Fix it with compassion is 2024 Rhoads Humanity in Medicine Award recipient’s golden rule

Sept. 12, 2024 -- Problem-solving comes naturally for the 2024 Paul S. Rhoads Humanity in Medicine Award recipient.

As a self-proclaimed fix-it person, Tom Grayson, MD, can look at a problem, consider the solutions, and make repairs.

As a physician, he's guided by the Golden Rule to treat others how he would want to be treated. He takes his responsibility as a general surgeon seriously, valuing the trust his patients have in him. It's his practice to stay as long as needed with patients to provide education and their options.

"It requires an immense amount of trust. And I don't take that lightly," Dr Grayson said. "It's scary for them. I get that, and I try to keep that in mind."

The compassion he shows to others, sensitivity to their needs, and the demonstration of a caring attitude to patients, families, and colleagues are a few of the reasons why he's been selected as the 44^th recipient of the Paul S. Rhoads Humanity in Medicine Award.

His selection was announced Thursday night at an annual medical staff appreciation and new physician reception in Richmond. Nominations were solicited from patients, physicians, and healthcare workers.

Craig Kinyon, Reid Health President/CEO, said one of Dr. Grayson's most important contributions is his leadership.

"His selection comes on merit. It comes on the person of who he is, how he interacts with the rest of the medical staff, and how he interacts with his patients," Kinyon said.

The award was first presented in 1983 to Paul S. Rhoads, MD, the founding director of Reid's Medical Education Department. Rhoads helped to organize the hospice program and the Wayne County adult clinic for the indigent.

The Humanity in Medicine Award continues to honor a Reid Health physician whose contributions demonstrate a commitment to clinical quality, is a leader of programs and services, and who enhances the quality of healthcare in Reid's service area.

An Indianapolis native, Dr. Grayson enjoyed his childhood spending time between his family's suburban home and a hog farm they had in partnership with a family member a half hour north.

A handiness with tools and problem-solving played a role in shaping his future. The shift from fixing broken objects to mending people shares a similar path: identify a problem, analyze it, and then apply a solution with care and precision.

"I've always enjoyed that as far as just kind of a fix-it type of a mentality," Dr. Grayson said.

"I tell patients there is no gray. We either operate or we don't. We think, we look through things, we make the decisions. But ultimately, every patient is a yes or no, there's no gray."

His parents, Rosanna and Ted Grayson, were very supportive. He had a close relationship with his father, who was also a general surgeon. They spent time in their shop working with tools to repair and build things, and he enjoyed working with his hands.

Dr. Grayson was in elementary school when he started riding along with his dad to check on patients at the hospital. At first, he waited in the doctor's lounge, but when he was older, he could go up to the floors and observe.

"When I got older still, I would go to the operating room with him. I'm sure that had a huge impact," Dr. Grayson said.

Yet, there wasn't an exact moment when he knew he wanted to be a physician. He had an interest in medicine, but there were other considerations too.

"My other passion actually was being a helicopter pilot, and I didn't pursue that obviously, but I've always been fascinated with helicopters and helicopter pilots," Dr. Grayson said.

He opted to pursue a bachelor's degree in biology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. With the pre-med track, he could be a physician or switch to veterinary medicine, he said.

With his path set as a physician, he completed his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. From there, he completed his internship in surgery and his residency in general surgery at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.

He received support from his parents and then his in-laws, Robert and Barbara Gillogly.

His wife, Kristen, is his greatest influence.

"Kristen's my rock. She just is," Dr. Grayson said. "Kristen has an unparalleled sense of right and lives that, and I strive to be anywhere close to that. I fail. But it just has been a huge factor for me as far as a guidepost or a moral compass. It's invaluable."

In 1998, he joined the General Surgeons. He had met a group of Reid physicians at an Indiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons recruitment event. He was impressed with the physicians, who were all well-trained, conscientious, and had been with the practice for the duration of their career.

The locally owned hospital, with its size and the high level of care it could provide patients, appealed to him as a surgeon. With Richmond's proximity to Indianapolis, the Graysons made Wayne County home to raise their sons: Ben and Michael.

Community is part of what Dr. Grayson values in his work.

Billie Kester, Vice President/Ambulatory Care & Service Lines, said Dr. Grayson puts patients at the center of what he does every day while striving for the best outcomes for patients, the hospital, and the community.

"Dr. Grayson cares about the patients. They're at the center of what's important to him. He's willing to do whatever it takes to make the general surgery program the best it can be," Kester said.

As a leader, he's served as Reid Health Network Operating Council (NOC) committee chair for finance, the practice operating council, and oncology. He's an appointed Cancer Liaison Physician by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

In April 2016, Dr. Grayson was named the Medical Director for Reid Health's Trauma Program as the hospital completed verification by the American College of Surgeons as a Level III Trauma Center. The accreditation signifies Reid provides optimal care for injured patients.

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, said Dr. Grayson's contributions go beyond the accreditation to increasing the hospital's capabilities for trauma care by carrying out surveys, setting the practice and policy, and leading the surgical team, clinical staff, and medical team members through the process.

"The Level III Trauma certification takes a significant amount of teamwork, collaboration, and making sure we're in line with standard of care and best practice in the world of trauma," Foust-Cofield said.

Colleagues and staff say his easy-going nature and sense of humor help to ease stress and create a good work environment. As a mentor, he shares knowledge and skill while offering level-headed advice, remains calm and cool under pressure, and improves those around him. He maintains high expectations and standards with care of the patient at the center.

Dr. Samuel Iden, MD, Reid Emergency Medicine, said Dr. Grayson epitomizes the humanitarian award by how much he does for trauma, cancer, and surgical care, as well as for patients and the Reid system.

"Working with Dr. Grayson gives you a sense of pride for the organization because he's one of those physicians that gives you confidence we're providing the highest quality care," Dr. Iden said.

Sylvester Osayi, MD, Reid General Surgeons, said Dr. Grayson's contributions to the community are appreciated.

"I think Dr. Grayson has shown to be a very compassionate and generous person, he's very easy to work with," Dr. Osayi said. "He loves his job, he loves his patients, and that really comes through."

Among his contributions at Reid, Dr. Grayson is most proud of taking care of patients. He loves being in the operating room, doing what he does best to solve and fix the problem. He values being part of the community where he sees the people he's treated at the grocery store or events.

"I always tell the medical students as surgeons we have short, intense relationships with patients. That time and relationship you take to build with them makes a difference. That's what healthcare is." - Tom Grayson, MD

His office in Reid General Surgeons provides a glimpse into his personality and the impression he leaves on colleagues and patients. From a collection of paintings to mementos and thank-you cards, people appreciate him for his compassion, leadership, and fixing what needed to be repaired.

A genuinely humble person, the items demonstrate his appreciation for his patients' trust and what they've taught him through their resilience.

"If I were talking to a room full of my patients, I would say thank you, but it wouldn't be for the obvious," Dr. Grayson said. "I have learned a lot and continue to learn by watching patients and the strength they show in some horrible situations. I honestly don't know what I'd be like in those situations, and my patients impress me. So, I would say thank you for teaching me."