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I have never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions. However, as I start this new year, I am looking forward to a fresh start and looking at things with a new vision based on my new reality. For me personally, I start by looking back at what has been in 2023. In a nutshell, it has been a year of ups and downs.

Reflecting on the Ups
The ups, without a doubt, have been the excitement of the VHMA annual conference (our largest one yet!) and the honor of assuming my new role as president of VHMA. It was invigorating to interact with managers from just about everywhere (as the “Connect & Collaborate” map displayed at the conference confirmed). It was also such an honor to meet with the VHMA and CVPM boards in my new role as President.

Another incredible high point of 2023 was serving as one of the pilot hospitals for the VHMA OrgDD Toolkit. This product has been transformative for our practice and it was exciting to see it presented at the Annual Conference knowing that we had been early adopters.

Reflecting on the Downs
Not everything in 2023 was peachy (even though our practice is based in Georgia – the Peach State). We lost four doctors to other practices that provided compensation and perks we just could not match. It kind of set me into a hyper-mode of unanticipated recruiting and interviewing, making it hard to focus on our operational goals. 

There is nothing more sobering than knowing all of your planning for a great year can be derailed by others not wanting to participate in your vision. I know from other managers that they are dealing with similar challenges.

This really makes budget planning, inventory, and all those other end-of-year necessities a challenging juggling act. That’s why I save year-end evaluations until January.

Refreshing that Strategic Plan
Because things do not always go as planned, the new year to me means taking some time to refresh goals and objectives for the upcoming year. At my hospital, we go back to our strategic plan and see what priorities we need to add and subtract to keep us moving forward.  

Renew & Renew (Membership)
There is truly one more thing I like about the start of the new year. It’s the perfect time to look at so many areas of my hospital with a renewed personal commitment to my team and hospital.  That is a win-win for all of us.

And speaking of the word “renew,” the New Year is without a doubt, the time I make certain my VHMA membership has been renewed. Has yours? If not, I encourage you to do it now and to take advantage of all the great things VHMA has waiting for us in 2024. Happy New Year!