I have known Dr. Mullen for 30 years, and the
mere implication that he is a racist is
ludicrous and completely off base. He has proven
so in many aspects of his practice and personal
life. While statistics can be used to justify
any purpose or point, reality seems to support
Dr. Mullen.
Walk into a hospital and sit in the lobby. Watch
the ethnicity of the medical staff. There is no
doubt that there has been , and still is, an
increasing melting pot comprising our physician
base. I am not stating that this is a bad thing,
nor am I stating it is a good thing either.
However, something is wrong with our system when
a person who has great grades and scores is
barely considered for admissions.
With a huge potential influx of patients into
our medical system by 2014, per Obamacare,
access to care will be vital. Has anyone thought
of that? Allowing people access to a system that
is unable to take care of them accomplishes very
little. Oh yes, you have health insurance now,
but try finding a doctor.
Years ago, I had been involved with a residency
program conducting interviews and having input
into the selection process. I found it to be a
very difficult task, and one of great anxiety
for me. Literally making decisions that will
affect many peoples’ lives, I would look at a
file and try and make a decision if a person
was “good enough.” Interviewing them for 15 or
30 minutes, when they knew they were being
judged and evaluated, and their future being on
the line based on their performance, at 21 years
old, is not the best way to evaluate a
candidate. There has to be a better way of doing
this than what we are currently doing.
The system needs to change. There needs to be a
level playing field for all, so subjectivity is
removed. If someone has met the criteria of
grades, scores, service, etc., they need to be
given the opportunity to advance. We need them,
and as we all know, grades and scores do not
make a great physician, nor do they dictate
success or failure. That is true in life, not
only in health care.
All I can hope for is that somewhere along the
lines, the system may change. It will be for the
better for everyone.
Brian Kashan, DPM, Baltimore, MD,drbkas@att.net
