Keep the Faith
Mary Rensel 
Dr. Verghese reminded all the healthcare workers that empathy is key and to keep the faith. This author and leaders shared his hope for the future
“Keep the Faith”
I had quite a week, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Abraham Verghese present at The American College of Healthcare Executives in Chicago. For those that may not be familiar with him, he is a physician and author who grew up in Ethiopia, emigrated to the US then finished his medical school in India due to a civil war in Ethiopia. He is now a Professor at Stanford and I could not start to share all the awards and accolades he has won for his work in reminding all of us in healthcare that the patient is the center of medicine and of the importance of empathy. His book “Cutting for Stone” is one of my all time favorite books as it transports one to the story and I now seriously feel like I have been to Ethiopia due to his powerful writing descriptions. (bucket list trip) This quote does help us understand the importance he has had globally in inspiring healthcare workers and many others to “keep the faith” and keep the patient first.
WHITE HOUSE CITATION
“For reminding us that the patient is the center of the medical enterprise. His range of proficiency embodies the diversity of the humanities; from his efforts to emphasize empathy in medicine, to his imaginative renderings of the human drama.”
He was a wonderful presenter; he was warm, engaging, and challenged the audience while also supporting and praising the audience of healthcare executives and trainees. He told us many times to “keep the faith” and how sad it was that trainees in healthcare were leaving medicine before they even started. He states his first love was medicine and he is honored to continue to work in this space.
His talk came at the perfect week, the Holy week for many religions. He asked us to remember what truly matters, to rethink our current reality and challenged us to focus on the patient and their families. I find Holy week is a perfect time to pause and focus, re- evaluate our priorities and realize the power of hope. He stated that he was brought to this meeting to inspire us yet he shared that he was inspired by the audience of healthcare leaders who navigated the health care systems during the global pandemic and was proud of the US health system for their fortitude during this difficult time. He challenged us to relate person to person with our patients, to remove the technology, when we are able, and be fully present.
He was one of the best speakers I have seen due to his combination of care, warmth, challenge, clarity and hope.
Who brings you hope?
Who do you bring hope to?
Keep the Faith.
Feeling grateful for the reminder of the power of the human connection.
Mary
thebrainfresh@gmail.com
PS- Order one of Dr. Verghese's books if you have not yet.. you are in for a real life changing experience
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