Their concern for the welfare of underserved patients may take the Royal Purple leader to all corners of the Globe—as exemplified in the work of Doctors-Without-Borders. The leader whom we just quoted points to work done by one of these global healthcare “missionaries” (McKenna and Pugno’s (2006, p. 76):
“Paul Brand, MD, was a physician missionary to India until he passed away in 2003. He was a true pioneer in medicine. As a surgeon, he restored hand function. Dr. Brand significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of leprosy. In his book The Gift of Pain with co-author Philip Yancey, Dr. Brand explained that pain is good by sharing an example from his work with lepers in India. Because the patients were unable to feel pain, they didn’t realize when rats ate off their fingers and toes in the middle of the night. So Dr. Brand hit upon a practical alternative. He used kittens to ward off the rats, an approach now referred to as ‘kitten therapy.’ That approach, combined with visual inspection to identify infection, enabled earlier treatment and helped many leprosy patients avoid preventable loss of digits.” [Reverend Pamela S. Harris, MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician Kansas City Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Minister of Health United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.]
It is an unending task for many with the Royal Purple orientation whether serving the underserved in a rural American community or lepers in Indian. The overwhelm can easily lead to fatigue, burnout and ultimate disillusionment for those with this public service commitment. Alongside the potential burnout come the rewards associated with successful advocacy. The primary source of joy for the Equitable Royal Purple leader is ensuring that justice is done, and appropriate services are being delivered to those who are often underserved. As Dr. Morsch (the previously identified founder of three major health care initiatives) has declared meaning in life can be found in providing service to other people (McKenna and Pugno, 2006, p. 144): “those who serve others are more likely to know themselves and to accomplish their purpose.” This joy and sense of purpose often can offset the burnout.
A major source of energy is the questioning by Royal Purple of those in authority; do the ends justify the means? Does “might always lead to right” or (as King Arthur declared in Camelot, does “right create might?” The Equitable Royal Purple focus of attention is on defending the weak and disadvantaged by ensuring consistency in policies, procedures and actions. This can occur in one’s society or even in one’s organization—with attention being given to such issues as sexual harassment and gender or racial discrimination. David Kolb (1984) describes the process of assimilation whereby a set of rules and procedures are firmly established to ensure consistency in organizational behavior.
For the Royal Purple leader this assimilation focuses on the creation and implementation of fair and consistent policies and procedures leading to equity and justice. This often means that a position of leadership is taken in the realm of public health. The table at which the Royal Purple leader sits is often one involved not with the care of individual patients or even the operation of a specific clinic or hospital. It is often a table that is situated inside a public institution (at the local, state or national level). Royal Purple leaders are often advocating not just for the welfare of patients, but also the fuller engagement of physician leaders at this public policy table (McKenna and Pugno, 2006, p. 120):
