The Emperor Has No Clothes!

The Emperor's New Clothes "is a fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about an emperor who unwittingly hires two swindlers to create a new suit of clothes for him". "The story has given rise to its common reference as a metaphor in numerous situations. Most commonly, the statement "the emperor has no clothes" is used to refer to a situation in which (at least in the opinion of those using the phrase) the majority of people are unwilling to state an obvious truth, out of fear of appearing stupid, unenlightened, sacrilegious, or unpatriotic, or perhaps out of "political correctness". In such cases it is often implied that the motive and rationale for not seeing the obvious truth has become so ingrained that the majority do not even realize that they are perpetuating a falsehood".

That is precisely the point relative to this blog and to MTSA. This is not to be mistaken for anything other than what it really is - forcing others to see what they cannot or will not see. For far too long no one has had the gumption or the willingness to yell at the Emperor and say, "You have no clothes on! You're naked!" That happens sometimes in government, in corporations, in organizations, and yes, even in anesthesia schools. No one likes or wants to state what is true because sometimes the plain truth hurts. Surely those who profess to be "reflecting Christ in anesthesia education" couldn't/wouldn't be doing something untoward. I mean, they just wouldn't, right? They have the best interests of the school and the students at heart, right? But remember that saying about smoke and fire - remember? The hunch, in starting this blog, was that there must be plenty of folks (alumni) who have endured abuse, mistreatment, and/or some form of insult from those at the helm of MTSA. That hunch was as accurate as the fact that the sun is going rise in the morning. Malfeasant behavior of this nature rarely occurs in isolation. Already, emails are pouring in! Absolutely amazing! To prove my point, I'll share some remarks (all from alumni) in a moment.

First, allow me to share a submission from someone who was a member of the interview committee in years past. This person had "great concern" about the interview process and wrote the following letter to the school:

"I have great concern over the tabulation of our voting scores for potential candidates. I know for certain that scores are being manipulated. The way I know that numbers were manipulated is because the scores were read back for -applicant- and they were all in the teens. I know for a fact that my score was not in the teens. I also know that one other person's score was not in the teens. I noted that you made the comment that you thought something was "fishy." Indeed, something is “fishy”. Next year some system of checks should be in place to prevent this from happening. Firstly, what has happened is just plain wrong. Secondly, this could prove legally catastrophic for the school if candidates can prove that the interview process is flawed. There needs to be some way of proving, should this matter ever arise, that it is not possible for this to happen. I see this as a liability for the school. One simple method would be to count the votes immediately after every candidate in plain site of each committee member. Finally, I consider it a waste of each person’s time to have their vote taken away by the manipulation of scores. It is disheartening, infuriating, and dishonest. I hope you understand my hesitancy to identify myself. I write this anonymously for a variety of reasons".

How is this possible? Admission to the school is being manipulated? Of course "rational" thought mandates that you should attack the person sending this letter. Damage control mode - Attack the whistleblower! Discredit them by whatever means possible. Make it seem as if THEY are behaving in a malevolent fashion. That sort of behavior belongs on Capital Hill (if anywhere) not within an entity claiming that they are "reflecting Christ"! (At this juncture, please read the title of this blog again).

Here are some comments about this blog so far. Again, all from alumni -- some claiming to have been didactic and clinical instructors and committee members. All anonymous just like the school likes to do (we'll talk more about the malevolent use of anonymity at a later date).

"I have never seen a 2 blog entry be so spot on in my life".

"Nepotism. It is unbelievable that this is allowed to continue. It totally takes individual perception and critical thinking out of play. Add in friends and church members and you get the mess that is now MTSA. Favoritism at its best".

"The level of success in teaching RN's to become COMPETENT CRNA's is dropping . . . fast". (I hear this all the time from a variety of sources).

"Wonder why the alum's are not giving? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? The way we were treated in school and now you want more money??! The school uses fear and intimidation on a daily basis".

"It is this alum's feelings that there are many problems facing MTSA today. It seems with the growth that the school has undertaken these problems have been magnified".

"Bring in some nationally ranked credentialed CRNA talent. You don't see a university with all the professors graduates of that institution".

"You have alienated your alum. And their families".

"The "we own you" part that the Dean likes to throw out when angry, does not cut it with me and is why I will not support the school while this is allowed. They want to build a top school but refuse to come out of the dark ages".

"Thank you for this blog".

"Thanks for stepping up".

"Your blog is, IMHO, very accurate".

"As a former member of the admissions committee, I have seen this [nepotism] first-hand . . . especially for friends of the family and SDA church members".

"Some of the students now are so unprepared coming out I've had to personally instruct them on basic anesthesia".

Speaking out on disparate discipline: "This is also corrupt! Once again, I have been in on this too"!

"Complete, and I mean complete, lack of objectivity".

"The school is full of greed and is rapidly flooding the anesthesia market in Nashville".

Wow, I am truly overwhelmed by the influx of comments. So much, so soon. Where is Nelda Faye Ackerman when you need her? Expect a blog about her soon.