Doctor-Turned-Artist Returns to Medicine

April 1, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Twenty-seven years after leaving the medical profession, Birmingham artist Dr. Don Stewart has decided to return to his original calling.

In an announcement that shocked the local art community and specialty boutiques nationwide, the former physician has announced that he will hang up his artist’s smock and beret, and return to an environment of white coats and scrubs.

“You can only ignore your true vocation for so long,” Stewart said, noting “There are patients out there who need me.”

In 1986, Stewart left the hospital after a one-year internship in general surgery. Since then he has occupied his time making whimsical ballpoint pen sketches, something he likes to call ‘visual humor’.

“It was a nice distraction,” Stewart said of his years in the DS Art studio. “But by now I think I’ve demonstrated that I know how to draw. It’s time to do something more with my life. Something meaningful.”

Stewart plans to complete a twelve-month fellowship in Orthopaedic Endocrinology before hanging out his shingle, fulfilling the educational journey that was interrupted over a quarter century ago. His practice will be limited to osseous disorders of the distal brachium, with ongoing research in managing central neurotransmitters and endorphin enhancement.

Stewart acknowledges that it will take a while to get back up to speed on his medical skills, especially his ability to manage third party reimbursement issues. “A lot has changed,” he said. “It’s a learning curve, for sure, but what in life isn’t?”

“It’s kind of like riding a Krebs cycle,” Stewart said. “You never really forget how.”

When asked if he considers his years in the art studio a waste of time, Stewart scoffs at the idea. “No real experience in life is wasted,” Stewart explained. “What matters is what you choose to do with it.” 

Stewart plans to use his artistic and marketing skills to launch a series of heartwarming television ads emphasizing the benefits of his new therapeutic approaches, while downplaying potential adverse effects.

“But that’s for some time way in the future,” Stewart said. “Right now, I have to focus on re-establishing my medical credentials, and arranging adequate corporate sponsorship for postgraduate training and research.”