MD Whistleblower

Presently, your humble scrivener is situated in Atlanta, Georgia, the destination of a long road trip from Cleveland, Ohio.   Tucked safely inside our car, we were insulated from the novel coronavirus as well as the storm surge of seething of the nation.   As of yet, there is no vaccine or truly effective therapeutic agent available for either of these afflictions.   My sense is that the virus will be sooner and more easily vanquished than will be the malignant divisions that are threatening our society.    Am I being serious here?   Do I actually argue that a scourge from an invisible warrior that has wounded millions will be more easily defeated than our vile and vindictive politics?   Is reaching across the aisle or across the street or across the table such in insurmountable task? Here’s why the virus, as wily and destructive as it is, will at some point be the first to be defeated. Our politics, in contrast, will be more like arthritis and diabetes, long term and progressive d

To note that our nation is seething with anger – although deeply disturbing – is certainly not Breaking News, except on CNN where Breaking News flashes even when they are breaking for a commercial.  It is not that the nation is angry over a handful of controversial issues; we are angry over every issue.  Indeed, part of my dismay and fascination is how even a trivial event or utterance can provoke rage.  A few decades ago, if a person provoked or insulted someone, an argument might ensue.  Today the same provocation can have a fatal outcome.  Let me offer a very bold pronouncement.   I do so under my own name and stand ready to accept a searing rebuke.    Ready?   Humans are not perfect. Yet, when we judge current political leaders, historical figures, athletes, law enforcement personnel, writers, musicians, educators and the rest of us, any flaw discovered may generate outrage.   The paradigm is not to consider any surrounding circumstances or the context of the time that might

 In one’s profession and in life, we strive to improve our performance.  There are so many pathways available to progress on this journey.  One of the best ways is to emulate others.  Athletes, artists, musicians, writers, parents, tradesmen, educators, clergy, law enforcement personnel and even physicians can better their performance by imitating others.  And while it might seem axiomatic that our best role model is one who is more proficient than we, this is not necessarily the case .  The team captain can learn much from a rookie.  The Jewish Talmud expresses the truth more eloquently.                                                 Who is wise?  One who learns from every man. Over my career, I have tried to improve my practice of medicine from watching other physicians and nurses in action.   As an example, I have heard medical professionals having difficult conversations with patients which taught me how to do this better. So, when President Trump’s doctor recently led several

The year 2020 has been an annus horribilis and it's not over yet.  Seemingly out of nowhere a virus, heretofore unknown, has seeped over the globe like hot molten lava leaving a wake of destruction and despair.  The fatalities here in the U.S. have been staggering and the death count continues to rise.  Millions here have been infected and have suffered greatly with severe illness, hospitalizations and intensive care unit treatment.  Those who have so far escaped infection are anxious that their fate might change at any moment.  All of us have been affected. And, we have had a catastrophic economic melt down from which we may never fully recover.   Furloughs, layoffs, bankruptcies and permanent closures have affected nearly every sector of our economy.   The airline industry – the nation’s circulatory system – now has a very weak pulse, as one of countless industry examples.   Job losses have crippled much of the nation which has caused consequences to real people and families f

Before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death certificate was signed, Judicial Warfare commenced. Both sides, of course, were prepared for this moment.   Justice Ginsburg, seemingly indefatigable, was well into her ninth decade and had numerous collisions with cancer.   It’s cruel, but entirely expected, that the nation was not given a proper opportunity to honor her legacy and accomplishments which should command admiration from all Americans.   One need not agree with her judicial philosophy or her opinions to admire the breadth of her accomplishments, her work ethic, her intellect, her vision and her humanity.   Indeed, her storied friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia shows a nation overflowing with anger what is possible. The efforts to recall her legacy were soon subsumed in partisan warfare.   The Democrats accused the GOP of monumental hypocrisy as they juxtapose their statements in 2016 when Judge Merrick Garland was nominated to their current proclamations that con

Perhaps, October 31 st will be an inflection point in the pandemic since more folks will be wearing masks on Halloween. I assume that the annual ritual of trick or treating will be suspended this year, as have so many of our performances, celebrations, concerts and athletic event spectating.    It has been my observation in Ohio that more folks are masking up, although there are exceptions everywhere.   Our governor has directed concern for some rising case numbers toward college youth, who astonishingly haven’t followed the rules.   Just because one is a college student doesn’t guarantee that his decisions will be graced with wisdom.   And, if there is to be any chance that college kids who are drawn toward campus parties like iron filings are attracted to a strong magnet, there will need to be sure and certain enforcement.   What if a college made students aware that violating public health rules would result in expulsion with no refund of monies spent?    Yes, I know this sounds

 The nation’s racial upheaval, particularly vis a vis law enforcement, has shown us the value of the skill of de-escalation.   A situation arises and several outcomes are possible, although some are clearly preferred.  The specific technique and approach utilized may determine the end result.  A range of options are often available.  What can make these situations so difficult to unravel afterwards is that an option that may lead to escalation may be deemed to be acceptable, according to the training protocol.  In other words, even the approach taken was acceptable, there may have been a better way. Obviously, we all endorse training and practices that has the highest probability of bringing calm to a potential combustible situation.    I expect law enforcement – the professionals – to pursue de-escalation as their default mode.   But, the citizenry can and should do its part to de-escalate.     If all parties share the desire for a calm denouement, then it is much more likely that t