August 2025 President’s Message
From the ground up: We rise by lifting others
by Jany Moussa, MD —
In the quiet corners of our hospitals and clinics — in the early-morning handoffs, the late-night decisions and the countless uncelebrated acts of care — something deeply human is always at work: trust, connection and teamwork.
This month I want to reflect on a subject that defines not just how we practice medicine but how we lead: our relationships with those who support and serve beside us — our nurses, techs, aides, support staff and administrative partners.
Too often, leadership in medicine is viewed from the top down. But I believe the opposite is true: True leadership starts from the ground up. It begins with humility. It grows through mutual respect. And it is proven in how we treat those we rely on every day.
As physicians, we must remember that we are part of a larger team. When we allow hierarchy to justify impatience or superiority, we lose something essential — not just as professionals, but as people.
Let me be clear: We cannot lead well if we look down on those who walk beside us. We rise, individually and collectively, by lifting others.
This is more than courtesy. It’s about excellence. Because the best care environments are built not just on skill but on culture — a culture shaped by the respect we show and the example we set.
So this month I invite us all to take small, intentional steps:
- Greet every member of your team by name.
- Show appreciation out loud, and often.
- Own your tone in moments of stress.
- Listen with the same care you want to be heard with.
These small acts lead to something much greater than protocol; they build trust, unity and morale.
At the Medical Society of Sedgwick County, we are not just advancing medicine. We are shaping the spirit in which it’s practiced. Let’s keep rising by lifting each other.