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Douglas Flora: Innovation isn’t about perfection, it’s about making waves

Douglas Flora/LinkedIn

Oct 27, 2024, 09:18

Douglas Flora: Innovation isn’t about perfection, it’s about making waves

Douglas Flora shared a post on LinkedIn:

”’You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.’ – Tina Fey, Bossypants.

You guys, that kid? That was definitely me. For a solid five minutes. And judging by this photo, I wasn’t exactly screaming ‘innovation in action.’ But here’s the thing – eventually, I took the plunge.

And that’s precisely what we need in oncology right now. We’re not just up against a surge of patients; we’re battling inefficiencies, endless piles of data, and the constant pressure to keep up with new studies. It’s easy to cling to ‘the way we’ve always done it’ when you’re drowning in information, but our patients deserve better. They need us to read, learn, and try new things – not later, but right now.

Sometimes, we just have to get in the waterslide. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, and yes, we might end up looking a little awkward. But that’s where the breakthroughs happen – by exploring new tools, analyzing data faster, and adopting fresh strategies that help us deliver the best care possible.

So, let’s be honest: doing something new might feel a bit like staring down that steep drop. But the ride? The ride could change everything for our patients.

Today, challenge yourself: what’s one new thing you can try? It could be a new technique, a tool, or even a book you’ve been avoiding. It’s about moving forward, not waiting around. Because innovation isn’t about perfection – it’s about making waves, one awkward splash at a time.”

Douglas Flora

Douglas Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, overseeing clinical operations, strategic planning, and the expansion of cancer programs. He is also the co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine; Genomic Health.

As the Editor-in-Chief of ‘AI in Precision Oncology,’ the first peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to this field, he plays a pivotal role in advancing research. He is also an active board member of the American Cancer Society and ACCC, where he contributes to advocacy, education, and innovation within the cancer community.