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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." - Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic. Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's Web sites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the Web site) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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July 17, 2009
Blog: Tenacity — how to stay strong under stress
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
The Tour de France is not simply a bicycle race. It is a test of human endurance — physically, psychologically and spiritually. Until Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France in 1999, I had very little understanding of this event. I now know that it is a grueling, month-long, 2,200-mile trek through France and neighboring countries.
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The Tour de France is about extremes, from the broiling sun of subtropical France to the snow-capped mountains where riders rocket down frozen cobblestones at speeds of up to 60 miles an hour. The danger is real, and occasionally fatal accidents occur among the cyclists.
This year Lance Armstrong is gunning for his eighth victory in this epic event. Critics have lambasted his attempt, and Armstrong has admitted that he is "an old man" (by cycling standards) who hasn't raced at this level for several years. Nevertheless, because of fanatical workouts and a laser-like focus, Armstrong is among the overall leaders halfway through the race.
Obviously, there is a long way to go and Armstrong himself acknowledges that much can happen. Nevertheless, he has shown the racing community that he can still compete with the world's best.
As I have said before, Armstrong is an inspiration to me. He has overcome incredible challenges, including a diagnosis of cancer. He epitomizes tenacity and perseverance. A talented athlete, his greatest gift may be his ability to put aside distractions and stay focused on his goal.
We all encounter adversity in our lives. What if we faced these challenges with the same tenacity, perseverance and focus that Armstrong brings to racing? Might we surprise ourselves, and others, with what we could accomplish?
9 comments posted
September 27, 2009 1:20 a.m.
What a very inspiring story of Lance Armstrong. Perhaps, we must learn to manage stress and take courage by focusing on our goals. Think positive is one of the keys to succeed.
- Patrice
August 25, 2009 12:57 a.m.
I wrote an article about how we can be strong under stress (physically as athletes but moreover as regular folks.) :) You can check it out at http://thedailyhug.com/blog/141/positive-thin
king/ - Sunny
August 15, 2009 2:58 p.m.
You all really should read his book - at the time of his diagnosis, he was between teams AND uninsured. He started selling off belongings just to pay medical bills.
- Marie
August 14, 2009 12:39 p.m.
Please avoid the celebrity nonsense. Putting millionaire pseudo-heroes on pedestals cheapens your site.
- Frank
July 27, 2009 11:02 a.m.
I have to agree with Ann. This article was too general. It really didn't give any helpful guides.
- Pam
July 24, 2009 3:35 p.m.
This is in response to Linda's comment. I am lucky enough to be reading this tribute to Lance Armstrong published around the Tour de France. I have a computer. What about the millions of folks who don't or can't afford a computer?
- Janis
July 24, 2009 3:30 p.m.
Please note that Lance Armstrong, in addition to his personal strength in adversity, has had the means and opportunity to obtain the absolute best in health insurance coverage, have the absolute best health care providers more than eager to treat him, etc. There are millions of uninsured and indigent Americans, including our most vulnerable and frail citizens who do not have Mr. Armstrong's means and support. He did not have to make a choice between filling a prescription and buying groceries. These are the folks who need help with coping, preventative care, routine medical testing and surviving adversity. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.
- Pat
July 23, 2009 5:22 p.m.
Ann, I did not take this as a "tribute to Lance Armstrong"; but, as using him to show an excellant example of how tenacity, perserverance & the proper way to handle stress allows you to achieve want you want without falling apart over it. Did you not read the HUGE list of items you could have referred to on "how to stay strong & handle stress"? Read some of them.
- Linda
July 23, 2009 3:10 p.m.
I thought this was going to be a useful post not a tribute to Lance Armstrong. not help at all...
- ann
9 comments posted