- 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
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June 29, 2011
Don't dwell on the past, learn from it
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
I'm grateful for the insightful comments posted by readers about the issue of looking forward rather than looking backward when life presents challenges. To paraphrase a famous quote, those who don't remember the past are destined to repeat it.
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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
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Another way to think about it is to picture yourself driving an automobile. You obviously need to keep your eyes on the road in front of you, but you also need to check the rearview mirror to know what's going on behind you. You can't afford to ignore either.
There's merit in being aware of your past — not dwelling on it but learning from it. The past holds the building blocks of a better future.
As always, thanks to everyone who has posted comments and offered input and guidance on these challenging issues.
5 comments posted
November 6, 2011 4:23 p.m.
We have so much to look forward to, so why live in the past? http://pdessentials.co.uk/Life/dontdwellinthe
past.htm - Dawleylad
September 3, 2011 11:39 a.m.
A good analogy with driving a car.I find that useful.Thank you.
- No name given
August 11, 2011 8:31 p.m.
What type of a Doctor should I consult to help with the fact that I am definitely looking back, way back also, to the past.
- Grace
July 5, 2011 3:46 p.m.
Saying not looking toward the past is easier said than done. when you reach a certain age 68. you can spend a lot of time reflecting on the past. the future doesn hold as much promise. I don't have anger and resentment about the past. would like a few do overs but nothing major. I believe the past actions are the best indicators of the future behavior. people can change , but not that much, and under stress they go right back to comfortable behaviors from the past.
- Bree
June 30, 2011 10:26 a.m.
Dwelling on past mistakes makes for anger and resentment and depression. I don't think past behavior is necessarily a predictor of future behavior. I think recognizing past mistakes makes for stronger resolve not to make them again.
- carol
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5 comments posted