Reflections | Day 1

What does it really mean to be a professional — and what happens when professions fall short? David Goldman, JD, challenges us to reflect on the ethical responsibilities that come with influence, authority, and trust. Drawing lessons from history and the present day, the talk calls on health professionals to reject victimhood, confront uncomfortable truths, and embrace accountability. Key themes include: Why adopting a “victim narrative” undermines responsibility and imagination The concept of Spielraum — finding creative “wiggle room” to exercise agency and integrity How influence and power can and must be used to advocate for patients and fairness in health care What history teaches us about the ordinary motivations that can lead professionals astray Why complacency and complicity are never acceptable alternatives to responsibility 02:23 – Ethics across professions 03:25 – The audience & ethical tensions 04:57 – How professionalism has changed and the origins of the professions 06:02 – Shifting professional roles 07:06 – Words matter: rethinking “professionalism” 08:34 – Are we wasting time on definitions? 09:28 – Why Auschwitz is in the organization’s name 10:17 – Professionals in Nazi Germany 11:43 – The danger of victimhood 12:23 – Vulnerability vs. complicity 13:16 – Spielraum: finding wiggle room & agency 15:14 – The role of influence 16:56 – Rethinking autonomy 17:59 – Humility as self-awareness 19:39 – Lessons from history: motivations matter 23:58 – The stakes of professional influence 25:03 – Professionalism vs. complicity 27:14 – Reflections Connect with us LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abim-foundation/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABIMFoundation http://www.ABIMFoundation.org http://www.BuildingTrust.org