Welcome to the Discussion Blog
March 30, 2021//
Welcome to the discussion group so we can continue to build on the Transition to Retirement Virtual TownHall we shared on 2/25/2021
I hope we will be able to react, share preserve and reflect on what we have all done together at Family Practice Group (FPG) since 1976.)
In 1976 Dr Richard Feinbloom and Stanley Sagov started the Family Practice Group in Cambridge Massachusetts.
Very excited to have this forum in which we can communicate, share memories and perhaps look to the future.
We are a community of people with significant common experiences and yet who mostly don’t know one another at all. One of the great things about the Town Hall was getting finally to see and hear from all those people I’ve previously only noted reading magazines in the waiting room, or perhaps vaguely heard in muffled tones (words not distinguishable) through an exam-room wall. It was great to hear stories that resonated with mine, and stories that helped to broaden my knowledge of Dr. Sagov’s wonderful work. And seeing folks nod along when I told my own was also a lovely experience.
I suggested at the time that it might be great to start some sort of oral-history project, to capture some of these great stories. I think it could also become a valuable resource for young doctors in training–a how-to that goes beyond textbook knowledge and into deeper human experience, as Dr. Sagov does himself. I’d be happy to know if there is interest in this. I have a certain amount of experience in the area, and I’d be glad to help make it happen
Thanks for expressing that and I too look forward to participating in another oral history project with your help and contribution
You are on the blog as far as I can see read and comment on so.. not sure what is up Ari
Thank you for nearly 34 years of your excellent care for me and my family Dr. Sagov. You have seen us through terrible lows and fantastic highs through it all with compassion and good humor. We will miss you so much but hey, life goes on and we all deserve new chapters. Here’s to many more for you!
it has been a deep pleasure to strive to merit your trust in me as we weathered the changes you referenced
It was in the early years in the practice. My dear friend, Marlene, was doing a rotation with Dr. Sagov. She called me up and said that “I have a doctor for you.”. I was in love with Marlene but our relationship didn’t last. Well, I’m blessed that she at least she gave me Stanley.
Thank you Stanley for your skilled healing and loving friendship.
Mike Heichman
thank you for your warm comments
My history with to Dr. Sagov begins at his Cambridge office in the late ’70s. I used to walk there from my apartment in East Arlington. I have stories and conversations with him I’d love to share covering my years under his care; for example, how he saved my life in the 1990’s. There are more experiences worth relating that bring joy, laughter, and gratitude when I remember them. Please contact me as it would be a great pleasure to share some of my interesting, fun and even mind blowing interactions with Dr. Sagov for your oral history project.
Thanks for joining the conversation and feel free to share your feelings and thoughts as we start and continue this process of collecting the oral history of our time together at Family Practice Group.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this Doctor. From the comments, I wish I had.
Well we will meet this way and I welcome you
I remember that first office on Mass. Ave, Cambridge. I had mentioned to someone I was looking for a new Physician, and was told that these guys were starting a new practice. I had one appointment with Dr. Feinbloom and was hooked. I remember he said, “Wait, be right back” and returned with a medical text book to explain something. I was hooked. He went back to teaching and I became Dr. Sagov’s patient and have been so for 45 years. Why? He listens. I find I am not reporting to him, but having a conversation about what’s happening. He teaches. He looks at his patient, in the eye of all places.
I remember his ties – I think they all had images of fish. One of them was made of wood in the shape of a fish. I hope he starts wearing them again.
His jazz concerts are a pleasure.
Thanks for your warm reflection
I first met Stanley in 1979 and have been with the Family Practice ever since. Back in the days when he was no longer doing home births but still supportive of them , he helped me when I had to transfer to the hospital at the last minute with skill , support and good humor. If he wasn’t sure about something he would listen to me, look it up with me and together we would figure out the problem. He even introduced me to Oliver Sacks ideas and books!
While I was involved with the Boston Womens Health Collective as a writer and childbirth educator throughout the 80’s ; I came to work for Stanley helping with prenatal care and labor support at some of his hospital births. Later I also worked as a medical assistant for a short time (in the old office). He was a wonderful employer and when I went back to just being a patient, he was just as wonderful. We also share a love of music and jazz so we always had plenty got talk about.
Stanley saw me through scary times and good times with empathy, pragmatism, optimism and a great sense of humor. He excels at listening rather than telling you what to do .
“Dont worry, be happy” he said more than once, and he was right. He is extraordinarily creative in his thinking and his music and I have appreciated both so much in the 40 years Ive known him at the Family Practice
Thanks mary and I am so nourished by you memories and reflection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlXYjSWVlUE
Buzz
link to Vincent Van Gogh to share a synthesis of music and art.
thanks for sharing and looking forward to more sharing and talking among ourselves
Stanley, I’m sure you don’t remember me but I was in your care for many years. You saw me through my mother’s death in 1986 and through my soft tissue sarcoma in 2010, along with many smaller things in between. I loved our visits, and always learned from you. Primary care is not the same where i live now.
I also remember Karen with great fondness. She taught me what PAs can become and she gave me great care. Please remember me to her.
Thanks for reaching out and I remember you Very well and also enjoyed what we did together through challenges and triumphs.
I came to know Stanley in 1985, and have added a hubby, 3 kids, and many friends as Family Practice clients/patients since then. The thing about Stanley is that he treats folks with respect and humour, and makes sure that other professionals at Family Practice do as well (OK, Stanley’s humour is kinda unique, but what a role model!)
I wanted home births, and he acted as medical back-up for midwives back in the day. I ended up having to transfer to hospital for the first 2 babies, and because my medical team acted as advisor/consultants, I was just fine (no regrets) about the C-Sections. I was 40 when I had my third, and the Practice supported me thru a “double VBAC”- not your average experience back then! Everything went fine (loooong, but fine), but new baby had some breathing issues. So the docs at Malden were (understandably) wanting to transfer baby to Children’s. I was totally against this unless it was really necessary… and I was exhausted and not a medical expert of course- so in the middle of the night we somehow connected with someone at FP, they sent a doc over first thing in AM, and I was able to keep baby with me (no ill effects, and a MUCH happier Mom). I will never forget this; I wonder if I can even express how validating, life affirming, etc. that experience was. (FYI that kid is almost 30, married, healthy, happy…and I’ll be strongly encouraging his eventual family to use FP.
By being the most human of docs, he has achieved near divine status in my book- and I’m very far from the old “Docs are Gods” persuasion.
Thanks for your warm and lively comment..and will continue to be human and know I am not yet as divine as I would aspire to be…
Life does go on and although it’s sad for us that it’s time for a new chapter your care and attention has been just wonderful for many years. Our young family first came to see you at the Mass Ave, Cambridge location and never left! We so appreciate you. As the practice has grown we have seen less of you in person (everyone wants Stan) but we have always felt your influence and teaching with the medical staff there. Thank you and God bless your continued life journey.
Thanks for your warm comment. I am nourishEd by the feedback and will take it with me as I navigate this transition
StanMan-
Sent you an email that must have drifted back into l985–when I first met you.
I remember the wonderful pictures on the wall up there of babies you’d delivered.
Not secretive Hippa–but Hip Hip Hooray!
Maybe some of those babies became doctors and worked with you during medical school. Or are about to join the Practice!
What fun it’s been to know you–to have you start with a joke-and
to send me the punchline if I forgot it –on a stamped self-addressed postcard-remember them?
And seeing your remarkable medical self just after the joke-explaining
whatever medical bla bla I had going on all to the Residents in a serious and interesting way, the pros and cons of it all etc.–obviously a man with several careers (comic, doctor and then Jazzman.) It just goes to show that science and laughter and music and fun can be poured into one person through some magic little funnel attached to your head. {How about a Retirement invention for this thing- you holding the patent-and-thereafter holding a solid-gold champagne glass in a solid-gold jazz joint.)
One of my favorites: “Let’s get past this boring medical stuff so I can tell you a few
inappropriate jokes.”
I can hardly remember (knock on wood) ever coming to your office or leaving it
with any MM’s (major maladies) and I do attribute a lot to you, and to the pleasure of coming to the office, seeing Katie, and even feeding the meter–all fun.
There’s one recent joke of yours–but I’ll send you a SSE and will await–and indeed expect- your answer. So watch for it. And get. that memory machine of yours rolling.
Jazz away with your family! Remember your daughter used to work in the Mass. Ave office?
Thanks for everything. I have to tell myself the Dr. Seuss thing “Don’t be sad it’s over. Be glad it happened at all.”
xxxxxx Mopsy S. Kennedy (Mary to the insurance companies)
Mopsy I also loved our time together and am more glad it happened though am crying a bit too of course.. love to you and know you are indelible in my book of life
Like so many other patients, I saw you for 30+? 40? years through many visits, diagnoses, and jokes. Not to mention shared memories and literary discussions. I loved hearing about your training and philosophy of doctoring, with its emphasis on observation and connection. It was a pleasure being taken seriously and learning how to collaborate in my own care.
A couple of memories stand out as uniquely Stanley: a comment you made on a consultant’s rather pretentious letterhead, laden with degrees: “What a funny mammal.” And your reciting *all* of Philip Larkin’s “This Be the Verse.”
And how many doctors would prescribe a (wonderful) book, “The Noonday Demon”? An absorbing read AND a definite contribution to my relief from a decades-long illness.
May you continue to prosper, amuse, and richly enjoy life.
Thanks Nancy and of course the feeling is mutual and you will continue to be indelible for me and missed. I wish you and Peter well and hope to stay connected once Fauci says I can play the Regattabar. 😉
I only recently learned of your retirement as I’m not a frequent MyChart user. I knew this was inevitable but it still comes as a surprise.
By comparison to many of your patients, I’m a newbie. You were referred to me in 1988 when I first moved to Mass from Colorado. You were so welcoming and friendly….you had me at your first joke. I don’t remember whether it was good or a groaner. You’ve always intermixed them.
You helped me through so much over 30 years. There are no words to describe how much your and your group’s care has meant to me.
Hope you have happiness and success in this next stage of life.
Ray
Thanks ray and as navigate this transition I am warmed by your connection
Dear Stan, I started seeing you in the mid 80’s as a 30 something man and other than a couple of short times out of state I’ve been in your care since. I’ve always felt “being in your care” had real meaning and that I was important to you. you sure have been important in my life. Today I got a call from the team saying you were most sincerely gone, and even though I knew it was coming it was still so hard to pick a new doctor. In 2 weeks I become a 70 year old man and you have treated my whole person all along the way.
I wish you all the happiness you richly deserve.
Lovely to hear from you and I loved caring for you and trying to merit your trust. Now you care for my whole person as I travel to the next happiness you claim I deserve ;))
Hey Stan, aka Doc…There are so many good things one can say. However, you and your team have provided extraordinary medical care and relative good old life advice for me and my family since the mid 80s!
Like others, we will be forever grateful for all of your medical treatment and advice, that includes your associates and all office staff, and there are so many to mention (Karen, Wayne, Laura etc. etc. etc…..).
I’ve have always felt that as a physician, you’ve fostered treating the entire patient or the entire spectrum of medical care, as a Physician/PCP, and in pediatrics, also with a lot of entertaining and memorable visits, which I’ve always appreciated and will always remember!
That is all pretty amazing when we reflect back and think about it! I hope to hear of or catch you on the jazz circuit…
Well, take care Doc and enjoy your next phase of life which is much more than well deserved!
Best to you and family!
Thanks again and much respect!!
Thanks for your warm words.
It is good to know we were able to do those good things together
Hi Dr. Sagov. There are not enough or the right words to express my gratitude for how blessed I feel to have had you as my doctor for so many years. Your expertise, compassion and empathy are unmatched in my experience!
Although I will greatly miss being under your care, I am excited for you as you enter this next phase of your life.
Sadly, I will miss the event in your honor on the 19th – I hope it is the wonderful celebration that you so deserve!
Dear Stanley, I am bad at checking correspondence so I missed the opportunity to say something here earlier AND for Louis and me to come and express our appreciation last weekend. So instead I will take a minute here. Oh Stanley, hard for me to think back how many years it has been, but then again easy since I arrived at Family Practice’s doorstep in the Fall of 1981 because I was looking for a midwife to help me have my first baby in a hospital, supported by a midwife. Yet in talking to Peggy and others, I soon decided that a home birth made sense for me. Family Practice graciously supported my having two children at home and from there your Family Practice was the only medical practice our whole family used. Somehow I slid sideways to other doctors (probably because you were so in demand) while Louis would not allow himself to be slid sideways and has been appreciative of your counsel and care since 1986. Your broad intellect, energy and empathic communication skills have contributed to our family’s wellbeing for all these many years.
with deepest appreciation and best wishes for this next part of your life’s journey
Stanley-
I too have missed the in person (and online) opportunity to express my gratitude for the excellent care that Hayle and I have received all of these years at Family Practice group. I brought Hayle to you as a very small baby when I adopted her in 1996 and now that she has finished college and is on her own living in Somerville, FPG is still where she receives her excellent care. You have created a caring supportive environment that lives on because of you. Thank you so much and happy retirement!