As a leader, do you shy away from issues that may be considered too controversial or too political? What if those issues are at the core of delivering healthcare to your community and supporting your team? In
our current political environment with the level of discourse so negative and uncivil, it can be hard to take a stand on something. But true leaders do just that.
Michael Dowling, President and CEO at Northwell Health in New York, is the kind of leader who doesn’t shy away from controversial issues. He should be a role model for all of us. I have mentioned him in previous posts on the need for civility and on preventing gun violence. This week I want to highlight his unwavering commitment and national leadership to prevent gun violence.
Under Dowling’s leadership, Northwell Health hosted the 4th Annual Gun Violence Prevention Forum this week. It was an in-person event in New York but open for virtual registration. I can’t tell how many were in the room but in his opening remarks he said there were over 2000 registered virtually.
His opening comments were inspiring. He said we were gathered to learn, to share, to strengthen our commitment to work together in unison, and to hold hands as we march down the road bending the curve of gun violence. He challenged us to each rethink and reimagine the obligation and responsibility of leadership. As health systems, to ask who are we, what do we stand for and believe in. He said we need to inspire others that this is health. That we can’t improve health unless we go upstream. And that health is more than medicine. Whether inside the organization or outside, to take on difficult topics. To make sure others get involved and feel bad about not doing so. He talked about the progress made. He reminded us that big issues and big successes are the result of a constellation of small things. And he encouraged us to be optimistic, that people follow optimistic leaders. He asked us to be proud, committed and fearlessly optimistic.
He talked about the National Health Care CEO Council on Gun Violence Prevention and Safety taking the pledge to prioritize the health and safety of our communities. 50 health system CEOs have signed the pledge and are united to fight gun violence. He talked about how even a few years ago he couldn’t get anyone to sign something like this. The response he got back then was it’s too political, their board wouldn’t like it, there were NRA members on their board, and so on. 50 is progress and we can hope that in the future it will be hundreds.
The forum included panel presentations on key topics:
- Lessons from the Past: How to Change Cultural Norms and Perspectives
- Unlocking the Power of Data
- Implementing Intervention and Prevention Strategies on the Ground
Government speakers included Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut. Dr. Murthy said the numbers say you can’t look away anymore, gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children. Governor Hochul talked about New York’s initiatives that have resulted in double digit decreases in homicides in 2022. Senator Murphy’s message to business leaders was stop being afraid, speak up and lend your voice.
Yes, gun violence is a public heath issue. Seeing leaders come together to discuss what has been accomplished to address this issue, but more importantly what still needs to be done was both encouraging and inspiring.
Healthcare leaders are leaders in their community, not just in their organizations. We must all be willing to be bold leaders, to speak up and to act on what matters to the families we serve and care for, be they patients or employees.
I’ll close with a quote from Dowling: “Gun violence is a public health crisis. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the decision makers of our nation’s health systems and hospitals to change the narrative on gun safety and pursue solutions that will make a meaningful difference”.
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