The Surgeon General's job is to protect, promote and advance the health, safety and security of the nation.  A seemingly simple value proposition until you factor in the intense partisanship and dysfunctional politics that have a morbidity and mortality of its own.  Surgeon General Carmona will discuss his journey to becoming Surgeon General as well as the challenges and opportunities of being Surgeon General.

 

 

Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS

17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006)

Distinguished Professor, University of Arizona

 

Born to a poor immigrant family in New York City, Richard Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his youth. The experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships among culture, health, education and economic status and ultimately shaped his future.

 

After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967 where he received a GED. By the time he left active duty, he was a Special Forces, combat-decorated Vietnam veteran. He then pursued a college degree and entered medical school at the University of California – San Francisco where he won the prestigious Gold Cane award as the top graduate.

 

Dr. Carmona became a surgeon with a sub-specialty in trauma, burns and critical care and was recruited to Tucson to establish the first trauma system in southern Arizona which he did successfully. Later, while working full time as a hospital and health system CEO, he earned a master’s degree in public health policy and administration at the University of Arizona.

 

Dr. Carmona has also served for over 30 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, including as deputy sheriff, detective, SWAT team leader and department surgeon. He is one of the most highly decorated police officers in Arizona, and his numerous awards include the National Top Cop Award, the National SWAT Officer of the Year, and the National Tactical EMS Award. Dr. Carmona is a nationally recognized SWAT expert and has published extensively on SWAT training and tactics, forensics, and tactical emergency medical support. Dr. Carmona has also served as a medical director of police and fire departments and is a fully qualified peace officer with expertise in special operations and emergency preparedness, including weapons of mass destruction.

 

In 2002, Dr. Carmona was nominated by the president and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to become the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. After completing his statutory four-year term as Surgeon General in 2006, Dr. Carmona joined Tucson-based Canyon Ranch as vice chairman. He is president of the non-profit Canyon Ranch Institute, Distinguished Professor at the University of Arizona and Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University. He also serves on several corporate boards and works with private equity and venture capital firms to identify emerging science and technology to translate to market for economic and public benefit.

PRESIDENT PHIL got us going right on time as usual. If you haven't already - please introduce yourself to Kate Nester our newest office assistant.

 

KEN TUCKER provided a nice community service related invocation as we approach our signature event.

 

GARY HIRSCH accompanied TED KIRACOFE with our pledge and song today.

 

CHRIS EDWARDS introduced us to our guests today.

 

Happy Birthday to PAT WATTS, BOB SHAFF, DAVID PASHKOW and a new Rotarian and PRES PHIL’S favorite for saving his schedule CHOM HUBER!!

 

With BOB LOGAN on his "walk about" CHARLOTTE HARRIS filled in and introduced us to our latest Paul Harris recipients and definitely not "new" to the game as I heard numbers like 7 and 8 times.... Something we all should strive for.  Listening to the bios of our clubs members always impresses me. We have some members with astounding accomplishments. I just wish I had the time to talk with each of you and learn more!  Congratulations to GARY HIRSCH, JO DECHATELET, JOE PENNINGTON and JAY PARKER.

 

We had a raffle- I didn't win again- I just keep reminding myself it's for a good cause!!

 

PAT ZUMBUSCH and BRUCE JACOBS caught us up on car show details and RICHARD WHITE reminded us today why we do this as he updated us on how rewarding it is to help a child learn to read.

 

We need some beds for our fellow global Rotarians coming from all over to help us end polio with the tour de Tucson. Talk to DARRELL STEWART if you can help them with a place to stay.

 

Thanks to TOM STRASBURG for getting race legend John Horsman as the program today. Amazing stories and what experiences he has had!  I for one would like to drive one of his cars in the races he discussed.

 

See you all next week!

 

In your regular visits to rotary.org, you should glance at the current “Rotarian Code of Conduct” (previously entitled “Rotary Code of Conduct”). If you’ve been a member for a while, you will see a recent change that is another example of Rotary becoming more relevant and practical.

 

Without fanfare, RI has deleted the long-standing provision stating that a Rotarian “…will not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.” You were free to ask your fellow members for AAA discounts, senior or kids pricing, volume discounts, etc. for their products or services, but it was improper to inquire about special Rotarian pricing or treatment. Technically, the code did not say a Rotarian could not offer a privilege or advantage, but that would seem to be an end-around the code provision more than a perfectly acceptable variation on the concept. (Or maybe it was OK for Rotarian Pat to ask [wink-wink] about any current “specials,” hoping for a reply from Rotarian Chris along the lines of “Why yes, let me tell you about my deal that is only for Rotary members”).

 

That now-dumped code provision used to raise an eyebrow with most new members I helped become acquainted with Rotary. The feeling could be summarized as “You mean I can’t choose which customers to treat in which manner as I conduct my business?” In their momentary blank stares, you could see them running down the ramifications in their minds. No limit on free delivery area? No waiving of a late fee for a customer who has paid on time for 15 years? No extension of credit unless everyone gets that privilege? Do I really have to treat every customer identically, regardless of my relationship – business or personal – with that person?

 

Consider it a sign of common sense being more prevalent in the drafting of guidelines. You are no longer violating any tenant of Rotary membership if you inquire about, or offer, something at better than rack rate. Which is as it should be and, very likely, was in some cases. In most of our occupations, we can – and sometimes do – vary the terms of sale based upon factors that only the most extreme would classify as unfair. While we can easily recognize despicable reasons for varying our treatment of would-be customers, can we all agree there is no justification to banning “deals” for some based upon an honorable, outside relationship we have? 

Enjoy a first time ever performance of, "Henry Porter and the Sorcerer's Secret" at the Gaslight Theatre, Sunday, November 1st at 12:00 noon.  Price for tickets is $18.  This is first come, first serve.  So sign up on Clubrunner under Upcoming Events on the Rotary Club of Tucson's website.  Go to www.tucsonrotary.org. 

 

This past weekend, while most of you slept in and relaxed, some of your fellow Rotarians were hard at work preparing for our Car Show which is coming up fast on October 17.  In addition to custom printing the 400+ signs for car windows and mailing out the 400+ individually addressed Post Cards telling Car Registrants when to arrive for slotting, a team, including Car Show Chair Roger Harwell, Past Chair Pat Zumbusch, Tony Pedroza, Chuck Sawyer and Drew Vactor did some “light landscaping” at the show site starting at 0600 Saturday.

 

These photos are just to remind you that a huge team of Rotarians are working almost every day to make this show a success.  All we are asking is that those of you who are not included in this group simply sell the Raffle/Entry tickets that are critical to making this show a success.  Way too many of our members have yet to turn in proceeds from even 1 ticket sale.  Have you turned in your sales receipts, yet?  Time is short — please sell your tickets TODAY!