Dr. William G. Wilkoff
The academy is in the enviable positive of having a membership that agrees in general terms where its priorities should be – the health and welfare of children. It can afford to invest some of its energies in being more inclusive. However, the United States currently is struggling to rediscover a set of priorities that its citizens can agree on. We have politicians who would rather win a battle over their adversaries than address the obvious needs of the country. And, we have journalists who prefer to feast on these battles rather than search for evidence of cooperation. This is not a time to sharpen our focus on how different we are from one another. It is time to raise another flag along side the “diversity” banner. It should read “commonality,” and remind us that while we are celebrating our differences, we must work harder to uncover the core values that we share.
Dr. Wilkoff practiced primary care pediatrics in Brunswick, Maine for nearly 40 years. He has authored several books on behavioral pediatrics, including “How to Say No to Your Toddler.” Email him at pdnews@frontlinemedcom.com.