College of pharmacy-teaching hospital relationships: building strength

Perhaps the most important factor to focus on is that organizations work because of the people in them; also, they don't work because of the people in them. Perhaps some people in some of our organizations need changing. Hospitals and colleges face similar issues that need to be worked on together. The philosophy of collaboration needs adopting because competition will not provide the success desired by the college or the hospital. Without a strong commitment on the part of decision makers, time and effort will be wasted. There must be an active process. It can't be talked about only once a year. There should also be an ongoing, active process at the national level. We must build on our mutual needs. We must use positive approaches rather than developing more negative arguments. The key to success is to concentrate more heavily on communications, visibility, and accountability. F. Scott Fitzgerald put it this way: The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. We have three ideas that at times are in opposition. Service, education, and research can be integrated by applying the intelligence found in every teaching hospital and college of pharmacy.