Letters from the CEO for 2011

The Others

Daniel F. Mitten

“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” – Mark Twain.

There is one thing all humans are good at; pointing out other’s perceived deficiencies, all the while thinking oneself infallible and above reproach. The rationale is that it is far better to bend the will of others than to reflect upon oneself and change.

A Call to End Apathy

Daniel F. Mitten

The biggest obstacles to healthcare are not reimbursement, regulations or rising medical costs, it is simply one thing – apathy.  There is no bigger threat to medicine than the indifference of the most influential, important factor in medicine – the physician!

Over the years issues have and continue to plague physicians; however, the overall feeling by the majority is one of unresponsiveness and that one doctor cannot make a difference. But that is not true!

The House of Medicine

Daniel F. Mitten

In my opinion, everyone is too opinionated. Everyone has a thought, idea or plan that makes their philosophy better than anyone else’s. It is a part of being human and part of the human ego – by functioning both in the perception of and adaptation to reality. Leaders are given opportunities to design, plan and implement ideas and philosophies of which someone is always opposed. Inevitably they become the ones in the crosshairs. This is nothing new; this is the cycle of leaders, followers and competitors.

The Time for Great Opportunities

Daniel F. Mitten

The New Year has come upon us and our imagined future is the present. We begin 2011 with a myriad of healthcare related topics, issues, obstacles and opportunities. From every angle, medicine is inundated with challenges that seem overwhelming, problematic and just another nail in the coffin of organized medicine.

Perception is the key to overcoming the sense of dread and allowing these changing times to chip away at our armor and destroy our enthusiasm and positive approach to the future.

Keeping an Eye on the Future

Daniel F. Mitten

To begin with, I am excited to be a part of this new venture for the Medical Society and its membership. We have had many struggles over the last several years given the economy, the face of healthcare and the myriad of issues that arise on a daily basis that thwart our forward progress.  It is my opinion that these are factors that affect our bottom line, whether that is membership numbers or finances, but in the long run they hold no more significance than slight inconveniences along the path to the success of organized medicine.