The Unthoughtful Gatekeeper and Back to PMH on a Rainy Day

It was an early start to the day, aimed at beating traffic, though the rain painted a gloomy backdrop. Surprisingly, the roads were clear, and I arrived on time. Parking was abundant near the emergency department (ED), so I left my car there and entered through the ED entrance. However, the security experience left much to be desired. Unlike the welcoming atmosphere at Mather Hospital, this encounter served as a reminder of human nature's tendency to always compare. Having not been to PMH in a long time, much of the routine felt unfamiliar. I explained my situation to the security guard, hoping for some leniency. But despite my plea, Mr. Security stood firm, reminding me I was on camera and insisting I go around to the main entrance. Even the fact that I was a former staff member running late didn’t sway his stance. Realizing who this man could be-one of those, I returned to my car and opted straight to the parking garage, parked and entered the hospital through the back entrance.  

To my surprise, my old ID badge still worked, even after all this time. A wave of nostalgia hit as I walked through the familiar halls and saw friendly faces. The joy of reuniting with colleagues was palpable—I received warm hugs from at least three individuals that morning.  

But then came the challenge of re-familiarizing myself with the systems. Meditech and Citrix proved to be an ordeal. Logging in was nearly impossible, and I found myself on the phone with the support team not once, but four times. The first two representatives were unable to resolve the issue whatsoever, which was frustrating and time-consuming. Finally, after two grueling hours, the problem was fixed, though the delay left me scrambling to catch up with the rest of the day's tasks.  

Returning to PMH was a mix of nostalgia and challenges. While reconnecting with old colleagues brought joy, the technical difficulties reminded me of the hurdles that come with restarting in a familiar yet distant environment.

I remained unsettled until after 5 PM, and it was then that this reflection came to mind. I thought about Mr. Gatekeeper; the security guard who denied us access to the hospital through the ED. It struck me how incredible it would have been if we could have earned his trust, just this once.  

I began to question the difference between him and machines, specifically, artificial intelligence. Machines, after all, are programmed to follow rules rigidly, without room for reasoning or discernment. We humans, on the other hand, have the capacity to adapt, to show understanding, and to make exceptions, especially on a rainy, cold winter day.  

But perhaps Mr. Gatekeeper missed it all together-very unthoughtful. No worries, though, his role, too, may one day be devoured by AI. And when it is, perhaps he will stop and ponder what could have been if he had graciously used the one advantage humans still have over machines: empathy.  

That was certainly, worth pondering. 

Pal Ronnie