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Antonio Barba
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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May 4, 2003--On Hatteberg's People tonight you'll see him in the halls of Via Christi St. Joseph, that doctor who plays the accordion. Dr. Antonio Barba is an obstetrician gynecologist you remember. His patients certainly do. |
You'll see him playing his accordion in the lobby of Via Christi St. Joseph. Sometimes swaying to the music, sometimes nodding to those passing by who smile with pleasure at the notes wafting through the corridors. |
"Whenever you share God's gifts, you get a hundred fold back for what you do for other people."
As an obstetrician, he's a busy guy, always checking expectant mothers and reassuring them. Sometimes the reassurance comes in the form of the accordion music. Sometimes a lullaby, sometimes another one of his favorites. Whichever he chooses, it is always soothing. |
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In his 4th floor office adjacent to Via Christi St. Joseph, Dr. Antonio Barba visits with patient Raquel Mendez.
"Your due date was yesterday. So you kind of waited for today/"
"Uh-huh." |
"Today is a nice day, it is a beautiful day."
His calming manner, like his music, is his 'gift'.
"I am the oldest practicing obstetrician in town. Yes, it's such a blessing....yes."
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Dr. Barba has delivered more than 5,000 babies since his arrival in Wichita a couple of decades ago.
As Raquel Mendez waits for her exam and her music she said, "He was my mom's doctor when she had me and had my sister and my baby brother. And he's been my doctor, for my first daughter and for this baby."
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No one forgets his bedside manor, because no other doctor serenades his patients.
"In my office Larry I try to bring people joy in their lives."
"I do a lot of meditating. I actually close my eyes and meditate while I'm playing the music."
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As he walks the halls of the hospital, playing, he visits in different rooms as patients wave him in. In the halls of the ill, his music takes their mind off their problems.
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"I kind of like what I'm doing so I'm going to continue it. The Holy Father said heaven is the time to rest. Now is the time to work."
"Praise the Lord, the Lord is good."
As he finishes serenading in one room and gets ready to move on he always asks---
"You like that one?"
Everyone always does! |
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