Message from the CEO
Chuck Gijanto
Interim President and CEO
June 10, 2022
Summer 2022,
It’s June, which means summer is right around the corner. I honestly believe summers in Upstate NY are among the best anywhere. Certainly, the recent warm weather we have been having has many of us thinking about this cherished, but short season. The days are long, the evenings warm, the produce is fresh, the beach calls, BBQs with friends and family are the order of the day, and outdoor activities keep us outside in the sunshine and fresh air. As the song goes, “summertime and the livin’ is easy”.
Certainly, the work we are all doing is not easy and in recent weeks we have been busier than we have been in a long time (Covid aside as that was a different form of busy). We are an organization and leadership team that supports and recognizes the benefits of a work-life balance culture. Healthcare is more difficult now than it has ever been for a number of reasons, (most of that ground has been covered in previous blogs so we do not need to cover that ground again). My point though is that after a long, gray, cold winter we all need to get outdoors and enjoy the nice warm weather and fresh air. Everyone has worked so hard the last couple of years and the fatigue factor is real. So, my point is, make sure you get some vacation time in during the nice weather. Yes, we have to balance and juggle time so that everyone gets it, but that is on us as leaders to figure out. Naturally, everyone cannot get the same time off and we have rules around how and when time is requested, etc., but please make sure that you do take some time.
We owe it to each other and our patients and residents to be as refreshed as we can be, to be on top of our game. Sometimes to do that, we need a little space and time, and though it may be a little unconventional for a CEO to be telling folks to take some time off, I am saying, take some time off. You all do wonderful work for our residents and patients and I, the Board, and the senior leadership team truly appreciate what you do. Take advantage of our truly spectacular summer, read that book you have been putting off, go camping, attend that concert, and even work on the therapeutic project around the house you have been wanting to do. Whatever it is, take advantage of the season. As the saying goes, if you blink, you will miss it, it’s so short. As you might guess, summer is my favorite season, I am sure it is for a lot of you as well. Let’s all celebrate this short but amazing season!
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With Andrea Narrow stepping down on June 10th, I want to thank her sincerely for all she has done at Oneida Health in her nearly 7 years here. She has set the standard for customer service and user-friendliness, and she will be missed very much. As mentioned earlier we will wait for Jonathan Schiller to assume his new CEO role at the end of June and for him to make his choice on how the longer-term role will get filled. Until then, I am pleased to announce that during the interim period Loni Petrie will be stepping into the role. Loni is currently working in ECF and has been orienting with Andrea this week. I know she will do a great job for Oneida Health.
Sincerely,
Chuck Gijanto
Interim President and CEO
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