“Time to smile, Dashi!” Thus were the words of my 2 1/2 year old grandson, Oliver, to my 7 month old grandson Dash, as he was in midst of a crying spell. Oliver is a very matter of fact boy. When you ask if he is hungry, he will thoughtfully consider the question and answer a simple, “I am.” or “I’m not.” Unless, of course, ice cream is involved, then the answer is always “Yes!” When you ask if he enjoys a particular toy, he will simply say, “I do” or “I don’t.” Unless, of course, the toy is a car, in which the answer will again be “Yes!” (chip off the old block I guess :-).
Wouldn’t it be nice if everything in life were as straightforward as the answers of a two year old? While most things become much more complicated as we get older, some do not. Here is an example. Our unofficial motto is “What a blessing it is to work in a place where we love people for a living.” It really is a blessing, and we really do love people for a living. Simple. A few days ago I received a message from one of our volunteers who works in the gift shop. She said that as a gentleman was leaving, he turned and said, “This hospital is the jewel of our community.” When we love people for a living, we are simply treasured in return!
Our Hancock family really is like a family. We work together, we cry together, we play together. We welcome new members of the family with smiles and we wish others farewell as they depart. Sherry Gehring, our Chief Nursing Officer, is moving into retirement and we are preparing to wish her off in grand style. Stephanie Taylor, director of our wound healing center, has been promoted within the Healogics company and will be taking on regional responsibilities for several wound care centers in the upper Midwest; we wish her the very best. Derek Mounsey, Administrative Fellow in my office, will be heading off to medical school in June. If he is as successful as a physician as he has been as member of our administrative team, he will experience a very, very bright future. Finally, and sadly, we recently bid farewell to Dr. James Anderson as he passed beyond the bounds of his earthly life. Each of these individuals has touched us in some way, leaving us a better family because of their presence.
Many thousands of people have been a part of our Hancock family since we opened our doors in 1951. Today, we build on the passion and purpose of each of them as we approach our work in new and innovative ways. Our next set of all associate meetings will be coming in mid-June and you won’t want to miss the updates. Until then, enjoy the month of May in Indy – I know I will!
Steve Long
CEO
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