TED Community » Andrew Widener
About Me
My exposure to the U.S. healthcare system at a relatively young age had a profound impact on my belief that physicians are responsible for the welfare of both their patients and society as a whole. To quote the great pathologist and anthropologist Rudolf Virchow: "Physicians are the natural attorneys of the poor." There are none more poor and innocent than children. The medical future of our civilization will be grounded in a renewed emphasis on ensuring the wellness of our younger generations. I am pursuing a career in healthcare to become an agent of medical change that will promote a healthier future for our society. Effective delivery of contemporary healthcare extends beyond the medical sciences. My experience serving on healthcare support committees has shown me how organization and delivery play a pivotal role in the efficacy of any program. I feel a great responsibility to have a working knowledge of healthcare delivery so I can become aware of its current strengths and weaknesses. No prescription is perfect and no procedure is flawless. Similarly, no single method of healthcare delivery is ideal because of the vast differences in patient demographics and physicians values. Public health policy is the best answer to the challenges we face in healthcare. The Hippocratic Oath is a promise of support to suffering patients and an ailing society. A physician is responsible for the health of the individual patient and the overall wellness of the society in which they live. Because of this, I am interested in seeking a graduate degree beyond a medical degree. I aim to use the teachings from many academic disciplines to act as an agent of change within healthcare and become a natural attorney of the poor".
- Location:
- United States, Tempe, AZ
- Current organization:
- Arizona State University at Tempe
- Past organizations:
- Barrett, The Honors College, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Boy Scouts of America, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
- Current role:
- Student - B.S. Biochemistry
- Gender:
- Male
- Areas of expertise:
- chess, Video games and Being awesome, Biochemistry
- I am:
- Atheist, Brainstormer, Change Agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Environmentalist, Idea generator, Scientist, Student
- Languages:
- English
- My website links:
- Linked In Page, Barrett, The Honors College Spotlight
- Universities:
- Arizona State Univeristy
More About Me
I'm passionate about
working with and enabling others around me to passionately seek unique solutions aimed at takling problems in the American healthcare system
An idea worth spreading
I would like to make a distinction between types of hierarchy in the professional workspace, specifically, in medicine. I argue that cultural hierarchial structure decreases our ability to deliver effective healthcare. Structural hierarchy is essential for the proper functioning, specialization, and division of labor. Cultural hierarchy is the idea that individuals are relegated to their specific, stratified function and cannot integrate their efforts. In the new area of medical demographics it takes teams of specialists to manage complicated diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Nurses, general practitioners, and specialists should each be respected for the synergystic roles they play in helping each other. Additionally, patients need to show greater personal responsibility for thier health. The next era will be composed of healthcare teams rather than the complex network of general practitioners and hospitalists.
Talk to me about
all things healthcare related: law, public health, economics, morality, administration, medical science, patient safety, education, health information technology, and the future of American healthcare
People don't know that I'm good at
beading! I became interested in beading as a Boy Scout when we started learning about Native American culture in Order of the Arrow. I used to love beading complex and colorful designs on looms!
My TED Story
My TED story started with watching TED videos in one of my high school classes. The first video I ever watched was Jill Taylor's Stroke of Insight. I found it so inspiring that I learned more about TED and its mission. A few years later when I matriculated to Arizona State University I got the opportunity to become involved in the TEDx movement where we curate events for the benefit of the vibrant honors college. I honestly believe that awareness and education are the key solutions to most of our world's challenges. TED is a chance to build the vibrant atmosphere that connects the leaders who will help solve these problems. TED and TEDx has allowed me to meet and learn from professionals from many diverse fields. The only way to solve these complex challenges is to work across these professions and find viable solutions.
Comments
This user has not yet posted any comments.
Favorite talks
This member doesn't have any favorite talks yet.
TEDCred score: +150.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.