Letters.HEALTHY APPLAUSE Finally an issue I can really relate to. I received my subscription to BLACK ENTERPRISE as a gift, but past issues have been focused on financial industries and other businesses not pertinent to me. After 16 years of working in the medical marketing and sales arena, I am starting out on my own and hanging up my own shingle shingle Thin piece of building material made of wood, asphaltic material, slate, metal, or concrete, laid in overlapping rows to shed water. Shingles are widely used as roof covering on residential buildings and sometimes also for siding (see Shingle style). . Seldom do I see any articles in BE, or other periodicals for that matter, targeted to African Americans African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. in this field. Your August 2001 issue [featuring America's leading black doctors] seemed right on cue. I found the bios on the physicians inspiring and they instilled a sense of pride. In addition, the information on the physicians, managed care, and medical Websites are great sources that I can use to build my business. Far too often, the big medical and pharmaceutical companies ignore African American physicians/clinicians in clinical research, marketing research, and advisory boards. They also do a poor job of recruiting and promoting African Americans in line (not staff) positions, as well as senior management roles. This is unfortunate, since many of the diseases that they make huge profits from, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , are heavily prevalent in the black community. I applaud your August 2001 issue and hope you will do more features on other aspects of the medical and healthcare industry, such as who's who Who’s Who biographical dictionary of notable living people. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 922] See : Fame in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, issues concerning this area, and minority businesses that serve this industry. Victoria P. West, B.N., M.P.H. President, Marketing Milieu Minnetonka, Minnesota vwest@marketmilieu.com THE TOP DOCS As a young African American physician, it was inspiring to read the recent BE article on America's leading black doctors. Despite having larger numbers than ever before, black physicians in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. remain woefully woe·ful also wo·ful adj. 1. Affected by or full of woe; mournful. 2. Causing or involving woe. 3. Deplorably bad or wretched: underrepresented un·der·rep·re·sent·ed adj. Insufficiently or inadequately represented: the underrepresented minority groups, ignored by the government. when compared to the percentage of African Americans within the total U.S. population. Though your report was inspiring, I could not help but notice the rather conspicuous absence of perhaps one of the most important pioneers in the field of academic medicine--Donald Wilson, M.D., dean of the University of Maryland University of Maryland can refer to:
Dr. Wilson continues to serve as a role model and mentor for the growing numbers of African Americans opting for careers in medicine--particularly those of us aspiring to become academicians. Please accept this letter on behalf of the many students whose lives and careers have been touched by this truly inspirational physician-educator. Christopher T. Conti, M.D. Emergency Medicine Clinical Instructor University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh ctcontimd@yahoo.com I appreciated the article "The Doctors Are In" on America's leading black doctors. I was especially proud that my brother, cardiac surgeon A cardiac surgeon is a surgeon who performs cardiac surgery - operative procedures on the heart and great vessels. Training In the United States and Canada, a cardiac surgery residency typically comprises anywhere from six to nine years (or longer) of training to become Dr. Levi Watkins Jr., was included. I also want to bring to your attention someone recognized as one of the best black doctors in America in recent years: Dr. Alvin H. Crawford, professor of Orthopaedics and Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati is a coeducational public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ranked as one of America’s top 25 public research universities and in the top 50 of all American research universities,[2] College of Medicine and director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. In June of 1883, a meeting of women from parish communities around Cincinnati established a mission to create a Diocesan Hospital for Children. . He is currently president of the Scoliosis Scoliosis Definition Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine. Description When viewed from the rear, the spine usually appears perfectly straight. Research Society. Annie Marie Garraway Worthington, Ohio amgarraway@aol.com HUMANE LAYOFFS Thank you for your Powerplay article "The Civil Sacking sack·ing n. A coarse, stout woven cloth, such as burlap or gunny, used for making sacks; sackcloth. sacking Noun coarse cloth woven from flax, hemp, or jute, and used to make sacks Noun ," which appeared in the August 2001 issue. Having been personally affected by a corporate reduction-in-force in the past, I can concur that how a layoff is handled by management staff is critically important to the morale of the terminated employee and those who remain with the organization. I now work with a human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a . The points made in your article are consistent with what we've found working with our clients. Many organizations provide little or no training to their managers who must deliver the layoff news--and, understandably, the managers themselves are ill-prepared for and uncomfortable having this difficult conversation. As the number of layoffs continues to grow during this uncertain economy, managers will need the skills required to transition terminated employees with sensitivity and professionalism. Not only will this maintain the morale (and productivity) of the employees who remain, but it can also keep the door open to hire back laid-off employees in the future. Hope Stephens New York hstephens@haniganconsulting.com IMPRESSIVE I am a BLACK ENTERPRISE subscriber and I look forward to receiving each and every issue. The articles in your magazine are clear, concise, and most informative, delivering important business and financial news. But I was most impressed with the July 2001 issue and the cover story, "Readers' Choice: 10 Best Cities for African Americans." That article was most informative, and I was surprised to see a few cities mentioned on the list. Another article featured in this issue was "Investing in What You Know." This article was well written, as it described the stocks that would make the best choices to invest in. I was so impressed with this issue of BE that I mailed a copy of it to my cousin, who lives in Portland, Oregon. I just received the August 2001 issue of BE, and it was outstanding, as it profiled the leading African American physicians in the U.S. and their specific medical fields. This issue, in particular, serves as a valuable resource guide for African Americans, especially when access to quality healthcare is so critical. Thank you, BE, for providing these two issues to your readers. Frederick Bond St. Louis EBond39835@aol.com This is just a note to say I really enjoyed the July 2001 issue. I sort of leafed through past issues because I thought, since I've recently retired, the magazine had nothing to offer me. How wrong I was. I especially enjoyed Monique Brown's article on how to get the most out of life ("Don't Worry, Be Happy"). I also look forward to learning some investment strategies. Thanks again for a great magazine and keep up the fantastic job. Bettye Stevenson Marion, Indiana abds@bpsinet.com |
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