The Call to Communicate: Renewing the Vows

I’ve been a little low on the posts lately because I was busy soaking up information at the National Minority Quality Forum‘s 2008 Leadership Summit. This two-day summit was hosted by the Forum in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus‘ Health Braintrust. Summit organizers Dr. Gary Puckrein and Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI) gathered a group of brilliant physicians, pharmacists, researchers, pharmaceutical representatives and health communicators together to focus on working towards health equity and improving the health, health care and well being of everyone in America.

I had the opportunity to sit down with some of the brightest minds in health and learn more about the folllowing topics:

- Ehtnic and Racial Disparities in Pharmaceutical Therapy

- Management of Diabetes in Minorities

- The Social Determinants of Health

- Minorities in Clinical Trials.

Time and time again, attendees heard about the many problems currently present in our health care system, but another message managed to make its way into the conversation, the need for us to take personal responsibility. Honorees Congressman James Clyburn, Della Reese, and Rev. Jesse Jackson all reinforced this message with stories of their struggles and the struggles of those close to them.

I am not sure if I could ever completely convey the effect that those special people had on me, but it was like renewing a vow, a vow to communicate for the greater good. In many ways, the summit recharged me, and I am now ready to jump back in with the writing, the podcasting, the pitching and the blogging.

I hope you all at one point experience what I have over the last few days and get the opportunity to renew a vow of your own.