FOR the past seven years Whakatane has been a home away from home for American general surgeon Bill Longo and his wife, Maureen.
Yesterday, the couple headed home to the States unsure of what they’ll face and when they’ll be back.
“More people have died from COVID at Middlesex Hospital in Connecticut where I used to work, than the numbers who’ve died across New Zealand. That’s quite unsettling,” he said.
“We are apprehensive, we know we’re leaving a safe haven and not really sure what it’ll be like back in the States.”
The couple arrived in Whakatane in 2013 having never been to New Zealand.
Dr Longo had accepted a locum general surgeon position at Whakatane Hospital but said he didn’t know anything about the place or the people.
“In the first week here, I knew I’d picked the right place and that I’d never work in the US again. The people have been fantastic, we were accepted right away; right off the bat plus the work life balance is so much better.”
What was initially meant to be a short-term position has ended up being several, resulting in 10 trips to and from America in the past seven years, mostly covering leave of permanent staff.
In New Zealand, it is quite a common practice for doctors to come from overseas to fill short-term positions and most work at several hospitals across the country. But in Dr Longo’s case, he only worked at Whakatane Hospital.
“It never ceases to amaze me just how appreciative the patients are, even when their post- operative outcome is uncertain. To tell someone they have cancer and in the same conversation they show gratitude and thank you for the surgery, is mind blowing every time.”
There are not many places across New Zealand the couple have not visited.
Mrs Longo, who’s an artist, has also turned her hand to writing a blog ‘Travels with Mr. Bill’ capturing their adventures across the country, enticing family and friends to visit as well.
Dr Longo is now ready to retire with golf, strumming his guitar and more travel being what he had planned, however, the latter remains uncertain in today’s Covid world.