END OF AN ERA

END OF AN ERA


For over 50 years, Dr. Joe Battersby has dispensed common sense along with medical advice. He is the consummate pilot advocate, making a visit to the AME more like visiting a favorite uncle. His office is a monument to the affection that his patients – his flying family – feel for him. Photos of his pilots’ planes, many with personal thoughts penned, decorate the modest building that has served his practice. Other than the PHX-based folks, most of you do not know Joe. But sharing his story with all of you will give you a peek at how we all can work together, helping one another, and how special and unique Joe and his medical practice is to all of us.
The FAA physical exam passes quickly as both physician and patient know the routine well – forms filled out, all the boxes are checked and completed, essentials examined, all the time getting caught up with personal events in this semiannual visit, renewing a precious relationship between this essential part of the pilots’ lives and their AME.
The entire ritual ends with hugs from Mary Jane and Margaret, along with a circular sticker proclaiming that the airman has just passed his physical with Flying Colors.
During the Christmas holidays, an entire office wall holds the cards of his many of his faithful charges and their families – all remembering Joe and this family. Joe, Mary Jane, and Margaret have been part of our family – part of our lives.
Margaret met Joe in 1965, when he was in general practice, on the recommendation of a friend. She remembers her first visit with Joe when he told her, “I am the doctor and you are the patient. If you are not going to do what I say, leave now as I don’t need you wasting my time and your money.” She not only went to him until he retired but also worked for Joe six years. Joe also delivered her daughter, Mary Theresa, in 1971.
Mary Theresa was in high school when she started working for Joe. She had been working one week at McDonald’s when she burned her arm with grease. When seeing her arm, he asked, “Where the hell did you get that?” Her reply, “I work at McDonald’s.” He then said, “You used to work at McDonald’s! Give your two week’s notice and you will come in here after school and on Saturday. You will make as much here as you did there and you will be using your brain. I didn’t bring you into this world to work at McDonald’s.” Mary Theresa worked for Joe eight years until she got married. She now enjoys a successful career, thanks to the start that Joe gave her.
Mary Jane met Joe when he was teaching art in one of the local colleges. He needed an office help and talked Mary Jane into working for him, where she remained for 26 years. They attended all kinds of classes together –photography and Morse code, to name a couple. They shared many hobbies and became close friends and Mary Jane has assisted Joe for the vast majority of his career.
Joe has treated many people, including Rose Mofford, former governor of Arizona, and Ruby Sheldon, one of the first women in aviation to fly across the U.S. A few of us who have suffered serious injuries have been treated back to health by Joe, while he has also aided countless pilots regain their medical qualifications to continue their careers.

From Margaret’s perspective, Joe’s practice was and always did remain for the poor. He took care of homeless people to be sure they were okay. There was a deaf couple who would not go to the hospital when their children were ready to be born so he went to their house to deliver the babies. He took care of a few very old patients on Medicare gratis as he didn’t want to deal with the insurance. He paid for many people’s education as it meant so much to him. He always looked out for the pilot and they were first. He made his office a pilots’ lounge rather than a doctor’s office to help the pilots relax. The pilots are his family. Dr Joe quit general practice when insurance companies tried telling him what he could or could not do for his patients. As he put it, “I am the one who went to school for medical training, not the insurance companies, who are trying to save money.”


Many of us have enjoyed this Norman Rockwell experience because we were lucky enough to have Joe for our flight surgeon. He has become an intimate part of our lives as a trusted confidant, providing sage wisdom when requested, enabling us to enjoy our flying careers and making the visit to the AME an event warmly anticipated. The best way to describe Joe’s office is to quote Joe from one of his published articles, “Our office is to say the very least informal. Perhaps it’s even true that the term “informal” is a euphemism. Facts, unqualified opinions, and politically incorrect statements are all rather jumbled together. We foster an atmosphere in which there are sometimes more areas of discussion “off” rather than “on” the record. We love this and wouldn’t have it any other way. In spite of this, we manage to not have our independence breed arrogance (I hope!).” Joe always ended his articles with things he and the gals were grateful for – typically:

Things to be thankful for:
1. Daughter Marie’s visit in January (Mary Jane)
2. Getting the time to do some fishing with Joe. (Mary Jane)
3. Cold weather (Mary Jane)
4. Dead Horse Ranch (Joe)
5. The joy of getting up early each morning and smiles (Margaret)
6. The joy of working where, how, with whom and for whom. (Joe)

Best,
Joe, Mary Jane, Margaret



To that, I would like to add, we are all grateful for you, Joe, Margaret, and Mary Jane, for the privilege of knowing you and sharing your hugs and humor.

They don’t make ‘em like Joe anymore – he truly is one of a kind. Thank you, Joe Battersby, for being in our lives and God-speed to you and your family for sharing your passion and compassion, warmth, intelligence, and candor.

Captain Larry Kline
PHX - 6592







Mary Jane and Dr. Joe




Margaret, Mary Jane, and Joe










































Dr. Joe in his office






Joe and Beverly in Colorado