restorARTively

On the last Thursday of every November, "crazy Americans" overbuy, overeat, and stress out as we take a day to remember all for which we should be thankful. Of all our unique traditions, I am most proud to be an American on Thanksgiving Day. Whether with family, healthcare, work, education, or the law I have engaged in asking questions that many would have preferred not be asked aloud. But it is important to consider that questions are how a richer and more complete understanding of an issue is grained. I am grateful for those in healthcare and my extended family (both of origin and through nurtured friendships) who have accepted my questions not as a weapon for conflict but rather as a tool to sow peace. In my personal quest for answers and peace, I stumbled upon the following Gaelic Family blessing while completing my master's degree. It doesn't matter if you are American or Irish or Japanese or Greek or any specific nationality or religion, a doctor or a nurse or...

Yesterday was a milestone in my personal and professional pursuit for restoration of peace and justice for my son and millions others who have not had a voice in health care . I earned a Master's degree in Restorative Practices and Education. Having deferred a law school admission after my adventures in health care & medical malpractice litigation instead, I took a calculated risk on the long lasting benefits of this new emerging social science which aims to "restore community in a disconnected world". After receiving the strange shaped yellow hood and fresh parchment and finally taking a breather I checked my email. There were three new requests from three different individuals involved in incidents of harm (all in health care ) seeking information and guidance on how to move forward restoratively in their conflicts. As I move forward to do what I had hoped to be qualified to do, I appreciate our graduation speaker's challenges to all the graduates. Terry O...

Modern Healthcare Magazine is now accepting votes for the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare. After receiving thousands of nominations the editors have settled on a final nominee list of 300. The list will be published in their August 2009 issue. So, in August you can celebrate or be disappointed, or maybe terrified, depending on whom got the most votes. With all due respect for the passion and dedication these nominees share in their work, these lists of “Most of Anything” are fallibly constructed. There really isn't any data or studies or professional evaluations for its worth. It reminds me of the voting that will happen today at my daughter’s school for 7th grade class president. It’s who you know, how many people will campaign for you, and how many friends you have. Does this exercise in health care have merit while there is so much attention and pleas for restoring health to the healthcare system itself? Or is it an exercise in perpetuating the problems by exploiting the ...