School of Public Health News

Mrs. Lautenberg, Dr. Cook, Dean Gotsch, Sr. Administrators, Faculty, Parents, Family and the UMDNJ School of Public Health class of 2008. There is no greater honor than to be recognized by colleagues and friends especially in the presence of family. But what makes this award so very special for me is that it is presented in the name of Senator Frank Lautenberg, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants, who like my family came to this country through Ellis Island. Given the chance to demonstrate what he can do through hard work and courage, Frank Lautenberg shows the real height of the American Dream. His success is the best form of social justice. He now gives back to the nation by serving the people of New Jersey and the nation. When you read his biography you will know why I am so pleased and honored, to be recognized in his name and why the people of New Jersey have chosen wisely in electing him to the United States Senate.

It is now 40 years since I have entered Public Health service and during that time there have been many lessons learned. I have chosen 4 of them to share with this class and a few words from a song, which I won’t sing, from Lee Ann Womack to wish you well.

(L-R: Mrs. Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, Dr. Edward Roccella, Dr. Audrey R. Gotsch)

So these are my lessons:

Lesson #1 - Paradigm Shift
A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn. You are graduating from one of the finest Schools of Public Health in the country. I can tell you this because I have lectured at many of them including this one. One reason I would travel to Piscataway was because of you, the students. Let me explain. You like your colleagues elsewhere have been exposed to public health textbooks, journal articles and core course competencies. Yet what Dr. Gotsch was doing, whether you realize or not was to teach you to think. I detected a refreshing brand of intellectual curiosity among you. I saw it in the type and quality of the questions asked, the grasp of the concepts discussed and suppositions and challenges in the discussions. Questions were more important than answers. Don’t loose this, it will be important to your success. Here is why. The skills and tools you now have will become dated. When I was at the U of M 40 years ago, we like you were on top of the world with state of the art technology. Carbon paper to make multiple copies of our manuscripts, white out corrected typing mistakes, we searched the literature using card catalogs employing the Dewey decimal system, Index Medicus was used to manually conduct literature reviews in journals which were stacked in the library-only 4 months old. We even had electric typewriters and adding machines. Using that technology today would not be very productive. You have this same situation. Technology will be your bend in the road, think-be willing to make paradigm shifts. Be on guard for the famous phrase- “It’s not broke, why fix it ”, which is a trap called complacency. Typing a manuscript on an electric typewriter using carbon paper and white out works, why fix it? So when you see the bend in the road, make the turn.

Lesson # 2 - Consensus
A rising tide lifts all ships. Bringing divergent opinions together to achieve consensus, is a crucial public health challenge. Achieving consensus so that all parties win is an important strategy for the greater good. It is politically intelligent and imperative, if we are to learn the scientific truth. But how can we achieve consensus when we are a divergent society and as such people and organizations have different views and opinions. It took me awhile to figure out, it’s ok for people to disagree; the question is why do they disagree? Take the time to seek out other points of view that may be different than yours or others and reserve judgment until they have had a chance to properly make their case. In a nutshell, listen. Years ago a scientist was shouted down at medical meetings when he suggested that bacteria, not excessive acid, caused stomach ulcers. It turned out he was right. It wasn’t that long ago when the voice of reason was drowned out by loud euphoric rhetoric suggested older women would benefit from hormone therapy replacement. The voice of reason was never given a proper chance to explain their view. Rushing to judgment usually results in adverse consequences. Decide in haste repent in leisure.

Lesson #3 - Observation
The American Philosopher Yogi Berra, said “You can observe a lot just by looking”. This may sound like a statement of the obvious, but an important skill to master is the power of observation. Look around you, take environmental scans, and get to know the clients, population and communities whom you serve. It is easy to overlook. Awhile back we issued a demonstration project to reduce obesity in a small SC community. A staff member sent a progress report recommending termination of the activity. I called the project director, to ask, what’s up? She suggested I conduct a site visit. As expected I was provided textbook answers. Then at lunch I struck up a conversation with a young staff person and asked him how can we make this better. His reply caught me off guard when he said, “Sir, your dog don’t hunt”. I asked him to please explain. It turns out our staff was providing technical assistance to develop a physical activity protocol modeled after the Pawtucket, Rhode Island Heart Study, which suggested that people exercise until they sweat. “Well sir, your people don’t recognize here in South Carolina, we sweat 10 months out of the year”. Your dog just won’t hunt.

Lesson #4 - Leadership
Know who packs your parachute. In this room are tomorrow’s public health Commissioners, Directors, Presidents, Vice Presidents, CEO’s, Deans and Professors. To ascend in your careers, you will need the help of others. Subordinates will prepare reports, collect and analyze data, to provide you with advice and council. These are the people who pack your parachute. Take the time to know them, and respect and reward their efforts. It helps to have confidence your parachute was packed correctly before you leap from 12,000 feet. Conversely, when it’s your turn to pack the parachute for others, do it well. Everything you touch you should make better.

Now I would like to wish you well by reading the words of a song sung by Lee Ann Womack.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out -Reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance – UMDNJ School of Public Health Class of 2008, I hope you dance.