Dang. I’m overwhelmed, everyone - the cards, the gifts, the poems, the cupcakes … the videos and comments. Seriously overwhelmed. Thank you for helping me celebrate my 25th anniversary here at Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics. It’s been an amazing journey. I remember talking to Quint Studer in Pensacola sometime 15 years ago or so, and I was talking to him about looking at another job in a bigger hospital. He said “Steve, I’ve never said this to anyone before, but I feel deeply and spiritually that you are called to be where you are.” I thought that was a weird statement at the time - but he was right. This place has become my life and my purpose. You are part of my family.
Kara Heiserman was telling me of a story about my first day that her mom told her about. (For those who didn’t know Nancy Bakker, her mom - you missed out on an epic force - a truly beautiful soul.) Nancy told her that 25 years ago I, a 32 know-it-all, sauntered into the hospital with my duffle bag and plopped it down on the nurses’ station and said something like “Hey, I’m Steve, you probably heard of me. I’m your new administrator.” And she said the old guard nurses just looked at me … suspiciously. I do remember Nancy telling me to “beware, we eat our own”. But I still stuck around - probably because I didn’t know any different.
Throughout, there have been - ghosts and laughter, tears and costumes, weddings and funerals - and always food. Dancing at parties and babies galore and constant construction … over the years we’ve changed a lot of bricks and mortar, but more importantly, lives. Thank you for allowing me to push you a little with a sense of urgency, eat weird foods and try different wines, force you to smile in hallways, and think outside of your box - your zone of comfort. I’m not sorry for most of it.
(There has been some interest in seeing the tribute med staff hour so I’m going to have Kim Marker include the link if you are interested. It was so very cool!)
25th Anniversary Celebration: https://youtu.be/ITpd5DefFkg
Steve’s Thank You: https://youtu.be/kES1HN86Nl8
