We decide who we are

By Ann Ryan, MD, Saint Joseph Hospital Chief of Staff

Recently, I found myself in a weird debate with Dr. Chris Bates. The admirable and awesome Chris Bates, previous chief of staff, grandmaster of the ICU and KP physician who, like so many others, was forced to leave us.

The debate was, Which chief had it worse? Chris, chiefing through the pandemic, or me, chiefing through KP’s transition out.

We both pointed fingers at the other and laughed about how things never proceed quite as you expect them to.

My own career is a great example. The decision I made to leave KP earlier this year would have been wholly unexpected at the beginning of my term as chief. But as the Saint Joseph/KP stitch began to rip, I was forced to pick the side on which I would stand.

I’d love to tell you the choice to stay was easy. But the truth is, in quiet moments, I was conflicted. Ultimately, my colleagues and I decided Saint Joseph Hospital was a place, a culture, a history, a quality, a family and a love we could not leave.

Even now, within the sadness of empty spaces and the overwhelm at the rebuild ahead, there’s this beautiful opportunity for us, for all of us, to decide who we are.

For decades, the story of Saint Joseph was written largely by KP, a deeply valued and trusted partner. While it was working, it worked exceptionally well. But between the lines we ran the risk of surrendering our identity to a third party. Our reality now seemed inconceivable then, an unwanted effect of the cause we created, hiding in plain sight.

With the handwriting of former colleagues now relegated to past chapters, the next words become our own. So, who are we? What remains for us to build on? Everything we need.

We are award winners. It’s hard to overstate our exceptionalism. We earn superior rankings and recognitions of clinical excellence from the State of Colorado, national accrediting organizations, safety watchdogs, media and our own patients that other hospitals in this market could never stretch to reach.

We are teachers. This part of our mission always will be our pride and privilege. As the dust settles, we’ve developed new pathways to ensure our surgery and OB residents complete valuable rotations. Our partners at National Jewish and Midtown Inpatient Medicine have developed new teaching teams and continue to offer superlative training right here at Saint Joseph.

We are leaders. It’s challenging to lead when the path is in doubt, but so many of you are rising to meet the moment. I’d like give shoutouts specifically to Dr. Anna Newman, Dr. Noelle Bertelson and Dr. Meredith Alston for filling vacated positions with energy and grace. It’s our tradition to lead through character, by example. That path will never fail us.

We are collaborators and co-conspirators in our own success. Thanks to an extraordinary collective effort, there has been no gap in coverage as team members have left. We meet the metrics, continue to outperform our competitors and exceed even our own highest standards.

We are a 150-year Denver icon. Since well before our partnership with KP, we’ve healed the city’s least-fortunate sick and injured. Our trajectory in this community, from our humble beginnings to our towering present day, is unmatched. Everyone reading these words has been vital to this story.

True, it’s tough to decide who we are when we’re continually reminded of whom we’ve lost. You’ve read Amy Blasing’s announcement about the 3% cut in staff. People we care about, whose work we value.

Reductions are gutting; there’s no word that better describes them. All I can say is that I have confidence in Amy and Adam George and Dr. John Tynes, in their experience and ingenuity and compassion to pivot as needed so we can regroup and rebuild.

This will take time and require our patience. It also could use our tenacity and faith. Our good humor and our strength. And of course, our full investment in being the outstanding physicians we are, whom our patients need and deserve.

You probably want me to say that I’m confident our story will have a happy ending, all tied together with a pretty pink bow. But that’s not real, and bows are boring. I’d much rather be a character in a story that only promises to continue. One that we can affect. One that inspires us to grow beyond what we see as our limits as it unfolds.

So with all due respect to my dear friend, I am honored to chief at this precise time: today’s Saint Joseph Hospital. And I’m optimistic, even excited, to see what’s written on the next page.