Local View: From Dylan to dukkha, health care innovation ripe in Duluth – Duluth News Tribune

Bob Dylan once sang, “The times they are a-changin’.” That lyric, borne in the spirit of transformation and resilience, feels as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. It was also the song I chose as my high school senior quote, reflecting my youthful optimism about change and the belief that embracing it could shape a better future.

Decades later, I find myself leaving Rhode Island and moving to Duluth, Dylan’s birthplace, at the same time his biopic is being released.This moment feels almost predestined, as if the threads of my past, present, and future have converged in a place uniquely suited to lead change.

Duluth, like Dylan, has a history of resilience, creativity, and challenging the status quo. It’s a city that has long punched above its weight, using its natural beauty, rich culture, and strong sense of community to inspire innovation. As the founding director of the new Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program at the College of St. Scholastica, I see Duluth as not just my new home but as a launching pad for ideas that could transform health care across the country.

My move from Rhode Island to Duluth wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was an intentional step toward shaping a better future. The DMSc program, designed for physician associates seeking advanced training and leadership roles, is part of a broader vision to address systemic issues in health care. The cracks in the system are evident: overburdened clinicians, inaccessible care, and growing disparities.

These challenges reflect what Buddhism calls dukkha, the inherent struggles of life that often lead to growth and transformation. But just as Dylan turned hardship into art that inspired a generation, I believe Duluth can turn health care’s challenges into opportunities for transformation.

Duluth’s potential to lead innovation mirrors Dylan’s impact on music and culture. Just as he transcended genres and pushed boundaries, we must transcend traditional models of health care delivery to meet the needs of our time. Initiatives like “Paving Practices,” which aim to train primary-care providers for underserved areas, reflect the type of innovative thinking Duluth is uniquely positioned to foster.

The DMSc program at St. Scholastica is one example of how Duluth can serve as a model for the rest of the country. By equipping health care professionals with the skills to lead systemic change, the program not only addresses local needs but also sets a precedent for innovation nationwide. Duluth’s history of resilience and creativity, paired with its forward-looking spirit, makes it uniquely positioned to lead the way.

But what will the future of our health care system look like? The answer, as Dylan might remind us, is blowin’ in the wind.

Kenneth Botelho is director of the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Program in the Department of Medical Science at the College of St. Scholastica.