"WE STILL HAVE WORK TO BE DONE . . .'

  DR. STEVE SCOGGIN

It  was  not a retirement luncheon; he is way too young for that and with too many innovative ideas, responsibilities and energy stores.
Dr. Steve Scoggin became President of CareNet in 2001.  Now that role goes to my former  counseling colleague, Bryan Hatcher.

Formerly known as the Pastoral Counseling Center, CareNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Under Steve's leadership, CareNet became the largest hospital-based counseling and psychotherapy network in the nation.  But I am getting ahead of the story.

In 2001, our network faced several challenges.  The Director of our local center told me that if anyone could move things forward, it would be Steve, the Executive Director of the relatively new center in the down East town of Greenville.  For three years while his son completed his high school career there, Steve weekly commuted the long drive between home and office.  He and I were often together in the Chaplaincy Department's house which he quickly dubbed 'the monastery'.

Mark Twain supposedly wrote that there are "lies, damned lies and statistics".  Still, there are impressive stats such as these: During Steve's tenure, CareNet grew from 6 Regional Centers across the state to 10.  Within the Regions  there are 30 offices serving individuals and families in 80 of the state's 100 counties as well as in four adjoining states.  In 2001, the counseling staffs generated 18,000 hours of therapy.  This last fiscal year, that number had grown in excess of  50,000 hours. The reserve of operating funds has likewise grown. And, the Residency training program in faith-integrated therapy (not the same as 'faith-based') has resumed. (Just last week, nine Residents were graduated from that three year program.) And while those kinds of numbers capture some of the vitality of the recent past, on their own they do not convey the influence, vision and personal qualities of the man.

As a clinician as well as administrator, Steve sometime ago became
an Assistant Professor in  Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Associate Vice-President of Behavioral Health at the hospital.  Now, as consequence of transitions occurring  within Psychiatry, the Hospital's CEO has appointed him Interim Chair of that Department.  These expanding responsibilities meant a passing of the 'mantel of leadership' for CareNet.

So, yesterday family, friends, colleagues gathered for a luncheon in his honor.  It was a grand event with speeches, songs, gifts, tears, and other expressions of gratitude.  Steve's 'compassion' and encouragements were threads that ran through many of the comments.  

In his response to the tributes, Dr. Scoggin commented that a mantra-like phrase he often uses is "Thanks for having me".  He elaborated that within the phrase were sentiments such as: for   'welcoming me into your life', for 'trusting me enough to labor together for clients and community'; for 'giving me the benefit of the doubt even when I didn't deserve it'; for 'caring for me in spite of myself'; for 'risking your truth and honesty with me'.

While I have on many occasions personally experienced his encouragement, one particular period stands out.  'Ageism' is a sorry reality within many occupations and professions.  At no time have I encountered that 'beast' in my years with CareNet. In 2006, when I was 68 years old, Steve asked me to consider dividing my time between my Winston-Salem office where I had an established practice and becoming Executive Director of a part-time center elsewhere in the state.  The Director (and only therapist) there was retiring.  Throughout my six year tenure as ED, Steve provided constant encouragement and support. 

During one of our state-wide Directors meetings, Steve made an observation that crystallized a key distinction of human functioning.  During a clinical exercise, I quoted another clinician's statement that many persons who experience high anxiety are generally considered to be 'nice'.  Steve responded, "Nice is overrated." Wow!  He continued, "I have never been especially concerned to be considered 'nice'." Double Wow !  "But,  I am   big on compassion."  When someone is 'nice', public opinion  is the main informer of our actions; 'compassion' and 'kindness' suggest  that we do the Right thing because it's the Right thing to do.  Subsequently, I have found this to be a useful distinction . 

Now, Steve turns his expansive energy and compassion to an even larger scope of service for Mental Health needs.  At the conclusion of my brief comments yesterday, Steve affirmed  that "we still have work to be done !" 

     Satchel

RABBIT EARS

     "If I hear anything else out of you, you will be escorted out of this gymnasium !"  Well, that is not a word for word of what colorful basketball referee Lou Bello said  back in 1958 to Charlie Holcombe, one of our college's cheerleaders.  But whatever the words, the message was clear.  Lou having heard Charlie's deriding several calls stopped the game and delivered his ultimatum in front of a hushed crowd.

    Several years later, a referee at a North Carolina State University game tossed two former players (who had also played in the NBA)
for apparently unexplained reasons.  When that same ref returned to call an  NCSU  game about three years later, he called a technical foul on the State coach within four minutes of the start of the game.

     'Badmouthing' officials at athletic events is practically within the fabric of the contests  . . . and usually remains within the confines of  decency and propriety. "Kill the Ump !" is not a call to mob violence.  Although when I was umpiring high school age recreation league games in the 1970's, there was one particularly obnoxious  fan who constantly criticized my officiating.  I ignored him.  But on the day when within hearing of the boys, he questioned the legitimacy of my parentage in blunt language, I stopped the game, walked back to the  screen and essentially told him that if he felt the need to talk like that in the presence of these kids,  "I feel sorry for you".  I did an about face and  proclaimed "Play Ball! "  At the next game, he came to me and apologized and thereafter there was no disrespect, though he did not always agree with my calls.

    The ears of most officials work well and while many comments are heard, it is essential to remain  oblivious to the criticisms.  A referee or umpire who reacts to the 'noise' is said to have  'Rabbit ears'.  An on-line dictionary defines the term as "acute sensitivity to jibes, insults, sarcasm. . ."

    Whether in officiating athletic events, politics or just 'life', it is important to be open to legitimate feedback which can include complaints and, sometimes, criticisms. 'Complaint' refers to actions, decisions, etc. as contrasted to 'criticisms' which become attacks on the person's very being and character.  And, having made the distinction, it is important to say the obvious:   Mean-spirited, evil persons can and do make wrongful, malicious decisions which prompt legitimate 'criticisms'.  

     Having attained a PhD in American History and having taught that subject  for many years, I know that even George Washington thought he was sometimes treated harshly by the  press.  The same has been true for all subsequent Presidents.  Frequently the feedback aroused public outcries that led to changed policies and/or administrations.  To seek and to hold public office in America has meant being open to public scrutiny of one's self and behaviors.  Too often, many of those same public figures have had finely tuned 'rabbit ears' and  lashed out at their critics in  punitive, less than mature behaviors.

    In  1950,  President Harry Truman replied to a non-complimentary  Washington Post review of his daughter's singing
concert by firing off a petulant letter to the newspaper's reviewer, even suggesting that he would do him bodily harm.  Still, he apparently often said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen", showing that he sometimes did not rise to his own standards.  One on-line dictionary alternately translated the phrase as "If you cannot handle the pressure, you should not remain in a position where you have to deal with it."

     "Don't take it personally !" makes no sense to someone with 'thin skin' or 'Rabbit ears' and whose actions are self-serving.  My fraternity brother, Navy Captain (Retired) Ken Sullivan correctly noted, " The bigger the 'rabbit ears' the smaller the confidence, conviction and rightness the rabbit." When there is understandable push-back and public criticisms, the aftermath of retributive reactions and rhetoric serves to demean the necessity of civil  conversations and decisions.  There is a lot of that going 'round these days.

        Satchel