I'm sure I can't begin to imagine the number of 'after-hours calls', the number of times that you were called away from your family or your personnal activities.

I was one of those after-hours calls. One of I'm sure many calls to the emergency room. And I'm glad you were there to answer the call that day.

It was the summer of 1986 -just a few short years ago- I was 19 years old and playing an evening/weekday baseball game at Forest Road Park. I was playing second base (I never played second base, but here I was this night) and there was a shallow pop-up to right field. I ran back with the idea of making 'the greatest catch ever'. I didn't think the right fielder had a chance of getting to the ball, so I ran full speed never taking my eye off the ball and dove with my arm stretched out. Well the right fielder did make it to the ball....seeing me coming at him, he slid under me. I landed on his knee, immediately rupturing my spleen. Of course at the time, I had no idea what was wrong, but writhing in pain I knew that something was terribly wrong and that I had to get to the hospital...now.

In short order, the ER staff recognized that something was seriously wrong -I was starting to black out- and quickly moved me to a room and got me hooked up to an IV. It was obvious that I was losing blood, they still had to figure out from where.

I remember a Candy Stripper standing at the end of the bed, there wasn't anything she could do for me, but I could tell she was worried for me, I will always remember and appreciate her concern for me.

Not long after, I remember seeing a tall handsome, well dressed gentleman walk into the room and over to my bedside. I would later find out that this was Dr. VanGilse. After getting updated on my vitals and tests, he offered some assurances that I would be all right.

I was rushed into surgery. He found my busted spleen, removed it and stopped the bleeding. He saved my life that night.

What always stands out the most in my mind......I remember tinking how nice he looked, how well dressed he was....that I must've pulled him away from an important evening with his family. 30 years after the fact, I would like to appologize for pulling away your husband, your father that night.

But myself and my family (yet to be formed at the time) will forever be grateful. Thank You!!!

Thank you Dr. VanGilse. You will always be in my memory.

Greg Scott