To the editor:

As I read the article on Dr. Bruce Cochrane I realize that there were some important facts that were not reported.

Dr. Cochrane was an officer in the United States Air Force. During a training exercise he broke his back and was in a body cast for many months. At this time, he was prescribed narcotics for pain control.

When his children were young there wasn’t a dance recital or sporting event of theirs that he missed. Throughout their childhood he frequently spent his summers being their coach for football and baseball. He now has been coaching his grandchildren in baseball.

In his practice he never turned away or said no to anyone needing help, regardless of their ability to pay. There were numerous occasions, but one example comes to mind. The office had gotten a call from the VA, they had a veteran in their office who was in a lot of pain. They had called various offices but none would see him. Dr. Cochrane said of course he would see him send him right over. It was his lunch hour. He took care of the veteran and got him out of pain at no charge.

He served at the free clinic of Fort Dodge when it was located in the old Pleasant Valley School. There were some dental practices who didn’t volunteer because at the free clinic they didn’t have the right equipment. They definitely didn’t, but Dr. Cochrane just had us bring his own equipment from his office to treat the patients. Closing time at the clinic was 8 o’clock. The coordinator would come to Dr. Cochrane and tell him she still had people waiting who were in pain and could he take care of them, of course he didn’t leave till everyone was taken care of and this was after having a full day of patients at his office. On occasion he took care of patients from the free clinic in his office at no charge. He genuinely cares for his patients and wanted to help people. Is Dr. Bruce Cochrane perfect…no but is he a good man…yes. And addiction is a crippling disease.

Jan Heesch

Fort Dodge

Dental assistant for 27 years