Community reflects on Dr. Buenaflor

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh lost a good physician/surgeon, friend and colleague with the passing last Wednesday of Bienvenido G. Buenaflor, M.D., 72. He had leukemia.

Dr. B, as he was known, was born in the Philippines and came to the United States in 1962. He and his wife, Filomena, arrived in Tecumseh in 1971 to work at Herrick Medical Center. Dr. Buenaflor had a general medical and general surgical practice until he retired in July, 2007. He was a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery, which involved making tiny incisions to remove organs such as a gall bladder or appendix, which shortened hospital stays for patients.

“He was a positive force in the quality of medical care that the people in this town got,” said Dr. Carlton Cook, a long time friend and associate, who added that he was also very ethical and innovative. “He forged new opportunities to serve people better, mainly by laparoscopic surgery,” said Dr. Cook.

“He had exceptional hands,” said Dr. Gordon Guild, who served as his personal physician as well as friend and colleague. Dr. Guild wrote a tribute he entitled, “Gifted Hands,” and delivered it as a eulogy during Dr. Buenaflor’s funeral on Sunday. “He was instrumental in the utilization of laparoscopic surgery in southeast Michigan and had remarkable manipulation of the scope.”

Dr. Guild also said that for more than 35 years, Dr. Buenaflor provided exceptional medical coverage for the community and was loved by all the staff as well as his patients.

“He was always kind, respectful and liked by the nurses, and I never heard him get upset. He was just a fine physician and surgeon and always humble, never looking for accolades,” he said.

Registered Nurse Barb Irelan worked with Dr. Buenaflor many years, starting with his 1971 arrival at Herrick Medical Center.

“I was a nurse on the floor and he was the only surgeon in town at that point, on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Irelan said. “One thing I remember is how sometimes surgeons can be irritable, and he asked for something we didn’t have.” She said she felt bad having to tell him they didn’t have the item. “But then he said, ‘Relax. I’ve learned that you use whatever the hospital has, then go through appropriate channels to get what you need.’ He was just so humble.”

Irelan also remembers how one of his surgical patients later brought all of his family members to Dr. Buenaflor when they needed surgery — all the way from California!

“He was a very, very kind man,” she said. “The town just came to love him and he had a huge practice.”

Dr. Dennis Shelle, Herrick Medical Center Chief of Staff, said, “He was a great person besides being a great physician. He was modest and unassuming.” Shelle also said that Dr. Buenaflor had a “great love for his patients and devotion to his profession.” He said he was also a leader in some aspects of surgery, such as laparoscopy.

Timothy J. Jakacki, President of Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers also commented on the community’s loss.

“While I never was fortunate enough to have worked with or met Dr. Buenaflor, it is very obvious and apparent how he was held in such high esteem by his colleagues, peers and staff.”

Dr. Guild said that when it became apparent that he would not get better, Dr. Buenaflor requested that he be allowed to return to Herrick Medical Center.
“That was really special,” said Dr. Guild. “His wife opened the door to everybody who wanted to come and it gave a lot of closure to people. It gave the staff a chance to come and see him and wish him well the last hours of his life, which was pretty remarkable.