A Note of Gratitude, With Thanks to Gus and Mary Magrinat
For 30 years, Dr. Gus Magrinat took the very best care of his patients. He and his wife Mary also cared for Cone Health. As dedicated donors who supported facilities and patient care funds, they also made possible our incredible Healing Gardens. This is our thank you.
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Dusk begins to fall over the Cone Health Cancer Center as a patient wraps up a long appointment — the first one after her diagnosis. She arrived anxious, overwhelmed and fearful; the diagnosis felt like a new identity she never wanted to have, a new day she never wanted to see. But as she shakes hands with oncologist Dr. Gus Magrinat and nods goodbye to her oncology team, she’s feeling better, clearer about what’s to come and in control of the decisions that must be made.
She carries several sheets of paper, inked with the notes Dr. Magrinat wrote for her. All the information he covered, he wrote down as he went.
It could be May 1993. October 2011. Or, this past December, when Magrinat finished the final weeks of his 30-year career; it’s how he has done it for every patient from the very beginning.
“If you write it down as you explain it, it’s a completely different experience for the patient,” Magrinat says. “It forces the doctor to go very slowly, which is good. And it really penetrates. The patient goes home and they go over the notes again and again with their family.”
Many hold on to these handwritten pieces of paper for years, some coming back a decade later, when their cancer unfortunately has returned, with his original notes in hand.
A handwritten note builds a sense of connection. Magrinat’s notes to his patients are a physical representation of who he, and his wife Mary, are at the core.
Gustav Magrinat, the “natural teacher,” as his wife describes him.
Mary Magrinat, who endured breast cancer as a young mother, retired several years ago from a successful career in financial services, and now finds joy in giving back to the cancer center that healed her — and to the community she loves. Years ago, with landscape designer Sally Pagliai, she developed the vision to create the Healing Gardens covering two acres adjacent to Wesley Long. From the initial spark of inspiration to the gardens today, she has worked with dedicated Healing Gardener volunteers who continue to care for the space every Thursday.
Together, Gus and Mary have an exemplary record of giving. Over the years, they’ve supported many Cone Health initiatives, from the new cancer wing in 2011 to the Healing Gardens and annual fund drives. They are consistent members of the Cone Society. And they speak with affection about the place where Gus spent his career and where Mary has worked on many projects, most recently a gallery of Healing Gardens photography throughout Wesley Long’s first floor and an outdoor infusion area on the balcony overlooking the gardens.
“We are embedded in this community,” Dr. Magrinat explains. “When I see a patient, they are my neighbor. They are part of my community. It's not this way with other health systems. We just feel different about our patients. They’re our people.”
Why is Cone Health worthy of support? Mary talks about the way that Cone Health treats all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. “This is amazing, right? It's a wonderful, wonderful thing. If you don’t have transportation, Cone helps you get here. If you need an interpreter, Cone has them. Alight Integrative Care offers all kinds of wrap–around services to make sure patients can take control of their health.
“The staff here care so much,” she continues. “They’re very dedicated, and even though this is a large medical community, it is very collegial here. Everyone works together.”
Gus explains what happens when a patient finds out that she has breast cancer. “We bring every case before a multidisciplinary conference — more than 20 surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, also
geneticists, pharmacologists, pathologists and radiologists. A general plan is proposed. The patient then comes to the breast cancer clinic where her case is again reviewed by her individual team, now including a social worker, a nutritionist and a physical therapist.” From there, the patient sits in a room while her doctors and team members rotate through. The surgeon discusses surgical options. The radiation oncologist explains the technicalities of radiation. The medical oncologist reviews hormonal or chemotherapy or targeted therapies. And so on. A nurse navigator guides the patient during the course of treatment.
“By the time the patient leaves the clinic, she is in control,” Magrinat says. “She knows exactly what the plan is and is ready to implement it. It isn’t rare for patients to arrive at the clinic in tears and to leave here laughing. And that is really the way it ought to be.”
“So, just imagine,” Mary interjects. “When you're overwhelmed with your diagnosis and you’re worried about what will happen to your family and your job, just how incredibly helpful that is.”
She experienced cancer decades ago, but Mary remembers the feeling well. “You would insist that we take a walk before I had treatment, do you remember that?” she asks her husband. “It was a very difficult time. But we would go for a walk and nature strengthened me. The trees and the sky would bring me back to earth, to a calmness and peace that I craved in the midst of anxiety.”
The healing power of nature was among the factors that motivated Mary to create the Healing Gardens. “It’s a magical place,” she says. “I really believe with my heart that nature promotes healing.” It’s a feature that she believes goes hand-in-hand with Cone Health’s commitment to delivering empathetic care.
“This cancer center is a people-centered place.”
A place where Dr. Magrinat insisted on 30-minute appointments with patients. Where he took time to explain things and teach his patients so that they could participate in decision-making about their own health. Where he listened and learned their stories.
“In addition to caring for my patients, I just really like them.” He says it so genuinely, you know he means it. You can see it in his eyes. “They're fun and they're interesting and each one is different. You find out the most amazing things about your patients when you get to know them.”
That’s the thing about the Magrinats and the way they care. We have our own note to write. One of gratitude and respect. A thank you. A job well done. But never a goodbye. We’ll be seeing Gus and Mary in our offices and our halls and in our gardens.
