As busy as our schedules get, we set up this meeting at his clinical office which I walked to on campus. When I got there I was greeted by his nurse who quickly brought me to the back to meet with Dr. Halperin. She brought me around to one of the exam rooms and I realized that he was still with a patient and I quickly stepped back so as not to intrude. However, Dr. Halperin had invited me in to meet this patient who had to travel all the way to Louisville from Alaska to seek her healthcare. This patient has a rare lymphoma of the eye that requires specialty radiation therapy not offered in her hometown. She went on to explain that there are other facilities in neighboring states that could care for her condition, but she could not afford to pay $86,000 in advance to begin her medical treatment which ultimately lead her to Louisville. A sad commentary on our healthcare system no doubt, but that can be the subject for another posting.
From there, Dr. Halperin completed his consultation with the patient and also took the time to educate the medical resident that was with him (and myself) about the intricacies of treating a patient with this disorder, and calming the fears of a patient who appears to be on the road to recovery as a result of his care. Without missing a beat, we then proceeded to another exam room to conduct our meeting. It was certainly an interesting venue in itself for a business meeting and a great environment to keep things in perspective!
In these tough economic times where everyone is being asked to get more accomplished in less time, it is refreshing to see a leader who is managing to juggle and keep his priorities in check. Not only is Dr. Halperin the Dean of a large public medical school, but he remains true to his roots as an educator, a physcian, and an advocate for patient care. The University is fortunate to have such a capable and balanced Dean who defines what it means to be both a teacher and a leader!
2 comments:
Marty I am just interested in how secure you feel in your position? The way these people are falling off aren't you a little worried? Those of us who have been here for years knows that when an employee leaves the organization there is some reason. It seems like no one ever bothers to find out what that reason is---Just good-bye, I hope it works out for you. These people have life skills that are in need as much as medical treatment. We have grown up with Jewish and it has always seemed pretty solid but the last few years have been nothing but chaos. And knowing the large sum of money we will pay to have some one (headhunter) find a possible president I don't see how it balances out. I fear people in those offices are having too much contorl.
You heros are your worker bees. The ones who greet the patient on the unit, CNA who meet their basic needs, evironmental to keep the unit presentable to new guests.
I have been a nurse many years and don't think I have ever seen anything like this. We are given sicker patients with less staff. When we have 6 paatients and one of them decides to "go bad" that will tie that one nurse up for more than an hour. In that hour who is caring for the patients she has been assigned?? Not the team members because they do not have the time to leave their patients. We cannot meet patient satisfaction requirements with so many things to do and so little time. Each patient deserves a few minute that belongs to them. The nurse needs to assure the pt there is no more important need that hers. BUT while you tend to one situation or another, the remaining patients on your team are being neglected, even when I specifically ask someone to help. When you resolve that first situation, you are faced with the other six patients who need pain med, potty, water, pills. IV's always beeping when you return to the floor, we do spend many hours apologizing for wait or slow service. And we must do that in a way they do not get a message that we are busy.
We have acquired alot of new unit managers lately and some of them are so young and not very wise about the ways of the wrold, no life lessons. But I have overheard that upper management wants "young, dumb people" they can mold into cooporate player.
Again I will say, look at the bedside of the patient, that is where the satisfaction does or does not make it. Recognize the "little people doing the dirty work."
Yes, that is pretty much becoming th norm at Jewish...young inexperienced managers that became a nurse for the money NOT because they felt compelled to service others. Let's wake-up and make wiser decisions.
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