As we have seen over the past few days, there are pledges and there are pledges. It appears that Republican leaders allegiance to their country (in the face of the impending fiscal cliff) is winning out over their allegiance to Grover Norquist. With regard to scientific integrity, it remains to be seen whether health professional leaders will embrace a more public stance as defenders of science over politics.
The time has come for all health professional leaders – including those in health care systems, medical schools, nursing school, health policy schools, and state and national health care organizations to discover their public voices. Their unwillingness to embrace an expanded role in this health consumer world makes us all vulnerable. Their mute state is viewed as consent.
Creationism – mute – consent.
Akin’s “legitimate rape” – mute – consent.
Global warming a hoax – mute – consent.
And health leaders, you get no credit for drawing up a white paper, press release, or study without uumph behind it. Those are just words gathering dust. I want to see full blown advocacy; a loud voice; an integrated public affairs push that shows you are engaged for real. You know what I mean, the kind of effort you make when your finances and professional control are threatened.
Timid Medical and Scientific Leaders don’t cut it in a modern mobile connected world. Want to be relevant? Engage In Public Discourse On The Record.
Posted on | November 26, 2012 |
As we have seen over the past few days, there are pledges and there are pledges. It appears that Republican leaders allegiance to their country (in the face of the impending fiscal cliff) is winning out over their allegiance to Grover Norquist. With regard to scientific integrity, it remains to be seen whether health professional leaders will embrace a more public stance as defenders of science over politics.
The time has come for all health professional leaders – including those in health care systems, medical schools, nursing school, health policy schools, and state and national health care organizations to discover their public voices. Their unwillingness to embrace an expanded role in this health consumer world makes us all vulnerable. Their mute state is viewed as consent.
Creationism – mute – consent.
Akin’s “legitimate rape” – mute – consent.
Global warming a hoax – mute – consent.
And health leaders, you get no credit for drawing up a white paper, press release, or study without uumph behind it. Those are just words gathering dust. I want to see full blown advocacy; a loud voice; an integrated public affairs push that shows you are engaged for real. You know what I mean, the kind of effort you make when your finances and professional control are threatened.
Timid Medical and Scientific Leaders don’t cut it in a modern mobile connected world. Want to be relevant? Engage In Public Discourse On The Record.
For Health Commentary, I’m Mike Magee