A Cup of Coffee – Thoughts To Ponder

Good morning.  I hope this blog finds you content with who you are, happy with the direction your life is taking you, and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.  Why don’t you grab a cup of coffee, a bottle of water, or whatever soothes your soul, and let’s have a talk.

In the coming months, you will be noticing some changes to the Foundation’s web site.  The most exciting change will be our new “guest blogger” page.  Something that we’ve noticed is that there are a lot of DO’s in our midst who have much to teach, and are rather eloquent in their writing capabilities.  The Foundation would like to tap into this rich resource, and in keeping with the mission statement, invite DO’s, student doctor’s, community members, and professional social service staff to write a blog about a subject that is near and dear to their heart.  The only qualification is that the subject matter must adhere to the idea of the mission statement which is:  “Advancing Wellness Through the Osteopathic Approach”.  While learning how to change a tire without getting your hands dirty might be an interesting topic, this forum would not be the place for such a blog.

Here’s what we envision:  I will be posting a subject of the month, such as “Eating Healthy when you are living below the poverty line”.  I will email a DO and ask that DO to write a guest blog on the topic.  I will then solicit, from the community, people to write a guest blog on their experience, or the experience of their clients (in the case of a social worker, for example). 

The community blogs will be sent to the guest DO blogger for review and feedback.  The last week of the month, I will then write a blog called “A Cup Of Coffee” which will be thoughts to ponder regarding the month long discussion on the topic. 

Each month, the guest bloggers will change, as will the topic, and the blogs will be posted every Wednesday morning, so that readers will know when to look for the newest article.

My hope is that it will look something like this:

Topic of the Month:  Opiates:  Are there any good answers?

(Week one):  Dr. Jane Doe writes a guest blog on the topic.

(Week two):  A community member who has struggled with opioid addiction will write a guest blog about their personal struggle and/or recovery.  The guest DO will read and provide feedback to the blogger.  This could be as simple as congratulating them on a job well done, or it could offer suggestions if they appear to be struggling.

(Week three):   A community member who is suffering in extreme pain but cannot get an Opioid prescription due to the current epidemic, will write a blog.  Again, the guest doctor will read and provide feedback, such as alternatives to narcotics (OMM).

(Week four):   A case manager will write a blog about lack of services available for treatment, concerns regarding over prescribing vs. managing clients pain appropriately, and how to know the difference.  The guest doctor will read and provide feedback.

(Week five, depending on the month of course):   I will write “A Cup Of Coffee” where I will attempt to cover the topic in a way that moves us forward together, as a community, seeking wellness.

That said, here’s a call-to-action:  If you would like to participate in this exciting new approach to wellness, please email me at:  linda@nwosteo.org.  I would also appreciate it if you would include a topic you feel comfortable writing about.  I will then compile a list of guest bloggers, and when it gets close to your month, I will email  you for your contribution. 

Please note, if you want to be a “Guest DO”, as opposed to a “Guest Community Member”, you will need to commit to reading at least 2, maybe 3 community blogs and providing feedback to them.  What a fantastic way to keep our physicians in the public eye and at the same time, allowing community members to voice their experiences, their frustration, and their concerns.  I envision this blog will become a place people can go for answers and/or opinions, regardless of the state they live in or their place in society. 

We are on a very complicated journey called life.  The one thing we all have in common is our desire for wellness.  Please join me in bringing the community, our DO’s, and student DO’s together.  I look forward to working with you to make this blog a success.

In good health,

Linda Tate,  Communications Director

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