Dr. David Shulkin, CEO of Beth Israel Hospital in New York, has started a blog. I have listed his link on this page for those who want to check in with him. It looks like it is mainly designed as an internal communications tool, but perhaps we can all offer him some ideas.
Which Beth Israel was "House of God" written about? Boston or New York?
ReplyDeleteThank you (and while I'm at it, thank you for this blog!). FYI, I could not find your link.
ReplyDelete"House of God", by Samuel Shem, MD, (a pseudonym) was about the one in Boston. For those not in the know, this novel is about the experience of house staff (residents) in a large metropolitan area hospital. Apparently, the characters are thinly disguised parodies of actual people at the BI. It is not very complimentary of many of them! You can find a review on http://mchip00.nyu.edu/lit-med/lit-med-db/webdocs/webdescrips/shem11930-des-.html. Hopefully, it is no longer as accurate as it was at the time.
ReplyDeleteWhich link couldn't you find?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I thought it was clear, but now I have made it more so.
ReplyDeleteIt is inspiring that David Shulkin, of NYC's Beth Israel is creating this blog. He seems to be a President that will make significant contributions to Beth Israel. I would like to hear about how he thinks this blog can make a difference-in his daily medical center life? What can connect him to feel supported by this blog. My sense is that administrative leadership folks often lose their hearts and empathy capacity due to being removed from the passion that brought them into this work in the first place. So, how and what would support Dr Shulkin to feel supported and invested in this great blog? What are his real needs right now? Likely the folks that will come onto this site will be seeking to connect with him and will want to upport him. Already, in his short first year, he has changed the face and ego at NYC's BI.Maybe other administrators or Chairs could write here a bit about what they are seeking-and how passion could be brought back into to their work...despite the daily perils of having to cut or perform tedious managerial tasks.
ReplyDeleteI hope you post this comment on his blog (and also let him know that you read about his site here.)
ReplyDeleteWell I have to say that I am truly honored to read these comments on Beth Israel's (Boston) Blog. Truth be told Paul Levy was the true innovator here and I loved his blog so much I just had to start one for Beth Israel (New York). Clearly Paul's blog is more developed and I like the topics that are posted. This is a real tribute to the community that Paul has nurtured.
ReplyDeleteAt Beth Israel New York I too am trying to develop a meaningful dialogue with our employees and others that rely upon our hospital. I am very appreciative of the comments on your site that will help me do a better job at both listening and sharing.
While I know of no formal relationship between BI in Boston and New York- maybe this is a start of a great relationship.
David Shulkin, MD
President and CEO
The Other Beth Israel (New York)
We should merge, David ! Just imagine the new name: Beth Israel Deaconess Beth Israel.
ReplyDeleteJust being silly, of course. Did you know that the BI was established in Boston in 1916 because Jewish doctors could not get faculty appointments at other hospitals in the city. Also, many Jewish immigrants were not welcome at other hospitals. So the Jewish community decided it had to set up a hospital to take care of "its own", but in so doing adopted a credo that came out its own discrimination -- that it would provide equal care, regardless of ethnic, racial, and religious background and without regard to income levels.
The Deaconess, started by the Methodist deaconesses in 1896, had a similar credo. So it is easy to see why the combined institution continues to believe strongly in that model of care.
I have removed Dr. Shulkin's link from my front page because he seems to have let the blog go dormant. There have been no changes to it for many weeks.
ReplyDeleteMy father was admitted to BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER -
ReplyDeleteKINGS HIGHWAY DIVISION with what turned out to be colon cancer.
The care he is receiving is extraordinary. The entire staffs, the doctors, nurses, nurse’s aid have been amazing. Doctors keep a continuous communication with the family at all times. In these hard times that we are going through, hospital is doing everything possible to make it easier for us. I and my whole family are very grateful and appreciative of all the efforts you have put forward. Thank you so much for taking care of my father.
Mohammed Asim and family