The other day I had a conversation with one of my HIT connections in the Sportsman's Paradise and he used a term that I use periodically with family and friends, but don't hear often in professional circles anymore. He used the French word lagniappe, which means "a little something extra." It is similar to a "Baker's Dozen", but in Louisiana it can apply to anything! For example, if I buy 10 lbs of brown shrimp the the fisherman might throw in an extra pound -- or maybe a Redfish (more likely in the old days!) Or, the cleaning lady might take it upon herself to make a fan-fold in my box of Kleenex or set out a little vase of flowers when she is done. The extra shrimp, Redfish, dressed up box of Kleenex or flowers are lagniappe!
So, you say, what does this have to do with this weblog or HIT! Well, I say that my weblog is lagniappe -- a little something extra for those that follow my work or engage me as a consultant or resource. In addition, I see many people around the country currently giving their time to help others plan for and develop RHIOs and contribute to the National Health Information Infrastructure. Mark Frisse at Vanderbilt and many others are stepping forward to help Louisiana recover and rebuild New Orleans' system of healthcare. Jan Root at UHIN and Holt Anderson at NCHICA gladly put their work/life aside to accept invitations to speak a new gatherings of stakeholders or make presentations at conferences. Sure, they or their organizations may derive some benefit or fulfill an obligation to funders to help others, however, I often see these people doing more than what is expected!
So, I say that every now and then, we need to stop and recognize these acts for what they are -- a little something extra -- lagniappe!
Dr. Gary Levin does, do you?
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