Keep Going, You're Great. Thank you, Mr. Cameron.
Rebecca H.
Innovator | Accelerated Precision, Predictive and Preventative Medicine | -Omics | Tech | Startups | Wellness | Mentor & Advisor
Earlier this week I had the privilege of listening to David Cameron give a speech at Illumina HQ in San Diego. He shared the moving story of his first child who was born with a rare epilepsy syndrome known as Ohtahara Syndrome. Through this personal experience, understanding the deep scientific roots of the UK (Watson, Crick, Franklin and Sanger to name a few) and the healthcare system of the NHS he recognized there was a better way. This better way started what is now becoming the world’s leading genomic medicine initiative, Genomics England. He briefly pointed out the “crazy” differences in each of our healthcare systems, but stood firm that we always have something to learn from each other. He wrapped up by both thanking and congratulating the Illumina body for being pioneers and encouraging us to keep going. Thank you, Mr. Cameron.
A few key take homes I got from his words:
- Recognize a problem, but more importantly act to solve it. Of course this reminds me of the Maya Angelou quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” I’d only add – ALWAYS.
- Keep an open mind to hear, process and learn from other perspectives.
- Show gratitude.
- Never, ever give up. (Maybe an inspiration from his predecessor Mr. Winston Churchill).
Through my own medical odyssey as a child, to relentlessly driving towards the promise of precision medicine (being called crazy many a time) and building platforms for innovation I couldn’t agree more. Irrespective of any political views, I see these as core values attributed to any living being. I’m honored to be a part of the amazing team that works directly with Genomics England, knowing first hand we are doing better. What’s most exciting to me, even though I’ve been “fighting” for years, is this is all just the beginning. Smile. Breath. Let’s go!
On a side note, I was also fortunate to be one of three people that asked Mr. David Cameron an impromptu question.
My question was: Given the global political landscape and how policy usually hinders progress, what are the top three things we as individuals can do and, more importantly what we can do for our future generations, to drive innovation.
What would you answer?
Web3 engineer | Investing in people who create life changing technologies. Purchase, merge and invest in high-tech (AI, Cloud, Blockchain, NFT, Metaverse, Aerospace etc.)
6 年Sharing. I think without sharing information and the know hows of individually cultivated experiences is important starting point. Some innovative thinkers can recognized problems in those experiences that the person with the experience might not realized or even often times doesn't want to think about those experiences. In order to solve the problem, first we have to find the problem.
Catalyst. Part of an ambitious & tight-knit team. Connecting business technologists to build & grow future-ready teams.
8 年Interpersonal communication. Be mindful of the need to still interact on an interpersonal level. Technology is great for expediting transactions or providing a channel for us to connect (like LinkedIn) but it should not replace human interaction. Growth. Recent focus on "outrage" as a currency is hindering progress because it stifles creativity. Move beyond outrage and use it as motivation to influence personal, professional growth as a community. Encourage the investigation of and research of those beliefs different from our own. Do not only seek out what you want to hear. Trust. Close the trust gap. This sounds like a Wisconsin farm-boy... We all have those friends who are screw-ups, but yet we still trust them. Why? Shared experiences, shared beliefs, shared frames of reference. This is an accumulation of activities over time rather than quick status updates, pictures of one's vacation and shorthand text which facilitates a transactional form of communication not one growing within a reference of trust.
Empathy. Teach the next generation to empathize and innovation will come.
Director, Oncology Communications @ Pfizer | Strategic Communications
8 年Rebecca, great blog post! I'd say: Be engaged. Participate in community activities. And, keep doing the great work you do at Illumina :).
Co-Founder & Board Member | President & CEO | Molecular Biologist and Microbiomist | Pioneering the Future of Cancer Detection | Connecting the Worlds of Science & Business | From Moving Mountains to Saving One
8 年1- keep you eyes on what you want to achieve regardless of the many changes around you. Keep your focus! 2- keep listening to what is changing around you as some may come to enrich your vision. Keep learning! 3- keep trying to challenge other to come up with their own innovation. Keep collaborating! What was his answer?