Longtime doctor honored for service

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE — Dr. C. Adrien Bodet III has volunteered at the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence in Mobile, seeing patients for more than 30 years because “it’s a special place.”
Dr. Bodet is one of those who have made it special with his years of dedication. For that, he was recognized Dec. 13 at the Sacred Heart Residence. The infectious disease specialist is retiring from practice and thus hanging up his stethoscope at the Sacred Heart Residence.
“Dr. Bodet’s residents had a tremendous trust in his decision making regarding their health,” said Aziza Thomas, director of nursing at the Sacred Heart Residence. “His gentle demeanor and a genuine concern for their wellbeing has gained him trust that few doctors have.”
Dr. Bodet is one of about 10 doctors who has volunteered to see patients there. He had been making monthly visits before his schedule was trimmed due to his impending retirement. 
He’s been visiting the Sacred Heart Residence for so long that he couldn’t recall how he got started there, but speculated one of his fellow Catholic doctors in the Alabama Medical Group got him lined up there. Dr. Bodet has continued to volunteer because he believes in the Little Sisters of the Poor.
“The doctors who come here, they’re not just coming here because it’s a place. They’re coming because it’s a special place,” Dr. Bodet said.
He cited the care that residents receive on a daily basis as among the reasons why it’s special. There’s also a personal touch that those at the Little Sisters receive, according to Dr. Bodet. “All the nurses, when I ask how the patients are doing, they know how the patients are doing. They know them.”
Dr. Bodet added: “It’s incredible how well cared-for the patients are. You don’t ever go into a room and their hair is messed up or they’re not dressed to the nines. Their skin is always taken such good care of."
The Little Sisters have also impacted Dr. Bodet. 
During his final day seeing patients, Dr. Bodet pulled out of his pocket a Rosary one of the Little Sisters gave him, which included his worn-off initials on the back since he’s had the Rosary for so long.
“I’ve got so many great memories here,” he said. “I’ll miss the people contact. We run into patients, patients’ families, nurses, dietitians, transport people, everybody who makes the machine work. On a given day I bet you I contact 200 people here. I don’t think I’m making that up. That’s going to be what I miss.”