The past few months have been great, and frankly, writing on the blog isn't at the top of the list of things to do. While I enjoy hopping on here to blast out the occasional update or social commentary, I've spent my time and energy elsewhere. But I'm in one of those moods where I'm feeling the need to put down on paper (or the web) what's going on, so here's the August update/news flash/public journal for those interested in hearing what's what.
Back in July, my little sister got married out in Colorado, giving myself, my girlfriend, and family an excuse to head west for some rest and relaxation. My sister's wedding was full of fun and great reminders about the importance of family and how lucky I've been to be able to spend quality time with the people who matter most since leaving Seattle. After the wedding, Romeo and I got lost in the Rocky Mountains for a week and it was a much-needed break from the pace of life. No schedules, no meeting requests, no emails, no events to attend; just the two of us, a piece of crap rental car, and the amazing state of Colorado. It reminded me of my trip eastward from Seattle several years ago; and no offense to Annie (my dog), but Romeo is a way better travel companion. We did the usual Colorado things--hiking in mountains, riding bikes, enjoying scenery, etc., and it gave both of us a chance to turn off the work side of our brains and appreciate each other, where we're at in life, and the great things we're able to enjoy together.
For me, the break came at an ideal time. I had been feeling uneasy at work--not in the sense that my job was in jeopardy, but that I wasn't entirely sure the fit was there. I'm paid to help teams and leaders improve how their work is done, but that relationship can be delicate. For the system to improve, it requires a shared acknowledgment that something isn't working well in the eyes of the customer and better ways of working are essential. This isn't to say the work wasn't effective--I worked with a number of leaders and teams that were enthusiastic about 'getting better' and had some great results to boot. But I had been feeling a bit squeamish about my effectiveness in helping us get better.
So Colorado gave me a chance to step back from it all, take a deep breath, and gain some perspective on things. A few weeks after returning from Colorado I was approached about a similar position to what I do now with an organization that provides outpatient medical care. There's kind of a funny story behind how they knew I existed, which I'll tell another day. Let's just say it involved quite possibly the most embarrassing thing I've ever had to do in front of an audience. Anyhow, back to the job--they do everything from primary care to advanced specialty care, and provide the range of services you and I experience when we're not feeling well. The work would involve advancing quality improvement in both familiar areas (lab) as well as some not-so-familiar ones (surgery center). The opportunity for learning would be great, and I'd be closer to the work that 'touches' patients on their journey from illness to health (and preventive care too). But the work was only part of the equation, and I knew from prior experience that the setting needed to be right if I was going to consider a switch.
I went out to visit with their leaders to learn a bit more about them, as well as help them learn a bit about me, and the more I heard the more I felt inspired and upbeat about joining a group with similar enthusiasm, curiosity, and discipline related to quality. By no means are they a 'perfect' company (i'm not sure one exists), but for my kind of work there is strong commitment, infrastructure, and leadership to make a difference in the care we provide patients. This is what I experienced working out in Seattle, and is something that is hard to quantify, but it matters. My work gets far easier when there's a unified team supporting it, and I'm confident I'll have what's needed to make a difference.
There were a few other variables to weigh, but ultimately I decided to accept the job, which will start the Tuesday after Labor Day. It'll be a challenge, and it'll push me in new ways, but I'm optimistic that I'll learn while making a difference. As folks at my current job have found out about my decision, the conversations have been enlightening. It's been humbling to see and hear many of the compliments, and I am grateful for the relationships I've built and learning I've acquired over the past year. Most folks understand my passion for improving healthcare and why its important to me, and after they hear about the work I'm doing most have wished me well. And those that haven't said much or been lukewarm, well, you can't make 'em all happy. And I can understand how my quick stint may not be seen by all as something good for the company.
But ultimately, I own my career and how I choose to make a living. And I'm comfortable with the decisions I've made, how I've handled myself, and where I'm heading, which is ultimately what matters. I'll have a few weeks in between jobs to clear the head a bit and catch up with people I don't see enough, ramble on my blog, hit the golf course, exercise, and recharge the batteries.
So stay tuned, and wherever you are, enjoy the summer while we've got it!
