UAE | Health
Couple retire after 32 years of service
Doctor and his nurse wife, who won the hearts of countless Emirati families, have finally decided to retire after a dedicated service of more than 32 years at a private hospital.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:44 April 4, 2008
- Dr Larry Liddle, a family practice physician from the United States, and his wife Marilyn, a registered nurse, were honoured on March 17 for more than 32 years of service at the Oasis Hospital in Al Ain.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Al Ain: A doctor and his nurse wife, who won the hearts of countless Emirati families, have finally decided to retire after a dedicated service of more than 32 years at a private hospital.
Dr Larry Liddle, a family practice physician from the United States, and his wife Marilyn, a nurse, and their two children first arrived in the city in 1975 to work at the Oasis Hospital.
With their dedication and love for patients, they both earned nicknames of Dr Fowad and Laila and lived up to their names. The hospital recently recognised their services and unveiled a plaque at its outpatient facility in honour of the couple. The facility is now called the Fowad Outpatient Clinic.
Reflecting on their life in Al Ain and service at the Oasis Hospital, the couple said it was a marvellous time. Dr Liddle performed countless surgeries, delivered thousands of babies and cared for adults and children alike with every sort of ailment.
"We, actually, had planned to work at the Oasis Hospital for a few months, then move on to another assignment. The love we developed for the people of this land changed all that," said Dr Liddle. He said it was the people's love that earned them Arabic nicknames.
Friends
"As we have cared for the people of this area through medicine, the most memorable part has been the opportunity to get to know so many national families. They also opened their hearts and homes, honouring us with their trust, and blessing us through their hospitality and friendship," said the couple.
He said it was very difficult to leave this place in many ways as they have developed many friends and associations over the years. "But this is the time, we will be leaving in the month of June and will definitely visit Al Ain regularly," said Dr Liddle.
During their early years at the Oasis Hospital, Dr Liddle was sometimes the only doctor available. It was not unusual for him and his wife to see patients all day in the outpatient clinic, then continue into the night with a woman in labour.
Family practice physicians, he said, are trained to handle almost any medical condition and that training has served Dr Liddle well.
A spokesman of the hospital said Fowad and Laila will be greatly missed by their hospital colleagues, and by the entire Al Ain community. The Fowad Outpatient Clinic is dedicated to their long and satisfying career at the Oasis Hospital.
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