Patient Thanks PCOM Primary Care Physician by Dedicating Children’s Book

September 30, 2024

Larry N. Finkelstein, DO ’87, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), has seen a lot in his nearly 40 years of practicing medicine, but he recently encountered a first. Thankful for his care, a longtime patient dedicated a book to him.

Arlene J. Surrency, who has been seeing Finkelstein as her primary care provider for more than 25 years, began writing children’s books in January 2023. During a visit with Finkelstein at Hassman Family Medicine Center, Finkelstein said, “Ar, what have you been up to?” Surrency recalled. She displayed three books she had published, prompting Finkelstein to ask whether she had considered writing one to promote healthy lifestyles for children.

“That’s why I was inspired to write it,” Surrency said of the book, titled Healthy Living Leads to a Healthy Me. “When someone sees something in you, it makes a big difference. When Dr. Finkelstein looked at these three books, he saw something in them.”

Published earlier this year, Healthy Living Leads to a Healthy Me includes this dedication page: “I want to give a 'special thanks' to my primary care physician, Larry Finkelstein, DO, for the excellent service he has provided me through the years. Most of all, I want to thank him for inspiring me to write this book. Thank you, Dr. Finkelstein.”

Told through the story of Elijah, Surrency’s youngest son, the 44-page book emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and hygiene as some of the keys to good health. Surrency has also published a companion coloring and activity book to accompany it.

Surrency, who lives in Philadelphia, is a licensed childcare provider, ordained minister and notary public. She is also a mother of four children and has seven grandchildren. Surrency was married to the late Pastor Stanley J. Surrency, Sr., whom Finkelstein made house calls to before Surrency’s passing in 2017.

Finkelstein said that, as an osteopathic physician, he is naturally hands on. With longtime patients like Surrency, it is common for him to greet with a hug.

“I can’t overemphasize what it’s really meant to me to receive this acknowledgement,” Finkelstein said. “It really feels good. After 30 years, it’s the first time this has happened for me. I appreciate it, and it keeps me going.”

Surrency said it’s one thing to express something verbally and another to commit it to writing.

“I figured if I can put this inside of the book, if he picks this up, he’ll see it and he’ll know I really care and I’m really thankful for his service,” she said.

Finkelstein added that the dedication “reinforces that what I’m doing makes a difference.”

“I’ve always known that I’ve had strong relationships with my patients and developed rapport with my patients, but here it is in black and white, in print—which is a first,” he said.

More information about Surrency’s books is available at https://www.arrowssoarenterprises.com.

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