Welcome to St. Anthony's High School 10 and Lawrence Street, N.E. Washington D.C. 20017 Class of 1968 Official Website
Life Story of .... Dr. Tom Reed
Well, I think I'm pretty much like most others, still "under construction." I wish I could say that becoming all of those things that make one a mature adult was an instantaneous metamorphosis, but such was not the case. For many years, I just had to learn things the hard way. It wasn't until I took the "me first" out of life's equation and began to put God first, that I finally had some peace in my life--and that wasn't until a long way down the road. God has always been patient with me, always there when I tripped and fell--even when I hardly believed he was there. I ask your indulgence as I share a few vignettes of my life that the Potter (Isaiah 64:8) has used to mold me over the last 30 years. After graduation, I had very little interest in attending college (mostly because I knew I couldn't make it academically), but my parents encouraged me to give it a shot anyway. So I gave PGCC a try, thinking that a junior college would be the best place to start, all things considered. I promptly dropped out, realizing that I was well on my way to failing out. One can't begin to get an education unless one goes to the classes! I was too busy having fun--doing everything 'cept what I was s'posed to do. My parents didn't like that too much, so they kicked me out of the house. Of course, this was the best thing that could have happened to me. God had his hand (or rather his foot) in this one, I'm sure. I spent the next two years playing around, going from job to job, never seriously considering my future. I lived in a rooming house on South Dakota Avenue, just across the street from Bob Dant's house. I did learn that I needed a job to feed myself and pay rent--that's a plus! In 1970 I got a job with the US Postal Service as a letter carrier. It was a great job, and I have fond memories of those days, especially during Christmas. No matter how hectic their lives, people always seemed to have a smile or a kind word for the mailman. Of course, every letter carrier has a few dog "tails" :-) to share. I can tell you that most dogs have a "get the mailman" gene. Anyway, I was thankful for the opportunity to work there. Then, in 1974, I did the unthinkable. I gave it all up for a low paying, part-time job, a staple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and (of all things) college. I sent my parents and friends into shock, not because they thought this was a good thing, but because they were sure I had lost my marbles. I mean, to give up a secure future for the fanciful whim of thinking I could make it through college? Well, since 7th grade (Sr. Agusta's class, I think) I wanted to be a doctor, and I thought that the time had come to give it my best shot. Its not like I had an academic record to support the decision--all I had was the desire, and a few encouraging words from Sr. Flavia that stuck with me throughout. I was self-supporting and worked about 25 hours a week. I lived on cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese. I managed a few academic scholarships (no kidding--I finally learned to do my homework!) to help pay for the tuition, but I also borrowed a bunch from the government. I entered the pre-med program at the University of Maryland in 1974, and graduated in 1978 with a BS in Psychology. I was accepted into medical school at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. I bought an old post office jeep to get me back and forth from school to Maryland during the holidays. I spent the next four years in Cleveland, which the airline pilots lovingly call "the armpit of the nation." As I quickly found, it's a bit bumpy flying into Cleveland--I think it has a lot to do with the constant wind currents coming in from the lake. Was medical school as hard as everyone says? Absolutely! Good friends, family, and support groups were critical to surviving the experience. Everyone lived on the edges of their emotions. Reality was exaggerated--the stresses, the friendships, everything. I remember my last day in Cleveland. I packed up my U-Haul, and drove out to the interstate. I stopped on the side of the highway with Cleveland in full panoramic view. I got out for one last look and experienced a plethora of emotions ranging from relief to anger to sorrow as I bawled like a baby at the thought of leaving my friends, my home, and all the wonderful memories over the last four years. From Ohio back to Maryland for my surgical training at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Baltimore. The program was under the auspices of John's Hopkins University. I had the privilege of working with vets from WWI to the Vietnam war. Their war stories made you proud to be an American, but they also shared their frustrations with a government system full of red tape, where it is like pulling hen's teeth to get medical care. I remember one incident in particular. A Vietnam vet was trying to get medical treatment for a service-related psychiatric disorder. His frustrations with the red tape got the best of him. He went home, put on his battle fatigues, grabbed his rifle, and came back to the hospital waiting area. He held everyone at bay until he could get some help. Needless to say, it came quickly. On a lighter note, I knew a family practitioner at the hospital who was one of the original actors in the "Our Gang" TV series. He would never tell anyone which character he played. From Baltimore I took a giant leap to the southwest and settled in The Woodlands, Texas. It was a growing area, much like the 270 corridor in Maryland. I actually live in Montgomery County Texas. About a year after the move I met Evangeline, my wife. She was working at a restaurant on break from college. The first time I saw her was when she waited on my table. I turned to a colleague and said, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." His response, "Oh really?" Well, we had our first date, got engaged six weeks later, and married three months after that. That was 13 years ago and we now have 3 children: Kristen-8, Kara-5, and Ryan-3 1/2. They have been a blessing to us and I thank God for our calling as parents. We are all growing together in the ways of the Lord. My wife is absolutely wonderful, and I thank the Lord every day for bringing her into my life. She has to be extra special to put up with me. She is truly an "Angel" (her nickname). Professionally, I treat disorders of the foot and ankle, both medically and surgically. I have three offices, but remain as a solo practitioner. I have also served on the board and other committees of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association for 10 years. Curiously, it took that long to find out that I don't like politics. Through my surgical practice I have also developed orthopedic surgical fixation devices. Some I have patents for, and others are still in the application process. Well, I guess you guys have had an ear full. The only things that I might add are my hobbies. I think it would be great if we all shared our hobbies. I like playing basketball, swimming, biking, and running. I've even done a few short triathlons, but that was "BC" (before children). I also like gardening, golf, photography, reading, and writing (so far six publications in national medical journals). The construction goes on, and I look forward to each day and each way that I can draw closer to God. Well, it's done. Thanks for listening. Tom
This page maintained by Bob Wassmann November 14, 1998