Vulnerability and virtue

Dear Doctors:

I am a retired physician. I really like your article. It was heartfelt. The prose was inspiring. It was truthful. There was meaningful vulnerability and, yes, I felt it was virtuous.
I particularly like the emphasis on empathy, sympathy, and compassion illustrated by - “Our garb cannot protect us from an overwhelming sense that we have collectively betrayed those who are suffering.” To the extent that this was not necessary and to the extent that it was not considered a priority to address meaningfully, I fully agree. I wish to congratulate you on saying out loud what many must be thinking and are afraid to say.
Hopefully the unpreparedness and lack of optimal leadership that contributed to the moral injury and suffering referred to will not be a factor as we move forward. What suggestions do you imagine might be worthwhile considering going forward?

Sincerely
Scott A. Lang MD (retired)
3707 Unity Place NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4G4
403-282-3221
scottalang@shaw.ca