We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the heart: love, kindness, joy, understanding, sympathy, tolerance, forgiveness.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the mind: ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals, principles, plans, inventions, projects, poetry.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the spirit: prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration, peace, faith.

We give of ourselves when we give the gift of words: encouragement, inspiration, guidance.

Emerson said it well: "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts.  The only true gift is a portion of thyself".  

Wilfred A Peterson

3:44:02 PM     comment []   Google It!  

"...it is highly unlikely that a brief process, like a one-hour speech, can lead to a true shared vision - a vision which draws out the commitment of people throughout the organization.  A vision is not really shared unless it has staying power and evolving life-forces that lasts for years, propelling people through a continuous cycle of action, learning, and reflection."  from the Fifth Discipline Fieldbook...

In our case the vision needs to be kept alive across the entire community, not just within a single organization.  The vision of patient -centered care has been alive in this community for several years, and drove the creation of Whatcom Health Information Network (HInet), and the Community Health Improvement Consortium.  We now strive to further develop that vision to cross the chasm identified in the IOM's report.

The vision  is Patient-Centered Care that is Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient,  and Equitable.  These six aims, but foremost, patient-centeredness, is the enduring yardstick against which our choices, decisions and actions can consistently be measured. 

We are on this journey together, at each step or turning point let us do one another the favor of asking...What is the best option for patient-centered care? 

3:37:10 PM     comment []   Google It!