I have an obligation to use what I know to try to bring real

In the journey of life, there is a profound duty that calls to those who possess knowledge and skill: to use that wisdom for the greater good. Patrick Soon-Shiong, in his powerful declaration, states, "I have an obligation to use what I know to try to bring real, usable medical science to every doctor and bedside and patient." This statement is not merely about the sharing of knowledge, but about the responsibility to ensure that the tools of healing are not confined to those who have access to the most prestigious institutions, but are available to all who suffer, all who seek relief, and all who need care.

In the ancient world, great leaders and healers understood that knowledge is a gift that comes with great responsibility. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, understood that the practice of healing was not merely about administering treatments but about serving the community. He swore an oath, known as the Hippocratic Oath, to always use his knowledge in the service of those who needed care, regardless of their background, wealth, or status. His vision was one where healing was not a privilege for the few but a universal duty for those who had the skill to help others. In much the same way, Soon-Shiong's words reflect an ancient truth: that medical knowledge should be accessible to everyone and not hoarded or restricted to the privileged few.

Soon-Shiong’s commitment to bring real, usable medical science to doctors and patients is reminiscent of the great physician Avicenna, whose medical writings were a beacon of knowledge in the medieval world. Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine became the standard textbook in medical schools for centuries, and his teachings were not just about theory but about practical application—about using science to bring relief and healing to the suffering. Avicenna’s focus was on the practicality of medical knowledge, ensuring that it could be applied in everyday practice, just as Soon-Shiong strives to make scientific advancements tangible and useful at the bedside.

The great leaders and healers of history understood that their wisdom was meant not for their personal glory, but for the upliftment of all people. Consider the example of Florence Nightingale, who, in the midst of the Crimean War, saw the suffering of soldiers and revolutionized the field of nursing. Nightingale’s commitment to improving the standards of healthcare, based on the science of hygiene and sanitation, led to dramatic reductions in death rates. Her work was rooted in a deep moral obligation—an obligation to use her knowledge and experience to ensure that every patient, regardless of their status, received the best care available. She understood that knowledge, especially medical knowledge, is useless if it is not put into action for the well-being of others.

Soon-Shiong’s commitment echoes the sentiments of those who came before him. The medical system is a complex and sometimes fragmented network, but his ambition to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient care speaks to a universal truth: that those who possess knowledge have a duty to make it available to those who need it most. Medical science, as he envisions, should not be a distant ideal or a collection of abstract theories, but a living, breathing part of the healing process that reaches every doctor, every patient, and every bedside. Just as Nightingale transformed nursing through her commitment to applying knowledge, Soon-Shiong seeks to transform healthcare by ensuring that the tools of modern science are within reach of those who need it most.

The lesson to be learned is profound: knowledge is not enough. To possess knowledge without using it for the good of others is a disservice. Soon-Shiong’s obligation is a reminder to each of us, whether in the field of medicine, science, or any other pursuit, that we must use our gifts, not for personal gain, but for the betterment of society. The greatest service we can offer is to take what we know and ensure that it reaches those who need it most. Just as Hippocrates swore to help all patients with his medical expertise, so too must we swear to use our talents and knowledge to serve the greater good.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves how we can apply what we know for the benefit of others. Whether in medicine, education, art, or leadership, we are each entrusted with some measure of knowledge or ability. The question is: how can we share this gift with those who need it, ensuring that our talents are not confined to personal advancement but are put to work for the collective well-being? Just as Soon-Shiong urges the use of medical science at the bedside, so too must we ensure that the wisdom and skills we possess are available to those who need them most. This is the highest calling, the truest measure of duty and honor in our lives.