CUTTINGCUTTINGEDGEEDGEWinter

2020

In This IssuePresident’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Interview with Lance LeBlanc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Top ten reasons to renew your membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

New Year’s Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

My AASA Annual Conference 1st Time Attendee Testimonials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Upcoming Webinars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Membership Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Thank You To Our Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

THE

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PresidentLonn McDowellPast PresidentRebecca NapierVice-PresidentSusan MarxSecretaryHeidi Gibbs

TreasurerDan OttChair of Membership CommitteeJoellen BuckioChair of Education CommitteeJonathan Radin

Co-Chair of Education CommitteeGeorgia SmithChair of Communications CommitteeNicole JenningsEastern Region RepresentativeNargis Hossain

Southern Region RepresentativeWendy WebsterMidwest Region RepresentativeTimothy RoachWestern Region RepresentativeGiana Aluculesei

AASA Board of Directors

Happy New Year AASA!

Our 32nd Annual Conference in San Francisco “Gateway to the Future” was a tremendous success. Thank you to Christal Moore, Jonathan Radin, our Education Committee members, our speakers, McKenna Management and all of our attendees for making it an incredible event. Our annual conferences are one of the many ways that our membership can Collaborate with each other to help with our daily challenges, future organizational strategies and to support our profession overall. Our members are our strength and the very core of our association!

We are all looking forward to our upcoming “AASA Retreat: A Retreat Divided,” Wednesday, March 18 to Friday, March 20, 2020 jointly hosted by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Duke University. The agenda is full of opportunities for us to develop ourselves and others professionally and to visit other medical centers and departments of surgery. Our Regional Representatives: Wendy Webster, Tim Roach, Nargis Hossain and Giana Aluculesei have put considerable work into planning what will be one of our best retreats yet.

The AASA is in the process of surveying our members on association engagement. We would like to know what you feel is working with your association, what we can change and particularly how we can utilize electronic platforms and social media to share information to keep us all on the “Cutting Edge” of our professions. Also please reach out to me, or any of our board members, at any time, with ideas and feedback.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon in North Carolina!

Lonn McDowell AASA President

President’s Message

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AASA: The AASA has a broad reach nationally in academic medical centers, and Bridgepoint Coaching & Strategy Group is an active sponsor of the AASA. Would you share with our members why you chose to proceed with a sponsorship?

LeBlanc: It’s funny, we started sponsoring because Steph Farmer (University of Colorado) asked us too. We’ve worked with her and her team for a while and have a high level of respect for Steph and her organization, and what they have accomplished. We don’t do a lot of sponsorships – we are picky on purpose. We try hard not to be sales-y or cheesy. We’d rather spend time studying, learning and getting to know people. In the three years we’ve been sponsors, we’ve really come to love and enjoy those working in surgery administration - we found ‘our people’ in AASA.

AASA: For those who may not be familiar with Bridgepoint Coaching & Strategy Group, can you tell us about your team and offerings?

LeBlanc: We work in a ton of different industries as executive coaches, not as consultants. That means we are experts in creating new insights and approaches for our clients and their teams without needing to be subject matter experts in every industry; We are able to meet every client with fresh eyes and a beginner’s mind. We

tend to work a lot at developing the skills of new physicians and key administrative leaders as well as clarifying vision, mission and strategy. We want to have ideal client/coach partnerships that create a culture where people want to work. To do that, we build personal relationships – organic relationships – that develop and are not formal and starchy.

AASA: We are ending 2019 and starting 2020 soon. New year, new start. What do you see on the horizon?

LeBlanc: We take advantage of December to tie up loose ends on goals for the year – reflecting on what’s been accomplished and where we’ve helped others turn the corner. We work a lot with organizations on clarifying mission, vision and values. It’s interesting that when it comes up in meetings, people often nod their heads but they are frankly sick of talking about it. The truth is that people are tired of spending time on words when vision and core values are not played out throughout the organization – a lack of follow through. People often don’t see the mission, vision, values modeled with leadership.

The start of a new year is a great time to check your team’s engagement and understanding of your strategic direction and make the necessary changes.

AASA: So how do you change the trajectory of meaningless words to meaningful action?

LeBlanc: We will talk more about this in an upcoming webinar but

there are two key areas; leaders modeling the values they espouse and your hiring practices. We work the team then the problem – the culture connection. Fundamentally, hiring is a key component. If you have the wrong people, wrong attitudes on the team to begin with, you won’t get the engagement you need. That’s

Interview with Lance LeBlanc, Vice President, Bridgepoint Coaching & Strategy Group

Support AASA with Institutional SponsorshipAASA Institutional Sponsorships support AASA educational programming, enhancing the body of knowledge within the field of healthcare administration and furthering the mission of the AASA . Benefits include recognition on the AASA website, at the Annual Conference, and throughout the year . Visit www.aasa1.org for more information on how you and your institution can support AASA .

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not to say you hire people who all think the same, but they should share most of your values. Hiring the right people must be really intentional to achieve a functioning cultural component with the right diversity of thought and alignment in action. If you care about delivering excellence, then you’ve got to evaluate what your leaders are modeling and who you’re onboarding.

AASA: What are some lessons you learned this year?

LeBlanc: Whether we work with

surgeons, administrators or ex-Army pilots, or oil/gas companies – we have common challenges. We must have compassion in how we coach. Regarding the AASA, I can tell you that I’ve never worked with so many people committed to improvement and learning by and large, and that makes for an exciting coaching partnership.

AASA: You mentioned leadership earlier. What kind of leader would you like to work for?

LeBlanc: The kind of leader I want to work for has a fierce

commitment to learning, is humble, and has raw determination (or perseverance). I also want co-workers like that – and back to hiring – many people don’t realize that they are not hiring individuals who have these qualities.

AASA: Lance LeBlanc will present a Webinar in February 2020 on “Why No One Cares About Your Mission, Vision or Values”. Look for more information in January 2020!

Top ten reasons to renew your membership and get involved with AASA this year10. Lonn McDowell is a great leader—Have you seen his accomplishments?

9. What other group can help you solve real world surgical administration issues?

8. Our Member Tool Kits provide a wealth of information and all members can help build them.

7. The 2020 Annual Meeting in Chicago, a technology and innovation hub since 1871.

6. Our FREE quarterly webinars on interesting and important topics.

5. Retreats allow an opportunity to visit other AAMCs and Departments of Surgery.

4. Opportunities to grow professionally through networking with fellow leaders.

3. Dynamic speakers at our conferences.

2. Where else can you reach 250+ people with one email when you have a surgical administration question?

1. AASA Members are a fun, engaging group of people who know how to get things done!

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We made it through January and now is the time when you may be well into a rhythm with progress towards your 2020 resolutions or you’re wanting to make a few modifications or add another one. Why not consider a professional development resolution in the form of joining a AASA committee?

Committees are a great way to engage with fellow members, add your voice and ideas to programming, communications, events, etc., and a wonderful way to develop professionally. Maybe you’re a new AASA member and want to learn more—join a committee!

Maybe you used to serve on a committee, took a break, and want to re-engage—join a committee!

Maybe you’ve got a new idea to share – join a committee!

Engagement from more of our members makes for a diverse and even better AASA.

We are currently seeking members for all committees and hope you will consider joining us.

AASA Committees include:

New Year’s Resolution – Engage in AASA!

Communications Committee

Create and maintain ongoing communications plan. Execute feedback and vision for website needs and social media. Plan and execute the Cutting Edge Newsletter. Enhance the Online Member Toolkit.

Chair: Nicole Jennings

Education Committee

The AASA Education Committee focuses on four key areas: Education Plan, Annual Conference; Webinars; and Professional Development. The outline below provides the purpose of each area, member expectations and meeting frequency.

Chair: Jonathan Radin

Finance Committee

Provide recommendations regarding financial position and decisions of organization.

Chair: Treasurer, Daniel Ott

Membership Committee

Provide recommendations to board and execute ideas that will grow and retain membership within AASA.

Chair: Joellen Buckio

For more information on joining a committee, please contact the committee chair listed.

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Upcoming EventsWebinar: Why No One Cares About Your Mission, Vision and ValuesMonday, February 10, 2020 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST Visit www.aasa1.org to register.

AASA Retreat: A Retreat DividedWednesday, March 18, 2020 – Friday, March 20, 2020 Location: Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina Visit www.aasa1.org to register

2020 AASA Annual ConferenceSaturday, October 3, 2020 – Tuesday, October 6, 2020 Location: Chicago, Illinois Visit www.aasa1.org to register

My AASA Annual Conference 1st Time Attendee TestimonialsAs an early professional in surgery administration, I anticipated my first AASA conference attendance to help me grow professionally and develop relationships among peers. One of the main reasons I decided to attend the conference was because of the variety of topics on the agenda. Several of the topics were issues I was trying to work through at the time, including a faculty compensation plan for a specific division. My overall desire for the conference was to meet new people and share experiences within the industry. The conference exceeded my hopes and expectations. It started by providing me with a great opportunity to interact with several colleagues from across the country in meaningful service – we were able to work closely together and participate indirectly giving back to the community. The conference continued to influence me by educating about processes and best practices in both formal and informal settings. I felt the conference created environments of being both conventionally instructed and casually taught, including the well-prepared presentations and during dining conversations or breaks. I felt the presenters did a fantastic job of delivering valuable information and being entertaining – several of the presentations gave everyone a good laugh. The opportunities given to ask questions openly or privately via the app was a great aspect and allowed members to give alternative input or relative application from their own perspectives. The venues were great and the overall atmosphere of helping one another was encouraging. I thoroughly enjoyed my conference experience. I believe members sharing information to help each other was one of the highlights of the conference. I compiled several take-home notes which have since helped me in my role. I had such a positive experience at the conference and I look forward to continuing to develop relationships!

Clayton Byington Member Since 2019

I really loved the conference! I thought the topics, speakers and people were all great. I am so happy I came this year and look forward to coming again. I truly enjoyed all of the great people I met and was appreciative of the opportunity. I look forward to seeing you again at the next conference.

Thanks! John Albis, MBA

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Eastern

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital ◦ Lorraine Levitsky

• Emory University ◦ Michele Lowry

• New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine ◦ Sara Mathew

• Penn Medicine ◦ David Okawa

• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill ◦ Jessica Phillips

Midwest

• Mayo Clinic ◦ Eric Reeve

• Medical College of Wisconsin ◦ Elizabeth Nelson

• Northwestern Medicine ◦ Samantha Cooperstein

• Rush University Medical Center ◦ Pamela Devlin

South

• Atrium Health ◦ Jill Emig

• Houston Methodist ◦ Mitali Paul

• LSU Health Shreveport ◦ Stacey Simpson

Western

• Stanford University ◦ Walter Damm

• University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine ◦ Kelly Estrera

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus ◦ Brian Shimamoto

• University of Utah ◦ Aimee Knudson ◦ Clayton Byington

AASA Membership Report

Thank You To Our 2020 Sponsors

Welcome, New Members!

New members July 23, 2019 – December 2, 2019

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors

Bridgepoint Coaching & Strategy Group

Duke UniversityMerritt Hawkins

Stanford UniversityUniversity of Colorado

University of South Florida

University of UtahWake Forest Baptist

Medical CenterYale University

University of KentuckyUniversity of Rochester

Medical Center

Michigan Medicine, Divisionof Urologic Oncology

SullivanCotterThe Medicus Firm

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of BuffaloUniversity of Florida/College of Medicine

UTSouthwestern