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Douglas Flora: Sometimes the best transformations come from the cracks we’d rather not have

Douglas Flora/LinkedIn

Oct 29, 2024, 15:28

Douglas Flora: Sometimes the best transformations come from the cracks we’d rather not have

“Last week was a tough one, you guys. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t end it feeling like I’d fallen short—like I’d tried everything, but things just didn’t go the way I hoped. It made me think about Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold.

Kintsugi doesn’t hide flaws; it celebrates them. When a bowl cracks, it’s filled with lacquer and gold, becoming stronger and more beautiful. It’s a philosophy that teaches us to embrace the setbacks, whether it’s missed opportunities, personal struggles, or scars from surgeries like mastectomies. These aren’t signs of failure; they’re markers of growth.

As this week unfolds, I’m reminding myself that it’s okay to have a rough one. Sometimes, the best transformations come from the cracks we’d rather not have. Let’s fill those spaces with gold—strength, resilience, and maybe even a little wisdom.”

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.