The AMA “Members Move Medicine” series profiles a wide variety of doctors, offering a glimpse into the passions of women and men navigating new courses in American medicine.
On the move with: John A. Knote, MD, a diagnostic radiologist in West Lafayette, Indiana.
AMA member since: 1968.
What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine: I chose to apply for medical school as a challenge— to prove to myself, and perhaps to others, that I could become a physician.
How I move medicine: My AMA experience proved of value to me in the form of working with the most amazing staff, from whom I learned a tremendous amount about how medical policy is fashioned (after passage of resolutions by our AMA House of Delegates), and from the perspective of knowing and working with our unique and insightful House of Delegates as medical policy was initiated.
My activity in our AMA Senior Physicians Section (and our Senior Physicians Group before we became a Section) provided a forum from which the section could provide to the AMA House of Delegates, and to the public in general, a perspective of the problems and possibilities facing America's senior physicians and patients. Such an emphasis was not present in our House of Delegates prior to establishment of the Senior Physicians Section.
"Moving medicine" is not accomplished by one person, and I support the slogan "Membership Moves Medicine." Our AMA, the state medical associations and the specialty societies working together is the action that provides influence, information and guidance to the public, legislators and government agencies that are involved in the practice of medicine.
The pertinent information and effort provided by our amazing AMA staff is the lubricant that eases the activation of the policies provided by our capable House of Delegates. From a personal aspect, I only hope that my involvement in organized medicine for the past 50 years in some small way qualifies me as a tiny cog in the AMA "wheel" that has helped "move medicine.”
Career highlights: Within diagnostic radiology, I was, on two occasions, credited with saving the lives of a man and his son and of another man (a professional in our area) by virtue of making the diagnoses of unusual medical conditions. I never felt that a radiologic diagnosis saves a life, with so many other doctors involved, but these people introduced me in public as one who saved their lives. I was flattered, to say the least. The medical "accomplishment" was not by me alone, but I was the publicized person.
Within medical organization activity, my election—with great help from Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana delegation—to the position of vice speaker of our AMA House of Delegates amidst three other great candidates.
Advice I’d give to those interested in pursuing a career in medicine: Do it! The feeling of accomplishment in dealing with patients and the personal satisfaction that you placed yourself in the group of professionals considered to be the finest in the world will sustain you throughout life. Plan to work hard! Practicing diagnostic radiology and working with AMA staff and our House of Delegates have been ultimate involvements that I could never have predicted as a young man.
Aspect of my work that means the most: Making correct diagnoses in my chosen field of diagnostic radiology.
Learn more about AMA members who are relentlessly moving medicine through advocacy, education, patient care and practice innovation, and join or renew today.
