Beverly Maliner, DO, MPH
Colonel, Medical Corps, US Army (retired)
Q: What is your greatest pet peeve?
A: Two actually. One is being held hostage to IT crap that steals my time and tests my patience but does nothing I can tell that makes my work easier. Second is the term “common sense”. It implies that most people agree with what the speaker says and that there is common understanding about the issue or situation at hand and what the speaker thinks should be. It’s a very false heuristic that the speaker uses in lieu of clarity of thought and communication. And has been shown to not exist in most cases.
Q: What is your greatest lesson?
A: Be present at the table. And by table I do not mean the treatment table. I mean at the meeting table, in the organization, at the discussion, voting, and etc. Even when I seem to have nothing to contribute at that moment, being there creates recognition of my connection, gives me credibility to speak, and creates opportunity for me to speak.
Q: What is a skill that you struggle to learn?
A: Patient listening
Q: Who are your 3 biggest heroes?
A: Rosa Parks, my right upper extremity and my left upper extremity
Q: Name one place you want to see?
A: Aurora Borealis which I experienced in Alaska in 2011.
Q: Why is being part of MAOP important to you?
A: I want to be at the table (see above), I want to build connections and I want to stay informed.