2006 Emily Cooley Award Lecture: Professionalism, pornography, and the practice of transfusion medicine

Abstract

I believe that we are professionals, not merely people "doing a job." As such, we are obligated to: 1. Continuously improve quality and safety of care to patients; 2. Continuously assess and apply the innovations of science and technology; 3. Never stop learning and teaching. As professionals, we do the right thing, not because our government or accrediting agencies make us do so or because we fear lawsuits, but simply because it is the right thing to do, and we know it. Nelson Mandela said: "Sometimes it falls to a generation to be a great generation. Let us be that great generation!" I say: "Why not?".