One of the issues surrounding the recent “Vote of No Confidence” by the HMNMH Medical Staff against Roger Seaver and the hospital Board of Directors concerned suspension of longtime community physician, Dr. John Cocco. As a founding doctor of our hospital 36 years ago, his life story is not only reflective of our community, but also the strength and courage of who we are as a nation.
John Cocco was born in Concord, Massachusetts, site of the beginning of our Revolutionary War, Paul Revere’s ride, Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond, and the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott. In and of itself, he was already in auspicious surroundings which would immensely affect his life.
Other than the “o” we share at the end of our last name, Dr. Cocco’s father, Luigi, emigrated from the Abruzzi region of Italy where my grandfather was also born. Arriving in America, Luigi worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania before moving to Concord, where he was a “weaver of wool”.
Growing up broad and open-minded in the Concord environs, John Cocco attended Dartmouth College, and being offered a full scholarship to McGill University - known as “the Harvard of Canada” - he enrolled in medical school in 1959.
His internship was completed at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, and then he returned to serve the poor at Albert Einstein University in the Bronx. But there was a far greater calling as he volunteered and joined the United States Air Force, and was sent to Tan Sun Nhut Air Base outside Saigon in 1967. There he served as Medical Director rescuing wounded soldiers on the battlefield, and in some cases, flying the critically wounded to Japan.
“I was very lucky not to be hit by gunfire, nor shot down by rockets”, yet he describes his experience in Viet Nam as “rich and rewarding” adhering to his commitment and allegiance to our country.
Being there for one year, the decorated Major John Cocco, returned to the United States, married his high school sweetheart, Brenda, and moved to the Los Angeles Air Force Station in El Segundo for his last two years of military service.
Looking for opportunities after discharge, the Newhall area, with three hospitals, seemed like a beautiful place to start a family. Yes, there were three hospitals in this valley before HMNMH: Golden State Hospital (at the corner of Lyons and Wiley Canyon - where Vons is located), Golden Valley Hospital (on the other side of the tracks from the bowling alley on Soledad), and Newhall Community Hospital (near Main and 6th Streets).
Dr. John Cocco set up his practice of Internal Medicine in 1970, and was associated with many physicians, some of whom continue to practice, including Drs. David Mysko and Doug Gadowski. In addition to focusing on our elder senior population, Dr. Cocco attends to many residents at LARC Ranch who need assistance.
He and Brenda have raised three children, who still live in the area, and he enjoys cooking, drawing, poetry, and culture. He speaks four languages, and I hear him constantly serenading hospital nurses and patients with songs like “O Sole Mio”.
Obviously, Dr. Cocco is not your typical doctor. I have been in the hospital late at night and seen him sitting at his patient’s bedside with family discussing health problems while holding their hands. He provides empathy and sympathy in a way we have been engrained to see in a Marcus Welby physician, yet he still has managed to provide state-of-the-art medical care to sustain those who are critically ill. His father may have been the “weaver of wool”, while he has truly become the “healer of humanity”.
For some reason Dr. Cocco has remained fixed in his aging process, whereas graying hair and accented facial lines (a kind way of saying wrinkles) has afflicted the rest of us. When I first came to HMNMH, Dr. Cocco would introduce me: “This is my nephew, Dr. Dorio”. Now, with my age catching up with his, its: “This is my cousin, Dr. Dorio”. His work has kept him young!
Dr. Cocco’s compassion and humanity have served our community well. Why is it though Roger Seaver and the Board of Directors have suspended him from the Medical Staff? The answers are cloaked in a legal system which won’t allow me to have this discussion.
I can only say our community should be enraged at behavior by this CEO and Board against a decorated veteran physician who has provided outstanding devotion and dedication to our hospital and country. He has become collateral damage in their “game plan” to gain financial control and power over our hospital. This sense of outrage must go to the deepest core of your consciousness and soul.
Like those at Concord 236 years ago, you must make your voices heard. We need a Paul Revere to ride through our streets and ignite a new Revolution against these tyrants. Like Jo in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” we need courage and relentless determination to call out for what is right, against this wrong.
Here is a gentleman from immigrant parents; earned a medical degree; served our nation in war; and now serves our poor, elderly, and disabled. He is truly an AMERICAN HERO who is being forced out of practice to fulfill the financial needs of cooperate business. Dr. Cocco has benefitted this community, whereas they, through their conflict of interest, have benefitted themselves.
Although Henry David Thoreau may not have said this to them, an immigrant descendent with an “o” at the end of his name does: “Don’t allow financial temptation be a disservice to your moral character.”
I can only hope, through united community resolve, the halls of our Henry Mayo Hospital will once again be graced with the sounds of “O Sole Mio”.
Gene Dorio, M.D.- Guest Commentary
Gene Dorio, M.D., is a local physician. His commentary represents his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. You can also see more of Dr. Dorio’s commentaries on Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hosipal at http://hospitalrantandrave.blogspot.com/
This is the truth, Dr Cocco is a "Healer of Humanity". He always has time for our questions. He shows his caring, compassionate ways, to all of his patients!!! If he isn't reinstated at Henry Mayo, it will certainly be a reason for my family and many others in this community to seek another place for Hospital care. Roger Seaver better wake-up to this reality. SOON!!!!
ReplyDeleteDr. John Cocco is a fine, upstanding Doctor. I have seen him many times at his office in Valencia. He always takes the time needed with his patients and gives outstaning care. It would be a shame to see this "American Hero" not be allowed to practice at Henry Mayo Hospital. We need to rally around this Doctor and not accept this horrific treatment!
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Henry Mayo for 10 years, from 82 to 92, and Dr.Cocco was one of the most caring physicians there.
Matthew Says:
ReplyDeleteMarch 6th, 2011 at 2:25 pm e
Outrageous, sad, and petty is about all anybody could say of the hospital administrations behavior. I don’t understand why the hospital CEO and the board of directors are at such odds with the medical staff. It should be about the health care services only and nothing else.
James Mackabee, M.D. Says:
ReplyDeleteMarch 6th, 2011 at 5:55 pm e
Gene:
I read with interest your article about my friend, colleague and brother in arms, Dr. John Cocco. You are absolutely correct, he IS a HERO. I joined the Henry Mayo staff in 1987-88 and remained on the staff until 2008 or there abouts. Dr. Cocco was the FIRST staff member to greet me, literally with open arms, and yes, a song; “O Sole Mio”! At that time, along with Doctors Ransom, Koenig and Harrier were on board to render trauma care and to establish the trauma unit at Henry Mayo. This group of physicians were initially seem as “competitors” to more established staff surgeons and as the new guys perhaps were not very popular. Dr Cocco was able to see clearly the value of our services to the Community and to the Hospital. That same trauma service yet thrives and has become an indispensable part of the hospital and the community.
Over the years I had the opportunity to care for many of his patient’s surgical needs. If one of my surgical patients required medical, pulmonary or specialty care, I never hesitated to request his expert services for consultation and management. NEVER once through these many years was he reluctant to render his services. Never once through these many years did I ever hear a patient express any feelings other than appreciation, love, respect and admiration for him. Never once through these many years did I ever hear a colleague or a nurse express any comment other than appreciation, love, respect and admiration for him.
Henry Mayo Hospital, its Board of Directors and its Administration may choose what they may. BUT for those of us who know , appreciate, love, respect and admire him ,will take up the banner to honor him for those many years of dedication to us, our patients and to the Santa Clarita Valley. We love you Dr. John. We salute you, Sir, for having made this world a better place.
LarMcc Says:
ReplyDeleteMarch 6th, 2011 at 8:41 pm e
I think Dr. Dorio may end up being next on their hit list. Shame on Roger Seaver.
Dr. Cocco is by far one of the best doctors on this planet. I have lived in this community 45 years and he has cared for myself and my family and we are appalled by this adminstration and this hospital. Dr. Cocco is OUR HERO. Adminstration needs to stop bullying our doctors and they need to be investigated!
ReplyDeleteI recently quit my job at Henry Mayo for personal reasons, however I can tell you that the hospital operators were instructed by Administration that they could no longer page Dr Cocco's name over the loud speakers. None of the staff were ever given any reasoning as to why but over the last couple of months that I was there, I would see Dr. Cocco often walking thru the halls still greeting everyone in the quiet way he does, clasping his hands together, bowing his head and greeting you. Dr. Cocco is awesome. He has been here since I was a child and I hope he will not let this administrations actions deter him from continuing to be such a vital presence in the lives of his patients.
ReplyDeleteIf it were not for Dr John Cocco, I would not be alive to write this commentary today. I was extremely ill with respiratory disease from toxic exposure and in the hospital for two and a half weeks. Dr Cocco took the time and interest in a patient that he had never known before.......and made certain that I was healed. This travesty by Henry Mayo Hospital against Dr. Cocco is a shame that we all bear.
ReplyDeleteDr. Coco is by far the best representative for patient care that yo could ever hope for. How dare you treat this Doctor or any other Doctor in this manner.This was a time where my mother needed her Dr.She is elderly and frightened and has been hospitalized for over a month.Dr. Coco has been prevented to do what he does so well to offer comfort and support to an aging patient who is recovering from Hip surgery and Heart Failure...Shame on you Mr. Seaver
ReplyDeleteI saw Dr Cocco "listen" to heart sounds of a patient from a doorway and then chart them. Hmmm
ReplyDelete