Medical professionals (Diagnosis)

The physician:

The physician is the one who tells Paul Dorrance that he will be fine in a few months;[i] subsequently, the doctor drops the diagnosis of a different patient who does indeed have cancer in Paul Dorrance’s office (apparently) by accident. The doctor does not meet the Dorrances again for the following four years; but, when Eleanor is suffering from bronchitis at the end of the story, this same doctor who comes to treat her, which also reunites him with Paul Dorrance.

As it was common decency in New York at that time, the doctor comes to offer condolences to Paul Dorrance the night after Eleanor’s death. One could argue that the physician was a little attracted to Eleanor Welwood since he had known her for a long time (due to the fact that she lived with Paul Dorrance).

Only due to some coincidences during the conversation between Paul Dorrance and the doctor is it revealed that Eleanor knew about the mistake regarding the diagnosis all those years she and Paul spent together.

Specialist in New York:

Paul Dorrance’s physician brings another colleague, a specialist, to the consultation where Dorrance hears that he does not suffer from an incurable tumor (but subsequently finds a different patient's diagnosis on his floor).

Specialist in Vienna:

On their trip through Europe, Paul Dorrance takes the chance to see a specialist in Vienna. He is the one who tells him that he is in good health: no cancer. Paul Dorrance believes the good news.

Nurses:

In the end of the story, when Eleanor Dorrance is dying, nurses take care of her. They are the ones who give Dorrance permission to talk to Eleanor and also tell him how long he is allowed to stay in her room.

[i] Cf. Wharton, Edith; Robinson, Roxana (2007): The New York stories of Edith Wharton. New York, NY: New York Review Books (New York Review Books classics). p.381.