Purpose

That evening, Dr. W met Professor C in the corridor.

Knowing perfectly well that the star professor holds several important positions in the medical school, the young doctor could not refrain herself from telling her experience and sharing her worry to the senior academic staff.

“Yes… so?” C asked after listening to the story – he did not seem to see the point.

“So, it doesn’t sound right to do away with those small divisions.” The young doctor explained again.

“Why not?” The academic physician sounded surprised, “The main purpose of an academic staff is to do research and publish. You know, there is an economy of scale. It is more cost effective to focus and expand on a few major divisions and do away with the small ones.”

Dr. W wished to say in her layman’s eyes, the main purpose of a medical school is to train up new doctors. But, she did not want to hurt the feeling of her senior.

After a moment of silence, W said slowly, “In that case, from what I heard recently, how could the university justify the happenings to Professor T? On one hand, the university says that his research performance in the past five years deserves a promotion, but, a year later, declares that his performance in the past six years is not good enough for substantiation and has to be... eh... lay off?” 

Dr. W was surprised to find that she could finish with her statement without taking a second breath.