It was an honor, as President to lead the American College of Radiation Oncology Summit in Orlando last weekend. 600 physicians convened to learn from the brightest and best to enhance critical cancer treatment paradigms. Brilliance was pervasive among speakers and participants. We were very fortunate to have the Chief of the VA for Radiation Oncology, Dr. Maria Kelly give the tremendous overview of the VA history. (First liver transplant, first prosthetic limb, etc.etc) It was a proud time for those of us caring for veterans to see ever new achievement evolving in care that translates to us all.
Dr. Steve Hahn, also a Radiation Oncologist, was our Keynote speaker and is best known as former FDA chair under Trump. He thought he was there to manage the bureaucracy and facilitate movement from years to months in the roll out of new cutting edge therapies. Months into the job the pandemic hit and the rest is history. While Dr Hahn is best known nationally for this role, his accomplishment from Bishop Shanahan HS to Temple in Philly to Penn to MD Anderson now to Flagship Pioneering, overseeing 200 companies is nothing short of meteoric.
What an honor to be among giants. But I will treasure the conference for other reasons as well. I met with the small cancer center solo practitioner and the largest names at Stanford, Memorial Sloan, Penn, Pitt, MD Anderson etc.etc throughout the US all joining forces without hierarchy. We title the badges with first names only. We engage with them during a 5- K run, or a “Race to the summit” competition or quizzos ( a fun, raucous trivia pursuit) with enormous contagious enthusiasm.
It is a healing time for docs mired in COVID along with cancer crises for the past three years and the pure joy is palpable. What does this have to do with this cancer blog? Everything. You want your docs to be the brightest, best and continually learning. But may I suggest that engagement, which starts in the exam room you enter with your high- BP- white- coat- syndrome and fear of the discussion and results, starts with a simple question? Not, “How am I Doc?” or “What are my results?” but instead, “How are you, Doc?” Giving the care- giver attention will more powerfully impact the interaction than reading reports. Just a simple question to let them know that you see their humanity will go far in your own journey. Their work will change your life. Your return “care” will raise them to the challenge. When my patients enter the room and know how I care for them, it is a joyful time and the cancer discussion is secondary. Even if it is a new relationship, ask the question. They will be grateful. Heal the hands that heal and the entire vibration will be elevated. Thank you. And, thank you for listening to my unique story today.Magic may happen when a powerful person enters the room, but never forget that you can change a dynamic that will impact your life directly. Therein lies the real power and magic.
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