David J. Pillow - TCEP Past President

David J. Pillow, MD FACEP

TCEP PRESIDENT 1999-2000

MEDICAL SCHOOL

RESIDENCY

TEXAS COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS – LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS

OFFICER POSITIONS:

COMMITTEE AND ADDITIONAL POSITIONS:

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS – LEADERSHIP & CONTRIBUTIONS

COMMITTEE AND ADDITIONAL POSITIONS:

COMMENTS AND REFLECTIONS

Sunny, my wife of 25 years occasionally accuses me of having no memory. My standard response is to inform her that I'm a forward looking guy. So I had to really focus and spend some time thinking before I could remember what my involvement with TCEP meant to me. What stands out is the weekend where we articulated the mission of TCEP - The Texas College of Emergency Physicians exists to promote quality emergency care for all patients and to represent the professional interests of our members. TCEP staff, physician leadership and members were fulfilling that mission for years before it was articulated, and continue to do so. Through my involvement with TCEP I was able to experience and benefit from several of the "Five Lessons From Geese" written by Milton Olson. The first 3 lessons were particularly spot on. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the birds flew alone. Lesson 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in front. Lesson 2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help, and give ours to others). When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another flies at the point position. Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. People, like geese, are interdependent on each other. I benefited greatly and continue to benefit from my involvement with this flock of talented people.