"Our general manager's husband has an eye problem. Could you see him this morning?"
"I could."
"She's wondering how much you'd charge?"
"There will be no charge."
The concierge sounded delighted. I was also pleased. She worked at a large Hollywood hotel that doesn't call often. The list of doctors at the concierge desk contains several names, and mine is not at the top. Given a list, most guests call the first name first.
I'm happy to care for staff gratis. A lower level employee will certainly tell colleagues about the experience. This is important because, even at hotels that call regularly, many employees are unaware that I exist, and guests who ask for help usually ask only once.
Hotel managers, of course, have the power to make important decisions.
The husband was staying in the penthouse. The eye problem presented no difficulty; I informed him that no treatment was necessary, and symptoms should vanish once he began wearing goggles when riding his motorcycle.
On my way out, the general manager expressed gratitude. I nodded modestly and kept my hopes to myself. Except among luxury hotels, general managers rarely pay attention to providing a house doctor, and this GM immediately went back to her routine. This hotel continues to call once or twice a year.
Dr Oppenheim has been a hotel doctor in Los Angeles for thirty years. He has made about 15,000 visits. You may contact him via email at michaeloppen@yahoo.com.
