Content Is King

Here is one secret about New York City: don't be misled by the user interface, because content is king. In the various stories on this website, I have written of many individuals who have surprised and often awed me once I spoke to them and learned about them. "Don't judge a book by its cover" has become my modus operandi, not just a hackneyed cliché.

This extends beyond the skin of people. Institutions, businesses, etc. all have to be approached the same way - look below the surface, if that is where value is to be found. If you prefer the comfort of a Cadillac or plush carpeting, then New York City is probably not your place unless you have lots of money to provide the cushioning and insulation.

In spite of this, one of the last places where an individual wants to overlook appearances is a hospital. This is a place which provides some of the most important services for the human condition, many of which are life-saving. When it comes to medical treatment, having competent doctors is what really matters - window dressing does not make up for malpractice. But being in a hospital which is showing signs of wear or is dirty or disorganized is not going to help a patient's confidence.

I recently visited the Gouverneur Hospital walk-in clinic in lower Manhattan with a friend who had previously been there. The walk itself through an impoverished neighborhood was preparatory. The situation in the clinic was relatively under control - an hour's wait to see a doctor was to be expected in a walk-in clinic with no appointment on a Sunday afternoon. However, I imagine that those arriving while the front desk was unattended with an "Out to Lunch" sign would not find it heartening, nor would they be assured by the very small cockroach crossing the floor of the waiting room - I believe I was not the only one who noticed it.

The physician himself was good and, in spite of an overloaded waiting room, did not make us feel rushed, taking the time that was needed. He mentioned that he was moonlighting at Gouverneur and that his regular workplace was New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center on the Upper East Side. I commented that Cornell was like a country club by comparison . He agreed and we both laughed, knowing full well that appearances in a hospital in this city are not a reliable barometer for the medical expertise. In a way, we were both really acknowledging that in New York City, content is king...

Note: Note the "Out to Lunch" sign in the lower left.