#569
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:46:56 -0500
From: Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET>
Subject: Is it Louisiana politics, manners, or just the way it has to be?
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Is it Louisiana politics, manners, or just the way it has to be?
I’m not sure why New Orleans is less than 50% rebuilt. However, I think I may be on to something. Basing it on a recent conversation with a friend, I believe I may have a clue.
A close friend, we’ll call him Bobby, is leaving Louisiana for Texas later this month. He is the director of a small health program. He is earning over $90,000 per year. He is leaving because, as he puts it, ”The ‘bubba-good-old-boy” system I found myself working in was failing to meet the health needs of its public. It was failing all of us. I couldn’t take it.”
I asked him if he had the traditional exit interview. Did he get a chance to tell them what he perceived was going on?
“No, all we talked about is my last day. I’m leaving on the 10th of September.”
“Wait a minute,” I said, “You never had a chance to tell them what they could do to make things better?”
“I was always taught to ‘never burn bridges,” Bobby answered.
“I didn’t say, burn bridges, or do anything negative. I would never suggest you hurt yourself, just tell them what they really need to know so things could get better.”
“They simply do not want to hear the truth. The truth, the facts, no matter what kind of spin I put on it, would be seen as negative. I may need them in the future.”
“But if they don’t hear the facts, the perceptions, how can they improve or rebuild their failed system?”
“All I know is that the truth may burn bridges, and I am thinking of me, number one.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Let me know when you’re settled in Houston.”
I started thinking about the horrible truth behind Bobby’s comments.
In a way he’s correct. “If they hear the truth you may suffer their wrath.”
Bobby is quiet, introspective, introverted and manages his passion well. Even with those characteristics he chose not to say ANYTHING that would stir things up.
The company, the one that should have heard and considered his feedback (“they failed at being inclusive sharing financials with all directors; two people, out of a so-called team of six, where the primary decision makers, leaving the other team members either in the dark or with surprises, etc.”) seemed to actually not want to hear any comments. I believe this is true because, in my opinion, some directors and CEOs really don’t want to hear suggestions from someone who is quitting. It could be that some directors may already know what’s going on but are unable to make the changes they know are needed. Hearing about those changes, from some younger quitter, could anger or frustrate a CEO who may also be on a hot seat.
Nonetheless, for change to occur, data needs to be collected, right?
With data the company’s situation may change and improve, thus bringing higher quality health care to consumers who are in dire need of improved health care in Louisiana.
On the other hand, any comment or feedback could be perceived, no matter how positive it is or well put, as an attack. I’m guessing Bobby figured that one out and chose to maintain his career.
Maybe I’m an idealist. I believe the bigger issue, the health of Louisiana, is more important. Taking a risk to, “tell ‘em like it is,” without passion or anger, “just the facts, m’am,” in my opinion, is far important that the personal gains achieved by not “rocking the boast.”
What do you think?
Michael Pejsach, Ed.D.
drmichael@redphoenixmartialarts.com
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Red Phoenix Martial Arts
4636 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 885-4254
Web Sites:
http://redphoenixmartialarts.om
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#570
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:00:36 -0500
From: Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET>
Subject: Other questions- Is it Louisiana politics, manners, or just the way it has to be?
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Aside from the bigger political issues and leadership competency issues, could it be that the stunted New Orleans re-birth is due, in part, to a "Southern thing," quiet bubba politics, or is it just plain manners? Is the stunted rebirth, at least in part, because there more “yes-men” and women out there than whistle bowers? IS the fear of burning bridges accounting for slower change and “same-old- same old” results? Is this pandemic?
What do you think?
Michael
Michael Pejsach, Ed.D.
drmichael@redphoenixmartialarts.com
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Red Phoenix Martial Arts
4636 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 885-4254
Web Sites:
http://redphoenixmartialarts.om
This message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original.
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#571
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:24:21 -0500
From: "teufel@siu.edu" <teufel@SIU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Taboo health risk topics
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Cultural issues should certainly be discussed in health promotion and health education.
I will address question 1 and 3. Fundamentalists, religious or secular, have historically been associated with great human suffering. Fundamentalism typically includes simplistic problem- solving to complex problems and not allowing for plurality.
Additionally, fundamentalism tends to tie more into human emotion than reason. However, the people of the world are as a whole less driven by reason than emotion; emotion is salient-- watching television news programs makes this readily apparent.
Justifying an argument based on logic is a more difficult and complex task than emotionally eridicating forums for reasonable discussion. Unchecked emotion in human action tends to lead to "worse" health outcomes. However, many people do not perceive the world through the lens of "healthy" outcomes. We must understand people, their culture, and biases to choose paths of least resistance and highest proximal rewards. The problem is less about the fundamentalist label than simpistic thinking and approaches to understanding and improving the natural world.
Regarding the fertility issue, simply telling people to have less children to escape poverty is a naive premise. Firstly, it couches itself in the assumption of capitalistic ideals-- behave as X and you will receive reward Y (money). Not all people value these ideals in the same way. People in poverty are trying to understand and interact in the world the best that the can, as all people are. However, there are many other factors that contribute to disempowering influence of poverty. For some people in poverty having many children gives them power and purpose in life. Just because people delay having children, does not mean that they can get out of poverty. Accumulation of disadvantage keeps many in poverty. For example, a person with
1) a couple of felony convictions, 2) mental illness, 3) less than a high school education, 4) with no familial support, 5) no transportation, 6) no proximal beyond-livable-wage job prospects, 7) ethnic minority status, 8) a physical disability, and 9) etc. will have a very difficult time getting out of poverty. Ironically, the very capitalistic premise that is said be motivation for people to rise out of poverty may be the very thing that keeps people in poverty. In American capitalism, people are worth what they have, not for who or what they may want to be. This further disadvantages those in lower SES.
My thoughts.
James
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#572
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:02:49 -0400
From: Daniel Leviton <dleviton@UMD.EDU>
Subject: Re: Taboo health risk topics
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Well done.
Regarding the fertility and poverty issue. Of course there are a variety of factors contributing to poverty as you well indicate. I alluded to that notion in my statement. Still, the high rates of fertility - poverty cycle is a powerful one rarely discussed in health education classrooms or within the HEHP professions (I believe). My goal was to legitimize the topic as one of concern for the professions . . . and others as well.
Dan
Professor Daniel Leviton, ret.
Founder & Former Director, The Adult Health & Development Program University of Maryland at College Park www.ahdp.org
2007 Pelden Road
Adelphi, MD 20783
Phone and fax: 301-445-1546
----- Original Message -----
From: "teufel@siu.edu" <teufel@SIU.EDU>
To: <HEDIR-L@listserv.siu.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: Taboo health risk topics
> ** Submit to the HEDIR Technology Seminar
> **
>
> Cultural issues should certainly be discussed in health
> promotion and health education.
>
> I will address question 1 and 3. Fundamentalists, religious or
> secular, have historically been associated with great human
> suffering. Fundamentalism typically includes simplistic problem-
> solving to complex problems and not allowing for plurality.
> Additionally, fundamentalism tends to tie more into human
> emotion than reason. However, the people of the world are as a
> whole less driven by reason than emotion; emotion is salient--
> watching television news programs makes this readily apparent.
> Justifying an argument based on logic is a more difficult and
> complex task than emotionally eridicating forums for reasonable
> discussion. Unchecked emotion in human action tends to lead
> to "worse" health outcomes. However, many people do not
> perceive the world through the lens of "healthy" outcomes. We
> must understand people, their culture, and biases to choose
> paths of least resistance and highest proximal rewards. The
> problem is less about the fundamentalist label than simpistic
> thinking and approaches to understanding and improving the
> natural world.
>
> Regarding the fertility issue, simply telling people to have
> less children to escape poverty is a naive premise. Firstly, it
> couches itself in the assumption of capitalistic ideals-- behave
> as X and you will receive reward Y (money). Not all people
> value these ideals in the same way. People in poverty are
> trying to understand and interact in the world the best that the
> can, as all people are. However, there are many other factors
> that contribute to disempowering influence of poverty. For some
> people in poverty having many children gives them power and
> purpose in life. Just because people delay having children,
> does not mean that they can get out of poverty. Accumulation of
> disadvantage keeps many in poverty. For example, a person with
> 1) a couple of felony convictions, 2) mental illness, 3) less
> than a high school education, 4) with no familial support, 5) no
> transportation, 6) no proximal beyond-livable-wage job
> prospects, 7) ethnic minority status, 8) a physical disability,
> and 9) etc. will have a very difficult time getting out of
> poverty. Ironically, the very capitalistic premise that is said
> be motivation for people to rise out of poverty may be the very
> thing that keeps people in poverty. In American capitalism,
> people are worth what they have, not for who or what they may
> want to be. This further disadvantages those in lower SES.
>
> My thoughts.
> James
>
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#573
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:02:08 -0500
From: "Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB" <kittle@SIU.EDU>
Subject: Request for Help
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Been asked to forward this over the HEDIR. Please help Bruce by contacting
him directly. I and Bruce thank you for your help.
Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB
Southern Illinois University
Professor, Health Education
Director of Graduate Studies
Health Education & Recreation
618-453-1841 Office
618-453-1829 FAX
SKYPE ID: mark.j.kittleson
618-912-4445 SKYPE Phone
From: Ragon, Bruce [mailto:ragonb@vt.edu]
Subject: An Idea
HEDIR:
I am in the process of identifying the "characteristics of the best student
health education program" in the country and wanted to ask for your
assistance. If you could e-mail me directly ragonb@vt.edu with your ideas, I
would be most appreciative. As a reminder, I am looking for ideas from
student health education not academic health education programs. No means of
identifying who responded will be attached to responses. Thank you in
advance for your ideas.
Bruce M. Ragon, Ph.D.
Director of Health Education
Schiffert Health Center
Virginia Tech University
204 McComas Hall (0140)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
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#574
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:04:57 -0400
From: Melissa Haithcox <krimsonqueen@AOL.COM>
Subject: HBM discussions
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Hello fellow HEDIRites
I am looking to connect with people who have experience with the
HBM. More specifically I would like to talk about retention of
health messages and cues to action. If you have the time to chat,
perhaps for 30 minutes or so please respond to me directly at
Thank you!
Melissa June Haithcox, MA, CHES
Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Physical Education
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
B20 Crawford Hall
814-732-1433
Fall 2007 Office Hours
Mon. and Wed. 11-1pm, Tue. 3:30-5pm, Thurs. By appt.
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