MDs can be top dogs. (Reader Feedback).

Dear Editor: MDs Can Be Top Dogs

Perhaps Dr. (Arthur) Lazarus was attempting to motivate physician executives by what I consider a somewhat pejorative assessment of physician executive potential in his essay "The Physician Executive as a Guiding Force in Health Care." (The Physician Executive, Vol. 29, No. 2, March/April, 2003.)

While I consider much of Dr. Lazarus' essay to be constructive and somewhat encouraging, a major thrust--in fact, the opening sentence--suggests that obtaining an MD immediately disqualifies one from a successful endeavor at CEO.

While it is patently obvious that precious few of health care CEOs are physicians, there is absolutely no reason that those that have not matriculated and graduated from a medical school are somehow better qualified for the top dog position.

Dr. Lazarus lists numerous opportunities for physicians to make substantive contributions as physician executives. For those who indeed aspire to these positions, I encourage them, as such clearly adds value to health care as an industry.

However, to relegate ourselves to forever be subordinate to those who have never touched a patient will not be long true.

Dwight E. Hooper, MD, MBA, FACOG, CPE Tuscaloosa, Ala.