Several things struck me immediately. Dr. Prade was very pleasant, putting me at ease. Her office was decorated in gentle pastels and the walls were adorned with wonderful art. One of my favorite pictures was of a group of Black girls dressed in their Sunday clothes standing arm in arm, obviously enjoying each others' company; that image reflected the warmth and friendship that Dr. Prade showed her patients.

Dr. Prade provided me with the most comprehensive physical and took the most thorough history I have ever had. I knew I had found the best family physician in Ohio. There was no doubt in my mind. When I laid back on the examining table, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Dr. Prade had posters with soothing pictures and inspirational verses on the ceiling. I had never been so relaxed in a doctor's office. She did many very kind and considerate things during the physical. Throughout the examination, she talked quietly describing what she was doing or about to do and what she was checking. Her process was very, very reassuring. Women reading this will appreciate that Dr. Prade always made sure that the speculum was at body temperature.

Several years later, I went to Dr. Prade in medical crisis. I only knew that I was tired and never dreamed that I was as ill as I actually was. Upon entering the examination room, Dr. Prade exclaimed "What happened to you?!" She opened a cabinet, pulled ou a pillow, told me to lie down, and ordered a stat EKG (test of heart function). The EKG was abnormal and Dr. Prade told me to drive directly to the hospital and said she would have me admitted by the time I arrived. She specifically told me not to go home and she said I needed to take my car because she felt that her parking lot was not safe, especially at night.

I did not see Dr.  Prade until the next morning. When she arrived, I was on the cardiac stepdown unit, hooked up to what seemed like a hundred monitors. Dr. Prade sat down on the bed to tell me the results of the tests she had ordered. In all of my forty-odd years, at that time, no one had ever sat on my bed to talk with me when I was ill. The news she gave me was not good, but she gave it so gently that, at first, I did not understand the implications. She stayed with me and became more direct until I got it. I needed to have surgery to save my life, but I was not strong enough to survive the surgery. As she started to explain what I would do across the next several months, I received a telephone call from a supervisor who was very verbally abusive. Dr. Prade heard both ends of the conversation and was obviously shocked and disturbed that someone would treat me in such a manner, especially while I was hospitalized. She spent a little extra time with me to discuss that call and its context with respect to my work situation. Dr. Prade made sure that I was in reasonably good condition after that call.

Dr. Prade referred me to a surgeon who, unfortunately, was not included in my medical plan. As a result, I went into surgery with a physician who was neither pleasant nor considerate. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Prade called me one evening at home to discuss my concerns which the surgeon refused to discuss. All of the expensive preparation I had for months before the surgery did not work and I was still not really well enough to be expected to survive. Dr. Prade walked the tightrope that many Black women doctors walk as we strive to maintain professional distance while providing spiritual support and guidance without intruding into actual religion. As we talked, we both came to understand that I was not afraid to die, but that my worry was about being incapacitated. Dr. Prade was both reassuring and realistic in her appraisal of my situation and, after talking with her, I felt ready to face the surgery.

After the surgery, Dr. Prade continued to be particularly supportive as I had many postoperative complications. When I went to her office for follow-up examinations, she always made me feel relaxed, even when I was there for hours. She would see me at the time of my appointment, order a test, see patients in another examining room, and give me results and/or order additional tests between the other patients. Dr. Prade always made sure that I was comfortable and never made me feel like I was a bother. She was always available to talk and never minded if I had a long list of questions. In addition, she recommended reliable sources of information for indepth answers. Dr. Prade always followed up with me after she referred me to a specialist; she wanted to know how I was treated so that she could refine her referrals and limit them to physicians who accorded her patients the same kind of dignity she gave us.

As my health gradually improved, Dr. Prade and I had time during my appointments to talk about her daughters and their accomplishments. She was very proud of them. I congratulated Dr. Prade on her ability to build and maintain a thriving practice while raising high-achieving children. She gave credit to the support she received from her mother and sisters, but it was clear to me that she used the same consideration and organizational skills which made her an excellent physician to be a successful mother.

In the fall of 1997, my aging mother started to have some serious medical problems. My family made the decision to move her to Akron with the understanding that Dr. Prade would be her primary physician. Dr. Prade was very helpful in that decision process, assisting me in considering placement options and services my mother would need. Our last conversation was two weeks before the senseless, brutal murder which took her from us. I am so glad that the conversation ended with my saying "Thank you, Dr. Prade."

I will forever be indebted to Dr. Prade for saving my life and for the kindness and consideration she showed me. And I will always think of her as my Sister Doctor.

With many fond memories and much gratitude,
Martha E. Banks
 

The background for this page is the office building Dr. Prade built as depicted on her business cards.

Prepared for the family and friends of Dr. Prade by former patients:
Martha E. Banks, Ph.D.
Rosalie J. Ackerman, Ph.D.
ABackans Diversified Computer Processing, Inc.
1700 West Market Street
Dept. RD301
Akron, OH  44313-7002
abackan@en.com
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Last Updated: 12/22/00