The Unknown

Salem General

   Dr. Neil Curtis's pov

Mike decided to tag along with me today to the hospital. I have a few meetings to attend and a lot of paperwork to wade through. Thankfully, I have a fantastic administrative staff here that helps take some of the burden of being the CEO of a large hospital off my hands. I still try to come in at least twice a month, however, to keep my finger on the pulse of the day to day operations.

Mike still has privileges here as a physician so he decided to find a department that could use an extra pair of hands today and help out. Sometimes I think he misses the adrenaline fueling chaos of working here full time as a surgeon. Me, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I keep my license active and I'm still very passionate about the field of medicine but I promised myself never to practice medicine full time after what happened on that one day.

"Dr. Curtis."

I'm quickly pulled from my trip down memory lane as I hear someone call my name. I look up from my desk to see Andrea, one of the faculty advisors for our med students, standing in my doorway.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you sir."

"Not at all, Andrea. It's always a pleasure to see you. What can I do for you?"

"Dr. Jonas was scheduled to lead the medical residents morbidity and mortality conference (M&M) today at 11am but he's home sick with the flu. Is there any chance you could step in? Please?"

"Sure, Andrea, I'd be happy to. Let me just move some things around and I'll push my 11:30am back."

"Thank you so much, sir. I know you made quite an impression on so many of our residents and physicians when you spoke at previous M&Ms."

"Really? I wasn't aware anyone was even listening, let alone actually being impacted by what I was saying at those conferences. Hell, I didn't even think half of them were awake."

"You're so funny, Dr. Curtis," Andrea replies, thinking I'm joking until she sees the serious look on my face. "Oh my gosh, you're serious. I'm so sorry, I thought you knew. At least half the staff remembers your speech on medical ethics and the importance of remaining impartial."

I had no idea.

"Oh please, can you make that speech at today's conference. I would love to hear it again and I know our residents would really benefit from your years of experience and wisdom."

I hate to admit it but I love how everyone kisses my ass just because I'm the CEO. It's such a great ego boost.

"Sure, Andrea, I promise."

The M&M conference

Neil's pov

After we hear the details of this week's cases and the review panel states their rulings, it's my time to shine, or at the very least educate and hopefully even inspire. Andrea gives me a glowing introduction, knowing several people here have no idea who I am. The room is packed. She must have done a good job putting the word out that I'd be speaking at today's conference.

"I'd like to thank all of you for participating in today's M&M. I'm a strong supporter of this process as I believe the information we acquire from analyzing our mistakes is invaluable. The field of medicine is fluid, ever changing and evolving. If we refuse to recognize and acknowledge our own weaknesses and incompetencies, we are not only doing ourselves a great disservice but we are stagnating the very profession we've chosen as our career."

I pause for a moment, honestly surprised that so many people appear to be paying attention.

"I'd like to take a few minutes to tell you about a defining moment in my medical career. Well, in all honesty, possibly more than a few minutes, as several people in this room can attest to my tendency to be long-winded due to the fact that I love hearing my own voice." That got me a few laughs.