When Corporate CEO’s had a Moral Compass

A Chance Meeting with a CEO and an inspirational story

In the early 1980’s I did a stint managing medical procedures at a Radiology facility on the Upper East side of Manhattan. Our patient clientele ran the gamut from ordinary New Yorkers to the most well-heeled New York aristocracy: Vanderbilts, Astors and Rockerfellers.

One particular interaction stands out clearly in my mind.

The day I met Harvey Picker.

Harvey was a quiet, understated man, well dressed in a three-piece suit and patiently waited in the waiting room for his name to be called. Usually when we had a VIP patient, we were advised in advance. Upon arrival they were escorted from the front door through the waiting room into a private sub waiting area.

Not Harvey. Even though his company (where he was the CEO) supplied the imaging equipment we used, he was not looking for any special treatment. When I saw his name on the paper chart I did a double take. Harvey Picker? The Harvey Picker from Picker International? One of the three largest imaging companies in the US at the time? Could it be?

When I called out to him he stood up and introduced himself and shook my hand. I immediately knew who he was and said, “it is a pleasure to meet you”.

I ushered him tothe back of the office and did a short interview. He answered every question easily. To put his mind at ease, I told him his study today…