A significant and meaningful part of my earlier career was helping several Oral and Maxillofacial surgery practices merge and create a larger multi-site practice, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates. I was their Administrator for seven years and the life lessons I learned during those years were profound.
Dr. William (Bill) Croom was one of the doctors I worked with, who was also a member of St. Luke’s. Our families were close, and we shared many of life’s milestones together. He was a devoted surgeon who had a heart for the needy and underserved. He volunteered locally, providing oral surgery services at King’s Klinic and Crossings Clinic, as well as volunteering at Living Faith Ministry for ex-offenders. We loved his stories about this work, but the memories we made with Bill when Bob and I traveled to Russia with our mission group are treasured ones. Although I was not clinically trained, I did my best and assisted him with his surgeries on that trip. He returned to Russia three more times and remained tireless in his efforts to help those in need. Bill developed Parkinson’s later in his life and faced his many challenges with courage and optimism. He continued to live life fully, thanks to his strong faith in Christ and the help of his loving family and friends.
Bill passed away on Christmas Day 2021, and his memorial service was held later in January. One of the bittersweet memories of that day was being able to reconnect with most of the oral surgeons I worked with, but hadn’t seen in years. At a family dinner that followed, I was grateful for the opportunity to visit with Dr. Scott Searcey, who had been undergoing very rigorous treatment for neck cancer. I had heard about his cancer diagnosis and its recurrence, and I was anxious to see how he was doing. It was sad to me that he was suffering from some of the same challenges his own patients encountered. When I told him how sorry I was for all that he was going through, his response was, “I feel very blessed.” He was hopeful about his outcome and said that living with this diagnosis helped strengthen his relationship with God.
In a recent conversation, Scott told me of a second recurrence and his extensive treatment, for which he was grateful to have had the strength to endure. Having faith gives him hope and gratitude and he said he is now living some of the happiest days of his life.
I am grateful for the inspiration these two men have brought to my life. Christ was with them in their joy and in their adversities, giving them the strength to truly make a difference in our world. They both inspire me to live in a spirit of gratitude and service to others. May we all treat each day as a gift and give thanks, knowing that God’s love wins!
Marsha Long, Director of Hospitality Ministry
