A Message from the President
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July 2010
We live in a frenetic, fast-paced world. We are constantly asked to do more with less; and the demands on our time, both at work and at home, continue to increase exponentially. We work hard, and live non-stop, 24-hour lives. Information comes at us in waves and from every conceivable venue and technological gadget. We have come to expect instant responses, instant results. The Internet propels our ability to gather information at lightning speed while our brains scramble to catch up. At times, it can be exhausting and overwhelming.
For all those reasons I firmly believe that despite the importance of our collective work caring for patients and their families, it is also important to care for ourselves and our families. To strive to maintain a sense of balance in one’s life—not something that is necessarily easy to do. And so, having just returned from a few restful days away with my wife and our two young daughters, (Okay, I admit to checking my Blackberry on occasion.) I would like to take a moment to remind everyone at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital how important it is to take some time to slow down, reflect and recharge the batteries. Summertime seems like a perfect time for such a reminder.
When we were kids, summer days were long and lazy and seemed to last forever. I can tell you that both my daughters consider Labor Day to be a distant spot on the horizon even as we brace for the impending “back-to-school” sales. And while the days may be long, for those of us in health care, they are anything but lazy. Illness and injury never take vacations, so it’s rare for things to slow down for any length of time in our hospitals. We all work hard and take pride in caring for our patients. But our work can be stressful and emotionally draining. We often come to know our patients very well, and the tough cases—particularly when the outcomes are not optimal—can be emotionally draining. That is why it is so important to take a break, even just a few days away to relax and have fun.
While our first priority in the hospital is to care for our patients, we also must make it a priority to care for ourselves and for our families. Whether it’s a long weekend, a week-long vacation, or even a “staycation,” taking time off during the summer is a great way to rejuvenate our spirits and renew our sense of purpose. It also makes us better health care providers. When we are able to take some time for ourselves, we typically return to work reinvigorated, ready to tackle challenges, inspired to help our colleagues and peers, and of course, our patients. Time away helps us to maintain a more positive attitude at work which in turn impacts our ability to create a healing environment and create a better patient experience.
Time is our most precious commodity and none of us can buy more of it. Some of our patients poignantly remind us of this fact each day. Let’s honor that notion and our work. These are not mutually exclusive ideas. We entered this field to help people—but we must also care for ourselves. From the doctors and nurses to administrative support, housekeeping, facilities and dietary, we are all important members of the health care team and all contribute to the experience our patients have within our hospitals. Our daily roles and responsibilities vary widely, but they are all important. And it is because of their importance that I urge you to find time this summer to relax and spend time with friends and family. And then come back to work rested, rejuvenated and re-energized to pursue the most noblest of ideals: caring for others.
In closing, I would like to leave you with the words of William Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who wrote celebrations of ordinary people pursuing extraordinary dreams during the Great Depression. It is one of my favorite quotes. In his best-known work, The Human Comedy, he wrote: “Every day, try as much as possible to be wholly alive. With all your might—try. And when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be completely alive. We will all be gone soon enough.”
I wish you all a safe and happy summer and hope that you get some time to rest and relax.
In the steadfast pursuit of excellence, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Timothy J. Babineau, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Rhode Island Hospital & The Miriam Hospital
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