IV. Dr. Mike --- From Whence He Comes
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- 4 min read
Fixing United States Health Care --- Citizen Letters
T Michael White MD
IV. Dr. Mike --- From Whence He Comes
July 4th
Fine Citizens hello.
“If you haven't had a few dents in your resume, you haven't tried.”
Andrew Forrest
In this conversation, Fixing United States Health Care --- Citizen Letters, I demand
immediate, revolutionary change in the delivery of health care in these fine United States. And I contend that necessary dramatic change is possible. Understanding the complexity of health care, you may conclude that I am either preternaturally brilliant or demonically possessed. Proudly, I resemble both remarks.
I contend it is critical for you, for your near and dear, for your community and for your (and my) nation to seriously consider my discussion. That said, let me first tell you why you should not invest time and energy in the likes of me…
I am not the sharpest tool in the shed.
But I am among the few tools at the ready to address the daunting task at hand while the glistening, truly sharp blades, while playing golf, chant “nothing can be done.”
I have no gravitas. Preternaturally brilliant (see above), I am devoid of economic,
medical, political or scientific standing. Alone, without your support, I am not
positioned to effect necessary change. And…
Quirky and quixotic, I possess too numerous to mention deficiencies that my patients, residents, colleagues, friends and family will be only too happy to share. Enough said. On the other hand, there are reasons to give these important pages a turn…
With head on straight, I know my business --- striving to do important, meaningful work that may make a difference;
I have experienced medicine from the perspective of the administrator, the clinician, the learner, the quality/safety officer, the external regulator, the teacher, and the value (quality/safety ÷ cost) advocate; and
I care. For at least seven years, I have endeavored daily to advance tax-payer
infrastructure that provides our fine citizens (you and me) universal access to
affordable, basic/necessary, compassionate --- safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable (just), patient-centered care (ABC-STEEEP).
The highlights of my life journey (yes, admittedly there has been “a load of
compromising on the roads to my horizon”) include:
Blue collar kid from Schenecady;
Sisters of Saint Joseph and the Irish Christian Brothers imprint;
Union University’s Union College and Albany Medical College;
Internal Medicine training: New York Medical College and Greenwich Hospital
Association in affiliation with Yale;
Physician Leadership Fellowship at Michigan State University;
Industrial Engineering quality training at Crosby’s Quality College;
Private practice in Southington CT.
Residency faculty leadership in Phoenix (Good Samaritan Medical Center) AZ;
Chairman and Residency Program Director in Johnstown (Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital) PA;
Vice President and Residency Program Director in Pittsburgh (St, Francis Medical Center) PA;
Senior Vice President and Clinical Professor of Medicine at two University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC McKeesport and UPMC Passavant) hospitals;
Senior Vice President in Hagerstown (Washington County Hospital/Meritus Medical
Center) MD.
Consultant for The Joint Commission (Chicago) and The Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education (Chicago).
Throughout, my career has emphasized partnerships that have 1) facilitated the success of aspiring physicians; and 2) inspired institutions to realize cultures that advanced ABC-STEEEP. My work at UPMC McKeesport was recognized by the Joint Commission/National Quality Forum’s Eisenberg Award for “measurably improving patient safety, healthcare quality, and system-level outcomes.”
I now foresee this effort, Fixing United States Health Care --- Citizen Letters, culminating in my ninth book. The first eight are available for your consideration at Amazon Books T Michael White MD:
Stepping into the Lead — A Leadership Pocket Primer
(with chief executive/entrepreneur Mr. Charley Price) (Amazon 2024)
A ‘Grand’ Lad Golfs — A Fable for Fading and Trailing Generations (Amazon 2023)
Smoke Signals II — Life Tools for Trailing Generations
(with internist/physician executive Dr. Dana S Kellis MD PHD) (Amazon 2023)
Affordable Basic Health Care for All — An American Health Care System Charter
(with geriatrician/physician executive Dr. Stephen F Hightower) (Amazon 2020)
Letters to an Aspiring Physician — Reflecting on a Career in Medicine
(with otolaryngologist/physician executive Dr. Edward Drawbaugh) (Amazon 2017)
Safer Medical Care for You and Yours
Six Tools for Safe, Effective Compassionate Care
(with geriatrician/physician executive Dr. Stephen F Hightower) (Amazon 2016)
A Crystal Spring Thanksgiving — A Little Girl Plays Manly Golf (Amazon 2013)
Unsafe to Safe — An Impatient Proposal for Safe Patient-centered Care (Amazon 2012)
Manifesting saintly patience and scholarly wisdom, my wonderful wife, Nurse Jacquelyn Forsythe White, has guided me through the above to permit a parallel harvest of family joy. Through her kind ministrations, our children (4) and grandchildren (10) have flourished in our households, in their studies, in their careers. In their households and in their avocations. Jackie and I now live in Florida’s sweet-spot destination --- the Belleair Bluff --- and stand at the ready for the next family beach, boating, biking, golf and pool caper.
Who am I today? My apple has not fallen far from the Schenectady tree. I am at my
best when assisting patients with complex conditions and when writing. I am most content when near my roots (August in the Adirondacks’ Saratoga and Lake George). I serve my community by being the founding (and only) member of four organizations: GCA (Grandparent Caddies Association); P3A (Personal Professional Patient Advocates); SG4S (Serious Grand Gentlemen Geriatric Golfers Society); and Championship Golf’s WMS (The White Medallion Society). Membership applications are available upon request. Membership requirements are relaxed. Initiation fees are dear.
Mercifully bringing this to a serious close, I hope: 1) that you will recognize Fixing United States Health Care --- Citizen Letters as serious business; 2) that you will become actively involved; 3) that you will regularly enhance my efforts by sharing your insights, wisdom and perceptions (your reality) about what I have right, wrong and/or omitted; 4) and that, if/when a message rings true, you will forward it to those you deem may desire to know --- with confidence that the Butterfly Wing Effect Theory (tiny influences can dramatically impact outcomes) will come into play.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Mike
Please share your perceptions (your reality) about what I have right, wrong and/or omitted. I will be delighted to hear from you as your insights and wisdom will significantly enhance my efforts. If/when a message rings true, please forward it to those you deem may desire to know. TMWMD
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