Compassion Through Crisis: An Aspirus Physician's 9/11 Story

“I think it’s prepared me to be calm under pressure, because I’ve seen some pretty bad things in my life.” 

WOODRUFF, Wis. – September 11, 2001, is a day that changed the world forever. For Dr. James Thatcher, now a physician at the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center in Woodruff, Wis., it also marked a turning point in his life and career. 

At the time, Dr. Thatcher was working for American Express at 40 Wall Street, just blocks from the World Trade Center. He arrived via subway and noticed immediately that something wasn’t right. “There were a lot of people panicking and I found someone that I knew, a colleague from American Express. So, I said, ‘Hey Carl, what’s going on?’ And he said, ‘look!’ (pointing upwards), and I looked up and, I saw the buildings burning, and I was kind of in shock, you know, wasn’t expecting that.” Two jets had struck the World Trade Center towers during a terrorist attack. 

What began as a routine subway commute quickly turned into chaos. Cell phones stopped working, the streets filled with panic. Dr. Thatcher stopped at a pharmacy and purchased a disposable camera. “I took two pictures, and on the second picture I saw the point of the tower fall towards me, and that was scary.” The first tower was collapsing. 

Out of confusion and fear, New Yorkers began running, including Dr. Thatcher. He could see the smoke and ash getting closer and closer. People were stumbling, and he tried to help those he could. As he made his way to safety, the devastation left a lasting impression. “I remember making it all the way to Water Street… and I look back and it was one of the saddest things I ever saw. I just saw it (one tower standing). And the smoke engulfed us all. It… had that burnt, rubber, burnt electric smell that you can never forget.” It was shortly after that the second tower fell. 

Though Dr. Thatcher had considered medical school before, the events of that day gave him clarity. “That was the clincher for me. And I was already… planning on going to medical school. I just needed to take the MCAT. But to me, feeling kind of powerless… that was like the extra nudge I needed to, you know, to motivate me to get my application in for medical school.” 

Today, Dr. Thatcher reflects on how those experiences shaped the way he cares for patients. “I think it’s prepared me to be calm under pressure, because I’ve seen some pretty bad things in my life… and it makes the little things that could ruin your day not bother you so much. There’s a lot bigger problems in the world.” 

From a day defined by tragedy, Dr. Thatcher found a calling to serve others. His story is one of resilience, compassion, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, purpose and healing can emerge. 

Dr. Thatcher sees patients at the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center in Woodruff. To learn more, please visit aspirus.org. 

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Interview Questions  

1. What were you doing and what happened throughout the day for you?
2. You had an idea that you wanted to be a doctor?
3. How has this shaped you in your career as a physician?