Donald Earl Dougherty MD

Hi Grandpa D,I played a song for you tonight, a song I wrote just for you. I even thought I could hear you singing it. It's hard to think it has been seven months since we last sang together ?? I hate the distance from here to heaven but I hope you are having fun. I miss you so much I feel like a have hole in my heart and some days I get so mad that you're not here. I still reach for my phone sometimes to tell you about something cool, or ask you a question, but I think you know being a super angel and all. You are still my favorite crazy, wild, silly, funny old man, and I cry for my loss of you all the time. "Pitty Party style" hahaha Im missing you tonight and I will light a candle for you.

I am still tearful when I think of Dr. D and how much he has meant to me all of these years.I was an activity therapist many years ago. I cannot remember what the actual incident was but I recall that Dr. D "Got my Irish Up." The next morning, before seven, Dr. D was standing outside of the activity building. I commented to him that he was at work very early. He replied that he came in early to apologize to me because he knew he hurt my feelings and gave me a hug.Dr. D has always been one of my favorite docs. JEF

Grandpa Don,I had a dream about you last night that seemed so real. I was in the living room, and I heard someone in the kitchen. When I entered the kitchen I saw you eating coco puffs. LOL ?? In that moment I was immediately overwhelmed with sadness and happiness at the same time. I called out to you and you said "hi Jenny" and put your arms out, and I ran to you and hugged you. I said "oh grandpa Don I had the worst dream ever" and began to cry as I held you so tight. you asked me what it was and I said "I had a dream that you died". and you laughed at me and said "well I didn't go anywhere I have been here the whole time". and I said "oh good. well I have missed you anyway". and we laughed. Then you asked me when we were going to start practicing for Christmas because it's October? and I said whenever you are ready. and you said to come over tomorrow and we will play silent night and I said ok. You told me you love me, and I told you I love you more and I woke up. I was so relieved when I woke up because I thought it was just a nightmare but then reality set it. I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I love you. I still pray for you everyday. I miss you more than I can say. I hope to see you again soon.

As you know, Liz and I are traveling out of country and cannot attend the gathering to remember Dr. Don. You know that I would otherwise be there to say a few words about this most wonderful man. If the schedule allows for sharing these thoughts, that would be great. I'll leave it to your judgment.It was the early 1980's ? call it 30 years ago when Don and I first met. The introductory circumstances were pretty unusual and worth some description. Dr. Robert Moore, then VP Clinical Affairs at Vista Hill Foundation came over to MVH and spoke to the Alcohol & Substance Abuse Program team (I was the manager than) about a patient transferring in soon. Dr. Moore and psychiatric resident Dr. Randall Hicks had recently done an intervention on a very ill physician at UCSD who would soon be admitted to MVH after getting medically stabilized. We were to treat him like any other person on the unit and not pay any mind to his being a psychiatrist. The name was, by the way, Dr. Donald Dougherty. Don had been an active psychiatrist in South Bay for a number of years and on the active medical staff at Vista Hill Hospital. He was in serious trouble and Dr. Moore believed it was our obligation to provide treatment to him as there were no other options open. Don came in as sick & fragile as any person I have ever seen. He couldn't even walk for the first week or so, he was so weak. He was bankrupt in practically every sense of the word: physically, mentally, spiritually and monetarily. He was clinging precariously to what ever life was left in his devastated body. He had a few things still going for him: a flicker of strong will, a lovely person named Barbara in his life, the possibility of regaining his medical license, a pulse and a group of relentless recovery staff, hell bent on getting through to him. Don showed great humility, openness and honesty ? I still think about it today just how amazingly courageous he was. I daresay there aren't very many of us who could accept being in such a low point in life, seemingly defeated and not give up. Rather than dwell in misery, Don got on with his recovery ? and that meant dealing with life with brutal honesty. He knew that if he didn't push himself hard enough, he would get the shove from staff. And he never once played the ?I'm the doctor? card. What an unbelievable transformation over about a year of treatment and supportOur work in addiction is difficult, trying at times and so costly in losses to families, businesses and communities. It would be so easy to get discouraged and toss in the towel when we look at the recidivism. But I get inspiration when I think of Dr. Don and what he achieved. By all accounts, he was a guy that should have been dead & gone in middle age. Instead, he punctuated that dash between the dates of birth and death in the brightest of ways. For nearly 30 years, we have enjoyed being around a revitalized Dr. Don. Don's quirky humor, a loving nature, long armed hugs and songs belted out for every occasion was a joy to have and to know. The devotion to practicing psychiatry and addictionology over these decades was an impressive ?giving back? ? how many people are better off today because Don lived 3 decades past a supposed expiration date? Countless, I'm sure.Like everyone present today, I feel fortunate to have known Dr. Don and will miss him.

I miss Don everyday,his. Presence is sorely missed. I am most grateful he is now out of pain at last . We use to see him several times a week and joke and cook for he and my mom. I still find myself thinking oh he would laugh at this. But having my own brush with death I know he is the lucky one and we here left here are the lost ones……Be with God and find you peace. We love and miss you. Michelle Petersen along with Chris and David……