Overcrowded Emergency Rooms

In my 30 year career in hospital and public health administration, I never fully understood why hospital administrators complain so much about overcrowded emergency rooms. I have run hospitals and that never was a concern of mine although my staff physicians complained about seeing non emergent patients. I understood their desire to be most productive in using their talents in treating emergency and critically ill and injured patients as they had spent many extra years of education and training to do so. The problem, however, in my judgment, lied in ill-organized hospitals and emergency departments making them costly and not productive.

I do not take exception to the concern entirely, but I do not think Congress or any part of government should have to shoulder coming up with the solution for overcrowded ER’s by non emergent patients, at least, beyond the possibly of it, perhaps, implementing measures to require hospitals to "reform" their organizations and provide some additional incentives for them to do so.

I understand Detroit Medical Center, or it may be another hospital in Detroit, that has been quite successful in structuring its ER in a manner that results in it being treated as an asset; not a liability or burden. The ER is seen as a primary feeder to the hospital for admissions and a viable resource in providing health education, preventative health services as well as medical delivery. A former colleague of mine, (I am now retired) who is an attorney with a prominent law firm in the US and specializes in hospital restructuring, may be able to provide some guidance or resources to assist this situation. If you are interested in learning more about him, please let me know.

Oscar Carter
Creating A World Community

White House Visit, Cinco de Mayo

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I was invited to the White House last night by The President and Mrs. Obama.

I arrived about 4:45PM before the event that was scheduled to start at 5:00PM. (Don’t be late for White House events I learned. They start on time). My first stop was the bathroom after checking my coat in the Library. I do not know which Library it was. While in the bathroom I called my eldest daughter Leslie and told her that I was in the White House in one of the bathrooms and she could boast that her voice was in the White House.

I do not want to make this too long a story. I am going to jump to the 10 minute talk The President presented in his usual eloquent, confident and expert way. He was joined on the podium by Mrs. Obama, Vice President Biden and Mrs. Biden and the ambassador from Mexico and his wife. Following the President’s talk, I found my way through the crowd, I approximate at 3-400 people and introduced myself to Mrs. Biden. I told her that she was doing a Great job. I then found my way to the Vice President and said; “Hello Mr. Vice President; my name is Oscar Carter from New York. I want to let you know you are doing a Great job.” He then said in his usual stern voice, “Hello Oscar Carter from New York, thank you very much.”

Then I found my way to The President. I went up to him, introduced myself and handed him my card that states Creating A World Community. I told him that he stole Creating A World Community from me. He seemed a little confused. I told him that after reading The Audacity of Hope, it was clear to me that he had stolen Creating A World Community from me. He then stated, laughingly, "You know, yes I did" while I observed him putting my card in his left side pants pocket. I then told him he was doing a fantastic job and excused myself.

I next attempted to work my way to Mrs. Obama. I found it harder to get to her and it seemed that every time I got close to introduce myself, she would turn the other way and greet someone else. I even felt I should "cool out" a bit with a thought that people might think I was stalking her. After a good 10 minutes, perhaps 15, I noticed one of her escorts, a gentleman, whisper to a female escort which I assumed at the time and later learned in speaking with him that he wanted her to direct Mrs. Obama to me. In fact, the female escort actually pulled Mrs. Obama by the waist and turned her toward me at which point I introduced myself to Mrs. Obama. I told her I wanted her to know that she was the main reason I had decided to work on the Campaign. (I had never been involved with politics previously) I told her I had memorized her stump speech about fear and how she did not want her daughters to grow up in a country, in a world, based on fear. I told her I identified with the speech because I also have two daughters and felt that if she was willing to put her daughters on the line, (that's the way it occurred for me) that I could step out my comfort and campaign for Barack Obama's candidacy for President. I then told her that in that speech she referenced her husband as being "Special." I pointed my finger at her and said, "I want you to know, You are Special." She enthusiastically gave me a big smile in acknowledgment and said, "thank you Oscar, I really appreciate that" I excused myself and enjoyed meeting a few other people over wine, and h'orderves and some great Mexican music.

I am very proud and thankful for President Barack Obama, his family and our Administration.

CLICK ON PICTURE--I AM THERE

Oscar Carter
Creating A World Community

Power To The People

Until Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign, I had never been involved with politics. The reason to a large extent may be due to my biggest learning during the campaign.

What excited me most was the openness and transparency about which and under which President Obama spoke and ran. It was that and his ability to inspire hope and possibility that caused me to work so hard on his, my and all of our behalf’s. It was exciting to see how so many people were empowered when they also got involved in the process.

Contrary to my experience with the Campaign, I learned how our organizations, institutions, and yes even the nations we have built across the world have separated us from one another. President Obama found a way to bring people together with a common vision toward a common end.

Over the last week in working with the Organizing for America initiative, I have watched and experienced people, in the name of “grassroots” effort initiating organizations, groups and taking actions that have become and are becoming politicized, taking on lives of their own and separating themselves from others as well as the masses. Although I believe in the mantra, "All is Good," to the extent the foregoing continues to occur, achieving “Change We Can Believe In” will be delayed.

We must build open organizing systems and other initiatives and efforts that are inclusive and transparent. If we do not, we will continue to separate, alienate and in fact cause conflict with one another that will not be productive. I believe we all believe in a common good and desire a world that works for all. We will accomplish that by working together, and I will agree with opposition as well, so long as it is peaceful and respectful.

Organizing For America--Upper Manhattan Day of Action (Pledge Project Canvass)

Yesterday, I accepted a request from Ben Baruch, Volunteer Liaison for Organizing for America, New York to “lead” a March 21st effort in Upper Manhattan to initiate a sustained grassroots movement that will change the political dialogue in our great country.

My intention is the community creates a “landmark” event hosted by Harlem’s own Hue-Man Bookstore & Café at 2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd as part of the national day of action in support of President Obama’s plan to stimulate and transform America's economy. The specific task is to canvas the community between the hours of 12:30PM and 3:30PM on the 21st and to actively seek our neighbors 'pledge' to stand behind three key initiatives, energy, health care and education.

TO SIGN UP, ADD A COMMENT AND/OR TO INVITE OTHERS TO ATTEND CLICK HERE

Oscar Carter
Creating A World Community

Creating A World Community Website

Join In The Conversation

Again, The Relevancy of Race

I leave from New York City with my wife, Tina, tomorrow excited and determined to have a fantastic time.

Today and before the inaugural, I completed reading Dreams From My Father, by President-Elect Barack Obama. It was a goal I had since the election. I was particularly attentive to Barack’s inquiry into race during his journey from childhood to his first visit to Kenya. His inquiry mirrored the one I have held over the past several years, relative to the relevancy of “race” in our national and for that matter, our global discourse. I take away an answer consistent with the position I have held over this period; that race has no place in today’s discourse, at least, no more than the color of one’s hair, eyes, etc. I have, you may have read in this blog, have had a similar inquiry about the place the label “African-American” has in today’s world. My answer is the same. There is no place for it, certainly in the interest of empowerment of the population which others and the people who use the term define or otherwise label itself.

I won’t belabor the point further here. My position is consistent with themes I have held on race in various posts throughout this blog.

Walking home from a restaurant where I completed reading the final pages of the book, I stopped for coffee at Starbucks. When I got home, I read the following quote printed on my cup.

“People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world’s diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others.” Youssou N’Dour (Musician)

To that extent, perhaps there is some relevancy.