Just who is the Surgeon General, Anyway?
When we hear the name, “Surgeon General,” most of us think of either the warning on a pack of cigarettes, or Dr. C. Everett Koop. If you do a search on Wikipedia, you will find a short history and learn that the current SG is Rear Admiral, Kenneth Moritsugu, MD.
Anyone ever heard of Admiral Moritsugu???
Please allow me to the honor of introducing this truly great man. Like any physician also at the political top of the ladder, Moritsugu has significant credentials that would fill a small book. Health and Human Services has a detailed bio posted at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/aboutoffice.html#biosg. Reading it will give you a sense of a man that seemingly never sleeps. He has more awards, experience and credentials than most people dream of having. I remember seeing an interview with Sally Ride just before she became the first American woman in space. The reporter concluded by saying: this is a woman who has not wasted a minute of her life. Surely the same is true of our current Surgeon General.
Again, I do not believe I need to convince anyone that this man has credentials worthy of the office. Looking at his credentials alone, he certainly ranks amongst the best. The question really remains: who is this man?
I have had the great fortune of having private meetings with this unique and great man. The first thing he said during our first meeting was: “It is a great honor to meet you Mr. Gorton.” I continuously observe his humble nature, which I believe brings out the best in the people around him. It is the mark of a great leader.
Over the past few months, I have shared some of the more complicated aspects of TelaDoc with Admiral Moritsugu. He quickly understood the idiosyncrasies, and made comments about how the model works inside our health care system to solve some of our most pressing problems. Certainly, he is a quick and clear thinker.
On one occasion, I asked him to suggest ways that I and/or TelaDoc could help Moritsugu and the office of Surgeon General. Because I have a legal education, I used the term: quid-pro-quo. The Surgeon General quickly pointed out that in his office, they make decisions to do things because they are RIGHT, not for any other reasons. How incredibly refreshing to hear a comment like that in Washington, DC!
In my second visit with the Surgeon General, I mentioned that I have two TelaDoc employees who are trying to quit smoking. He immediately pulled out a business card and wrote them a personal Surgeon General’s warning to quit smoking. Contrast this selfless, singular act to the to the authoring of countless documents, impacting millions, which Moritsugu has produced over the years, and you get a clear sense of a man capable of fixing the healthcare problems in our country. Listen to this story, and you meet a man who is also wiling to focus on a single person in a personal encounter.
Who is Kenneth Moritsugu? He is the quintessential definition of a Surgeon General. It is time more people know who and what this man represents.
Michael Gorton is the CEO of TelaDoc, the first national network of telephone based physicians handling cross coverage for physicians and patients.
Michael has degrees in Physics, Engineering and Law and has served as adjunct Professor of Astronomy at Richland College. His hobbies are running, writing and mountain climbing.
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