First Week at Fozzie's

A few of you have emailed me to ask how it's going in the new job. I can assure you that there is NO way I could have ever prepared for this job. It caught me off guard and it continues to catch me off guard as I meet new people, am introduced to more meeting agendas, and have to constantly weigh the tensions between hospital politics, hospital economics, and the hospital mission. It's like walking a tight rope and I'm only observing. I realized very early that I have very little contributions to offer the senior leadership team. However, I can ask questions. Some questions may seem stupid or obvious, but I'm taking the risk to ask them anyway. Even though some of these people have been through extensive strategic planning episodes in the past, each situation presents unique challenges. So here I sit, the village idiot, interjecting questions where I can. It helps in regard to the highly complex analytical processes, but also helps me learn the ropes. I’ve been absorbing the inundation of new information. I keep telling myself to be like Sponge Bob…become a sponge!

Haha, right?

But yes, things are going well. On my first day, I was privileged to sit in on new employee orientation, go to lunch with all the senior operations folks, have a two-hour one-on-one with the regional CEO, join the personal weekly updates of the "C"s at St. Fozzie's, and sat in on a physician recruitment brainstorming session. Coupled with the copious amounts of information being thrown at me throughout the day, the physician meeting kicked me over the edge, into information overload. On Monday night, during raging thunderstorms in the Chicagoland area, I took a glass of vino into the tub with me. I think that'll be a regular prescription for this exhausted fellow!

Tuesday, I joined the senior leadership team in the administrative boardroom (complete with leather chairs, coasters, and laptop pads) and got to ask a few more questions about some organizational changes at St. Fozzie's. Then I had the honor of observing in the system Board meeting. Being at least 20 years younger than every single participant (including the youngest nuns), I felt gracious just for the experience. So for the second day in a row, I was beat. I was thoroughly soaked and I felt that if I turn my head sideways, my brain matter will ooze out my ears. How's that for a visual?!

Wednesday, I was introduced in the leadership forum at the hospital and joined the medical staff meetings. Leadership forum is like a big cheerleading session, whereas medical staff meetings consist of doctors scrambling in to sign in (for their CME credits), grab a plate of food, and jet to the next commitment. The contrast between the two struck me as funny. I will admit that I have been eating pretty well. Despite not eating much at home, these luncheons have kept me nourished.

Today, I am back in town for another meeting at corporate. I really think that this week is one big test, as the senior execs throw me into whatever they can find. I requested some background literature on today’s meeting and Sister (yes, my superiors consist of CEO, CFO, COO, and Sister Lourdes…Sister is quite the pistol and she’s already keeping me on my toes) gave me two STACKS of books to read. She then asked me to have them read by yesterday. So that’s what I’m up against here! It’s great though, and even though I’m only four days into this job, it’s already a priceless experience.

Tomorrow, I have basic meetings at St. Fozzie’s and might actually get a chance to decorate my office. My office (having lucked into a huge space), is bigger than my living room. If I try hard enough, I can get my voice to echo. All joking aside, it was disconcerting to receive such premium office space, complete with the huge desk, bookcases, and file cabinets. Now I just need something to *put* in the huge office!

I will also admit that I’m ready for this week to end, just so I can stay in one place for a bit and SLEEP. I hope my body soon adjusts to this pace! Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers; your thoughtfulness and prayers have really buoyed me through this week. I will do my best to keep in touch, especially if Jack can successfully fix my DSL this weekend!