HJBR Sep/Oct 2019

Editor’s Desk 10 SEP / OCT 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of BATON ROUGE   There are so many interesting perspectives in healthcare. That’s why I’ve always been attracted to it. It’s not the typical, traditional, business model. And yes, I found out a couple of weeks ago that I have brain cancer. Don’t feel sorry for me at all. I find the entire experience quite intriguing. I worked 16 years in healthcare lead- ership and administration, and the past 12 years cover- ing local healthcare as its media. Now, I get to completely watch and engage in the system as a patient. It’s fascinat- ing. We are all patients from time to time. As a patient, you immediately develop an acute sense of caring and intelligence from your healthcare team. Health- care attracts some wonderful, smart people. That’s why we should all have gratitude for our healthcare workers, espe- cially the good ones. And we should know the difference. I know my type of brain cancer has a pretty certain, yet succinct, remaining life on earth associated with it. But for some odd reason, I accept whatever it is. No one is to blame. We all die. Life is kind of funny like that. There will be peo- ple left behind to sort things out, but I’ll do everything I can to make sure they are in a safe and secure place. I also don’t have any regrets. Finding out you have brain cancer is an interesting perspective. Smith Hartley Chief Editor editor@healthcarejournalbr.com I’m very proud of what we’ve done with the healthcare journals. We’ve always tried to make things better for ev- eryone involved. This will continue. I’m almost embar- rassed to say we will be getting better. Covering healthcare is important. Our means of doing so is improving. Smart advisory board members, local leaders, excellent corre- spondents, marketers, etc., allow the healthcare media ma- chine to flourish. Sounds great to me. I really don’t know how much longer I have. Quality of life is important to me, and the team is coordinating a plan with me. I know I’ll give it my best effort to extend life. At the same time, I will enjoy life as I always have. Love, love, love, with give and take. Play and do it, or take time off. It doesn’t seem to matter that much. I may be ram- bling, but that’s okay too. I realize I may have some ram- bling liberties going forward. Healthcare is awesome. Hug and appreciate all the good healthcare workers. Let them know you appreciate them. It goes a long way. Oh, and football season is here. It’s time to get excited for that as well. I love football season. Thanks for everything.