{"id":21635,"date":"2020-10-07T17:38:22","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T21:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opsweb.wpengine.com\/?p=21635"},"modified":"2022-05-17T13:30:46","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T17:30:46","slug":"dr-anthony-fauci-and-other-exceptional-doctors-on-the-importance-of-public-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/blog\/dr-anthony-fauci-and-other-exceptional-doctors-on-the-importance-of-public-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Anthony Fauci and other exceptional doctors discuss public service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At a virtual afternoon panel Monday afternoon, Dr. Anthony Fauci<\/a> related a lesson he learned in the 1980s about how to discuss scientific findings on health with a U.S. president.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fauci was headed to the White House to brief President Ronald Reagan for the first time, when a friend advised him that telling the truth was vital but could have consequences. The advice? \u201cTell yourself this might be the last time you walk into that place because you might have to say something that people don\u2019t like to hear, and they won\u2019t ask you back,\u201d Fauci said.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had the choice of being on the right side of the truth or being asked back,\u201d recalled Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. \u201cI chose the former.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fauci\u2019s comments came during a special Partnership event on Monday, Oct. 5, during which he was joined on a virtual panel by two other exceptional medical professionals who serve the public: Dr. Beth Ripley<\/a>, a radiologist from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel was moderated by Margaret Talev, Axios\u2019 editor for White House and politics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Fauci and Ripley are recipients of the 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals<\/a>, or Sammies\u2014Fauci as Federal Employee of the Year, and Ripley as winner of a medal in the Science and Environment category.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event was one of several recognizing the accomplishments of people in government. \u201cAt the Partnership, we believe that the way we get good government is by publicly recognizing achievements by federal workers. There are no finer people than the ones we\u2019re hearing from today,\u201d said Max Stier, the Partnership\u2019s president and CEO, in introducing the panel.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courage and integrity in government service<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fauci\u2019s story about his visit to the White House came after Talev asked him how doctors who are not as established as he is could present uncomfortable scientific facts and recommendations based on hard data, and what he\u2019d tell people who are early in their careers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere was a time in my life when I wasn\u2019t as established as I am now,\u201d Fauci responded. \u201cThat\u2019s when I started doing things that got me where I am now.\u201d And imparting the facts was part of that.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using <\/strong>technology<\/strong> to advance medical care<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ripley discussed 3D printing, which she brought to the Veterans Health Administration. \u201cIt allows for just-in-time solutions to solve problems,\u201d she said. \u201cIt allows you to make anything you can imagine,\u201d she said, including models of patients\u2019 actual organs and tissues.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also used the 3D printing network in the fight against the coronavirus, creating about a dozen designs for personal protective equipment to help end the shortage of PPE for front-line health care workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe ended up spinning out a surgical mask in 10 days,\u201d she said. \u201cThe ability to take a concept from your mind and put it into reality is incredible, and that\u2019s the magic of 3D printing.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

L<\/strong>essons from the pandemic<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In discussing NIH\u2019s response to COVID-19, Collins said he was amazed at how quickly the NIH has reached the final stages of developing a vaccine.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe came together, organized our trial network, had more than 100 people working constantly, and said to ourselves, \u2018We haven\u2019t done it this way before, but let\u2019s just do it.\u2019\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NIH will continue to employ many of its new work practices and strategies after the pandemic ends, he said. \u201cWe won\u2019t lose this model post-pandemic because it has been so helpful,\u201d he added.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving the human condition: the case for <\/strong>an <\/strong>effective government<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Audience questions for the panel touched on a range of topics about public service, from how the nation can engage young children in science to how the U.S. partners with foreign governments to tackle global challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One questioner asked Collins, \u201chow can you rebuild public trust in government?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He cited the Partnership\u2019s work in that arena, and the fact that federal employees are dedicated to the people they serve. Most federal employees do what they do because \u201cthey believe in their efforts,\u201d Collins said. \u201cThey want to contribute, and they want to have a life that has meaning. People are really trying to do the right thing to improve the human condition.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals virtual gala <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The panel discussion set the stage for the 2020 Service to America Medals virtual gala, which aired the night of October 5 and featured personal messages from former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Also making appearances were Bono, Kristen Bell, Stephen Colbert, Yo-Yo Ma, Matthew McConaughey, Sloane Stephens and many more. Watch the video below or visit the Sammies website<\/a> for more information.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n