Culture of Compassion
Guthrie's culture and values are founded on the life and work of Donald Guthrie, MD, who came to the booming railroad town of Sayre, Pa., in 1910. While completing his residency at the Mayo Clinic under the tutelage of William and Charles Mayo, Dr. Guthrie learned the benefits to patients of a group practice. Those values -- putting the needs of the patient first, teamwork, and excellence in patient care -- became the foundation of the group practice that bears his name. These values continue to guide Guthrie Clinic today.
Allan P. Kirby, a patient of Dr. Guthrie, experienced firsthand Guthrie's values and compassion. As a measure of gratitude, in 1944 Mr. Kirby purchased and gifted Dr. Guthrie an original study of the iconic painting, The Doctor, by Sir Samuel Luke Fildes. This somber scene highlights the total focus and compassion the doctor offers his young patient, who lies gravely ill. The study was fully restored in 2019 and is displayed prominently on our main campus in Sayre. It continues to resonate with clinicians and patients who seek personal, exceptional experiences with their health care teams.
Though medicine has undergone seismic shifts in the last 100 years, the heart of what Guthrie providers strive to give, and what patients hope to receive, has not changed. Guthrie's commitment to our vision to "improve health through clinical excellence and compassion. Every patient. Every time," steadfastly guides every decision, so that we may help our patients attain optimal, life-long health and well-being.
The inspiration provided in the painting that is now on display in the Guthrie Clinic is needed now, more than ever.
The unveiling of The Doctor painting by Sir Luke Fields, restored, and in its new permanent location outside Guthrie Clinic Administration in Sayre.
Guthrie’s Patient Care expectation for caregivers:
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve. We treat all patients with warmth, respect and dignity and provide care that is both necessary and appropriate. We do not discriminate in the care or services that we provide. Specifically, we do not discriminate based upon education, age, sex, gender, disability, race, color, religion, income or who will pay their bill, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, veteran status, culture, language, or any other basis prohibited by law. Emergent clinical care is based on identified patient health care needs, not on patient’s ability to pay, or organizational needs.
Patients are treated in a manner that preserves their dignity, autonomy, self-esteem, civil rights, and involvement in their own care. Compassion and care are part of our commitment to the communities we serve. We strive to provide health education, health promotion, and illness- prevention programs as part of our efforts to improve the quality of life of our patients and our communities.