Erin Albert's Blog

This is what I love about the internet.  Before 8 am this morning, I had conversations with people about Chaos Theory/Complexity, whether or not there existed any cool medical ID jewelry (there really doesn’t), and going to Tiffany & Co to check and see if they offered such products.  (They don’t.)  I emailed them the idea.

Even though I haven’t yet had my first cup of coffee, we all get the opportunity to solve the world’s problems, better understand each other, and better understand the world we live in through the internet. Despite the fact that some may think the internet is a force of only evil, it too can be a force of connection and good.  I seriously doubt I would have had these conversations on the phone before 8 am, or worse yet (for the other parties) in person.  (Have I mentioned lately I’m not a morning person?  If not, I’m not!)

Just like Google, the mantra “don’t be evil” can apply to the internet.  In fact, one could take it a step further and say that the internet is a force of good.

Now, if we can just get Tiffany to start making some attractive medical ID jewelry, and I could get my first cup of coffee, we’d be set….

It is cool to have nicknames for your friends, family, tribe, homies, etc. My Latin teacher always called his students “My Good People.”  My parents have a nickname for me (I’ll spare you what it is…) but if you ever get a nickname, consider that the person might actually LIKE you and it is a GOOD thing.  Some of my OTHER less embarrassing nicknames of the past & present have been: Sissy, 3 Queen, Robin, Pokey Juno, eluv, ea, e-south, and my personal favorite, just plain “e”.  

Also, I have a cast of fascinating characters in my life right now and in the past whom I have also bequeathed nick names–Batman, e-North, M2, Facebook, Harvard, Gossip Girl, Hockey, Prom Date, Dancing Queen, Green Turtle, Gumby, Crocket, Timmy Boy, The Oracle, Cookieboy, Bob the Millionaire Man (not to be confused with M2), and Wonderful Life.  (I’ll also keep real names out of these…) Some of my friends also already came with nick names too….also cool because you know a story is always behind the name, and it is fascinating to learn.  It is like THS, in a REAL person that you may already know, or get the opportunity to know!

Why do I love them so?  Because nick names are endearing–someone actually took a little time to get to KNOW you when they craft a nickname for you.  Or, the best part of all – an experience happened when the nickname was born, and it is part of who you are, who you were, or who you will be.  And, it is just more fun!  While some may deem nicknames as mean-spirited, if you get one from me, all I can say is–you’re in the club!

One of my friends is really struggling, as we all are, with the economy.  She is still working, but it is bumming her out when she hears more and more friends are laid off.  Although I am lucky enough to still have a job, I too am struggling as I hear more and more of my friends are being laid off too, and I’m trying to do my best to connect people.  In a later conversation this afternoon, another of my more realistic (ok, maybe pessimistic, as he boasts) friends said that, “bad was the new good.”  

Is it?

Just when I was in doubt, another friend came through for me today on something I have been struggling to figure out…I owe him…and after some bleak national news, I saw Making a Difference: The Art of Redemption from this page, and I thought:

…nope, good still is the one and ONLY good!

When I say ‘Steven Tyler’s thing’ to you- what do you think of?  Of course!  The scarf around the microphone, right!?  When I say ‘Donald Trump’s thing’ – you think – HAIR, right?  Ellen DeGeneres (dancing @ work), Oprah (live your best life), and on and on.  

A lot of people have their own personal Steven Tyler Thing (STT) – that unique, one-of-a-kind thing they might be known for.  Right now, my personal STT is the long scarf around my neck.  Used to be flowers.  Always will be concerts in the car!

What’s my point? We all have the ability to be unique.  I can’t understand WHY we’d all want to be the same, cookie-cutter type of person, when we all have the ability to be different.  It just takes a little more guts to get over the cookie cutter effect and get on with our own uniqueness.

So, what’s your Steven Tyler Thing??

I’m not sure why, but I was in a bit of a funk this weekend.  I guess it is because I’m out of my normal routine. Anyway, on top of it, I didn’t go see my mom today (and doubly rotten I am, because today of all days is also mom’s birthday as well as mother’s day.)  

Being the very-rotten and guilt-ridden kid I am, I called her at least to wish her a good day, and I couldn’t believe it!  I caught her getting ready to put up wall paper.  ON MOTHER’S DAY AND HER BIRTHDAY, she was doing MANUAL LABOR!

To all those who think I’m an overachiever/work-a-holic/marvel at all that I may attempt to do, I’ll tell ya where I got that skill from: my mom.  If my mom can hang wallpaper on her doubly big day – what the heck is the excuse for the rest of us!?!  

I’d better get back to being productive…don’t want to be a first generation slacker…

…WHY can’t we?

This weekend marks a huge, pivotal, ground-shaking moment for many: college and graduate school graduation.  Butler’s pharmacy school hooding was today.  Also, I had the chance to attend the Healthcare Informatics Award Ceremony this evening for Indiana University, Indy at Meridian Hills Country Club. Graduation is this weekend for many.

I’ll spare you my own insane story regarding my own undergrad commencement (um…I didn’t get a diploma at the ceremony, due to a technical difficulty…, and ended with a personal phone call from the dean for the mixup…I digress…) but I will say this regarding the pomp and circumstance: some of the most thought-provoking, pivotal moments of my life and career happened at my commencement ceremonies. Sandy Lerner (co-founder of Oracle and Urban Decay Cosmetics) spoke at my PharmD commencement, and I have no idea what was the motivation for her talk, but it definitely was tailored for me, at that moment, in my career. Had I not heard her speak, giving that particular talk, on that day, I’m not sure I would be where I am today.  Where I am today is a fantastic place, so I thank her for her talk!

So, to all grads – be it from Butler, IU, or any other school on this planet: try to open up your head and your heart at your commencement ceremony.  Although the time will be fleeting, the moments where you can bask in and celebrate your achievements are rare…savor each and every second of it.  Have your cake. Eat it too.  (Save me a piece if it is chocolate.)

…And, welcome to the real world (with the rest of us)!

It is really fascinating to check my analytics page every so often to see who is watching the site.  Behind Indiana, California and New York are checking in the most, along with most of the 50 states and several other countries in the past month, including the UK and France. So, if any of you checking in on me are the following, first off–thanks, and I hope you found your check in at least minimally useful.  Second off, might as well put in some of my bucket list requests here in hopes that someone might be watching who fits the bill. Carpe diem!

Attn: Mr. Trump – Please consider me for your show, The Apprentice (not the celebrity version, just the normal peeps version).  I think I’d make an excellent candidate.  If you need an updated version of my CV, please let me know and I’ll be happy to get it to your people for consideration.

Attn: TED peeps – I’d REALLY like to go to TED one of these decades…but it is expensive.  I understand you have a Fellows program, which I’ll be checking into.  But in the interim, if you have another seat in the US events that suddenly pops open, feel free to email me and I’ll do my very best to get there.

Attn: Mr. Buffet – It would be FANTASTIC if you could come speak in Indianapolis.  We fully realize and understand you are quite busy and all, but if you ever get to Indy, please contact me so I can get you some speaking gigs – we’d love to have you in our fair city.

Attn: Oprah – ditto to Mr. Buffet.  Better yet, come and tape your show in Indy, or go on a Midwest tour that includes Indy.  Please consider doing uplifting show topics, though–we could definitely use the good news.

Attn: U2 – first of all, happy birthday Bono!  Second of all, why not come to Indy and give a free concert outdoors and tape it on Monument Circle?  That would be sick! (In a good way, of course.  ”Sick” is the new “phat” formerly of “sweet” and “awesome”.)

That’s probably a good start.  I’ll look forward to connecting to any of the aforementioned people’s people…soon!

There are many types, shapes, sizes, and varieties of friends.  Some friends cheer you on (and vice versa) when you accomplish great things.  Other friends are good at listening and lending their support.  Some of my favorite friends are those who give me love of the ‘tough’ variety.  Usually when I get a little too close to a project and can’t see things objectively, they tend to pull me back to reality with their frankness.

Now, I certainly wouldn’t want all my friends to give me tough love; but there are a handful who do, and it is because I respect them and their opinions that it happens organically.  My tough love friends tend to give a frank, honest opinion if I ask for it about a project, a piece of writing, or anything else I’m noodling over. Even when it is hard to hear.  Why? Because that is when growth occurs.  

Just like the Kenan Thompson “This Here is Real” skits on SNL, but maybe not quite as overt–cherish your ‘keeping it real’ friends.  They can assist in providing some feedback that cuts through the you-know-what.

I LOVE IT when roles reverse!  Eight students in the college of pharmacy during this past academic year at Butler compiled a book on the top 20 world healthcare systems, with emphasis on not only the payers and how particular systems work, but also the role of pharmacy in each of the countries. (BTW: The US system is 37th in the world, yet is the most expensive, according the the World Health Organization.)  I read the draft manuscript today, and I learned some really cool stuff from their work. (I love it when I get to learn from the students – that is AWESOME, and one of the most rewarding parts of my role as a professor!)  Here are a few bits I thought I’d share.  Ready? Go:

1.  The Vatican is a country.  In fact, it is the smallest country in the world.  (I used to think that was Monaco.)  SEE?  Even professors can be wrong!

2.  Some countries have national ID cards which also carry an individual’s patient/healthcare information, which healthcare providers AND patients can access.  The only way in to the info is through a fingerprint and a digital signature by the patient.  VERY James Bond, and I DIG that!  Best part of all: the PATIENT can be a partner in his or her healthcare by having access to his or her records.  SWEET.

3.  In some countries, you can’t even visit them as a tourist without registering your healthcare insurance.  While this might be a pain, just think about all the immigrants coming to the US….do they have healthcare, and if not, guess who is paying for it?

4.  Most top countries have a Ministry of Health.  Where is the equivalent in the US?  HHS? FDA? NIH?  WHO is in charge of health and wellness in the United States?

5.  Last but certainly NOT least, the 64 trillion dollar question:  Should healthcare be a right, or a privilege?  Some countries built the right to healthcare into their CONSTITUTIONS. EXPLICITLY. Now that’s the way to show whether or not a country is serious about its people and their well being.

Finally, to my students.  Thank you for helping me get a little smarter today.  (You of course have a lot of room to work with in my case….)