A Day in the Life of Michael J. Maricic, MD

As Dr. Maricic calls it a day, that same lobby sign underscoring compassion greets. If he ever changed the message, though, it would probably include that other healing word: listen. “I spoke to a woman not long ago who complimented me on the way I really heard her and thanked me for looking into her eyes as we talked.”

Dr. Maricic pauses and the tone of his voice lowers slightly. “She didn’t get better from a pill; it was her attitude and because I dealt with her like a person and gave her hope that she could get better. When you stop having that interest in your patients, it’s time to do something else.”

Eric Butterman is a freelance writer based in New York City.