People who are truly “great” bear a huge responsibility. Those of us who are “normal” benefit from their generosity, their ideals, and their contributions to the world. Then we get to go home at night and eat spaghetti without worrying that anyone is scrutinizing our every move. We’re permitted to blow up at our spouses for leaving their dirty socks on the floor and we can skip church if we come up with a good enough excuse. We leave the society shaping to the “great” people who fill their weekends with hard work, business travel, and philanthropy instead of renting DVDs like the rest of us. No wonder greatness is so rare.
If you come in contact with just one truly great person during the course of your life, consider yourself lucky. I do.
Today, I sat in front of the only truly great man I’ve ever met. With tears in his eyes, Dr. Dan Fischer recounted some of his personal history as he addressed his employees in the wake of a character smear. Amazingly, he was able to point out positives mingled with the pain caused by this situation.
Someone like me would brood all weekend about even a minor insult. Not Dr. Fischer. In the midst of the attacks on his character, this great man is determined to stay the course. We have 150 guests in town for a conference this week; Dr. Fischer stood before them today to summarize the allegations and give his side of the story. He then told these guests how LUCKY he is, choosing to focus on the number of hugs and supportive comments he received from his employees earlier in the day. He said his staff behaves the way true brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters should. Then he said, “Now let’s get back to dentistry.”
I’ve always admired how Dr. Fischer sticks to his core values. Today was just another example. From his initial involvement with these young men (the “Lost Boys”) and women abandoned by the FLDS, Dr. Fischer knew that he would be subject to public scrutiny; he always knew events like today’s were a possibility and yet, he persevered. That’s true courage. He has nothing to gain personally from giving millions to these FLDS outcasts in support of their education and mental well being. There was no benefit for sticking his neck out in Washington D.C. He presses forward with the cause, even after these personal attacks, because he knows that helping children is the right thing to do. He paraphrases Hubert Humphrey, who said that the moral test of government is how it treats and protects its most vulnerable citizens. That’s real integrity.
So, here’s to Dr. Dan Fischer: a truly great man who could use a hug. Won’t you please post your good wishes for him in response to this blog?
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Comments (6)
Dear Dr. Fischer,
I just want you to know how much I admire you as a person for all the great and many ways you help people around this world; both children and adults alike. I truly look up to you and feel honored to work for a man like you who believes in such strong values and wants to help so many. I admire the way you have handled such a tough situation. I want you to know that you have so many supporters who know and love you, and would vouch for your true character.
It is crazy to think that such a small group in comparison to the large amount of people who love you can do so much harm and damage, and cause so much pain. So I hope that those who actually know you/have a relationship with you and care for you can at least help ease the pain and undo some of the damage that has been done.
We believe in you Dr. Fischer and we know what a truly great human being you are. I continually look forward to what great things I will see from you next!!! Let us all move forward!!
Sonjia
Posted by Sonjia Yanez | August 2, 2008 9:47 AM
Posted on August 2, 2008 09:47
Dear Dr. Fischer:
I wish English was my mother tongue so I could write more fluently and easily and find the right words to comfort you. I can´t express what I felt when I found out what was going on. You must be crushed, and you don´t deserve that. You are an amazing human being, you don´t deserve that.
You know, I have a vivid memory of the Distributor Meeting when you told us that your father had passed away. You needed to talk. You opened your heart to all of us, speaking about your childhood, your memories and how you separated from the fundamentalists and from your father. Your tears and sadness made many of us cry.
I was moved and when I returned home I read a lot about Mormon history, how they reached Utah, about the Prophet, polygamy and about the first woman that left the FLDS. I read her biography and I was speechless. I admired that woman for her courage and strength and thought she was a hero. And now… you are confronting them. I must tell you, that is something that would scare most people. But you had the courage to do what was right.
Great Men are those who do what they know is right, being aware of the consequences their acts may bring, but convinced of the fact that they wouldn't be able to live with themselves unless they act as their hearts and core values command.
You have done so much good to so many people, helped so much, that for each person attacking you, there will be hundred more praising and thanking you.
And me…I am honored of knowing you and belonging to your “Circle of Friends”.
We are the lucky ones, Dr. Fischer.
For knowing you, for having learned from you and for being part of your Ultradent family.
My prayers will be with you and your beloved ones.
God bless you !
Karen
Posted by Karen Schoenberg | August 4, 2008 3:04 PM
Posted on August 4, 2008 15:04
Dr. Fischer,
We have been working for Ultradent for the past 7 years and we always look up to you because you are a smart, kind and wonderful man. We just wanted you to know that our hearts are with you, and we wish you the best.
Diana and Tatiana Gomez
Posted by Tatiana and Diana Gomez | August 4, 2008 6:02 PM
Posted on August 4, 2008 18:02
Dan,
I was very impressed the first time I met you and you told the group that you were speaking to that you have a history in the FLDS. I think it took lots of character to stand in front of a large group of peers and say something like that. I found it unnecessary as it really shouldn't matter to the group what background you come from but more the man you are today. I have been impressed when I have seen the Lost Boys on Glen Beck and they have sang praises to the help that you have given them. I have also admired the way you have so humbly never mentioned it to anyone. When I have talked to you about the Lost Boys you have humbly down played it. It would be easy to boast and brag with all you do and have done.
Please don't let the article in the Salt Lake Tribune bring you down in the slightest. You are great, a good man by any standard. Keep up the good work, don't play into the hand of those that want to smear you because anyone that has done business with you or that knows you knows your true character. Mark McOmie DMD
Posted by Mark McOmie DMD | August 6, 2008 6:40 AM
Posted on August 6, 2008 06:40
Dr. Fischer,
I was an Ultradent Elite guest 2 years ago. I loved it. Before I went, I had heard some rumor about you and the FLDS church, and to my surprise, you addressed your past to the group and explained how although you were no longer part of the church, it did help mold you into the man you are today.
I was throughly impressed by your company and especially the man behind the company. I was really impressed how your employees from top to bottom, loved to work for you and I had talked to a former employee, Chris Huddle (?) about how you gave him a job out of college. I realized that you were a man of integrity with a big heart.
I did not read the article, but I chose to judge you on the first hand experience I had and the first hand praise from your staff.
I'm a little more blunt when it comes to advice, but it is heartfelt and gets straight to the point. I'll pass on something to you that a dear friend passed to me:
You know the person you are and the good that you did for a lot of people. Your record speaks for itself. If they can't see the good things that you have done, then F*** 'em.
Good luck to you and don't let anyone affect the man who you are and stop you from doing the good things that you do.
Aloha,
James Choy
Posted by James Choy, D.M.D | August 8, 2008 10:18 AM
Posted on August 8, 2008 10:18
It is with special care that I keep a list of principles that a man of an incredible vision and who bases his ethics on high moral values applies for himself. This list of Core Values, which he shares with those of us who have been given the chance and who have been lucky enough to know him, shows the philosophy of his company, Ultradent.
His life is an example in different aspects because of his permanent mission to make this world a better place, which he does by supporting several noble causes. He is honest, hard-working, generous, humble, sincere, affectionate and respecful. All of us who know him take him as a role-model.
It is in the hard times that his figure grows, it becomes more noble. This is the case of one of the greatest persons I know, Dr. Dan Fischer.
Dear Dr. Dan Fischer, from here, at such a long physical distance, but so near you in spirit, I would like you to recieve my sincere appreciation in a heartfelt hug.
Please keep in mind that can count on me every time you need my support, even if that is just letting you know how much I admire and respect you.
Proud of having met someone with such human values and qualities, please recieve the expression of my affection.
Al Heller
Posted by Al Heller | August 8, 2008 1:05 PM
Posted on August 8, 2008 13:05