Jim Goodreau On Death [REPOST]

Jim Goodreau! Jim is a 71yo retired vascular surgeon, Air Force brat, and grieving father. I met Jim as a coach for my medical school program, SELECT, and I’ve been itching to sit down with him to dig through his rich and profound life experiences. During this conversation, we discuss his time as a Naval surgeon covering a huge swath of patients, his two strokes, and the immense losses of two of his sons.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Jim is…
an Air Force brat,
a Roman Catholic,
a physician,
a husband,
a father,
a grandfather,
and a coach.

Before Jim dies, he wants…
to see his seniors and juniors graduate and be a part of their lives,
to enjoy his grandchildren,
to somehow solve the problem of his disabled brother and disabled sister in Chicago,
to take on another class,
to the see world come to a sense of peace,
to lose some weight,
to get back to playing golf,
and to walk in the Out Of The Darkness walk.

When Jim dies, he wants…
to not be a burden to anybody in the closing moments of his life,
to go out quietly, maybe not wake up tomorrow with his kindle by the bedside,
to be remembered as someone who tried to do the right thing,
to not die in the hospital,
and to write a letter to the medical students that will dissect him.

After Jim dies, he wants…
his children and their children to live in a world where they can prosper.

In conclusion, Jim says…

“There’s a quote and I’m gonna say it wrong, and it comes in three parts:
Whatever happened before, you can’t change it. You can learn from it, but don’t wallow in it. Get over it. It’s done.
Whatever we’re doing today, do the best you can do. Think it through. That’s the big thing. Just think it through and try to do the right thing. And of course we can argue about that.
And the other is: Don’t be afraid of tomorrow. It’s coming, but prepare yourself.”

On Death Podcast

Long Form Sundays

On gentle hazing (or the end of Inpatient Medicine)
On the madness of parental leave in medicine
On senioritis and communication