Scott McPherson's Web Presence

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute, unmitigated pleasure to attend and speak at the CIDRAP Summit in Minneapolis.  I had never been to Minnesota, and I was enchanted by the city and the adjacent countryside.  It quickly became one of my favorite states.

But I digress.  So there I was in the front row of the Marriott ballroom, on Day One, siting at the front table like a classroom nerd.  Joining me were (among others) fellow blogger Mike Coston, aka FLA_MEDIC, with his friend and lovely traveling companion, Blue from Flutrackers, aka Indigo Girl of allnurses.com, aka Camille. 

So there I sat, waiting for the keynote speaker, Dr. Juile Gerberding.  She, of course, is the immediate former head of the CDC.  I think we all have been fortunate enough to listen to and enjoy Dr. Gerberding's speeches over the years.  Despite the stress of watching her yard and garden fill with rising water as a result of the Atlanta-area flooding, she looked freed from the trappings of stress and headache which accompany anyone who wears the mantle of responsibility that she wore so capably during the Bush years.  In other words, despite the worry about her home and possessions, she looked great.

I think it was around the third or fourth slide that I suddenly sat up. 

For there, projected on the two giant screens, was a slide.

But not just any slide.

It was a slide of -- this blogsite!

My reactions were as follows.

1.  Well, I surely didn't expect to see that today!

2.  Don't call me Shirley.

3.  OhmyGod, what is she going to say about it?  Is she going to tear me apart in front of all these people?

4.  She said it was well-written!  She likes it! Thank you Jesus!

It really went that way.

So I wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Julie Gerberding, who is an occasional reader of this blogsite.  Dr. Gerberding, you made my year!  Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, in the name of public health and preparedness. 

Between you and me, I also think that is one reason why I have not blogged in over five weeks.  I think it intimidated me that someone so important would be reading my blogs, that I want to make sure everything I write from this point on is of absolute quality.  I have always writen with quality in mind, but you know what I mean. 

Dr. Mike Osterholm told me afterward, "Scott, you really don't know how well-read your blog is, do you?"

No, Mike, I didn't know until that time.