Dr. Glen Gillen, a renowned occupational therapist and professor emeritus at Columbia University, has spent his career advocating for a model of care that prioritizes human connection alongside clinical expertise. In a recent statement, he emphasized that the most important part of healthcare can never be measured by a scan, contained in a medical chart, or replaced by technology. 'Before every diagnosis is a human being,' he said.
Gillen, who has helped thousands of stroke survivors regain independence and trained generations of healthcare professionals, argues that meaningful care begins when patients feel seen, heard, respected, and understood. He encourages a partnership-based approach rather than one where clinicians stand above patients. His philosophy is grounded in empathy, conversation, and mutual respect, reflecting both his decades of clinical practice and his own experiences navigating the healthcare system.
As healthcare increasingly embraces artificial intelligence and other technologies, Gillen offers a cautionary reminder. 'Technology can organize information. Algorithms can process data. Artificial intelligence can improve efficiency. But none can replace the trust built between patient and caregiver,' he explained. He believes technology should enhance healthcare, not replace the human relationship at its center. 'Patients don't simply need answers. They need conversations. They need options. They need someone willing to listen before reaching for the prescription pad,' he added.
Gillen's contributions to the field have been extensive. He has authored more than 200 scholarly publications and several leading textbooks, including Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach and multiple editions of Willard and Spackman's Occupational Therapy. His work has earned him numerous honors, including the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship, regarded as occupational therapy's highest academic distinction. Although retired from Columbia University after 31 years of service, he continues to write, speak, and contribute to the profession.
Gillen hopes that the next generation of healthcare professionals will never lose sight of the person sitting in front of them. 'The best care is both clinically sound and deeply human. That is what makes it meaningful,' he said. As healthcare evolves, he believes the profession has an opportunity to embrace innovation while reaffirming the timeless principle that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and genuine human connection.
