Iowa Specialty Hospital

Notes from Steve

September 17, 2015

I was telling a friend last night that my life is in a weird place.  I’ve been wishing and praying that I can clear off my plate a lot of leadership “duties” and just enjoy life.  Well, over the last 3 to 6 months I sold grounded and moved to a guitar playing role at church instead of a leader of the band position.  This gives me pause.  I don’t really know what to do if I am not in charge of a situation.  I realize it is the opposite of what most people are used to (I also don’t like going to concerts because I would rather be on stage playing than in the audience listening).  “Interesting …” my friend said as if there was something very wrong about what I said – I immediately felt odd.  

When someone moves from sous chef to chef (or vice versa) or doctor to assistant or apprentice to master … there is a shock to the system.  I remember when I first got glasses in seventh grade.  I had no idea!  The world truly and literally came into focus.  Last night my friend talked me down from the odd place that I was at and challenged me to look at my situation with grace.  She asked me to find what was wonderful with my new position and although the end results may not be mine if I am not in charge – that I should find a way to love and appreciate … anyway.  

 

At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics we are used to being award winning and acknowledged.  We are used to being a leading rural voice and other rural hospitals look to us for guidance.  What if they didn’t?  This is the time of year when all the healthcare magazines and survey companies give awards to the “top” hospital for whatever – quality, service, financials … whatever.  We’ve been acknowledged in a lot of things over the years (one thing recently that comes to mind is the Des Moines Register’s top employers).  We chose not to apply this year to several of these award givers.  The reason was we wanted to focus internally on being great.  Honestly, this is somewhat hard for me.  I like being a leader.  I like to be in charge of the journey – for others to look at us for guidance.  But, I know that sometimes – stepping back and focusing on my craft and being the best I can be is reward in itself.  Can I be a better guitar player if I don’t have to worry about all the other stuff – absolutely.  Can we be a better organization if we don’t have to worry about jumping through hoops to achieve certain awards … probably.  Interesting thought at least …

 

-Steve Simonin, President & CEO

 

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