- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
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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Jan. 23, 2013
Tap into the spiritual for help dealing with tragedy
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
At the service for a young person who died tragically, the clergy offered a simple and powerful message: If we become mired in asking ourselves why did this happen, we become stuck in a psychological dead end.
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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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Without some sort of belief in a higher power or force, it's difficult for us mere mortals to push on in the face of grinding and overwhelming adversity. The unexpected death of a loved one, the financial or professional setback, the loss of a dream, the loss of hope — all can be overwhelming without some sort of support and spiritual energy from forces outside of ourselves.
Does this make sense? Please weigh in since this is an issue that everyone has struggled with.
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.
6 comments posted
February 2, 2013 2:26 a.m.
I am a Medical Consulatant- Internist What I find practically helpful is to go for a Relaxation Exercise. Lie down on the floor carpet and release your body as that of a corpse. Slowly repeat the number 99 in your mind 99 times or you can concentrate on some of the good things of the dear one. What I advise in India is to chant Gayatri Mantra twenty times in one’s mind without losing concentration.
- Jayanti
January 30, 2013 2:55 p.m.
I am a Registered Nurse who has dealt with death and dying on a regular professional basis. However, I have experienced the loss of loved ones as well. Each loss has taught me that whether the death is expected or unexpected it remains a difficult package of emotions. When the death is expected we tend to say "they are in a better place" or "they are not suffering anymore". When the death is unexpected then it becomes more difficult to use these phrases. We are often angry at first and go through all the stages of grief. I have had enough professional and personal loss due to expected and unexpected death that if it were not for my spiritual beliefs and Faith in GOD I am sure that I would be a "basket case". With each loss I remind myself that "I know where they are and I know who they are with"! I try to do something that is a positive reminder of that loved one. For me I plant a tree or make a garden in their honor. That way I have a seasonal reminder of renewed life when the tree or garden blooms. Each person must find something that will ease our mere mortal minds and help us deal with death and dying
- Lynn
January 30, 2013 1:21 p.m.
My younger brother died a few days after Thanksgiving two years ago. It was a needless death due to "family issues" with which I'm still having to handle. If it wasn't for the faith, strength, and peace that it gives me knowing that God will work this out in his own way and time, I don't know what I would've done. Thank you for this article.
- Alexia
January 30, 2013 11:55 a.m.
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU !!! It is so refreshing to see the medical arena credit the omnipotent and immutable peace and truth that a loving sovereignty protects, guides and loves us with. As a Nurse, it is some of the best medicine I can give.
- Mary
January 29, 2013 9:41 a.m.
Yes, I have been helped by faith. My sister who suffered from bi polar killed herself last spring. My mother is still living so a lot of stress! I go to a adoration chapel once a week which gives me a God's peace and mass on Sunday.
- Sarah
January 23, 2013 10:04 a.m.
A few posts back it was suggested that one of the great 'truths' is this: Life is difficult. Yes, acknowledging this great truth lets us re-orient our thinking and expectations. Another truth, it seems, is simply that life itself 'goes on' even when circumstances may make the experience feel otherwise. Since life goes on, then experience and outlook are bound to change--and in change are found the seeds of hope. From this standpoint, hope is always a reality.
- Alan
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