Doc hangs his heart in York

Before Reuben Washington's family settled in York, he and his family were migrant workers. That meant he attended a variety of schools.

"When we moved North, we lived in different places. We worked into the early part of the school year and were exposed to completely different educational backgrounds. That was somewhat of a problem."

His mother decided she wanted her family to be more stable, so in 1957 they settled in York County.

Washington attended Hannah Penn Junior High School and became interested in wrestling.

"That was the first time I was exposed to wrestling," he said. "I enjoyed it, and then, when I went to York High, I continued wrestling and then really ended up really becoming successful in that sport."

While in high school, Washington also enjoyed performing on stage as a singer.

"It was a wonder I didn't go into show business," he said, "because I had that kind of high that you get from being accepted like that on stage."

He also was an excellent student and earned an academic and wrestling scholarship from Lincoln University.

He decided to study medicine because a teacher at William

Washington has gone on to open a private practice as an orthopedic surgeon in the Rochester, N.Y., area.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

"I would have to say probably graduation from medical school and successfully entering into the orthopedic program at the University of Pittsburgh."

What makes a hero?

"Basically, I think a hero is someone who places someone else's well-being or interest above his own in the face of peril or misfortune. In other words, he subordinates his own interests to someone else's without the notion of self-gain or self-enhancement."

Do you consider yourself to be a hero?

"No, I don't. I would like to be a positive image for people in general. I think first you have to be a good person and that, I think, is important."

Who is your hero?

"I would have to say my father, for one, because I thought he was an excellent provider and he was very knowledgeable. His knowledge far exceeded what one would expect for someone without a significant formal education.

"And I would have to include my mother in that as well. Outside of my own family, however, I would have to say Martin Luther King."

What affect did you have on York County or on your profession?

"Well, it's been a long time since I've actually lived in York County. I last lived in York County in 1969. Up until that time, I think it would have been my achievements in academics and also in wrestling. I was a championship wrestler at York High during that period of time. I think I gained some degree of notoriety from my wrestling.

"I think, at least I would hope, that people saw my experience there as a very positive one. I tried to be a good athlete and to set good standards, which I think I did, and I still live by some of those standards today. You know, having a sense of fairness to others. I think it's important to have a certain degree of humility.

"In terms of my profession here in the Rochester area, my career is geared to helping people . . . to make them well and to get them back on their feet and to improve their quality of life."

Who or what is your inspiration?

"I would have to say my family has been my inspiration, and I suppose, you know, there is an inner desire certainly for self-improvement."

What is your favorite York County memory?

"I would have to say being a championship wrestler in high school," Washington said, adding that being on stage also was memorable.

"Certainly the response was good, and I was thrilled to have performed in the talent show and to have been received by the students and the teachers. I thought that was sort of neat."

What would you like your hometown to know about you?

"Basically, that I've always considered York my real home because that is where my parents lived . . . at least until my father died a year and a half ago. So that is where my heart is, and I've always returned to York and had very fond memories growing up there.

"Basically, I would like to think that York was the basis for a lot of the things that I have become - good, bad or indifferent."

What's the best piece of advice you can give or have ever gotten?

"I think, you know, it goes back to my parents," said Washington, who is one of nine children. "I think we were all raised to do our best and to try to improve ourselves and to make the most of what we have and the opportunities that we had.

"I think if I was going to give any advice it would be don't give up on a dream - however remote.

"Because if you work toward that dream or goal, most likely you will succeed more times than not."

DR. REUBEN WASHINGTON BIOGRAPHY

Occupation: Since 1980, Dr. Reuben Washington has been in private practice as an orthopedic surgeon in the Rochester, N.Y., area

Born: Oct. 1, 1942

Birthplace: Floala, Ala.

Current home: Rochester, N.Y.

Marital status: Married

Children: Two children

Education: Graduated from William Penn Senior High School in 1961; received bachelor's degree in pre-medicine from Lincoln University; graduated from Yale University with a master's degree in public health; received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

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