Squatter Sam and Professionalism

“Squatter Sam” (1) is a story worth reading and sharing. It is a physician's story, a story about the kind of patient we all remember well. In a few words this vignette goes deeply into the physician–patient experience. It speaks to critical professional qualities of caring, bonding, doing what's right, and reflecting on what we have done.

Sam is a poor, tired, homeless, pitiful, and often hungry man struggling to live on the barest of resources in the harsh Alaskan environment. By contrast, he presents himself as independent, insightful, cheerful, resourceful, and reluctant to accept help from anyone. Although it may be difficult to like his situation, it …