Chaos and Constants
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Political divisions. Shifting government landscapes. AI. Healthcare partner reorganization. Leadership changes. Climate change.
The idea that somehow after the pandemic we would go back to a 鈥渟table normal鈥 has been put to rest as a fallacy. Perhaps there never was a normal, or maybe this is a new normal.聽Whichever way we look at it, we seem to be living in the eye of a hurricane of聽CHAOS.
How do we respond?
First, I鈥檇 suggest pausing to realize that the human race, despite all of its badness that is often all too obvious, is remarkably resilient. Seven-hundred years ago,聽Yersinia pestis聽killed 50 million people and led Europe to the brink of total collapse. Eighty years ago, the world was so broken that two atomic bombs were dropped on a civilized country. Yet, humanity has survived.
Second, if there is any upside of chaos it is that it can lead to positive change through the re-examination of long-held beliefs. Although meaningful change is always hard, as humanity and technology advance, it must occur, and chaos is frequently a significant catalyst.聽
On a more personal level, though, I like to focus on the聽CONSTANTS聽in life. In our medical school and the medical profession, there are many things which should not and must not change.聽We are here to serve humanity by increasing health and curing diseases. We treat everyone with respect and honor their dignity. We help each other. We work to correct inequity, especially as it affects health.
At the end of the day, although progress seems slow, I can see how WMed has such an incredible impact on聽the lives of our neighbors. And I am proud. I suggest we recognize and respond to the聽CHAOS, but always focus on the聽CONSTANTS. It鈥檚 what keeps me happily on the wall.
Cheers,
Rob
Robert G. Sawyer, MD
The Hal B. Jenson, MD Dean