So while the 650 participants at the National Leadership Development Conference were treated to a keynote address from former President George Bush and appearances by several other political figures, they also attended sessions about writing a good speech, accessing the Internet, collective negotiation and leadership for health professionals. John H. Armstrong, MD, chair of the Young Physicians Section, said the conference was a workable blend. It was a powerful program, and I appreciated the opportunity to have all of these leaders talk with us. Those attending the conference ranged from medical students to physicians involved in organized medicine at the county, state or specialty society level, to members of the AMA's Board of Trustees and councils. They heard the former U.S. president outline a litany of characteristics that good leaders should possess.
Leadership is team.
Leadership is standing for what's right, and sometimes leadership is not doing the easy thing. Saying he was out of the loop, Bush declined to address the chances for such legislation this year. I am one of five senators who have not co-sponsored the leadership's bill. It is not an adequate response to what many of us in this room consider a serious problem. When an insurance company wants to practice medicine, it ought to be held to the same standard as others, and that includes malpractice.