DR. POLYPHEMOUS PANGLOSS
There is nobody more synonymous with medicine in Brownsville than Dr. Lorenzo Pelly. The physician, who escaped his native Cuba when Fidel Castro and Che Guevara assumed power, is retiring after nearly a half century as an internist and critical care specialist.
From State Judge Juan Magallanes to the poorest people living in the barrios, many of his patients have credited him with saving their lives or making their lives better.
"I've never met an individual who has worked harder than my good friend Dr. Pelly," said Dr. Polyphemous Pangloss. "He has been at his post 24/7/365 ever since I first had the pleasure of meeting him. His dedication to his calling has been awe inspiring. With his departure from active practice, we are losing one of our icons."
Besides his commitment to medicine, Dr. Pelly has always shared a keen interest in local politicians. He memorably grabbed The Brownsville Herald's headlines when he brought a burro to a city commission meeting when turmoil was reigning at the municipality.
"It was one of the funniest scenes I ever saw," said Dr. Pangloss. "He was standing outside City Hall on Market Square with his donkey demanding that our leaders stop acting like asses.
"Coincidentally, the mule was later poisoned. Dr. Pelly had certain suspicions, but he never articulated them. He has been a legitimate character, but his intentions have always been honorable. And nobody has ever questioned his singular sense of humor."
"True greatness is accompanied by humility," offered Scott Steinbeck, the managing editor of The McHale Report. "There will be no fanfare nor parades nor buildings named after him because he prefers exiting the stage quietly. His work has been more than a sufficient satisfaction for him."
Dr. Pelly released this statement regarding his retirement: "Over the past 40 years as a doctor in Brownsville, Texas, I have had the pleasure of working with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and administrators. Each of them showed remarkable care and compassion for our patients.
"It didn’t matter whether patients were insured or uninsured," he continued. "I treated them all the same. I also worked with several home health companies. Practicing medicine has been my passion and I am grateful that I was able to do so for so long."
Dr. Pelly will be missed.
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