AUSTIN, Texas – In the days following Tuesday's deadly hostage situation, the sign in front of Children’s Medical Group in Austin has become a memorial to honor the life of Dr. Lindley Dodson. People have been stopping by to drop off flowers, notes, photos, and pay their respects, in an overwhelming outpouring of love and grief.
On Wednesday, two young girls who go to school with Dr. Dodson’s oldest daughter stopped by with their families to wrap purple, green, and gold ribbons around the trees in front of the practice, celebrating Dodson's love for Mardi Gras. As people continue to stop by to take a moment to remember her, the sense of how much Dodson meant to the community is tangible.
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“She just emanated joy, all the time," said Dr. Michelle Gallas, a friend and colleague of Dr. Dodson's.
Wednesday evening, a large group of doctors in their white coats visited Children's Medical Group to show their support for the survivors of the attack, and remember the impact Dr. Dodson had on her patients as well as her colleagues.
“She was warm. She was just a wonderful person and just emanated ... she was the kind of person you wanted to be around. In the group, in the room, you gravitated towards her," said Dr. Tara Greendyk, a friend and colleague of Dr. Dodson's.
Those who worked with her both at Children’s Medical Group and Dell Seton Medical Center say they will never forget her laugh.
“You heard her before you saw her, always. You knew when she was coming. I don't think I ever saw her not smiling, and everybody's talked about her smile and her laugh because it was, it was really her signature," said Greendyk.
According to her Linkedin profile, after Dodson graduated from medical school in Louisiana, she completed her residency at Vanderbilt University Medical School, before teaching at Harvard Medical School for a year while working as an urgent care specialist at Boston Children's Hospital. She then spent more than 10 years as a beloved and respected pediatric hospitalist and pediatrician in Austin.
“There's so many people in town who are physicians who sent their children to her and there's so many parents that are at such a loss today, over this woman who is no longer with us, who we will miss terribly," said Gallas.
Her patients’ families say they cherished her special way with kids, as well as parents, as they stopped by Children's Medical Group to place flowers, ribbons, drawings, and notes on the practice's sign.
“I really looked forward to my visits here, because I knew that she was going to be beaming and smiling and wearing really sassy earrings," said Claire Dadic, whose kids were patients of Dr. Dodson's. "She was just such a good sounding board, she, you know, shepherded me into motherhood. And just, it made all the difference.”
“As a new mom, you know, everyone has their new mom struggles but Dr Dodson was a champion for mamas. She gave me a lot of confidence and was always just there as a cheerleader, so positive, so upbeat, and a bubbly personality. And there aren't words for how warm and welcoming she was," said Sheila Ferlet, whose two children, 5-year-old Lulu and 2-year-old Eamon, were patients of Dodson's.
On Wednesday, Lulu decorated the sidewalk in front of Children's Medical Group with chalk drawings of flowers, her family, and Dr. Dodson. Her mom added a heart, writing Dr. Dodson's name in the center.
“Your pediatrician is someone who is there for all your milestones. They're there for you at your worst when you have the most fear and uncertainty," said Han Ren, whose two children are patients at Children's Medical Group. The last time she interacted with Dr. Dodson she was taking her kids in for COVID testing, and says Dodson went out of her way to get their family the results after hours. "She just like went above and beyond, and I was so grateful because, you know, she didn't need to do that but it was so significant for our family," said Ren.
“She’s not replaceable. It’s a big loss," said Greendyk.
Dr. Dodson leaves behind her husband and three young children. One of her patient’s families started a GoFundMe account to raise money in support of the Dodson Family and Children’s Medical Group.