Reflections on being brave
“Bravery has many forms of manifestation. Brave is
the one who risks his life to save another’s; brave
is the one who defies the forces of nature to
accomplish a project... and brave is the one who
uses all his knowledge and resources to lessen
human suffering. An American doctor who,
in the nineties, could not turn his back to the
suffering AIDS has caused in Constanţa, stands
as an example of bravery: Mark Kline set in
motion a real domino of events and resources
that allowed the establishment of the Clinical
Center of Excellence, a unique medical and
psychological services provider in Romania,
specializing in offering care to people affected
by chronic diseases in Dobrogea, as well as
in offering training of thousands of medical
staff in the field of infectious diseases.
Twenty years later, the Government of
Romania recognizes the public utility status of
the Baylor Black Sea Foundation. We’ve come
a long way from the initiative of the American
doctor to the level at which Baylor operates
today. Hundreds of millions of dollars have
been invested unconditionally in the health of
the Romanian community, by partners who live
more than ten thousand kilometers away. Along
with the funding, the US partners have taught us
to work ethically and to focus on the quality of
the care we provide. Even more, they have shown
us that humanity matters more than nationality.
We believe that the recognition of Baylor’s
social investment in the health of our community
is a gesture of normality and good faith. We
are also aware of the responsibility we have
towards our patients and our partners and we are
committed to continuing Dr. Mark Kline’s mission.”
Ana-Maria Schweitzer,
Executive Director of the Baylor Black Sea Foundation
Dr. Mark W. Kline, photo credit: Smiley Pool
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