Ive thought about writing this since 2011, I’ve struggled mentally about whether this is the right thing to do, but at the end of the day releasing this pent up emotion , is I believe better for me so here goes.
When working for Dr. Huggins I believed I was doing a good job, I think I was liked by Doc, the staff, the alliance of Huggins trained dentists and his clients. I thought I had a great relationship both as colleagues and friends with the people I’d worked with for many years. So you can imagine my shock and surprise on April 22nd 2011 when I was given some bad new’s.
Before I go into that let me explain some thing’s that justified the shock I was about to feel. In the three and a half years I’d been there I’d become the biggest producer doc had ever had. I’d sent more people to his clinic’s than any previous employee. I’d generated more revenue in my first full year than anyone else in their first years so I was confident in my role.
When I first started as Client Service Director in November 2007, I read everything I could that doc had written, I studied Weston A Price the grand master in the field. I sat in on many of doc’s consultations to learn all I could about this amazing man. Doc would tell how pleased he was via his spinaround signal and then patting me on the back. Very rarely would he verbally compliment anyone.
I remember a conversation about his intended growth of the company, he’d acknowledged my abilities and ever growing understanding of his work. He insisted I keep notes which I did so I could train new members of my sales team. and educate them in his special work to the standards he demanded.
Anyone that know’s the infamous Dr. Huggins will know that his work has been truly ground breaking, and because of this has made enemies of the uninformed dental profession. Those dentists and assistants that have been brainwashed by the American Dental Association (ADA) all mistakenly despise the man. But there is no doubt of his dedication, his research and subsequent teachings have saved lives and improved the lives of thousands maybe even hundreds of thousands of lives.
I imagine that most know him to be a dedicated and single minded professional, but I doubt they know that what initially drove and inspired the man 30 years, and that was his determination to help others had been replaced by his ego which is bigger than Texas.
Ok so back to that horrible day, I’d had to go to “Brakes Plus” to have the brakes done on my truck which I’m sure you can imagine is not cheap when you drive a Dodge Ram with a hemi engine. I got back into my office and started to catch up with the many calls I’d missed. The office manager who I’d always gotten on with really well came into my office and took a seat, she was crying so I stopped what I was doing and asked what was wrong. She looked at me and asked if we could go to her office, I followed her down the hall and sat at her desk waiting for her to explain.
She took a deep breath and said she was sorry, I noticed a cheque in front of her but still didn’t “click” what was happening. Then I heard “we have to let you go”…….
I thought”no way” am I losing my job, it can’t possibly be happening to me, after all, my friend had assured me that she had my back and would let me know if anything like this was on the cards. But she had obviously known for at least 24 hrs and possibly a lot longer, so much for “I’ve got your back”.
I left the office at 3.30 and drove home thinking what the heck am I going to do now, I was 55 years old and had MS, there was 5 hopes of me getting a job I could do now, envelope, periscope, antelope, bob hope and No Hope.
Getting home in the middle of the afternoon felt strange to me, I had the most horrible feeling in my gut, I felt empty as if I’d just lost everything. I’d put more into that job than to anything I’d done before. I’d worked longer hours (unpaid) and dedicated myself to perpetuating his work long after he’d gone. In my first full year I actually worked an additional 400 hours to help those clients that needed it. I didn’t want or ask for payment for this, I felt truly fulfilled knowing I was helping others that genuinely needed it.
I was getting fired because my employer’s ego was bruised as more and more clients were asking to talk with Dr Stefan…. I always informed people I wasn’t a doctor, but several insisted asking for me that way. It seemed that doc had underestimated my ability to learn when he suggested I read and study his work. I’m sure someone asking doc or the office manager about any of this then they’ll get a different story but I assure you this is the truth.
I’ll continue this tomorrow….
My book “Dentistry and how it’s damaging your health” is available here for only $2.99
