- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
-
Dec. 1, 2009
Coping with stress — What role models teach us
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
At a recent neighborhood event, a woman shared with us some of the challenges she's facing. Her husband is in the military and in a combat zone. At the same time, her teenage daughter is struggling with a chronic illness. One of our neighbors made the comment, "It's a miracle that we all don't wind up in a psychiatric hospital."
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It made me think for a moment about the incredible heroism, resilience and tenacity demonstrated each week in the comments posted on this blog. Stories of post-traumatic stress disorders, chronic medical illnesses and painful relationships. How is it that most of us continue to move forward and somehow survive despite life's unfairness?
At the gathering, we talked about our role models — and the characteristics that enable them to survive and even thrive. We identified some common themes:
- Connectedness. Having family and friends to reach out to when times are tough.
- Faith. A belief in a power or energy over and above ourselves.
- Balance. Knowing that we can't help others if we neglect ourselves.
- Focus. The ability to focus on a goal and eliminate distractions.
We are hardy and we are resilient. And with help from family and friends — and with faith — we can survive and go the distance.
7 comments posted
January 6, 2010 7:27 a.m.
I'm an atheist, too. I have faith that there is no higher power... and I was trained as a physicist. That being said, I look for people I admire and whose example I can follow. The chair of my department is such a person: kind, patient, supportive, smart, and funny. Of course the difference between having faith in the an admirable person and the existence of a higher power is that people have defects and fail from time to time, but depending on how one constructs one's personal god, the god(s) does not have to have defects and never needs to fail. That's a significant difference. I wish my role models were more god-like; a benevolent god would offer me more comfort.
- Cindy
December 20, 2009 7:20 p.m.
I too believe in an energy that is universal. My belief is panintheisitc. Put more simply, God is both an energy outside of us and within us. What is the power that keeps the stars in the heavens? There is more out there that empowers the universe as a whole and each of us individually. Barbara A "Cry Depression, Celebrate Recovery: - soon to be released.
- BArbara A
December 8, 2009 5:47 a.m.
I find it dangerous to think, that there is a higher power. People tend to pray or hope instead of taking charge. Also if they are stricken by a tragedy, it makes them wonder what they did wrong to deserve it.
- Eve
December 7, 2009 6:14 p.m.
to homam: If you believe in physics then you understand the concept of an energy that is universal- it is everywhere present, and is affected by our belief. Our life is what we believe. to J: Please find someone you can talk to- we all have our 'stuff' and holding it in only makes it worse...talk to someone... To Appleby: Hang in there! Keep the Faith! You are a positive point of Light!
- chadou
December 5, 2009 4:50 a.m.
How can I acquire a belief in a power above myself if I am an atheist?
- homam
December 2, 2009 6:38 p.m.
I think my problem is reaching out for help. I tend to not ask for help, because I don't want to burden others or I feel ashamed. But I know I don't have to go it alone (in fact, when I try to do that, I end up even more stressed and sometimes physically ill). Help is out there. No one is alone.
- J
December 2, 2009 4:27 a.m.
I was downsized out of my job in May, and fortunately was able to find another fairly quickly. The problem is that the new job is extremely stressful; it gives me responsibilities that constantly make me feel that I am making some kind of big mistake. (So far the few mistakes I have made have been rectified with no more than irritation fallout). My boss is very busy and expects me to solve things myself. I do not feel up to it. In todays climate I cant quit. I have a strong faith but no local support.
- Appleby
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