The Fauci Files

This week I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Anthony Fauci at the Included Health annual Client Summit. As you'd expect from someone who has spent more than 50 years as a practicing physician and public health trailblazer, Tony (as he introduced himself backstage) was filled with stories and insights about our healthcare system, as well as leadership, speaking truth to power, and maintaining work/life balance — even when you're working 20 hours a day trying to get a global pandemic under control. These are the three takeaways that stuck with me the most:

• Restoring the patient-provider relationship. Fauci grew up working in his father's family pharmacy in Brooklyn in the 1940s. "Doc" Fauci was often the first point of care for their neighbors/customers —?he listened to their physical and mental health issues and dispensed (free) advice and referrals, not just prescriptions. We need more of that type of connection and relationship in healthcare today.
• Listen to your gut. As a doctor and researcher, Fauci is a firm believer in data and the scientific process. But as a public health leader, he has had to make many life-altering decisions (for him and for all of us) based on incomplete information. In those situations, he said, you have to look at the evidence, weigh the pros and cons — and then also "see what your gut says." Empathy, experience, and instinct are extra important when the data is moving.
• Call to action. When I asked Fauci if he had any words of advice or encouragement for the healthcare leaders in the room — who are collectively responsible for the healthcare of millions of people — he said they should be energized and motivated by the "enormity" of the impact they can have on access, equity, and affordability.?

That was a memorable note to end on. Thank you, Dr. Fauci, for taking the time to share your experience with us — and thank you to all of our clients and partners for the important work you're doing to raise the standard of #healthcare for everyone.