Why your most heroic act might be in a department meeting

Cardiologist Lauren Weber and critical care physician Jess Bunin, co-founders of All Levels Leadership, discuss their article, "Not all heroes wear capes: Sometimes they just speak up in meetings." They reframe medical heroism, arguing that the most courageous acts often happen not in a code blue, but in a conference room. Lauren and Jess define this as moral courage: the quiet bravery to question a dismissive attending, flag an unsafe policy, or challenge the status quo, even within the rigid hierarchy of medicine. Drawing on the work of thinkers like Ira Chaleff, they explore the role of the "courageous follower" and assert that true professionalism includes speaking up, not staying silent. The conversation makes the case that these small, uncomfortable acts of integrity create a "courageous contagion," empowering colleagues and building safer systems one conversation at a time, and that these everyday heroes deserve our full support and solidarity.

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