'Evening Pubski. Double TC Whiskey on the rocks for me.

Spent most of yesterday and all day today in Chicago surrounded by a bevy of cool folks. Cardiovascular patients, some my age, some older. Some almost asymptomatic, some being considered for transplant. Research managers with almost a century of combined experience taking novel medications from theory to market. I don't have enough good things to say about the whole experience and everyone involved.

The patients were a really awesome group. We were able to really listen to each other and build on each others experiences. It honestly reminded me of a really good improv game in some ways. 'Yes, And!' seemed to be our natural flow. We were able to disagree and state conflicting opinions and perspectives without disrespect or ill feeling. And the whole two day conversation was punctuated by courageously honest accounts of amazing successes and heartbreaking failure. (No pun intended.) I went out for a beer with one of the guys around my age last evening and we were finishing each other's sentences after only knowing each other for a few hours. It was the most validating thing to hear someone else saying 'Man, I just hate it when someone says "You don't look sick!"' among other things. He'd recently gone through a breakup and we commiserated about the single life and flirted with waitresses like we'd been friends for years.

The research managers and other pharma-staff were a pleasure to work with. They all seemed genuinely interested in improving quality of life for patients, and as more than just a professional interest. The PharmD that was facilitating the general discussion and the breakout sessions I was involved in was great. She was insightful, incisive, and managed our talks with an easy equanimity. She ensured that when there was a disagreement, both sides were able to fully articulate their arguments, find where they could agree, and address what might be the cause of ongoing disagreement.

I was also subtly but not-so-subtly offered a job, in a few years. "So, it's probably going to be another funding cycle before we get this drug out of phase one. Hopefully, the next generation of clinical trial managers will be ready to take over the on-site work by the time we are heading in that direction. You're getting your MPH, right Ben?''