December
2003
Volume 27 •
No. 10
Doctor without 'white coat' offers political reality check
Medical board clarifies policies for conflicts of interests, human subjects
Overzealous spam blockers zap key E-mail
Sorensen, hematologist, medical board member is advocate for community colleagues
Otolaryngology becomes department
BMT numbers grow past landmark number
Bylaws committee formed, begins work
Faculty women honored in NLM exhibit
Doctor
without 'white coat' offers political reality check
Cheered by news from Stanford Hospital CEO Martha Marsh that "we're busy in the hospital, revenues are up 7 percent from last year," medical staff members then heard lively but sobering news on the California and national political scene from prominent public radio commentator and professor Michael Krasny.
Krasny was the featured speaker at the Dec. 4 Semi-Annual Medical Staff Meeting that in addition to Marsh's brief state of the hospital update included a social gathering followed by the traditional biennial passing of the gavel from the outgoing staff president to his successor. This year the gavel, including written instructions on how to use it, was handed off by Ray Gaeta, a faculty anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, to Welch Road neurologist Bruce Adornato.
As host and senior editor of KQED's award-winning Forum news program, Krasny offered a fresh perspective and broke the mold of speakers "wearing a white coat" often heard at medical staff meetings, Adornato said.
Krasny, who has a Ph.D. and is a professor of English at San Francisco State University in addition to his public radio career, noted that "likability" and the projection of personal strength were often greater keys to political success than acumen on the issues. Elections are currently won, he said, typically because of the "Q Factor," a show business term which essentially describes the likability and often the strength of an officeholder or candidate.
For example, regardless of how voters regard his politics, both Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Bush project images of strength and likability that sit well with the voters, he said. Former Gov. Gray Davis, on the other hand, scored low on "Q Factor" which Krasny and others have said may have been more important to the success of his recent recall than the way voters viewed his stand on issues or his administrative skills.
Schwarzenegger appears to have enhanced his strength and likability during his first days in the governor's office by refusing to take a salary and by making good on his promise to repeal the unpopular auto tax hike which went into effect just before the recall vote, said Krasny.
Bush, the speaker said, is consistently seen by the public as an affable man with a sense of humor, and - at least since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks - as a leader of strength. This image of strength has so far held true despite reverses and continued violence in Iraq, which have sent the administration "looking for an exit strategy." To beat Bush, the Democrats will need a leader with a high Q Factor. He pointed to New York Senator Hillary Clinton, as a Democrat with a high Q Factor, although the former first lady has said she will not be a candidate.
Krasny noted what he said was especially sober news for the medical staff of a university hospital - funding for higher education and money for health services are probably the only places where the state budget can be cut.
The host of the morning talk show, whose interviews have ranged from former President Jimmy Carter to movie stars, said while he maintains neutrality on the air, he enjoys the opportunity to voice opinions when he speaks to public gatherings such as he recently has at Stanford.
