Inspired to Carry On

Good morning!

Recently I posed a question on Twitter asking, “What keeps you going in these challenging times?” Today I will share with you some of the responses I received. 

Like many of you, I get asked that question almost daily. On Twitter, I answered my own question in this way:

In a venue where there is no character limit, I would expand my answer a bit. You keep me going. The amazing work I am honored to witness every day. The can-do spirit you bring to bear. The grit you demonstrate day after day after day after day. The young and the old. The experienced and the new grads. The belief that what we do has value. The determination to carry on.

CPR resuscitation efforts are performed when a patient is without a pulse. I do NOT mean to imply the Medical Center is without a pulse or a hopeless situation in my comments above. In the “Continue CPR” comment – I meant that we just keep doing what we do. Every day, try to be better than the day before.  Here are some of the messages I received in response to my question.

I appreciate each person who shared what motivates them to remain hopeful during these challenging times. But words of wisdom can be shared beyond social media.

Through the VC Notes, I receive many comments about things that you view as concerns or issues. I am grateful for each one of them and thankful that you will take the time to share your thoughts, comments and concerns on issues – big and small. I am thankful, now as I am approaching year seven as Vice Chancellor (and seven years of Friday VC Notes), that you continue to share your thoughts with me. Each and every one of them tells me something that I need and want to hear. Can I immediately fix every issue brought to me through this venue? Of course not. But I am informed by your thoughts and share many of them with members of my team.

We can all be inspired and uplifted by each other. If we (the world) ever needed a stronger sense of community, inspiration, and shared purpose - it is now. I invite you to share with me via Twitter @LAWoodwardMD or through the Ask the Vice Chancellor link your answer to the question – “What keeps you going?” I would be very glad to have a VC Notes in the future in which I share your responses. We need each other on the road to a Healthier Mississippi.