William Osler (1849-1919) was an academic physician who has been revered by many as an accomplished internist of his time. His contributions to the philosophy and practice of medicine foreground characteristics of a compassionate caregiver, including imperturbability and equanimity. This article defines these qualities, argues that Osler demonstrated both, and suggests how today’s clinicians can apply these qualities to their own pursuits of stillness in their practices and relationships with patients. Click here to read the article!
James B. Young MD is the Emeritus Executive Director of Academic Affairs and Emeritus Professor of Medicine Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He holds the Kaufman Endowed Chair, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure and is presently Contract Staff, Cleveland Clinic.
As the former Executive Dean of the Clinic’s College of Medicine with a long standing interest in medical humanities, literature and narrative medicine he co-founded the curriculum’s “Humanities Thread.” Prior to joining the Clinic in 1995 he graduated from Baylor College of Medicine (1974), became a heart failure/heart transplant cardiologist and was Michael E. DeBakey’s Clinical Coordinator and Scientific Director of the Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine’s Multiorgan Transplant Center.
He became an elected member of the American Osler Society in 1992, has served on several committees, and presented at annual meetings.