Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Your Life Your Health - Less Initiative: Response to Letter to the Editor about Less Initiative Article
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James L. Holly,M.D.
March 13, 2005
The Beaumont Enterprise
SETMA's LESS Initiative with the potential of dismissing a patient was characterized as absurd by Shane Martinez. The question raised by Martinez is reminiscent of the following comment on the nature of warning:

"Is admonition in a time of peril as authentic an expression of love as assurance in a time of uncertainty? Absolutely! The difficult thing about admonition is that it is rarely recognized as an expression of love. But love must sometimes admonish. The tone of it does not sound like love." (J. W. MacGorman, 1981)

If a bridge is out and a 200-foot fall to certain death awaits the traveler, is it kind to wave and shout, "Have a nice day?" Or, should caring dictate that you stand in the way and shout, "Stop"?

No business wants to offend or lose customers, but as healthcare providers, we must put the health and well-being of our patients above our business interests, even to the point of refusing to continue to enable them to be comfortable in self-destructive habits whether smoking, overeating, alcoholism, neglect of exercise or other.

None of us is perfect and at SETMA we do not require perfection, but we do require a good faith effort to improve your health. If you do not make that effort, we will stand in your way and shout, "Stop!" That is "love in its urgency." That is good medicine and that is effective caring for others.

James L. Holly , MD

CEO, SETMA, LLP

www.jameslhollymd.com
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