by Elizabeth Hofheinz, M.P.H., M.Ed., September 26, 2019
As William Sullivan, M.D., a Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Vanderbilt University, takes the helm of NASS this week, he will do so on the wings of those who have gone before him.
Dr. Sullivan, also Service Chief of PM&R at the Nashville VA/Tennessee Valley Health Care System, says, “I am genuinely grateful to my predecessors who have imbued the organization with a strong sense of teamwork and forged a strong bedrock from which we can move forward.”
Of teamwork, Dr. Sullivan notes, “PM&R physicians have always worked under a teamwork philosophy. It has always been standard operating procedure for us to address patient care by including professionals from multiple domains. To that end, I will make it a priority to ensure that I am ‘all ears’ when it comes to listening to our members of all backgrounds. We are fortunate to have an Executive Committee comprised of people who genuinely like each other, as well as a staff that is dedicated and proactive. NASS is physician-centered in the way that a practice is patient-centered. My approach to this year is to avoid any sort of rigid hierarchical structure as this does not allow for room for the best ideas to emerge.”
Diversity and inclusion also register high on his list of priorities. “It is important to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This can also include how medical organizations are structured. This continues the message from Immediate Past President Jeff Wang, M.D. of gaining perspective by including other opinions and viewpoints.”
And that is a message Dr. Sullivan wants to impart to the young physicians NASS will be engaging over the coming years. “The fellowships that NASS is involved with, as well as other educational efforts directed to young physicians—such as the residents’ and fellows’ courses—are great ways of engaging the next generation of spine physicians. We will focus many of our efforts on ensuring that they have all of the necessary tools with which to be successful.”
And to those who might focus on his non-operative status, Dr. Sullivan says, “I am not the first. I think anyone in this position would benefit from maintaining an attitude of, ‘Here is what I know and here is what I don’t know.’ I want to be the least smart person in the room. That way I learn and can better serve the organization.”
Over the next few weeks, Dr. Sullivan will focus on getting everyone on the same page. “I will be bringing the new executive committee and board members up to speed in understanding the overall systems that operate within NASS.”
And his thoughts on the organization’s relationship with industry? “Those who have gone before me have set NASS on a good path as far as ensuring ethical practices and maintaining appropriate boundaries. We need to ensure that we remain on the right path.”
