- 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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Dec. 18, 2012
Live like there's no second chance
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
The story of people's lives can inspire and educate us as our lives unfold. Of course we can learn from professors and textbooks, but the lasting lessons come from each other. Let me explain.
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I recently met a patient who was doing well with advanced cancer. Being curious, I always ask patients about their occupation. This gentleman said he was a high-wire electrician and explained that his area of expertise was high-voltage environments.
I asked about the risks with this kind of work. Here's what he told me, "You don't get a second chance."
In a humorous way, he explained that if he touched one of the wires he would be electrocuted. And because he typically worked on high-rise construction projects, the chance of resuscitation was virtually zero.
Intrigued, I asked him to tell me how he'd been able to do this kind of work for 20 years. This was his checklist:
- Always ask what can go wrong.
- Stay physically fit.
- Get a solid night's sleep.
- Stay alert and focused. Distractions can be fatal.
These lessons will stay with me. I would also add that you need to be vigilant for opportunities. A door may open or another may close and you may miss it if you're not paying attention.
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.
2 comments posted
January 13, 2013 10:20 p.m.
This was very inspiring. It sounds like good advice for those of us in "low-voltage" environments too. I find I often think I have endless chances to make up for lax behavior and decisions. But this post helped me see thoughts like, I can get to that later, or I'm too tired, are ading up to a lot of wasted time and opportunity. I am fascinated and inspired by people like your patient, who are able to function with such consistent focus and drive. Thank you for sharing!
- Melissa
December 27, 2012 10:27 p.m.
THE BEST ADVICE I HAVE RECEIVED. WITH THE LIMITATIONS WE ARE BORN WITH, IT IS WISE TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT WE ARE ENDOWED WITH.
- MANI TATTHANAPILLY
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