Dear Colleagues:

The issue of patient privacy is so essential to the manner in which we care for our patients. In April, new federally mandated privacy laws will take effect. In an academic medical center environment, the challenge of maintaining that privacy is perhaps more intense as we seek opportunities to guide and teach the next generation of caregivers.

However, that does not lessen the impact or importance of respect for the needs and privacy of our patients. How we handle issues of confidence speaks to the very nature of our organization and medicine itself. The covenant between physician and patient forms the very foundation of our ability to provide exceptional care. Patients must understand that our trust is implicit.

As we move into a new era of healthcare, marked by technological innovations and expansive means of communication, issues of patient privacy have become a national priority - and rightly so. The doctors and surgeons of this institution have long been innovators and trendsetters. In the areas of patient privacy, it is important to capture the same spirit of diligence and focus.

Sincerely,

Lawrence H. Cohn, MD
Chairman, BWPO