Listen to this episode, EP 126: A Life of Service with Dr. David Borge, M.D., of The Conversing Nurse podcast, where Dr. David Borge reflects on the path that led him to a career in medicine and service.
He speaks thoughtfully about the formative experiences that shaped his approach to patient care, including his work with the Floating Doctors organization, and the values that continue to guide his life.
This conversation offers a deeper look into the personal and professional journey of a physician committed to making a meaningful impact.
All posts by davidborge
Invictus – I am the captain of my soul
David Borge, Saipan After the swim in the Pacific Ocean 
Crimson Sails, Saipan
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
David Borge from Saipan
It’s been a wee bit over a month since I landed on this island in the North Pacific 6000 miles or so from ‘the Mainland’ (as it’s known here)… my son, Demetrius recently asked, so what’s up with your blog?
So here we go!
Where to start as there are so many different angles – work, rest, new activities, new thoughts…
Think I will start with work as that’s what got me here in the first place!
David Borge in Saipan
Work is a challenge to say the least! A challenge in the quality of illness and thank God (dog spelled backwards) not in the quantity.
Quality in the variety and complicated nature of the diseases… quite a bit of cancer, birth defects, high risk pregnancies and common gynecologic disorders which are not treated until the women are sick. Compounded by the lack of medical support which I took for granted in Amerika — minimum of specialists, no transferring of patients to tertiary care centers for care (e.g. patients, if they have to be transferred, have to go to Philippines, 6 hours away, and of course they need correct passport and citizenship proof… a bit of a vetting process). Which is to say, we, here on the island, have to take care of all the patients with the limited resources available!
Variety is another interesting facet to the work – variety in patients nationality. In one day I delivered ladies from Russia, Bangladesh, China and Saipan and have seen patients from Palau, Japan, Singapore and good ol’ USA. So many cultures and religions and ethnicities to wade thru! I am finding, though, that kindness and compassion and competence speaks the same language and lives by the one common denominator of being human. And I found I’m pretty good at this.
The downside to all this variety is immigration rearing its ugly head – we get to be involved (reluctantly) in birth tourism and having to deal with friendly neighborhood ICE folks. Lovely how our administration and the ‘wall’ have found its way even out to this remote island. I’m going to stop there… keep my blood pressure down!
Rest. I generally sleep the night thru, enjoy early morning walks among the myriad of flowers, rich greenery and chirping birds. And no racing back and forth between home and hospital and office thereby decreasing my stress level immensely. So yes, I’m still working but on a much more manageable and healthy level. And am able to meditate regularly and all-in-all happier and content.
And on that same line of thought, invested in a Bluezone cook book and taking advantage of the plethora of food varieties to eat in a way that is healthier and makes me feel better.
Activities. I am just scratching the surface of what’s available but that to not gorge myself on what’s out there. Slowly I’m finding my way into what’s available – just completed my first tai chi class this morning with an incredible teach. Mr. Barry, definitely a fortunate find. I wanted to keep my promise to sister Carol and pursue this ‘sport’, so I imagine she’s in heaven directing things a bit! Go ahead and laff you unbelievers but I like the thought!
500 Sails 
500 Sails
I have also found 500 Sails — an organization that is reviving the proa, which is the traditional ocean going outrigger sailboat. It’s wonderful founders, Emma and Pete Perez, are SF natives who build, sail and teach swimming (a la Dolphins swim club of Bay Area of which my children participated). So I get to do construction, and play with wood and power tools, and sweat and learn to sail and swim in the ocean. Another blessed find!
And of course there are hikes and lovely places to contemplate life while enjoying sunsets, sunrises and full moon vistas.
And places like Banzai cliff and Suicide cliff where many a Japanese family and soldier jumped to there death so as not to be captured by Amerikans— these intense places have some of the best vistas and monuments of remembrance. Go figure cuz I haven’t been able to fully existentially digest.
I have a comfortable condo with the luxuries of a pool, its own generator ( yes electricity is fickle) and reverse osmosis water filtration ( the water is unpleasantly full of minerals, not dirty) and internet with a Chinese cable which gives me the luxury of 2000 movies and 3000 tv series form all over the world.
Oh, and yes, there is a downside. I drive a rental car – a lovely Yaris which isn’t particularly adept at some of the Islands ruffer roads which unfortunately take one to some of the best hikes and beaches.
I am happy, content and doing some good medical work. I miss family and mother but am comforted with regular conversations. I like my decision and will probably settling in here for a while. No expectations just living as fully as I can for the moment.
‘Till next time amigas and amigos….
Touchdown in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 16 December 2019
2020 New Years Eve at Marine Beach Saipan
Marine Beach Saipan New Years Eve 2019 to 2020
As I write this, I have been here 17 days…I have lived in a hotel for 9 of those days then moved into a lovely two bedroom condo at the Anaks compound. I have delivered 4 babies — one a fetal demise, one with multiple congenital birth defects and two normal babies. I have started in the Obgyn clinic and have seen more cancer and diabetes and hypertension than I ever expected. This is a place of high quality disease and thank the gods not quantity to match. There seems to be a fair bit to do here on the healthcare side of things. At present my impression is the system is more reactive than proactive but that is merely the first blush. It seems a worthwhile endeavor for my second go around on life…worthwhile work with a diverse (Chamorro, Carolinian, Phillipino, Bangladesh, Chinese,Korean, Americans, Japanese and etc) and appreciative population.
On the other hand there is the fascinating what-to-do when not working? Scuba, snorkeling, hiking, traveling, traditional boat building, beach, excercising and etc,etc. This all in the a country with the most hospitable weather and some of the cleanest air in the world And , oh yes it is typhoon alley (there are still folks in FEMA tents from devastating typhoon Yutu in 2018). But there is poverty and remoteness and ‘fitting in’…a curious combination for which the next few months will help me decide to stay on here for a bit … stay tuned!
Final stretch of 2019
2019 has been a helluva a year to say the least!!
It’s been a year of transitions – loss, gain, leavings, arriving, moving, love, love-loss.
David Borge – Moro Rock (yep, outside the rails)
It started in earnest with the loss of Carol, our oldest sister, to pancreatic cancer…thankfully she was able to chose death with dignity. For myself it was a reminder of life’s precious moments, but it also was a time of being the family doctor – translation and interpreting for the various family units and advocating death with dignity to my sister and her husband and our mother. I don’t know how others (sibs and children and spouse took my intervention but I tried my best. and then there was the funeral…
The Borge Family 
Borge family celebrating Carol Borge Life
Work – the transition to semi-retirement from 30+ years in the clinics of Tulare county to heading and developing the Laborist program at the hospital. It was good to be out of the clinic/call rat-race but still was not gone from the County, the admin and the hospital…I had given what I felt was my all and was weary and disheartened. I did quite a bit and was appreciated by most of the patients, colleagues and staff and had a nice send off – most humbling and honored. But it was time to move on and a time to not live on laurels of the past. Not an easy time, I wept like a baby sitting in my Visalia house after making my definitive decision. I must say I felt alone…
Visalia home – David Borge 2019
After thought — on my 65th (eek another transition) I recall coming home to see the famous Notre Dame photo and thinking what a blessed life I have had and how even more blessed to have a chance at chapter two, another personal legend and a new adventure. And it was this photo and memory that propelled me to the Saipan gig.
Borge family in Paris in front of Notre Dame
The multiple moves and downsizing from Visalia to Tiburon to Saipan was another transition which was instrumental in letting go of a lot of ‘stuff’ and stripping down to a more manageable lifestyle — to at least what I imagined to be reasonable — we will see.
I’m not sure how I am fairing with all these major transitions as they say one shouldn’t take on more than one over a 4-6 month time period but I seem to be doing ok. I realize I need to be patient and kind with myself and as I move forward move slowly.
The Borge Family
The family video created by a dear friend on Mother’s 94 birthday.
the adventure begins…
In less than a week I will finish my Obgyn duties (after 23 years) at Kaweah Delta Hospital and in less than a month I will be off to Saipan for 6-12 months to continue with my next chapter delivering healthcare and rediscovering myself (EEK!).
I finished my duties without great fanfare except in my heart and soul…thinking of my father and all we left unsaid…thinking of my children hoping I haven’t left a lot unsaid to them but still feeling the guilt of having given so much time and energy to my work and wondering if I had been a good father. Leaving to another country half a world away… was I continuing on same path being a less than perfect father a little selfish. Ah, the existential angst but have committed. So guess, I’ll have to see whether it’s the right thing or I’ll be abandon. I don’t think that will happen. It will be just a new version of the relationships and love.
Final packing going well still have a hard time purring my head around it but harken back to my family’s past adventures and my travels it all seemed to work out!
Hello Saipan… Goodbye Tulare county!
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
Retirement Party…. It was an excellent humbling gathering. Many souls touched, memories shared and a fitting emotional farewell.
Video – My Thoughts
David's Next Adventure 