For roughly 32 years Dr. Harry Weaver has played a vital role in serving the community through medicine and will be concluding his time with Covenant Levelland.
Spending almost half of his life in Levelland, the 65-year-old doctor reflected on his time providing care for generations of community members.
“It has been an evolution, is the word I would use,” said Weaver. “It started off at one place and it has kind of ended up at another, but it’s been a pleasure.”
Being part of that evolution, Weaver has seen the signs outside of the Covenant campus change beginning with Methodist, Saint Mary’s, Covenant and now to Providence.
“During my time I have removed a lot of gallbladders, fixed a lot of hernias and I also have helped Dr. [John] Hannha with most of his C-Sections, so I have actually seen a lot of babies born into this world,” said Weaver. “I am going to be sad to go, but it has been an honor to serve the people of Levelland. I take it very personally, it is my community, it is my family, and it is an honor to have been able to serve.”
Coming from Lubbock to begin his career there was some adjustment for Weaver due to the size of the city.
Finally completing his surgical residency, Weaver considered Levelland with some convincing from Dr. Michael Bailey. Taking the chance, Weaver was set on giving the job six months to a year to see how things went.
“Suddenly you turn around and it has now been 32 years later,” said Weaver. “You start a family, you settle down and start having some things change in your life. I would not trade it. This is my home, and this is where I want to be.” Coming out of what he called a difficult residency, Weaver explained that people would say he was in a bad mood all the time in the beginning of his career.
As time has progressed, his daughter has continued to remind him that he has softened up a bit.
“I don’t know about that, but I do tend to take pleasure in the personal interactions a bit more,” said Weaver.
Now, Weaver is always eager to encounter his patients at the grocery store in public settings.
“I see people that I know and that is part of my day. I like to stop and talk to them,” said Weaver. “I always tell my patients, if you see me, you stop and talk to me. I’m a human being too and I want to be a part of what you do.
“For me, these people are also your neighbors or your friends. That is one of the great parts when it comes to living in a small town.”
Something that has stood out to Weaver is the process of a patient changing their lives for the better.
“There are a lot of examples of seeing somebody come in that has a problem that is affecting them and their day-to-day lives,” explained Weaver. From there we solve the problem and when you return in a couple of weeks your life has changed. They always say thank you, but the best thanks you could give me is to have a better life because you encountered me.”
Looking at the evolution of the medical field, Weaver noted that the practice model has changed a lot since his start. At a point where the medical group started as independent contractors, the model slowly moved into becoming leased employees and now fully employees.
“It has been a different outlook for us professionally,” explained Weaver. “Medicine has changed in the way that they tell us more about what we can do instead of us having to say we need to do this.”
One of the more obvious changes has been the implementation of new technologies. Highlighting the various computer screens in his office, Weaver added that the use of physical charts written out with pen and paper has become a thing of the past now that computers have become a common staple.
Taking the opportunity to look back at the state of things from the beginning to now, Weaver has worked with Levelland EMS, in the emergency and operation rooms and the clinic.
“The people that I work with now are as good or better than at any time that I can think of. I just have to commend the people that work here because they work hard and they take pride in what they do and that is a good environment to be in,” said Weaver. “That is good for them mentally, it’s good for them physically and it makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.”
In a 32-year career, Weaver’s interests have evolved as well. In the beginning, there was more of a technical interest.
“It was more of a I can do this,” said Weaver. “You push that envelope to the end. Then you realize the question is, when should I do this? From there, you decide when I should begin doing this in these different situations. I can do it, but do I need to do it?
“In the end it becomes, how do I help you the best that I can with the technical things I have? Should I do this, should I not do this? It gets a little esoteric there, but it becomes a more personal thing.”
With those changes, Weaver feels that he is able to be that way living in a smaller town. Recently visiting a pain specialist, Weaver highlighted the great work but could not ignore the assembly line process.
“They are running you through,” said Weaver. “You do not have time to sit, talk and ask you the questions to figure out what is going to best suit you. It is not what is it that I can do, it is what is going to be best for you and what suits or will help you the most.
“That is the art of medicine when talking about the arts and sciences.”
Coming out of his residency, Weaver was 32-years-old. With a lot of time sacrificed to become a doctor, he highlighted the importance of enjoying what you do.
“If you do not like what you are doing, it’s not going to be pleasant for you. If you do like it then it is very rewarding,” explained Weaver. “You can get out of it what you put into it. If you have the attitude, well what difference can I make? You will be surprised how much you get back in return.”
Beginning his career, Weaver felt that he was a good technician. At the time, he could fix things and do everything he was taught. However, he was not sure he was a good doctor.
“Now, I may not be as good a technician as I was, but I’m a much better doctor,” said Weaver. “Again, I have learned enough to decide when I should and should not do things and how to do things that are appropriate. It is a learning process and an evolution.”
Eager to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, Weaver plans to remain in Levelland.
“I need to spend more time with my family. My health is at a place where I still have some years to do that,” said Weaver. This is my home. My family and friends are here.”
Covenant Levelland will be recongizing and celebrating Weaver’s contributions as well as wishing him well on June 27 at the Hospital Atrium located at 1900 College Avenue. The celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.