Since Sunday, June 11th, I have been engaged with the Personalized Medicine 2017 Summit at UBC. This Summit follows on our first effort in 2015, and with the help of locals and international luminaries from all sectors and perspectives draws us forward to a tangible and staged action planned for the province of British Columbia in the realm of personalized medicine and personalized health & wellness. The Summit program can be found at www.personalizedmedsummit.com. Last evening we had a lovely, relaxed banquet at the Museum of Anthropology, an international jewel of ethnological and anthropological artifacts from around the world, especially from the Pacific Rim peoples. At the dinner, the Summit leader, Pieter Cullis, asked me if I would say a few remarks…..which I did. I noted the fact that I have been thinking quite a bit about human suffering these days, partly borne of my lifetime of engagement in science and medicine, partly because I have lost a few family members and close friends this past 12 months, and partly because of the state in which we find the world’s peoples. As a global society we are sagging under the weight of wars, ill-lead regimes, economic issues and the persistence of many ailments and health disorders. I noted that Helen Keller, born with sight and hearing in Alabama, USA, who lost both at an early age in the setting of high fever, became an incredible advocate and activist aiming not to overcome her own disabilities, but especially those of others. Through her own progress, her actions and her voice, she impacted suffering in profound ways. In her own words, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”. In this context and at this celebratory event, I offered a short poem that tries to aim at the personal nature of our professional intentions through the actions arising from the Summit. These remarks follow. They are entitled “Being Personal“.
Just days ago, Pieter asked me to share thoughts on this celebratory occasion
Although I am usually quiet, I gave in, upon his persistent, forceful persuasion
The tent is filled nearly to the max with energy of many an extraordinary friend
To sup with sauce, to talk and laugh and hug a bit, while our stomachs distend
I must mention a person not with us tonight, not because she’s maimed or dead
Rather she’s snug at home, eating ice cream, and watching crime shows in bed
That is my wife, whom most of you will not know or frankly care much about
But if I don’t say how great she is she said, she would ask Pieter, and find out
What does this have to do with commentary about our goals of being personal
In ways a lot, for prevention and care are truly about individuals, sick or well
Our setting tonight is rather perfect for reflecting on the importance of person
Cultural anthropology speaks to what we value, what we don’t want to worsen
The heart and soul of societies lies close to definitions of health and well-being
What habits we endorse, social contracts we forge, what progress we’re seeing
We are organized in sectors, in disciplines, in buildings, in geographies, like bins
We need more gatherings like this one, where we rub shoulders and kick shins
Momentum is building, but slow as a glacier’s slide or a snail’s glistening ooze
Acceleration, not the speed of a Tesla, but at least faster, spawned from schmooze
For those who are new here on the Pacific Rim and like the feel, we embrace all
For our challenge is our treasure, and together we will go right through any wall
May today, tomorrow, days long ahead, link us, inspire us, bring many an action
Which for the public, patients especially gain, with all here, a deep satisfaction
Thanks to all travelers and locals who have thrown in together on deep learning
As we shall attain new pinnacles of excellence from talents commonly yearning
Each story told of health, risk, disease, and the complexity of journies we face
For the personal in us is strengthening the cause, the understanding, the case
So, whatever your views, your roles, your strengths, your needs for tomorrow
I am certain good food, conviviality, fermented grapes can diminish your sorrow
Amen!