Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Goodbye (for now)

I have been away from the message board for several months, but with renewed interest I wanted to post this. Many of you know that Bert and I are best friends, he works 2-miles down the road from me, we talk almost nightly about love, life, work, etc. He recently shared with me his need to leave the ACUB. I do not know why he is "gone (for now)." However, based upon all the hard work and countless THOUSANDS or TENS OF THOUSANDS of hours that Bert has logged into the ACUB, I am quite certain Bert did this with a very heavy heart.

I will speak as unbiased as I can remain, given that he is like a brother to me. Most everyone on here sees Bert in 2D, as a tireless contributor to AC and helping users. Some of you know him personally, but I know him intimately. He literally spends every day on the ACUB and has done so for over SIX or SEVEN years. He has helped many of you personally by email, phone, and he has even logged into some of your computers remotely to help some of the fellow users. It deeply saddens me that he feels the need to step down "(for now)." Bert wishes there was an alternative, but "(for now)" there is not.

Bert has not had vacation in 6 years, he has no pediatric call coverage, and gets paged at least 5-6 times nightly if not more. He gets tired. Bert is a human being. To my knowledge Bert is not a paid staff member of Amazing Charts. He needs a break. He gets tired and sometimes he says something that sounds sarcastic, cynical, or dry. Bert alluded to posting something offensive. Maybe he posted something that was taken the wrong way by someone??? I can't imagine. IF so, I have searched his posts and can't find out what it was. I never saw anything that looks offensive.

Bert, loves this EMR. I know because as much as he praises AC to the ACUB, he convinced me to buy it. Not only that, he helped me set it up, then got my network up and running. He convinced me to hang in there and stay w/ AC even though I am having horrible problems using my security printer for C-II's. My friend Bert gave his time to help me. He has given thousands of hours to the benefit of all AC users. I'm sure Bert would love to give more time if he could.

What I want to add is something most of you know. He is a great PERSON. He is one of the most gracious, helpful people I have ever known. He will do anything for anyone. He taught me about pediatrics when I was in residency, he helped me start using AC, he helped me grieve when my wife passed away, he continues to help me w/ computer issues, and he continues to remain one of my best friends in life.

I am sorry Bert had to step down. In one respect it will be good: he won't have an excuse to avoid me on the tennis court. Other than that, I can see no good that will come from the loss of Bert as ACUB administrator. I hope that whatever happened to force Bert into a position to "resign," that it gets resolved so all of these loyal AC family members will see their mentor return.

Final note: Given that big warning at the main page of the ACUB telling us how to post, I do not wish for this post to be taken the wrong way by anyone. I am in no way indemnifying anyone. I am in no way speaking critically of AC. I am simply stating facts about my friend (the former ACUB administrator) which I hope do not get misconstrued: 1) I am friends w/ Bert, the VOLUNTEER ACUB administrator. 2) I personally know that he has logged in cumulative years of his life devoted to the ACUB and the EMR. 3) I am sad that he had to step down from a volunteer position which HE LOVES. 4) I wish we could know why Bert had to step down, since he has affected so many of us in a positive way. 5)Bert is a great person. 6)I wish the situation could be rectified so Bert will want to return.

There, I've said my peace. I'm leaving the ACUB again for another long hiatus away. While my presence or absence here has no effect on the ACUB, I suspect Bert's absence will cast ripples beyond which anyone (repeat anyone) can foresee. I hope for everyone's sake that he will return some day.