Second, in what other ways do you believe you have most helped the
organization?
As the Strategic Planning Liaison I worked to get the Board and Staff to
align on the future direction of the Hospital. The final work product was
called Vision 2015. The process of formulating the document created good
dialog but hasn’t necessarily been a driving force in our subsequent
deliberations.
The Board Development Committee was able to develop an outstanding slate
of candidates, some of which have joined the Board. However, the Board didn’t
fully embrace going outside our comfort level in terms of candidates from a
broader geography or skill set.
The CFO prepared a Five Year Cash Flow spreadsheet at my request that
was very helpful in assuring we could afford the numerous initiatives the
Hospital has undertaken in the past three years.
At my request the Quality Committee agreed to have a Quality Vision section for
each Board Agenda, but we haven’t yet fully accomplished my goal of surfacing
what policies, processes, technology, and training are necessary to achieve and
sustain a high level of performance. The Hospital performs quite well through its
normal approach; I’m just trying to uncover additional means of taking
it to another level and sustaining the gains.
Third, as you think back over your involvement in the organization,
what roadblocks have been most challenging?
Volunteer governance has inherent roadblocks. It is very difficult to “beam-in” a
cadre of volunteers once a month to deliberate complex issues when these people
have a wide range of knowledge, commitment, and beliefs. The Hospital Staff
provide in-depth, complex materials to the Board each month, and we deal with
them as best we can. In the end, the Board is mostly used to review and vote on
matters brought to our attention by the Staff. I would prefer that the Board provide
thoughtful advice and counsel to the Staff, as well as engage in a broader set of
community-wide health issues.
Fourth, what experiences within the organization have given you the most meaning and satisfaction?
I have enjoyed learning about the healthcare issues facing our community and
country through my involvement with the Hospital and my quarterly meetings at
CHW’s Headquarters. I have also enjoyed getting to know the Hospital Staff and
my fellow Board Members. Hopefully my involvement has been of some benefit
to the Hospital, though it feels relatively minimal at times. I would feel more
satisfied if the Board were to broaden its role to periodically assess the overall
health of the community and how the Hospital can expand its contributions to an
integrated healthcare system in Nevada County. I intend to try to expand our
Board’s focus as part of the Strategic Planning activity this Fall.
