The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round (Jacobs Announces Retirement December 31st)

Okay, so the word is out, way way out, that my tenure at WMC/WRI is beginning to wane.  As I look toward the next chapter of my life, there is something that you all need to know.  The board has met with both leadership teams to reiterate their complete support of my position until I am no longer here.  What does that mean?  It's like the old saying, "It ain't over until it's over."  

Interestingly, when one of my senior leaders heard my plans, he turned to me and said, "I can see it now. In about a year after you are gone, there will be weeds growing in the fountains, the trees will all be cut down, and all of the bullies will rise again!"  In fact, the rubber band seems to have started to return to its original shape already.  Last week we had an employee make one of our most important sponsors the offer of an appointment sometime next year. That sponsor selected another physician at another facility.  We then had another employee inappropriately question a guest's intentions. 

Let me tell you that, until they pry my retired fingers from my presidential desk, the weeds will not take over, the bullies will not be tolerated, and anyone who does not demonstrate love and respect for our patients and their families will be offered a transfer to any of our neighboring hospitals.  There is NO ROOM here for tolerance of anything that does NOT produce an optimal healing environment, that is NOT PLANETREE in every way, that does not embrace the vision of prevention, wellness, respect, and love.

I'm sorry if I sound upset, but this is an extremely serious situation. If any of you believe that we can go back to being a "NORMAL" hospital and survive, your head is buried deeply in the sand.  If any of you think we can be unpleasant and continue to capture the imagination of our patients and their families, you are completely delusional.  We are engaged in a struggle that will not easily be put to rest.  There is an urgi-care center, a surgery center, and a medical mall being built less than two miles from our walls. 

This, my last regular WMC blog post, is directed to the 15 or 20 people who are falsely being lured into believing that those of us who have embraced this nearly Utopian philosophy will permit you to run rough shod over our healing environment.  We will not.  The 600 other employees who do get it WILL WIN, and I will not let go unless or until I am no longer in a position to influence our work.  Our search committee has been charged to look for a replacement that also embraces this vision.

Comments

[Lavinia Weissman]

Nick, give me a call some time ---- www.laviniaweissman.com

I honestly doubt you are "retiring."

[Rita Schwab]

Nick,
I feel a sense of loss and I don't even work for Windber. However, I'm sure you'll continue to offer valuable contributions to healthcare in the years to come.

Best wishes.

[Mike]

Sorry to hear that you are retiring. You should start a mentorship program offering your expertise to other would be healthcare execs. I will be the first in line to listen to what you have to say. Best wishes for a long relaxing and I suspect well earned retirement Mr. Jacobs.

[bibi hahn]

You go Nick. I'm really sorry to hear that you're retiring. Esp. if that medi-mall is being built so close to you. So many hospitals, as well as medical practices, are becoming walmarts of medicine.