Healthcare has, at its core, the mission to Heal.
And, taking care of those patients to whom we are entrusted- those people we have sworn to help- is a sacred trust.
We- all of us in healthcare, must be lifelong learners and always remember: none of us does this alone.
Healthcare is a “Team Sport” and those relationships we develop along the way are essential to assuring the best care for our patients.
Those friends & colleagues with whom we work, study and train over the years are equally responsible for our development as healthcare professionals. I know I have directly benefited and learned from many people over the years… all the way back to Dental School at WVU.
The foundation for the type of doctor I have become is rooted in those early days at WVU. WVU is a great place to start; a foundation for Healthcare.
I have spent the bulk of my professional life in the Department of Defense Medical System, so that is the prism from which I view most of my patient care experience.
And there are many Lessons Learned from that experience; after all, we are all Victims of our Experiences.
Just as our Nations do not fight alone...
We do not heal & care for the wounds of war alone…
The advancements and achievements of our collective medical capabilities over the past two decades of continuous combat operations is an example of dedication and commitment to improving care for our patients.
During this time, the many advances in healthcare are unprecedented in the history of warfare; and would not have been possible without the collaboration & partnership.
Together, we have always accomplished much…
We have built the finest vertically-integrated Trauma System in the world...
Achieved historic levels of survivability for our most seriously wounded...
Fostered Innovations in trauma care, traumatic brain injury, wound rehabilitation, infectious disease management & many other areas.
All these advances have assured that the Medicine we practice today, becomes the standard of care for all tomorrow.
This is true in both war, and in peacetime, as we see now in this historic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only by our commitment and dedication to lifelong learning and collegial approach to problem solving will we help to sustain the currency and competency of our healthcare professionals.
That is exactly as it should be...
For when a patient presents to you for help, for care- remember that you have sworn an oath and it is certainly not too much to expect that you will dedicate your professional lives to them.
Thank you for choosing to serve in partnership for your patients.