Slippers

If it weren't for the pink Cadillac slippers on Thursday night, I would have been in some serious pain.



As it was, I developed blisters on the bottoms of my feet from my ravishingly comfortable stilettos.

Thursday was the First Look for Charity, the opening night of the Chicago Auto Show, where we get all dolled up in black tie attire, sip champagne, and meander around $100k cars like we can afford anything more than a Camry.

It's one fancy gala. We're pretty much the riff-raff, but they don't discriminate as long as you pay the fees. And yes, Fabio was in attendance with his harem, although I missed him and his flowing locks!

The night started out excitingly engaged; people from all our area hospitals popped out of their respective woodwork to play for the evening. Congressmen, mayors, and benefactors milled around our hospital's hospitality suite. Hey, in Illinois, in an election year, that was the place to be. I watched in awe...those congressmen knew exactly when the flash of the camera would pop; they'd make eye contact with their prey of choice and one millisecond before the camera goes off, flip their Dentine smile toward the camera, somehow making it appear genuine and spontaneous.

That's the trick of the politicians.

It was just so authentic.

SO anyway, in this room full of important people, I saddled up to Nurse Jackie's husband and jokingly asked if he'd wait in the 30-40 minute line for my refill of Chardonnay. Several other women at our table requested the same. We figured we wouldn't see Mr. Jackie back for at least a half hour. Imagine our surprise when he emerged back at the table a minute later, gracefully balancing six glasses of wine!

He said he told the bartender it was for the congressmen!

And so we all got our wine refills.

We're keepin' it classy!

So after that dashing experience, Jack and I went up to the show room floor with a few friends from work. My first stop, of course, was at Ford, for their Mustang display.



Do they get any prettier?

We ambled between the Oktoberfest booth (who was giving out 16 oz pint glasses as souvenirs) and the sushi station, mixing authentic German brews with raw fish. I didn't know until later, that Jack was hoarding pint glasses and suddenly realized that we now have service for four.

No wonder that bag he carried grew so heavy!

The other highlight of the night was the drawing for the two Cadillac's. We matched exactly one number on each drawing and figured that we didn't really want a Caddie anyway. We're TOYOTA people.



On the way home, speeding along the Dan Ryan, I disputed Jack's plan to stop at the nearest White Castle (this is our tradition; nothing is funnier than walking into a White Castle when you're dressed to the nines and tuck napkins into your strapless gown so as not to dump mustard on yourself). I had to get up at the refreshing hour of 4 a.m. to get to Loyola by 8 a.m. for an annual ethics conference.

When I signed up, I forgot it was the morning after First Look.

It was fun. I remember very little from the conference and took diligent, verbatim notes so I could re-educate myself later. I did, however, run into two of my ethicist pals from a neighboring Catholic healthcare system. My plan is to shadow them (if they'll let me!) and see what their worlds are like.

I arrived home later in the afternoon and immediately crashed. I knew Jack had a rough week because, when I emerged again, he had about six dishes cooking on the stove. My outlet is sleep. His is culinary arts.

I guess it COULD be worse!

And I'm finally allowing myself to blog because I finished a decent draft of my first theology paper (due tomorrow). I forgot how difficult it is to write a theology paper when you procrastinate to the last day!

Rooftop Insecurities

I haven't really wanted to talk about work lately. The same things persist- lots of emotionally-draining HR issues and days of meetings that require me to get my "real" work done after 5 p.m. I'd rather talk about my extra-curriculars!

So I had this complete and utter flashback to middle school this week. I somehow received an invite to a Cubs rooftop game yesterday. Our legal firm invited the c-suites of our four hospitals that are in close proximity to Chi. While my office is in the c-suite, well, I'm still mid-level. I knew I had to carpe diem and go. Face time with the area CEO's is always a good thing. Sure, why not? But, the $64,000 question was, how do I dress for such an event?

[No vanity here.]

I hit the mall after work Thursday night and felt those stirrings I hadn't felt since middle school, when peer pressure dictated the need for Guess jeans, Nike Airs, and canvas Esprit shoulder bags.* Middle school was that crucial time when youngins try to find their individuality...to look and dress just like their peers. I guess we don't always escape that peer pressure, because there I was, flipping through racks of overpriced Nike golf shirts for my outing.

It was okay, though, because the only Cubs paraphenalia I own is a baseball cap (for which, by the record, I took a lot of crap from my fellow Sox fans!). I did find crazy shoes that went home with me on an impulse buy about which I'm still not certain (but you can kind of see them working with a red shell and black suit?)



Anyway, I drove up to Wrigley with my boss and we kept exclaiming about the hoards of people who seemingly took off early from work to hit the Chicagoan beaches. The water *was* pretty (and did not have that slight brownish tinge it usually has) from LSD:



The view inside the Lakeview Club was neat. I especially loved the all-you-can-eat Chicago style dogs:



It was hotter than Hades up on the rooftop. But the view was awesome:



The game was great (Cubs won, how fun) and I got to practice just being myself with these power execs who put on extravagant masks in the boardroom. At the game, people were much more real and we shared stories while swilling warm beer in the sweltering summer sunshine. If there's one kindergarten, After School Special lesson I learn during these types of things, it's to be nothing but myself.



*Idea credit- Nurse Starbucks for reminding me about Esprit shoulder bags!

Disfigured Feet...For a Good Cause!

Last night's hospital gala was an astounding success! We raised somewhere north of $300,000 and while my feet are probably forever disfigured from my torturing (but oh, so cute!) heels, Jack and I had a wonderful time at the Palmer House Hilton.

I had raced home from a patient care emergency to get my nails done and figure out my hair situation (to up do' or not to up 'do?). Jack arrived home shortly after me and after our requisite primping, we stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine and began the usually-30 minute drive downtown.

...but because of the Chicago marathon, an extra 45,000 people were in the city...milling around Michigan Street. So it took us over an hour to arrive and by the time we did so, we were quasi-wilted!

Regardless, we arrived in style, quickly met up with a few physicians and entered the main ballroom. It was PACKED. The gala was sold out and you could tell; seven-hundred people in black tie attire filled that room until you could barely move. We avoided the moving masses of people and shopped instead.

Silent auctions lined the ballroom's "ante" room, everything from wine tastings to restaurant certificates, from spa treatments to trips, from signed sports paraphernalia to Christina Aguilera concert tickets. I quickly decided I would bid on a package including two box seats in the Chicago Symphony and dinner at Rhapsody. I opened the bid and told Jack we'd babysit that one. I've always wanted to see the Chicago Symphony and, well, the tickets were for the performance on my birthday so I would save Jack a shopping trip!

On the same table, I spotted another auction item on which I wanted to bid: a large gift certificate to the RedHead Piano Bar (we've been "dying" to go there; they have amazing piano/jazz reviews) and a yacht cruise out on Lake Michigan at sunset (I guess so you can see the skyline from the water, at night). It was an impulse bid and I forgot I even bid on it!

After milling around the ballroom for a while, noshing on petite appetizers and champagne, it was time to begin dinner. A string quartet played while we dined on boring salads, dry, over-cooked filet, strange potatoes, and cute vegetables. To be completely honest, Jack could have grilled a better filet in his sleep...in the woods...without a grill! Not impressed by the food.

As the desserts blanketed the room, the formal program started. It included the usual set of speeches and presentations from any benefit, except this time, Jack had a personal stake in the celebratory video. He narrated part of it. It was strange (and yet, very cool) to hear Jack's voice booming around an at-capacity ballroom. I felt a swell of pride for him and sort of laughed when I glanced over at him and saw a look of wild terror on his face!

After the formal program concluded, we skipped the dance floor (the band, sophisticated and posh during dinner, immediately started playing songs that bands play at the end of weddings, where everyone is already sweaty and tipsy) and returned to the silent auctions. I entered into a bidding war on the Symphony package and it was now 4x the original price. I placed one last bet, thinking we'd probably lose the auction. I had forgotten about the RedHead package and picked up a "grab bag." For $100, you were guaranteed $250 worth of "stuff." Plus, our past president of the medical staff's wife coarsed me into buying one. Not really. (But she did!). The grab bag contained a good bottle of wine, Opera tickets, a gift cert for Cilantro's, a pedicure, and what I was most shocked by, a $100 gift card to a jeweler in town. Jack just signed and shook his head when he discovered that!

The wedding-esque dancing was going full tilt and Jack and I sat with several co-workers and enjoyed the last few songs of the evening. We did dance a couple of times, but events like that go so quickly. You're just getting comfortable and the band announces its last set!

The silent auctions closed and I swung back by our table to confirm that I probably lost the Symphony bet. Not only did we win the Symphony package, but I noticed my name circled on the RedHead/yacht package! We won both! With the grab bag I had purchased earlier, I spent (*cough, cough*) hundred dollars! While it was more than I intended, I know it's for a good cause. The cause that employs us both!

Last year, I kept gazing around the ballroom, thinking to myself, "wow, how in the world did I ever end up here?" This year, I was able to own the experience more and because of my involvement in the hospital, had much more fun at the event. I think Jack did, too, despite his look of wild terror at hearing his own narration!

So today, I'm hobbling around in my slippers, because my feet are killing me from my high-heeled sandals. But I keep telling myself, "it was for a good cause!"

Perks

I'm up uber early this morning, attaching my coffee IV, in preparation for a presentation I'm giving at 7:30 a.m. to a group of gastroenterologists. I go straight from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., no breaks. Nurse Jackie and I have started calling these days "no time to pee days." Sorry to be crass, but it's true.

However, the super-long days and stomach-churning pace of my life sometimes have their perks...

...Like being invited to a Cubs game on Tuesday night and a fancy, dancy hob-nobbing dinner tonight. Tonight's dinner, at Tavern on Rush, is another good example of this plush life into which I occasionally tumble. The folks abusing their expense accounts tonight are the owners and developers of clinical pathways that all our physicians use to treat a plethora of conditions. There are clinical pathways for stroke, heart failure, migraine, labor and delivery, just to name four out of the 800 or so we have.

So these folks have a lot of exposure in our system. And they problem have an awful lot of money.

I shall not feel guilty for ordering the Filet Mignon! Or the expensive cabernet.

Even though I still have to pay to get myself downtown (few bucks in gas) and pay to park ($6 with restaurant validation), it's a steal to have experiences like this.

These perks also help make the insanity worthwhile. At least I'll have neat experiences to reflect upon when I do end up in the looney bin!

ACHE = Wonderful

The ACHE conference was FANTASTIC!

Everyone warned me that I'd be so tired and would feel like crawling in a hole after ACHE. I thought the contrary; it was invigorating and intellectually-stretching. Sure, I'm tired, but that's from the uber-early mornings and the fact that I've been fighting off a sinus infection (or something) all week.

This is where it pays to work with doctors all day long. I texted one of the docs I work with and he's bringing me antibiotics tomorrow morning. One of the few perks of my job!

So, back to ACHE. I was nervous when I boarded the train in the pre-dawn of Monday morning, wondering if I could find my way around the Hyatt hotel (it's huge). It's a recurring nightmare of mine that events like this don't have record of me registering. I'm happy to report that they had me on file and that I registered successfully! Monday was the opening address and sessions on strategic planning and market reform. Basically, it was healthcare reform day, especially because the healthcare reform bill had passed the House Sunday night. It was slated to pass the Senate on Monday/Tuesday, and be quickly signed into law by the Pres.

Now, I know the healthcare reform bill raises hair on a lot of peoples' neck and incites wide-spread argument. This was the beauty of my session on healthcare policy. It presented the unbiased, unopinionated facts. There are so many perceptions, opinions, and biases out there, that it's hard to get an objective take on the bill.

While I could give you a Cliff's Notes version of the bill (which would include the fact that it's proposing to extend healthcare coverage to 32M people but cannot promise actual healthcare to these people...coverage doesn't guarantee ACCESS) I won't. The bill is going to really hinder hospitals' finances, with the introduction of value-based purchasing, bundled Medicare payments, and decreased disportionate share payments. How else will we pay for the swell of Babyboomers about to hit the Medicare paydirt?

That's the bottom line of the healthcare reform bill....it's paving the way for a fundamental paradigm shift in the U.S. Government's methodology of healthcare reimbursement. Most of the changes will not be fully implemented until 2015, so we have five more years to fight over the political, socio-economical fallout from the bill.

That, and its many numerations! Is there a Reconciliation Bill in the House? Pun intended!

Anyway, Tuesday started with another policy update on healthcare reform. I was afraid that healthcare reform would trump all the sessions' educational material. While it couldn't have been better timing that the healthcare bill was passed, it did come up an awful lot in conversation!
So after the policy update, I attended session on value-based leadership and physician alignment strategies. Then I went to lunch with a new group of newbie administrators at Tavern at the Park (as in Millennium Park). Newbie administrators seem drawn to each other and we scoped each other out during one of the coffee breaks. They were from LA, Detroit, South Carolina, and Texas. We had a lively conversation (about hc reform!). I also met folks from Denver, Miami, Cincy, and Seattle. In fact, I was the "boring" one who actually lives and works pretty close to Chicago!

The on Wednesday, I had an incredible, life-changing conference experience. I went to a three-hour workshop on leadership. The title was something like, "Leadership Tools for Emerging Healthcare Executive Wannabe's." The room was full of newbies like me, students, military personnel, and seasoned COO and CEO's. I thought it would be all newbies, but was pleasantly surprised at the audience's diversity. The subject matter was wonderful; the two session leaders were professors at a renowned graduate school for business execs. It was a religious experience for me and I felt so intellectually fulfilled by the session.

Sure, my back was killing me after 3 hours, but hey, sacrifices are necessary!

In the session, I sat next to a gentleman from one of the largest hospitals systems in the U.S. We chatted about the session, the lessons we learned, and how they relate to our lives at our respective hospitals. After the session, we both headed to lunch, one of the conference's highlights. In the grand ballroom of the hotel, 2500 people sat down to a terrific lunch and a phenomenal speaker on the Ethics of Leadership (one of my personal favorite topics). The speaker was the primary whistle blower in the Enron implosion and related a mystifying, yet terrifying story of what *really* happened in Enron.

It was a wonderful day and as I meandered back to the train station in the late afternoon, I felt an overwhelming tinge of sadness that the conference was over. I was fretting on Sunday, since everyone told me how overwhelming the conference was. And here I was, wishing I could do it all over again! The conference suited me (or rather, I suited the conference). After the first couple hours, I fit in. I felt comfortable. I networked with dozens of executives. I was in awe that, not only did the shoes fit, but I LIKED the way they looked on me.

So I do have an ACHE hangover, but I'm hoping to fix that when I receive my dose of antibiotics in the morning!

Speech and First Look

I had a couple of "regularly scheduled" blogs post during the last couple of days. They're place-holders. Let me tell you what *really* happened these last few days! Go get a snack because this will be lengthy!

Let's start with Tuesday. I had lunch with Bob the Builder, one of the Materials Management/Facilities guys I've worked with for years. He told me a secret (guess it's not really a secret if I post it here, eh?) about my office. He asked Elvis if he could have my c-suite office after my year is over. Elvis said no, that he wasn't planning on moving me from Administration and no, Bob couldn't have the office. Even though this was third-party, it boosted my spirits through the sky. Then again, the sun brilliantly shone all day and maybe THAT's what boosted my spirits.

Then on Wednesday, I loaded my house onto my back and took 2 days' worth of clothing and stuff with me as I went into work for a few hours. I had to be downtown Chicago for 11:30 am, so I only had a few hours to work. Nurse Jackie and I worked on a couple things and the morning zipped by. Next thing I knew, it was time to drive downtown.

Now let me tell you, I'm getting better at driving in Chicago. The highways are fine, I know where I'm going, but I'm still intimidated by inner-city streets. However, I was on the Dan Ryan into town and a car went screaming past me at 100mph+++ . Then about 16 cop cars were weaving in and out of traffic, trying to catch the assailant. Yes, I found myself in the middle of a high-speed chase and kept envisioning myself on an episode of Cops. Worse yet, one of my co-workers died that way (by being hit by a high-spped assailant), so my nerves were just awful.

With jangled nerves, I drove to the Four Seasons. Luckily, they have a fast valet service and check-in service, so I was up in my 39th floor room in about 5 minutes. This was my view...

My room was just...well...incredible. I see why they can charge $400-600 a night for the place. They think of EVERYTHING. Not only is everything down-stuffed and wonderful, they had top-rate toiletries, flat screen plasma tv's, surround sound cd player, and a tub that rivaled ancient Rome. I have an affinity for tubs and this one was great. When Jack joined me Wednesday night, I knew he'd take a man-bath (a Math). I instantly wanted to crawl into the bed and just relax.

However, I was in town for the Medical Executive Leadership Retreat. This is where administrators and physicians hang out and create relationships. So after noon, I left my wonderful room and went down to the Four Seasons dining room...where we noshed on wonderful shrimp, tortellini, goat cheese and pancetta-stuffed chicken, and espresso cheesecake. During lunch, I kept wondering why I wasn't nervous for my presentation. I was scheduled to speak at 3:00 and it was noon...when would the nerves hit?

Well, the nerves DID hit. But not until I was delayed from 3 to 4:00 pm. I was ready to go and I had the new Black Eyed Peas song stuck in my head ("Imma Be") and felt empowered. I then had to sit there while one of the lawyers went on and on about risk management. I was okay, though, and went on-stage with a glowing introduction from Elvis.

I took the stage and rocked it. I never really felt nervous because I KNOW my material. It came out naturally and conversationally. I fielded some questions and it was over. That was it! I sat down, still wondering when the nerves would really hit.

I was next-to-last for the day, so after the final presentation, the group dispersed and I went back up to my room. Passing through the Four Seasons lobby, I saw the back of Jack's head. Reunited! We had about two hours before we were expected for dinner at the Signature Room, we perused the Williams-Sonoma and stopped in for a quick glass of vino at Jilly's, our favorite Rush Street haunt.

Then we went to dinner at Signature Lounge. Thank goodness, it was a clear night and the view from the 95th floor of Hancock was amazing as always. We hob-nobbed with some docs and Jack did so well talking to everyone. He ordered the filet and I, trying to be healthy, ordered grouper. It came with some bright-green herb-rub smeared all over it, eliciting all sorts of Dr. Seuss rhymes in my head (Green Eggs and Fish? One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Green Fish?). Jack, my valiant partner, shared some of his filet with me (after a fair bit of prompting on my part!). Dinner went until after 10 and we were zonked. We retired to our room at the Four Seasons.

The next morning, I rolled out of bed and hit my morning line-up of meetings. Jack hit the gym and took his math (should I admit that?!). My meetings concluded at noon and we had three hours before we needed to get ready for the First Look. So we walked around WaterTower Mall and lunched at Gibson's on Rush. Deciding to stay on the frugal side, we ordered sandwiches. Prime Rib sandwiches. When the sandwich melts in your mouth, you know you've found a good thing. Luckily for us, Jilly's is right across from Gibson's, so we have two favorite haunts on Rush now. It was oddly relaxing to take our time over a late lunch, enjoying the world's best Prime Rib.

Eventually, though, we had to return to the hotel and get dressed for First Look. Jack donned his tux and I slipped into my LBD. We ended up escorting Sister Lourdes to the Auto Show too, as we left at the same time. That was...interesting! Sister took shotgun while Jack navigated the city streets at rush hour.

We made it to McCormick Place and to the Auto Show. St. Fozzie's had its own hospitality suite with an open bar and world-class eats. We talked with other ceo's in Muppetville, Board members, and other people I work with daily. It was fun to see everyone in their duds.

After an hour or so, we left the suite and entered the auto show proper. It was GREAT. They take the velvet ropes down and you can climb all over the cars and live out your wildest dreams. I loved the Shelby, the new Lexus sportscar convertible (yeah, right!), and most importantly, the two-door Nissan Altima sports coupe. It was my favorite and promise it'll be my next car.
We ambled around the car exhibits for a couple hours, sipping champagne, sitting in many cars, and catching up with several of my co-workers. I highly recommend the experience and we'll attend this event again next year.

We drove home (no high speed chases on the Dan Ryan, thank you!) and hit Wendy's on the way home. We were so into the cars that we forgot to eat the appetizers at the First Look!

On Deck

When I started little league, I was still a shy kid. I was athletic as a kid (hello, tomboy!), but I didn't know all the rules to softball yet. As a result, I played the outfield most of my first summer....for anyone who knows 7-8 year old girls know they rarely hit it out of the infield. This was okay with me, because I learned the game.

I got over that outfielder position and quickly graduated to first base, short stop, and pitcher. I liked being pitcher...I liked controlling the pace of the game. Yeah, I know, my control issues go back that far!

Anyway, I was not a good hitter that first summer I played softball. I was tall, and therefore gave the opposing pitcher a decent-sized strike zone. I didn't know when to swing and usually ended up squinting my eyes shut and blinding swinging when I sensed a good pitch was coming. I never had my eye on the ball that first year and any hit was purely by accident.

I eventually learned the wrist-rolling techniques to slap-hit grounders, the attraction to low-and-outside pitches that I could smack out of the park, and to resist swinging on a 3-0 count unless the pitch was perfect.

Nonetheless, that first summer of eyes-closed hitting scarred me. I was *so* nervous as I waited in the batters' box while the hitter before me tried her luck and skill against the pitcher. I'd practice, observe, and generally fret. What would I do if I made the last out of the inning or (gasp!) the game? Would they all dislike me? Would I fester over letting my team down? When you're 8 and still learning how to wield a bat, being the next hitter on deck is terrifying!

So fast-forward to 2010, twenty-some odd years later. I'm on deck again, but this time, I'm not swinging at things with my eyes closed. While I've often FELT like I'm a blindfolded, newbie hospital administrator, crazily swinging at pinatas in the sky, I think I've gathered a fair bit of experience as to when I should focus my gaze and keep my eyes on the target. However, it's still scary being on deck for several big events this week.

I will be attending the annual Medical Executive Committee retreat on Wednesday and Thursday. And I'm speaking at this event; I have a whole hour to fill with the wonders of stroke, the stroke order sets we've slaved over for weeks now (I have had some really messed-up dreams about those stupid order sets and know way more than I care to know about Neurological intervention for emergent stroke patients!). I'm sharing my knowledge with a group of doctors and from what I hear, it'll be a CME. As in, a continuing medical education credit for the docs.

The hospital is putting me (and Jack) up in a lavish room at the Four Seasons. Jack will join me in the late afternoon (I speak from 3-4pm CST on Wednesday) after my speech and we will join the 50-60 physicians and administrators for a dinner in the Signature Lounge, the 95th floor of the Hancock. This is the same lounge I begged Jack to escort me to a few months ago. Except that this time, we get to EAT. For FREE. Score!

So after cocktail hour and dinner, we'll get to enjoy the 5 star comfort of the Four Seasons. I have no idea what to expect; while I certainly prefer stately hotels, I think the nicest place I've ever stayed in was the Palace Tower of Caesar's Palace in Vegas. And that was only because Jack paid off the front-desk lady when we arrived!

After another six hours of meetings on Thursday, the group will be dismissed for four whole hours of down time (make that, prep time!) in the city before the First Look for Charity begins at McCormick Place. I'm very excited to waltz around the designer cars, sipping champagne, with Jack on my arm! I will be sure to post neat pictures of these next few days.

Until then, pray for me that I don't crash in this snowstorm. Every time I check the weather, they increase the forecasted snow amounts!

Sigh. I can't think of a better place to be snowed in. Except, of course, my fancy black heels for Thursday night are OPEN-TOE!

LBD

In my experiences at St. Fozzie's, I've really been thrust into the limelight far more often than I anticipated. Between fancy doctor dinners, the Gala, the golf outings, and semi-formal events at the area country clubs, I've ripped through the stash of semi-formal and formal gowns I accumulated in college.

I bought classic styles back then and thanks to my never-ending stress, I have a similar-sized body. However, I ran out of dresses and needed another fancy one, STAT!

The Medical Exec retreat downtown culminates in the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity. It's a black tie event and people waltz around fancy cars, sipping champagne, posing for photos with the posh offerings, and hobnobbing with Chicago's finest. I was debating going, just for the experience of it. It's out of my price range...but since I'm speaking at the Med Exec event, I figured I better go to the First Look. I forked over the money and told Jack we're eating mac & cheese and PB&J sandwiches the next few weeks. Plus, it'll help build my political capital with the senior administrators from Muppet Corporate.

Fine. Now, about that dress.

I figured I have NO problem finding a dress. I figured I could walk right into Carson's, Macy's, or Penny's and pick one up. I've been avoiding the Chicagoland malls because, for some reason, I HATE dress shopping. On Saturday, I drug Jack to the mall and stood there with my mouth hanging open when, at all three stores, all that remained of the winter formal attire was one or two racks of picked-over, 75% off, stretch-jersey dresses (in ugly colors, I might add).

Panicking, I started planning my contingency. I could go to the black tie event in a sundress I wear on our cruises, RIGHT? Maybe with flip-flops?!

In one last-ditch effort, Jack suggested visiting White House, Black Market. Typically, this store is way above my price range. Desperation makes you do some wacky justification, though! I caught sight of a gorgeous, black silk frock that was made for my body. I put it on, trying to forget about the price tag, while the sales staff fawned over me and dressed me in fancy baubles, coats, and accessories. If Richard Gere was my benefactor, this would have been great and I would have taken it all! Alas, we have an uncertain future that necessitates some money savings these next few months. I decided on the very beautiful dress, figuring I could shop at garage sales to accessorize.

Coming home, I slipped the dress on again to admire its fabric and shape (I don't get out much). It's really unlike anything I've ever owned. In a flash of brilliance, I ran to the jewelry box and dug out the pearl choker, necklace, and earrings I wore for my wedding. It's elegant, makes good use of that jewelry I haven't worn in almost 9 years, and certainly befits a black tie event in Chicago. It's the above picture, minus the belt, and with pearls. Plus, y'know, add about 40 pounds. :)

WHEW. I cannot tell you how relieved (and superficial) I feel to have this dress situation solved!

Pleading the Fifth!

Well, I finished the grant proposal for Muppet Corporate. It weirds me out that they accepted my draft pretty much on the first try. "They" encompasses three corporate VP's of Quality. Granted, I have another one due in January (to the US government, no less), so maybe they thought I was practicing?

Also, the article went off to the publisher this evening. Our Muppet process improvement work will be featured in the January issue of...[scratching head]...I can't remember. I should know this, right? Anyway, it's the third academic piece I've been able to publish in my lifetime and the fourth piece at St. Fozzie's. The Marketing people have let me start writing for the physician and community newsletters, so at least I'm getting decent practice.

Is it strange that I kind of like writing? There's an immediate gratification when it's published. The grant writing? Not so much...you may get the moolah, you may not.

I cannot believe that next week is Christmas. The shopping's not going to finish itself, is it? Dangit! I have a feeling that this weekend will be full of shopping and copious amounts of pizza-eating at Chicago's finest eateries. Next Monday and Tuesday are nutty at work while Wednesday slows to a halt. I was talking to Nurse Jackie today (our CNO) and she suggested we have a party on Wednesday. Administration receives all kinds of gifts for the holidays, including gourmet food, fine wines, top-notch spirits, and homemade baked goods from chefs that rival Martha Stewart. So Nurse Jackie suggested that we plan a party so that Admin can, um, consume some of the fun. Apparently, this is an annual thing. Hmm.

I had my assistant pop it on the execs' calendars as "Christmas Cheer: Must be 21 to Enter" and they all accepted the e-invite within 5 minutes. If you ask us whether we're drinking at work next Wednesday afternoon, I will plead the Fifth!

Immersed in Chicago Life

I've been downtown Chicago the last two nights. Tuesday night was a recruitment dinner with a gastroenterologist. We dined at a great steak place and I'm taking these opportunities to learn how people feel each other out. We have a few options for physician recruitment and the senior execs' chosen discussion points make me think. It was a late night and I didn't walk in the door until after 10 pm.

Wednesday night was a United Way fundraising event for Young Executives' Network downtown. I went with a new friend who has about three master's degrees and hails from South Africa. Inevitably, the people in healthcare gravitate towards each other and after being recruited to take leadership roles in the United Way (yeah, like I have time for that), we met up with a few folks from the downtown hospitals. Our informal fellow network is growing!

After the event, I wandered back to my train station and was heavily annoyed by the "ambient" saxophone player that's always playing "Careless Whisper" at the corner of Randolph and Michigan Ave. He frequently hits the same wrong note and I realized that I'm probably no longer a tourist if I'm picking on the street sax player.

Work's been flying this week. The stroke certification committee is well on its way. I've been in touch with a neurologist from our transfer hospital and he gave me a copy of their clinical protocol, saving us from having to recreate the wheel. The grants I'm writing are NOT started yet; I sent out an urgent message asking the team members for their perceptions of the projects. I need to draw on their verbiage. While that process is still challenging me, I had a neat political experience yesterday…

As leader of the stroke certification efforts, I needed additional information about some of the nitty-gritty parts of the Illinois legislation. I scanned the bill and couldn't find my answers. So I contacted a policy analyst downstate and she told me the rulemaking's not even complete. Huh? Then she solicited questions and clarifications that I thought should be in the bill, for they are still writing up the regulatory language! So I wrote her back with all my suggestions and she passed them along to the assembly.

SO maybe, just maybe, I'll have a hand in writing this bill. Or at least the regulatory language!

Nightlife

Another noteworthy thing that happened recently is that I decided I'm going to have a nightlife. I discussed this with Jack and he agreed, that I should live it up. Don't worry, I'm not hitting the nightclubs on Rush Street (well, not yet anyway!); everything so far has been for business.

Last Monday was Labor Day and I drove back to Chicago Tuesday before dawn. The traffic was beautiful, so I may actually do that again. But Tuesday night, I found out I had to play in the softball game. Administration has their own softball team and our star female player tore her ACL last week, so she was sidelined. We had few women, so I had to play. Before the game even started and we were just goofing around, I dove for a ball in the outfield. Not only did I MISS the catch, but I did a running roll and jacked up my left knee. I played SS again that night and out of about 12 plays in which I was involved, I only messed up 2 throws. All in all, I had fun.

Wednesday night was the quarterly family practice meeting. The medical staff usually opts to close down a restaurant on the south side and the meeting fills the whole place. I ended up being seated next to Headless Wonder. It made for supremely superficial dinner conversation, but I got to know several of the new family practitioners who aren't much older than me.

On Thursday, I surpassed a couple big milestones! I went in super-early to get some actual work done and was about to call it a day at 6 pm. My EVOO boss invited me, last second, to a physician dinner downtown. He was leaving and I had 45 minutes to get downtown. As Headless Wonder wasn't invited and the other invitee bailed, I jumped all over the invitation. But then I realized...45 minutes wouldn't afford me enough time to catch the train. I had to jump in my GPS-less car NOW, fumble my way downtown, through rush hour traffic, and find an intimate restaurant on those crowded city streets. For some reason, I've had a terrific fear of driving downtown. It's not the highways that scared me (had those mastered a while back), it's those tiny streets in the actual city. However, I survived and not only did I not die, I didn't kill anyone or knock anyone off the road. Success!

The physician dinner was a great experience, too. I've been asked to join the physician recruitment team, which dovetails the physician partnership team I already lead. This may be my niche, as I greatly enjoy talking to docs. Their practices and motivational patterns mystify me. That, and St. Fozzie's is trying to woo a few new primary care docs, so the dinners do serve a business purpose (seriously).

My newest responsibility in the physician arena is that I've joined forces with the Chief of Residency at St. Fozzie's, and he is going to help me partner up with the current and recent medical residents at the hospital. This is an untapped resource and I told him he needs my help...the docs are all my age and who better to try and get into their heads? We'll see how this flies. I'm a bit nervous as I get my own American Express for this purpose. If you're trying to entice new attendings to join the staff, is it okay to charge martinis?

So anyway, the Thursday night dinner went very late and my eyes felt as though sand scraped at my retinas on the drive home. However, I could stare at the Chicago night skyline for an eternity and I again realized the uniqueness of my situation. I'm very blessed and I'm running forward with these opportunities with renewed gusto.

Champagne...In a Can

Yesterday was an incredible day…I woke up in SB, took care of some stuff, received good news, drove to Chicagoland, went to 6 straight hours of meetings, left the hospital, drove to the train depot, and hopped on the train bound for Millennium Station. I had my first "date" with my new group of networking friends in Chicago. We picked a swanky, if loud, place to meet in the Loop. When I read the online reviews of the place, it said a lot of "drunk day traders" go there. Perfect! Really, though, it was just the late-20's and early-30's after-work crowd.

However, I made the mistake of not bringing my gym shoes, so I hobbled down Randolph in my heels (cursing the fact that I wore my uncomfortable heels and just ran out of the band-aid stash I keep in my purse).

Oh well, blisters heal, right?

I made some valuable contacts with these new friends (who are all in similar roles in their respective hospitals) and we compared our experiences so far. Personally, I think I have the best deal, as I get to define the path I take and then make it happen. These all folks must adhere to a strict schedule and structure and do lots of analytical work. Blech. I'd rather be in scrubs watching deliveries and/or open heart surgeries after I hit my quota of administrative meetings.

Oh, and in addition to actually having a weekday social life in the Loop, I even got to try champagne in a can. It had a little Hi-C "bendy" straw. It felt posh if not a little pretentious!

No-Go on the Mozzerella

As part of my fellowship, I have a "backstage pass" to the hospital scene. Out of, oh, 2,748 meetings these past three months, I've only been told I couldn't attend two of them. This is okay with me. Of the 2,746 meetings that ARE open to me, I hit as many as I can. As much as I want to participate and stretch my vocal chords, I also need to sit back and absorb as much as I can.

One of the best ways to absorb hospital policies, politics, and procedures is to join the Medical Staff meetings. Dorothy, one of my esteemed co-workers manages the Medical Staff Office and I have nothing but respect for her. She coordinates a LOT of paperwork to get the docs their credentials and privileges in the medical staff. She put me on the invite list for all the MS meetings.

I attended the OB department meeting the other night, which was at a schnazzy restaurant downtown. They served filet, salmon, and shrimp, as entrees in a five course meal. We have the actual meeting during the eating and usually, a drug rep will come in a do a quick talk about their product (as they underwrite the meal). Well, this time, the drug rep sat off to the side and a renown perinatalogist talked about his trademarked procedure on how to stop preterm labor in high risk women with multiple fetuses. There were pictures and very accurate descriptions of clinical situations where these women presented their symptoms.

The doctor launched into a detailed discussion of cervical mucous and how its appearance is indicative of the cervix preparing for labor. It was precisely then that my co-worker (sitting next to me) in Infection Control put down her mozzarella-laden, stuffed mushroom.

It was just gross. Even the clinical people in the room were wondering why this guy was talking about mucous and genital Herpes at the dinner table. Even the docs have limits! Not that the disgusting clinical cases stopped me from polishing off my tiramisu!

All grossness aside, I had a great time. I sat with people I've really only seen in meetings, so it was neat to get to know them better. While it made for a 14-hour day, it was still a worthwhile meeting to attend.

No Longer a Novice

Just another day at the office! Today was the medical staff golf outing (one of the more gracious events St. Fozzie's hosts to honor the physicians). Gratefully, the rain held off and the games went as scheduled. I actually had a good time, talking with the docs and figuring out how the administration-physician relationship works. I honed my golf cart-driving skills, learning how to take corners on two wheels. I solicited some advice on my golf swing. It was all-you-can-drink out there today and many folks were sweating beer by the end of the day. I abstained...well, until cocktail hour.

I nursed a Merlot and mingled with docs and administrators. Conversation flows easily when you witnessed Dr. Badaim ricochet several balls off trees and Dr. Nostyle get yelled at by the country club staff for wearing a sleeveless shirt! Plus, several of the doctors are on my softball team, which creates a lot of cocktail fodder. [We had a game last night and I made several beautiful plays at Shortstop until I threw a terrible throw, making an ER doc overstretch at First base and hurt his hamstring!] I had the most fun giving the Risk Management guys a bunch of crap for drinking multiple beers at a work function!

Anyway, it was a good time until after cocktail hour. As soon as everyone was served their first course, a bariatric surgeon commenced a presentation on the how's and why's of gastric bypass surgery. It had explicit pictures...and for the non-clinical folks among us, it was a bit graphic for dinnertime! We all thought it a bit ironic that the medical staff nominated this guy to talk about bariatric surgery when we were in the process of stuffing our faces!