Life's Rewards

The most rewarding part of my job is engaging with people who make a difference in the health and well being of others. At Hopkins, most often it is the scientists, researchers and physicians whose discoveries alter the course of medicine. Sometimes, however, it also can be a lay person.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking with Sorrel King, an author and mother, who has transformed a personal family tragedy into a campaign to change today's health care system. After living with what she describes as "searing pain" from the death of her youngest child, Sorrel began a foundation dedicated to improving patient safety domestically and globally. It has been a nine year crusade that has reaped real change and undoubtedly saved so many lives.

Fortunately for us, Sorrel King has accepted our invitation to be the plenary speaker at the November 12, 2011 annual Johns Hopkins women's health conference, A Woman's Journey. I hope you will visit the conference website to take advantage of the discounted early on-line conference registration. Register for A Woman's Journey and be inspired by Sorrel King. She will be joined by 32 Hopkins physicians who will present seminars on topics from What You Eat Can Save Your Life to Top 10 Tips to Prevent Cancer. It’s a day you won’t want to miss!

Shortly after Sorrel and I concluded our conversation that afternoon, I was off to the book store to purchase a copy of her book, Josie's Story. Whether you read the book or not, I hope you will take the day for yourself and come meet Sorrel in person.

Leslie

Opportunities

This is an exciting and reflective time for me. My daughter is about to graduate law school and I have been thinking about the vast opportunities that are before her. While many inequities persist, as women we have boundless chances to learn and make contributions to improve society.

Years ago I felt more limited in my opportunities. My career has focused on efforts to educate other women about advances in medicine and to improve their health and wellbeing. Being well informed is paramount. If we are knowledgeable about new medical discoveries—particularly those that may have an impact on our own ailments—we can make wiser decisions about our own lifestyles and strategies to prevent and better treat disease.

The Johns Hopkins Medicine annual women’s health conference A Woman's Journey has helped thousands of women gain new knowledge and improve the health of themselves and those they love. I hope you too will seize this opportunity and join us at A Woman’s Journey, Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Leslie