Takeaway
My patient’s father reminded me that exceptional care goes beyond knowledge—it’s also the humility to admit uncertainty and the skill to forge collaborative partnerships with patients and families.
Passion in the Medical Profession | November 12, 2025 | 2 min read
By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
At an event that I hosted celebrating clinical excellence within Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, we decided to ground our celebration in real-world impact. So, I invited the father of one of my patients to share his personal definition of what true excellence means.
His daughter was, at the time, a resilient 12-year-old who managed a very rare, debilitating neurologic condition. Her complex needs required round-the-clock caregiver support and a significant amount of medical technology just to keep her safe and well.
Given the gravity of her medical situation, I anticipated the father would highlight the surgical precision, diagnostic genius, or life-saving procedures performed by our providers.
But to my pleasant surprise, his definition of clinical excellence was far more profound and human. That evening, he shared many inspiring points, but two core principles stood out.
1. The humility to say, “I don’t know.”
The first quality he praised in truly excellent clinicians was their complete lack of professional ego. He noted that over the years, the best providers he encountered were never afraid to admit when they didn’t have the answer. They were humbled by the complexity of his daughter’s diagnosis and condition. However, this humility was immediately followed by unrelenting action. These clinicians were driven by a genuine desire to learn and to help the patient, quickly utilizing their network to find the right experts and resources. Excellent clinicians know where to go and who to ask for help; they aren’t blinded by ego. The patient is always put first.
2. Creating an authentic partnership.
The second essential quality was the clinicians’ ability to create a genuine partnership with the family. Parents know their children—especially those with chronic, complex needs—better than anyone else on the planet. They are in the best position to advocate for their children, and excellent clinicians recognize this and actively leverage it to deliver the highest quality care. This collaborative, humble approach transforms the clinical dynamic from a hierarchy into a team focused on one goal: the child’s well-being.
This father’s definition reminds us that while expertise is essential, the true measure of clinical excellence lies not only in what we know, but in our humility, partnership, and dedication to finding the right answers—together.
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This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.