This week I attended the Idaho Hospital Association meeting in Sun Valley. I was proud to be recognized as the Trustee of the Year by the group. There are hundreds of exceptional Trustees in our State and each of them are deserving of similar recognition. All of the acceptance speeches included a shout out to their teams and support groups. Dr. Kelly McGrath, received the Excellence in Medicine award for his leadership on many levels at Clearwater Valley Hospital, his clinic, and the community. The Doctor reminded all of us that health care is a team endeavor. This industry is in transformational change mode and the complexity can only be addressed by well integrated systems and teams. I won’t try to tell you about each person recognized for exceptional leadership or honored at the end of distinguished careers. I know each member organization is “obsessed with quality and safety.” You want to rely on health care providers who are patient centered, focused on community wellness, and relentlessly striving to improve outcomes. Idaho ranks sixth in the CMS data that compares 20 value based purchasing measures that include “process of care, safety, clinical care, and efficiency.” Based on these medicare and medicaid services hospitals or systems can earn reimbursement of a portion of the uniform CMS fee. The industry is challenged to transition from fee for service to pay for value. I am proud to say that St. Luke’s is a leader in all regards and will not rest until we reach “high reliability” in every quality and safety category. You are in good hands in Idaho.
Most good conferences have an outstanding speaker and the IHA exceeded my expectations with Dr. Ronan Tynan. Born with phocomelia, a condition which led to a double amputation below his knees at the age of 20, Ro was fortunate to have the love and support of his parents and his township in Kilkenny, Ireland. Ro is six foot four and 260 pounds with a totally bald head, Shrek like ears, and a fine sense of humor. He opened with an Irish ballad called Ride On and he finished with Hallelejah. In between he told many self-deprecating stories and inspired us with his journey through life. As a youth his father and mother always reminded him to work on his strengths and to believe in himself – pretty standard parenting – but effective for a child who was driven to succeed. Ro recalls the strength to be gained from the faith of others – “success is not a solo flight.” He told several very humorous stories about Irish compassion – genuine and consistent until the pub closed or the grieving person ran out of money. Mentors are “a batallion of inspiration”. Do not be “slow in giving or accepting encouragement.”
Ronan was walking stairs to get in shape a few weeks after his prosthetic legs were delivered. Within a year he was winning international competitions in track and field athletics. He represented Ireland in the 1984 and 88 Paralympics, winning four gold, two silver and one bronze medal. Ro told the story about learning to throw the discuss with the help of a neighbor who taught him the footwork by waltzing with him in the oval. Ronan still holds the world record in the discus. Imagine a 6’4″ man on artificial legs running a 13.8 second hundred yard dash. He left athletics and won a “Voice” type contest which opened his new career in Opera singing. A few awkward mishaps included a trip and ultimate landing on Madame Butterfly and a leg falling into the orchestra pit during a solo. An accident temporarily ended his singing career. Undaunted he went back to school and earned his specialty in Orthopedic Sports Injuries from Trinity College. When his voice returned after his accident he joined/formed the Irish Tenors who continue to perform around the world.
I will finish with a few other words of wisdom from the Irish Tenor. You must be honest with yourself. Build on your strengths and ignore your weaknesses. Smile – It is the cheapest drug on the market and has no side effects. Winners prepare and are gracious and humble. Ronan talks about the “spirit” to push forward in pursuit of your goals. Belief and encouragement light the candle in his experience.
Ronan lives in Boston and is now an American citizen. He is the second Irishman who reminded me that this is a great country and regardless of who wins the election – America will overcome. Although he did not mention a sense of humor, it is obvious to me part of his success is being able to laugh at himself and realize there is a bit of the “luck of the Irish” in most accomplishments.
Enjoy the week end. M