Healers

[Doctor Charles Coram]

Dr. Coram has so altered the conversations in our community hospital that they have moved from a rigid pharmacological/surgical paradigms toward teams of therapists, community activists, patients, employers, employees, physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, religious leaders, nutritionists, and many others banding together. He is similar to many truly effective leaders, organizing and guiding but often letting others assume the credit. When conversations were initiated it was always Dr. Coram behind the introduction of change. He was driven. He would not put the topic down. He had serious resistance. He had patients and his own convictions as his allies. He had all of the arrayed rigidity of a small Midwestern conservative community, hidebound by tradition, enveloped by its distance from the centers of change and with the certainty of a righteous indignation of the truth of its position, allayed against him. He continued anyway. I think it was his patients’ needs and the angles of his better nature. He has a lot of angles and a lot of better nature, and you guessed it, it is hard to get in to see him.
What does our community want most for Charles Coram? Cloning, Seriously. I have discussed this often with him, we need to train young doctors. Dr. Coram begins with the dysfunctions of spirit, of hope, of dignity of knowledge of what personhood could mean in the patients he sees. He does this gently as he massages and stretches and repositions a few facets. In an hour spent talking to a patient while really caring for their needs he learns their needs, their worries and fears. He was a nurse before being a chiropractor before being an integrative medicine physician. When he continues to care for and about his patients he leads them to new insights of their potential. How much more likely are we to listen when we are relaxed? How about when we feel we have been able to express ourselves in the important worries of health, family and what motivates us? I have found Dr. Coram’s patients returning to me stating what could be called unintended testimonies. They express newfound strengths physically and emotionally. I wish I could send every patient to him (he is just too busy). So many actually begin to follow the advice received. This is a change in listening. This is real change. I, as a physician, listen better and more completely.
What scuttles our barely floating lives when we feel we are paddling as hard as we can? Often it is a lack of faith that there is another way; it begins with renewed belief in our power to change. Breaking dependence may be the very most disabling agenda in a life. Dependencies can be toward others, habits, harmful realms of thought. It seems Charles incorporates example, sincerity and his message of people realizing purpose they must find. Some patients seem to have epiphanies. Some patients are not ready for these messages, but they still receive benefit.
Let me give my final and greatest accolade (surely you think I have said it all). When Christ returns to the Passover feast he washes the disciples feet. He shows us by example one last time what he seems to expect of mere human beings like Charles, like myself. I have the great comfort of having Charles Coram as my Dr. and friend. My wish for you, and for everyone, is that we can train more young people to be like this man. I sincerely wish a great gift for you: may you have a Charles Coram in your life.
Sincerely, Marc E. Hines MD

[Dr Coram]

My family experienced two major medical errors in 2005. The first was my
newborn daughter Olivia. A nurse at Ottumwa Regional Health Center asked my
wife and I if we wanted our newborn daughter to receive the Hepatitis B
Vaccine. We both replied "NO" and signed a refusal document. Two hours
after Olivia was born the nurse gave our daughter the vaccine. We were told
that there was "Zero" risk to our daughter. Two weeks later Olivia stopped
breathing and was taken to the ER. She was in respiratory acidosis which is
caused from bronchial spasms. These spasms can be caused from asthma; she
is not asthmatic. Also, these spasms can occur within weeks of vaccines
caused by serium sickness. Our daughter had a severe reaction to the
Hepatitis B vaccine and almost died. The hospital fought the case and we
were unable to get legal help due to the small nature of the "payoff".
Since Olivia lived and has no indication of damage it is difficult to get
law firms interested.
Seven months after Olivia's experience my 36 year old sister (Heather) died
from Fentanyl Toxicity. Fentanyl is a pain medicine that was reported
months before my sister died to be killing people due to doctors misusing
it. The FDA warned doctors and hospitals in July of 2005 that it was
killing patients. She was given the highest dose of the medication and died
20 hours after a minor surgery. As of March 2008 the drug has been
recalled.
I am asking that families who have experienced medical errors to please
contact me and share your stories. We have to fight back because it is only
getting worse.
GOD HELP US!!!
Dr. Charles Coram
P.S. This information has been sent to the Ottumwa Courier many times, but they are refusing to publish it. The couriers efforts to protect the local medical community is at the heart of the problem. The truth should be shared and allow the American people to evaluated the facts.

[Charles Coram]

First do no Harm
February 4, 2005 I wrote a letter to the editor regarding my concerns about our healthcare community in Ottumwa.
Today, I want to give the people of Ottumwa an update.
On April 06, 2005 my wife gave birth to a wonderful baby girl (Olivia). She was delivered at the Ottumwa hospital. Before she was born; one of the hospital nurses asked my wife and I if we wanted our daughter vaccinated with Hepatitis B. My wife and I did not want our baby vaccinated at that time and signed a document to this. I explained to the nurse why we did not want her vaccinated. I told her that there has been documented studies indicating a greater risk for SIDS and AUTISM among children being vaccinated under the age of 2.
Within 2hours after Olivia was born, they vaccinated her with Hepatitis B.
We were told by hospital officials that the form that we signed was difficult for the medical staff to read. The Director of the medical staff told me that there was no risk to our daughter.
On April 20, 2005 Olivia stopped breathing. I rushed her to the hospital were she experienced two more episodes in the ER. She was kept in the hospital for the day and observed without incidence. For the next month our little girl had chronic breathing problems with no explanation from the hospital for her episode. We were constantly worrying that it was going to happen again. The hospitals doctor did ask my wife and I if we knew CPR, just incase it happened again.
The Hospital continues to claim no liability in the incident that almost cost our 2 week old daughter her life. Since she survived and has no recognizable brain damage the hospitals position is “no harm no foul.“ Malpractice laws disagree.
Last year the Department for Health and Human Services requested that all healthcare providing agencies report any hospitalizations, ER visits, and deaths following vaccinations. The report is to be filed with the Centers for Disease Control.
My wife and I gave an ORHC doctor the document to be filled out and submitted.
It was never done.
I contacted the Centers for Disease Control and filed the document.
*The CDC is now investigating the incident as a possible adverse reaction to the vaccine.
There are over 200,000 reports every year of possible vaccine reactions in children.
Over the past month there have been many reports regarding vaccine reactions in the mainstream press.
As of July 25, 2005 the Hospital position:“Based upon the information available to us, including literature which disputes the claim that adverse affects occur with childhood immunizations, and no additional claim of present injury to the child it does not appear that a financial settlement, of any amount, is warranted under the circumstances.”
On April 20, 2005 I rushed my 2 week old daughter to the ER because she was not breathing.
One of the possible adverse effects of Hepatitis B vaccines is AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION.
I encourage both the medical community and there patients to become more educated in the risks associated with the treatments that are provided.
***FIRST DO NO HARM!
Dr. Charles D. Coram

[Addie Giltner]

Dr. Coram a great asset to the area
Mon, May 12 2008

— It was with great interest that I read the letter by Dr. Charles Coram in the April 30 Courier. Over the years my family has dealt with some excellent doctors in the Ottumwa Health Care system and I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t point out that we still have many excellent doctors in Ottumwa.
What I find frustrating is the fact that it seems they don’t have the time to offer the type of quality care they have in the past or that many of them desire to provide for their patients. Why is this?
I believe it means a great deal to have a doctor who is not only knowledgeable in their field but also shows a genuine interest in your case, one who is willing to take the time to listen to the patient and is persistent in helping that patient to heal and have as good a quality of life as possible.
I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Coram’s opinion. Over a period of 12 years I saw five different doctors for chronic back and hip pain. There didn’t seem to be a solution except therapy and pain pills.
I read an editorial about Dr. Coram in another newspaper and contacted him. In five months he has been able to give me relief from at least 75 percent of the pain and without medication. He is a very considerate, kind and caring doctor and is extremely knowledgeable in his field and constantly striving to learn more. I believe he is one of the hidden treasures among Ottumwa’s medical professionals.
Addie Giltner
Batavia