Everyone told me I had to pick a lane—just one area of hospital operations to build my career. But I couldn’t ignore the pull toward something bigger. I wasn’t interested in just part of the picture. I wanted to lead the whole system.

Ignoring that advice wasn’t reckless—it was strategic. And it’s the reason I became the kind of leader who can connect the dots, drive change, and operate across complexity.

Sometimes, the best advice is the one you trust yourself enough not to take.

“Recognition isn’t a seasonal activity. It’s a leadership mindset.”

This week, I reflected on the power of celebrating people—not just during Patient Experience Week or Hospital Week, but as an everyday leadership practice.

Whether it’s a nurse who eases anxiety or a provider who advocates for their team, these moments shape culture more than any strategic plan ever could.

As we prepare for the wave of May recognitions, I’m choosing to carry this forward:
✨ Don’t just mark the calendar. Mark the hearts of the people you lead.