Seeing and hearing from accomplished individuals with whom you can identify provides tangible examples that motivate you to continue on your career journey.
Q: What unique challenges might a diverse early- or mid-careerist face in advancing as a healthcare leader and planning their career?
Raul H. Zambrano, MD, FACHE, CMO, Aurora Medical Center:
Finding or developing a mentorship/sponsorship relationship that does not try to fit a square peg into a round hole is one of the greatest challenges diversity careerists face as they progress in their careers. Having a mentor who understand the unique challenges faced by diversity candidates and can help them come into their own is a process that usually occurs serendipitously and less frequently than it should through careful cultivation and actively managing up.
Q: What are some strategies for overcoming these challenges and finding successful life balance?
Sally A. Deitch, FACHE, President/CEO, The Hospitals of Providence:
Some simple strategies to create life balance is understanding the workflow within an organization. For example, knowing monthly deadlines, working in teams by using the skills of subordinates to complete tasks and clearly communicating your job requirements to your family.
Q: What is the status of diversity in the healthcare C-suite?
Lily Henson, MD, FACHE, CMO, Piedmont Henry Hospital:
We are slowly becoming more diverse in the healthcare C-suite, but we have a very long way to go. It takes more than one diverse executive to be able to comfortably speak up about challenges. Otherwise, you can be labeled as being a one-issue person, which limits your effectiveness.
Q: How did the Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program contribute to your success in advancing as a healthcare leader?
Larry D. Chadwick, Vice President, Hospital Operations, The Metro Health System:
The Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program provided me with the necessary professional and leadership tools and skills that were needed to advance to the next level. After completing the program, I became board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow and moved into a new position as vice president of hospital operations.