I would like to congratulate the iMedExchange team members driving the VitalSigns family of tools aimed at helping physicians get and stay plugged into the critical healthcare policy/reform efforts underway at the federal, state and even local levels.

Rob Coppedge is steering the VitalSigns efforts as its Executive Editor with significant contribution from Charlotte Graeber. Rob and Charlotte both have roots in Nashville, one of the central healthcare hubs in the United States, so it was only appropriate that Rob launch VitalSigns formally in Nashville this week.

I can't implore physicians strongly enough to get connected to the change underfoot. The healthcare industry, and specifically the practice environment, have the potential to change more in the next 12 months than in the last 50 years. VitalSigns isn't designed to give you access to information that's useful for cocktail party conversation. Nor is it yet another echo chamber of conversation with colleagues.

It's a series of tools to help very busy professionals stay on top of the practical elements of policy. It's intelligent conversation amongst colleagues with experts and leaders like Senator Tom Coburn, MD added to the mix. It's highlights of groups you may want to get plugged into like Docs4PatientCare. And it's tools that will allow the collective voice of physicians be heard at the highest levels of the debate...some things we are introducing today and others will follow in the coming days and weeks.

iMedExchange is built to serve physicians. VitalSigns is a quintessential example of who we are and what we do. Take two easy steps now:

1. Join iMedExchange and take advantage of the VitalSigns Resource Center on a regular basis.
2. Subscribe to the VitalSigns blog and get daily and weekly updates you need to have on your radar.

Anyone who receives the holiday e-greetings from Doctor's Channel knows they are usually goofy skits featuring little dogs. This 4th of July was even more bizarre, but I think most people agree it's a worthwhile message. So, I suppose the most I can say is to suspend judgement of the message despite the messenger.

Have a great 4th of July! We are fortunate to live in the greatest country on the planet.

Last week iMedExchange launched VitalSigns, the first physician-focused tool to help physician stay informed and get engaged in the critical health care reform process.

Today I am pleased to welcome Docs 4 Patient Care founded in Atlanta, Georgia to iMedExchange. This group is not only a great representation of the quality of physicians in the United States, but they exemplify why this country is so great. Let me briefly explain. A group of urologists, going about their business, no imminent reason to step outside their comfort zone, looked at the appalling lack of physician involvement in the health care reform process and decided to take action. They are speaking loudly with their feet, their voices and their finances to ensure physicians get into the game!

Hal Scherz, MD (President of the organization) has the same busy life that all physician have. He has kids and obligations. And yet, he has disrupted his entire life and practice so that he and his colleagues can look back on their careers and say they didnt just coast on by as spectators. They realize that they, and the generations of physicians to come, have huge interests on the line and they are doing everything they can to represent those interests...ultimately representing the interests of the system and patients.

Check out Docs 4 Patient Care:

1. Docs 4 Patient Care Group on iMedExchange

2. www.docs4patientcare.org

Like Dr. Scherz and his colleagues I encourage you to get engaged in this process.

I came across this short but thoughtful tribute to Walter Cronkite on Seth Godin's Blog. It has lots of relevance to businesses and social media in particular:

*****************************
Here's the thing about the life of Walter Cronkite:

At every turn, he acted as if he had a responsibility to his audience. He didn't do the right thing because he thought it would help him get ahead and then one day he'd get his share. Instead, he always did the right thing because that's who he was. No sellouts, no political consulting, no false transparency.

That's the way it is.

Transparency works if it's authentic.