Lord and Savior everyday. {Psalm 2:11-12}
One more thing, Father, as Mr. Melancon administrates the rest of this evening, I ask You to bless him with wisdom from above that helps him continue to help us give honor and express our appreciation to the Holly’s.
In behalf of all of us I thank You, Lord God, for blessing us with the unconditional love and faithful friendship of Dr. and Mrs. Holly. In the glorious Name of Jesus, the Lord God Almighty, Amen!
Response to retirement Party Holly/Henrich
My note to the President of UT Health San Antonio
I am sorry that I did not get to bid you good-bye. I think we got you away on time; I hope so.
I cannot tell you how significant your presence was last night. I can only imagine the time, energy and resources your attendance required. It was a statement to my family, my community and my colleagues.
You will allow me to applaud Carolyn. Her eloquence and sentiments were to me a crowning achievement of my life. I have always wanted to be my wife’s hero. Last night I felt that I was.
Dr Henrich, your gifts and presentation were wonderful. I was so glad that you had come to respect and admire Dr Pannill. Your analysis of the early years and of Dr Pannill’s career are greatly appreciated. I look forward to having a transcript of your entire address.
Your charming and winsome banter are endearing. You are truly a great communicator. I am proud to be your friend .
The way you wove my experience with the Chancellor and the UT Regents was one of the cleverest things I have ever heard. Thank you for your kind remarks. I shall always be grateful for you being here
I will send you a copy of the video soon
Sincerely
James L. Holly, M.D.
From Dr Henrich President UY Health San Antonio
Larry,
A beautiful and wonderful evening. We were so lucky to be there. Carolyn’s talk was so compelling and warm and truthful and a tribute to you and your marriage.
I loved what you had to say — beautifully articulated.
I’m still processing everything, but it was so memorable and lovely.
Larry you are a exemplary person and physician. It is a privilege of my life to be your friend and colleague. I look forward to you and Carolyn coming over to see us often. Bill
Ps. Mary and everyone else on our trip loved the evening!
Retirement Celebration From UT Health San Antonio President Bill Henrich
Richmond,
It was a delightful and warm evening, and we were privileged to be there. Your Dad holds a special place in my heart. His alma mater loves him. And the remarks by your Mom and Dad were heartfelt and moving.
Thank you for including us. It was wonderful that we could come.
My best wishes to you and your family for a peaceful and happy Holiday season.
Warm regards, Bill
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 1, 2018, at 2:20 PM, Richmond Holly wrote:
Dr. Henrich,
I just wanted to tell you thank you for taking the time and making the effort to attend. Your comments were delightful. I have heard the story many times of Dr. Pannill from dad. However, to hear it from someone who researched history to educate themselves on the facts opposed to living the events, it gave me a different perspective and made me realize how truly unique my father is.
Also, I loved the Dumbledore quote.
Thank you,
Richmond E. Holly
- Mrs. Kris Doyle’s watercolors lord and our gift
Carolyn and I were thrilled to receive an original of this watercolor from the President of UT Health at our retirement dinner. Below it is the story of the painting
This magnificent watercolor of the renamed Joe R. And Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio was executed by Mrs Kris Doyle.
The following link is to a letter to the Longs after the renaming ceremony. The letter identifies Mrs Kris Doyle as the painter of the magnificent watercolor of the renamed school.
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Letters/joe-r-and-teresa-lozano-long-school-of-medicine
This is the letter I wrote to Mrs Doyle about her work.
From: James L. Holly
Sent: February 17, 2017 10:27 AM
To: Doyle, Kristine
Subject: watercolor
Ms. Doyle:
Attached is a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Long, which I have placed in the mail today. I wanted to tell you how wonderful your watercolor is. My wife and I have enjoyed fine art all of our lives and particularly enjoy watercolors.
Your conceptualization and execution of the renaming of the Medical School is brilliant and excellent.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Larry Holly
From: Morrill, Deborah
Vice President, Chief Development Officer,
U T Health San Antonio
Thank you so much, Dr. Holly, for this thoughtful recognition of Kris. Her dedication is inspiring, and Mr. and Mrs. Long love the painting and have it proudly displayed in a prominent place in their home. Kris has been a blessing to our university in so many ways, but this contribution of her talents was truly extraordinary! It added a beautiful dimension to the Long Naming Celebration that really touched Mr. and Mrs. Long and all of us and meant a great deal to me as well.
Sincerely, Debbie
On Oct 1, 2018, at 8:12 AM, James L. Holly
Your work is excellent. I never tire of it. By the way, I am a 49 year veteran of UT Health. James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
On Oct 1, 2018, at 8:08 AM, Doyle, Kristine M
Thank you for your kind words. It was my honor to create this painting to celebrate our Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and UT Health San Antonio. As a 41 year veteran of UT Health San Antonio, I have seen phenomenal growth and advancing sciences that have propelled our
university to greatness. I am proud to be a part of it!
Thank you again, Kris Doyle
Kris Enders Doyle | Senior Director of Marketing
UT Health San Antonio
Office of Institutional Advancement
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- Rebecca Andrews Dr Holly’s Nurse’s Address November 29, 2018
Good afternoon, My name is Rebecca Andrews and I have worked alongside Dr. Holly for the past 10 plus years as his nurse. Throughout all of those years we have built a bond that makes me wish this day was not coming so fast. Many days of memorable moments, laughter and joy. One things for sure there was never a dull moment. If you know Dr. Holly you know just what I mean.
There have been many times when your bossy ways have made us frown and complain, But after the dust settled we've always admired your persistence to push us again and again. As sharing these years with you I have grown and learned allot. You always taught us to work hard, meet deadlines, practice perfection and manage time. Per Dr. Holly it needs to be done Right and Right Now. Lol..
Today we are not saying goodbye to our boss who gave instructions. Today we are saying goodbye to a leader who gave direction and a mentor who gave us inspiration. Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Your contributions to our success are immeasurable. You have contributed immensely to the company's success in so many ways.
It is no gain saying that it will be difficult for anyone to surpass the good examples that you are leaving behind. You have accomplished many challenges as our leader but the biggest challenge of your retired life is about to begin, Finding something challenging to do.
Now all of those selfies that you have taken can fill the pictorial dictionary at the word Worthless. You have always laid all the rules in the office now you will finally be on the other side as your wife lays all the rules at home. The time has come for you to Relax, Entertain, Travel, Indulge, Read and Enjoy. Blessings on your Retirement. You will be missed like a bad tooth ache that I once had... LOL.
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- Retirement Dinner Master of Ceremonies
Content for Master of Ceremony
November 29, 2018
Introduction
We are happy to enjoy the music of Dr. Robert Culbertson and the Lamar University Faculty Quintet. Thank you for your excellent performance
Tonight we are gathered to celebrate the lives and career of Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly.
While your dinner is being served, I am honored to introduce these two remarkable people. Here is what others have said about Carolyn and Larry:
Thank you for joining us for the Retirement Celebration for Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly. I have known the Hollys….
Tonight, we will hear many things about Larry and Carolyn Holly. We start with two quotes from colleagues in the medical community.
From a Beaumont Physician
‘I can think of no one who has had more of an impact on Southeast Texas medicine than Dr. Holly. He has touched many lives, directly and indirectly...and that includes a former young medical student in 1978. When God welcomes Larry and Carolyn into his permanent kingdom, he will most surely say, ‘Well done, my son, well done indeed’. I can only echo that Larry. Congratulations my dear friend!”
Upon the endowment of the Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly Distinguished Chair in Patient-Centered Medical Home at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Mr. Ted Carpenter, Former President of Universal American Medicare Advantage Program, wrote:
“Our organization works with thousands of physicians across the United States. Further, we collaborate with dozens of physician leaders who dedicate themselves to organizing outstanding patient care by seeking new and innovative ways to improve the entire patient care process. We are very fortunate to work with some of the very best physician leaders in the country.
“That said, Dr. Holly is in a league by himself. His energy, passion, and unrelenting commitment to improving quality of care is without equal in my experience. He drives positive change within his practice and community, implements value-added technology to improve clinical outcomes, reads and write prolifically regarding clinical and public health issues and generously shares what he has learned with all interested parties across the United States.
“Under Dr. Holly’s leadership, SETMA has been honored countless times for their innovation, technology and services to the community. By far, however, their greatest accomplishments is the care and quality that each SETMA patient receives. They are the real beneficiaries of this extraordinary physician practice.”
Introduction of Carolyn and Larry’s dear friend who is pastor of First Baptist Church, Kirbyville.
At this time, Reverend Charles Burchett, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Kirbyville, Texas, will lead our innovation and blessing of the evening and the meal. Reverend Burchett and his wife Beverly have been dear friends with the Holly’s for 45 years.
At 7:30 start the evening – invite everyone to continue eating.
First speaker – 3 minutes
Rebecca Andrew
In 43 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Holly has principally worked with three nurses. Mrs. Patsy Bobo, Mrs. Kay McIlrath and Mrs. Rebecca Andrews. All three are with us tonight.
From 2007 to 2018 Mrs. Andrews has been Dr. Holly’s partner in healthcare. There is no place where the partnership of team work between nurses, healthcare providers and staff have been more critical to success.
Mrs. Andrew will share her experiences with Dr. and Mrs. Holly,
Second Speaker – 5 minutes
Dr. Chris Maggio
Carolyn and Larry met in 1962 as sophomores at Northwestern State College now University.
Larry was 18 and Carolyn was 19 years old. They graduated in 1965.
NSU President, Dr. Chris Maggio is with us tonight.
Also, from NSU is Mrs. Jill Bankson, Associate Director of Development
Dr. Maggio will share with us his memories of Dr. and Mrs. Holly
Third Speaker – 10 – 15 minutes
Our next speaker is Dr. Bill Henrich is the former Dean of the UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine and for the past 9 years has been President of the Health Science Center.
Those accompanying Dr. Henrich from UT Health San Antonio and the Long School of Medicine are:
Mrs. Deborah Morrill, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
& Chief Development Officer
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hromas, Dean, Long School of Medicine UT Health San Antonio
Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Jaen, Chairman of Family and Community Health, Long School of Medicine, and holder of the Dr. and Mrs. James L. Holly Distinguished Chair in Patient-Centered Medical Home
Dr. Ruth Berggren, Director of the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio
Mr. Patrick O’Hara, Senior Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Mr. Steven Reese, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Office of Institutional Advancement
Professionally and personally Dr. and Mrs. Henrich have been among the most influential contributors to the career of Larry and Carolyn.
Dr. Henrich will share with us his experience with Dr. and Mrs. Holly
Fourth Speaker – Mrs. Holly 5 minutes –
Dr. Holly and Mrs. Holly have shared the last 54 years together and they were close friends for the three years before that. Carolyn and Larry were married four years before starting medical school and it is fair to say that they “went to medical school together,”
It is equally true to say that their 43 years of the practice of medicine in Southeast Texas has been together.
Dr. Holly will be the first to tell you that Mrs. Holly is an excellent diagnostician. If you question that judgement, ask her who it was that diagnosed Dr. Holly when he contracted West Nile Virus in 2006.
Mrs. Holly, we are eager to hear your comments tonight
Fifth Speaker – Dr. Holly 20 minutes
Dr. Holly’s career has spanned 43 years in Beaumont and a total of 46 years. Tonight he and Mrs. Holly officially bid farewell to Southeast Texas Medical Associates which itself will soon have a new owner.
Dr. Holly will share his reflections upon 75 years of life, almost 54 of them married to Carolyn and the last 23 plus years at the helm of SETMA.
At the end of Dr. Holly’s address, Dr. Henrich will need to depart for San Antonio. Please do not leave at that time as the program will continue.
Closing – Invitation to public comment
As the Founder and CEO of SETMA from 1995 to 2018, Dr. Holly, with the able collaboration of Mrs. Holly, the Hollys have led, nurtured and befriended many of you.
In this final part of this celebration, any of you who wishes are invited to take one of the microphones and briefly express your response to the career and lives of Dr. and Mrs. Holly
If you would wish to comment just raise your hand or stand and a microphone will be brought to you.
When there are no more comments or at 9:30 – thank people for coming and bid them good night. If you choose you can invite a round of applause for Carolyn and Larry
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-
Deborah. Morrill
Dr. Holly,
My apologies for a slow response....I really enjoyed being with you and Mrs. Holly.....she is a remarkable speaker, and both of you made it such a special evening for everyone! We would not have missed it! What you have achieved in your lifetime, to now, is inspiring, and I know the window God will open for the next chapter will be a great blessing to you and all of us who love you.
You are so generous and kind. We truly love you and are so grateful for everything you and Carolyn have done for the Long School of Medicine and each of us.....and so many others!
Sincerely,
Debbie
- Mrs Faisal Anwar (wife of Syed Anwar, MD, SETMA Partner)
Dear Dr. And Mrs Holly,
Thank you so much for making us a part of your evening celebrating Dr. Holly, his life, his work and his accomplishments.
Mrs Holly you looked beautiful and were elegant and eloquent on the stage but I wish I could have done something to take away the pain that I could hear in your speech and your voice.
Dr. Holly, you are a true icon for health care. Everything that was said in your honor was a true testament to your character. I know that SETMA and the health care industry will not be the same without you, but the legacy that you have created will live on forever.
I wish you both nothing but the best.
With love,
Mrs Faisal Anwar (wife of Syed Anwar, MD, SETMA Partner)
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- Retirement – December 8, 2018
It has been nine days since our retirement dinner and it is twenty-three days before my retirement is finalized. I have had a lifetime habit of processing things by writing. I have continued doing that for the past four months.
Over the past several days, I have been surprised by an overwhelming feeling of joy and of positive expectations. These feelings do not yet have a great deal of substance except in one case.
I always have loved and enjoyed my wife and her company, but since and during medical school, I have been driven by medicine. Her tolerance of my obsession is legendary but now she is the full time object of my attention. I love it and I love her.
I find that I am more relaxed and patient. I have almost an irrational optimism about the future, not because it is delusional, but because it is not subject to attack by events. I have a joy which seems irrepressible. I have a joy which seems to bubble up and to overcome events.
And, with a spirit which filters out the negative, my joy seems unfathomable. Slowly my relaxation is filled with peace rather than ideas about my next project, paper or innovation. And, my heart — my emotion — is comfortable with that.
This also allows me to be thankful for the past 46 years without disturbance from recent events
It will be interesting to see how this progresses.
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The Citadel and Dr. Henrich’s Address at Retirement Dinner
Today, I listened to the audio file of Dr Henrich’s address at my retirement dinner.
{https://www.dropbox.com/sh/20wl8j4k6498jar/AADq8rZQzlWtIUL5RXfKrPK5a?dl=0&preview=Henridge.mp3). A transcription is being prepared.
I am again struck with the creativity and originality of Dr Henrich’s speech. I am having it transcribed so they the text and the video tape of the evening can be accessed from my website.
In his address, Dr. Henrich referenced A. J. Cronin’s book, The Citadel, published in 1937. In 1938, Robert Donat played the lead role in the movie of the same title. Six years ago, I wrote an article about Patience-Centered Medical Home based on this book and movie. See: http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Your-Life-Your-Health/Citadel-A-1937-Introduction-into-the-Spirit-of-Patient-Centered-Medical-Home. The movie was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor, Movie and Director.
The next year, 1939, Donat was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Good-bye Mr Chips. Movie fans will remember that another actor was nominated for best Actor in 1939: Clark Cable for the role of Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind. And the winner was: Robert Donat. In 1989, a musical version of Good-bye Mr Chips was released. The two versions were equally good.
There are two movies I would encourage every medical school student to see: The Citadel and People will Talk (see http://www.jameslhollymd.com/your-life-your-health/medical-home-series-two-part-i-the-movie).
The following are links to additional information about UT Health and Dr Pannill:
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Letters/pannill-cander-taylor-1972-history-of-heroes
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Letters/ut-health-historical-summary-in-response-to-drs-henrich-and-berggren
- Dr. Holly’s Final Note to SETMA Staff
December 21, 2018
When I arose at 4:30 this morning, I realized that due to circumstances while this is only December 21, 2018, it is the last day that I will have as the Founder and Chief Medical Office of Southeast Texas Medical Associates to send a final note to the organization into which I have poured my life into for the past twenty-three years. Carolyn’s mother is in the hospital following hip replacement due to aseptic necrosis. On the 26th, we will move her to a Skilled Nursing Facility for further rehab before hopefully going back home.
As of the end of the day December 31, 2018, I will no longer be a part of SETMA. My office is empty, everything related to me has been removed from SETMA, and as of the January 1 2019, I will no longer have access to SETMA computers, EMR, or offices. There is nothing unusual about this but it is sobering and to some degree saddening.
Everything that needs to be done has. My new e-mail address will be jholly@Jameslhollymd.com. Since the address www.jameslhollymd.com will soon belong to another, the content which I wrote will be at www.jameslhollymd.com. My cell phone number will be the same and my home number is listed in the phone book.
All required notifications of my retirement have been made and Carolyn and I have enjoyed a retirement dinner which could not have been better. A summary of that evening will be found in the addendum at the end of this note.
Summary
As I leave, I wish to say to each of you and to all of you, I leave with no regrets. We did it right and we did it well. There are some experiences I would rather not have had, but as to those things over which we had control, I would not change anything It is my hope and prayer that all of you will have a future which will be equal to your past, or perhaps even better.
The Core Values Which Built SETMA
SETMA has always been a multispecialty, multicultural, multinational, multiethnic and multi-faith organization. I have always been respectful of this fact and have never allowed SETMA to be used for sectarian purposes. In respect to one group, we have never allowed pork to be served at a SETMA dinner or meeting.
Nevertheless, on May 30m 1996, less than a year after the founding of SETMA, August 1, 1995, I wrote a “personal note” to the staff of SETMA. This same message has been repeated publicly and in a published manner at least five times in the past twenty-three years.
Since that note was from me and it was designated as personal, I cannot think of a better way to end my time with SETMA than to make sure that everyone is keenly aware of who I am and of what I believe. With that intent, please read the following.
Deuteronomy 8 was a favorite passage of our Lord Jesus Christ, as was the entire book of Deuteronomy. In verses 2 and 3, chapter eight addresses the importance of humility on the part of men. Verse 3 declares that that humility will lead men to understand the central place which the Word of God, the Bible, has in the life of the believer. Deuteronomy 8 principally reminds us that it is God Who gives us the power to “get money.” Verses 11-17 state:
“Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.”
Here is the beginning of the corruption of what any man has received, the pride of believing that he achieved it by himself, and in arrogance believing that he deserved it to begin with. Deuteronomy 8 concludes with the solution to this pride, which is humility. It states:
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”
I personally wish to affirm that it is God Who has blessed me and my participation in SETMA, LLP, and to remember that it is “He that gives us power to get wealth.” And, I wish to acknowledge that the purpose of that wealth is that through God’s blessings others might see that living by God’s rules is good.
As I have often told you, this is not a religious organization and you do not have to believe what I have said in order to be a part of this organization. Nevertheless, I do want you to know that the benefits which you are receiving through SETMA, LLP are a product of God’s blessing. I also want you to know that I believe that those benefits and blessings will continue as long as we do not forget the Lord in not keeping His commandments. For SETMA, LLP “keeping His commandments” means:
- Being true to the founding principles which in the corporate documents.
- Being true to our motto of “Health Care Where Your Health is the Only Care.”
- Being true to the associates’ commitment to “doing good while we are doing well.”
- Humbly acknowledging those who have made us successful, that particularly being God.
- Treating everyone with whom we deal, whether colleague, co-worker, client, customer, or company, with dignity, courtesy and kindness.
- Avoiding profanity in both our language and in our “use” of others.
In SETMA, LLP, we have an opportunity to do something really important, which is much more than just making money. We have the opportunity to show Southeast Texas that respect for the dignity of every individual and a desire to do good for others are not inconsistent with prosperity. At strategic moments in this corporation’s life, we have prayed for God’s wisdom and favor. He has abundantly given both, for which we give Him thanks, and publicly acknowledge His grace and mercy.
In a recent letter to the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, I said:
“As a Christian business man, I am very sensitive to maintaining biblical standards in my medical practice. As the managing partner of the largest, private, primary health care group in Southeast Texas, I am careful to make certain that no activity of this partnership violates God’s standards, to the best of my ability. Our corporate documents include prohibitions preventing anyone in this practice from ever performing an abortion, referring a patient for an abortion, or recommending an abortion. We also have prohibitions against beverage alcohol being used in any meeting, gathering, dinner, luncheon, banquet, picnic, or barbecue sponsored by, paid for by or associated with Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP.
“Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP maintains three standards of measuring any decision, all three must be met before we undertake any action. First, we ask the question:
- ‘Is it legal?’ - this involves ethics. If an action is not legal, we need go no further in our evaluation; we will not do it. But, even if an action is legal, we are not yet at the point of decision; we move to the second step of our evaluation, which applies a higher standard. We ask the question,
- ‘Is it right?’ - this involves equity, i.e., is it fair to all parties. However, even if a decision is right, this does not get us to a final decision. Before we decide anything, we go one step further and ask the question,
- ‘Is it righteous,’ - this involves eternity. If it is not righteous, no matter how legal and right an action may be, Christians should not be involved in it.
If an action is not ethical, equitable and eternally acceptable, we do not enter into any business agreement. Thus far, God has blessed our practice beyond our comprehension.”
I pledge to you not to forget from whence our blessing comes. I pledge to you that I personally will continue to seek to conduct myself ethically, equitably and eternally, as I pursue the goals which we have established together. I pledge to you to bring no destruction upon your livelihood by forgetting that it is God Who allows me to be a part of what we are doing, and that it is He Who allows us to succeed.
In conclusion, this is a very personal note. That is why I have signed it personally and not as the CEO of SETMA, LLP. I will never attempt to force my faith upon you. But, I would be negligent, if I did not tell each of you that no matter what you face, no matter who you are, Jesus Christ, God Himself, has the power and desire to give you eternal life, which includes victory over the trials of your life, hope for the future, and joy in all circumstances. Incredibly, all of this is available by the same act to which God has led me in these past few hours. It is available by humbling yourself, acknowledging Who God is, and asking Him to make a difference in your life.
God bless you. It is my prayer today, as it is each time I sign your pay check, that your association with SETMA, LLP will be the best occupational experience of your life, and that it will be an experience which will encourage you ‘to come to Jesus.”
Conclusion
As I have thought of what I would and should say to you upon this occasion, I cannot think of any better way to end my association with each of you than to say to you, no matter how much money you make, no matter how long you live, no matter how notable you are, or how high of praise you receive from men, without a personal relationship with Jehovah God, in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ, the summary of your life will be incomplete.
God bless you and I hope to hear that you do well, always.
James L. Holly, M.D.
CEO, SETMA
Adjunct Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine
UT Health San Antonio
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Texas A&M University
School of Medicine
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Addendum to Final Note
The following are the u-tube videos of the Retirement Dinner in four parts:
Video 1 – Introduction, Invocation and Rebecca Andrews Address and the President of NSU’s address
https://youtu.be/wnlaY-yh4Xc
Video 2 – UT Health San Antonio President Address and Carolyn Holly’s Address
https://youtu.be/sSrRwLEn9Ac
Video 3 – Dr Holly and the beginning of the public comments with David Stone, Muhammad Aziz, Rusty Mathis, Robert Culbertson, Theresa Bailey,
https://youtu.be/qyZTZAUsMUI
Video 4 Public Comment Joe Bill Holland, Carolyn Holly, Charles Vessels, David Parmer, Hannah Katherine McMahan, Carrie Holly McMahan, Mark Toups, Dr Holly about LaNell.
https://youtu.be/aapZVjR-_Hc
Most of the responses to Carolyn and me leaving SETMA have been collected into a document at the following link:
http://www.jameslhollymd.com/Letters/retirement-notice-and-responses.
One response which has not been posted as of this writing is from Joe Bill Holland, MD. On November 29, 2018, he wrote:
“1978 seems like a long time ago, when we first met — Retirement was the last thing either of us was thinking about. God has been good to both of us, and I give Him thanks for that and your friendship. You have been the dominant leader and innovator of health care in South East Texas. You have positively touched thousands of lives in Southeast Texas and abroad, and He is truly proud of you. I have treasured your advice, wisdom and guidance through the years and don’t think that will cease! Thank you for everything! May He continue to bless you, Carolyn your family! Job well done! Joe Bill”
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Responses to Dr. Holly's Final Note to SETMA Staff December 21, 2018
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Anonymous
We indeed did it right and did well, but only through your leadership and God’s blessing. Unfortunately, January 1st we will be without one of those for certain and most likely be without the other as well. And that will be no coincidence! It has been my honor and my privilege to have worked beside you. And I will always be ready to help you with anything. Just a call away.
Marcella Wheeler
Dr Holly, I can’t even imagine practicing at SETMA without you as the leader. I have spent my entire career as an NP with you and I have learned so much from you. You were true to what I was told about you early on before I joined Setma, “you never sleep, and you never lie”. I’m so proud to have been a part of SETMAs history. You have set an example for all of us of what a hardworking, intelligent, respectful, supportive, kind, loving, educated, spiritual, insightful, fun, leader can be. It has been an honor to work with you and learn from you. I will miss your contagious energy more than you know and I will continue to be the kind of provider you have taught me to be. I wish all the best for you and your wonderful wife, don’t forget us, I’ll be there in a snap in any future endeavors of yours. Marcie
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Mr Holland’s Opus — What is the music if your life?
Mr Holland’s Opus
This morning I have seen the last ten minutes of this remarkable movie. For those who know the story, you will understand when I say that today it had a more personal meaning to me than it ever has.
Do you remember the words of the former student, now the Governor? She said:
“Mr Holland had a profound effect on my life; on a lot of lives I know; and yet, I keep hearing he considers a great part of his own life misspent.
“Rumor has it that he was always working on this symphony of his. This was going to make him famous, rich, probably both. But, Mr Holland isn’t rich and he isn’t famous, at least outside our own town.
“So it would be easy for him to consider himself a failure and he would be wrong because I believe he has achieved a success far beyond riches or fame. Look around you, there is not a life in this room you have not touched.
Each one of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony, Mr. Holland, we are the melody and notes of your opus and we are the music of your life.”
I shed a few tears and then I sat about thinking, “What is the music of my life?”
James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
C.E.O. SETMA
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Jon Sommerhauser
And I thought Douglas McArthur gave the greatest farewell address I ever heard at West Point - Your Farewell Address to SETMA made me cry. WOW! You blessed generations of wonderful folks in Southeast Texas. I am proud to have know you!
Jon
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Farewell but not goodbye
Dear Dr. Holly,
I was not here on your last day of SETMA but I was at your party. I was so proud to watch you and Carolyn step down with such dignity and as always honoring others , each other and especially God.
I have been so proud to say I was a member of the SETMA team. I have always treasured that I worked for a man that prayed for our company as a whole and for our team.
As we have approached this end I have cried for sadness and also for some anxiety of what the future holds knowing we no longer had your “covering “ (the covering of God ) Feeling I am leaving Mayberry and moving to the big city.
But then I sat back and did what I knew you would do and I had a conversation with our Heavenly Father. And knew that He is who brought me to SETMA and He will lead me through this next journey.
So I just wanted to say until God says leave I will be His light and I will shine. I will lead by example like you have done.
Thank you for always being a good example to follow. I bless you and and Carolyn in this next journey and I will ask that you pray for those of us that love the Lord and been called to take the baton and run this next leg of the race that you started.
Thank you Dr Holly for all that you have done for me. You pushed me to not doubt myself and enable me to have the means to take my registry and not give up when I didn’t pass the first time!
You answered your phone on your time off and helped when I was scared for my brother’s heath and helped expedite his care at the hospital.
You paid out of your own pocket for all the antibiotics for the mission trip that Marcie, Theresa and myself went on. I could go on...
Thank you!!
Stacy Houston Lewis RTR,RVT
“Your favorite ultrasound tech” 😂
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Alicia Horn to Dr. and Mrs. Holly
Dear Dr and Mrs Holly
I waited until now to share with you after all the changes, I remain so thankful for the gift of you in my life. On more than one occasion you intervened ion my behalf and gave me hope.
Your silent kindness will last in my memory forever.
I will miss you as the leader of SETMA, but the lessons I learned from you will continue. You made an indelible mark on my life and heart.
I wish you both the very best of everything.
Alicia Horn
Serwat Perwaiz
This note is from a young woman we knew briefly 23 years ago as she was part of the SETMA family. She is an exceptional person, an elegant woman and very accomplished professional. Carolyn. And I are delighted to be back in touch with her.
Dear Dr. Holly, You and your family left a lasting mark on my heart and mind. You all were the best part of my experience in SE Texas! I learned many things from you, which I carried forward in my life and work, such as the value of morality in the pursuit of happiness or success. The importance of giving back to the community, working on and maintaining a healthy and happy family life, with spouse and children (and grandchildren!), and love for God, self, community and country.
I believe one reason your messages resonated with me is because they echoed the lessons I learned from my own parents and that time period in my life was my first meaningful "adult" excursion into the world, I heard my own family's values and beliefs in the conversations we shared. So, I felt at home.
It is hard to imagine SETMA without you. You have given so much of yourself into the pursuit of a better life for all the people of Beaumont through your leadership in healthcare. And, your efforts were cutting edge! I remember on one of my visits to the office, seeing the revolutionary medical technology tools being implemented - I was impressed - but It wasn't until I left Beaumont and visited a medical office elsewhere without those tools, that I recognized how progressive your office was. Later, I briefly worked on healthcare law and, again, my experiences from your office were at the forefront of my mind and I appreciated how advanced you were and willing to take risks and try new things.
I am thankful we are back in touch. I have enjoyed reading your posts and listening the farewell dinner addresses. I look forward to staying connected!
Received July 22, 2019
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Carolyn Holly’s Response to Serwat
Oh my! I love words; I love that words can describe, yea even create beauty. Words are power, power of life and death. Dr. Holly & I can and have been described as word-smiths!!
You words to us this morning left me speechless. Did not want to invade or diminish their treasure of beauty, life, love to our heart and soul with my words.
You see Serwat, virtue, character, dignity of purpose and person were the trophies that we sought for with the gift of our life.
Your words affirm us as having achieved that as reflected in the lives of others, your life
We esteemed your person as elegant, refined brilliant, noble. I could go on... we esteemed your person.
Your take away from what was best in us that we had to offer, validates our value of you.
Thank you for empowering our life and future with your kindness of thought as expressed by your words.
The Proverbs declare that out of the heart the mouth speaketh!! You have a beautiful heart.
We can tell that you are investing your gifts to better all of humanity. We are proud of you. I know your family is, as well.
We will share life with you through social media or however Providence allows. Till then, be well, be happy.
We are your friends,
Larry & Carolyn Holly
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