My colleagues and I at MEDI Leadership I have the great privilege to work in support of talented healthcare leaders across the country. I am continually amazed at their dedication and perseverance as they strive to carry out their mission to attend to the suffering of people who turn to them in life’s most poignant moments. That mission has never been easy, especially for those who choose to serve the most vulnerable. And this year the challenge has been greater than ever.
The post-COVID landscape has created overwhelming demand for services, a permanently depleted workforce and dramatically increased labor cost and overall inflationary pressures without any offset in new revenue. None of those problems comes with a clear and risk free answer. Leadership in the face of those challenges demands courage, creativity and extraordinary resilience. I see how hard they work and how much they care. I see how often they absorb the hurt from those who criticize them because they have made difficult but necessary changes. And yet, they carry on, choosing to return each day to do their best to find a way to make it all work.
While it doesn’t happen often enough, we do on occasion express thanks to those front line caregivers who directly serve in our hospitals and physician offices. I can’t recall ever hearing an expression of thanks to those who work behind the scenes to build the structures and systems which enable the frontline staff to carry on their sacred work. So at this time of year when we pause to reflect on the blessings in our lives, I want to pause and express my gratitude to America’s healthcare leaders who are fighting to assure that in those moments when we need high quality, compassionate care, they are there ready and waiting to serve us. May you enjoy a blessed, joyful and restful holiday season.
