Better than yesterday, worse than tomorrow

By: Dr. Harendra Arora

A robust Department of Anesthesiology and its contributions toward the clinical, educational and research missions are vital for the success of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I come to UMMC with many years of experience in academic medicine at some of the leading institutions in the nation, including the University of North Carolina where I served as the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Anesthesiology for over 10 years. I am honored to have been selected to serve in the role of anesthesiology chair and am looking forward to helping create a nurturing environment that fosters excellence in patient-centered care, education, scholarship and physician well-being.A quick realization after spending my first few weeks exploring and learning about the department and about UMMC has been that we have an amazing group of talented and motivated people. Among us are role models who are fully committed to advancing the tripartite mission of the university. The time is ripe for an opportunity to coalesce and build upon previous successes; to create structural changes that would allow us to tackle new and existing challenges. My vision for the department is to create a collaborative environment that fosters a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, thereby promoting equal opportunities for everyone.

I am a big believer in “just” culture. It is an important aspect of creating a safe and supportive work environment committed to continuous learning and improvement. It recognizes that any adverse event or a near-miss is a learning opportunity that deserves a thorough and in-depth analysis of the root causes, with a focus on improving systems and processes. A just culture is also based on fairness, transparency and equity, rather than a blame game. It treats individuals with respect and dignity and ensures that decisions about accountability are made fairly and impartially. Finally, a just culture is built on a foundation of trust and decency. It promotes open communication and collaboration and recognizes that each participant has a role to play in creating a safe and supportive work environment. By fostering a culture of accountability, learning, fairness, and trust, at UMMC we can create a workplace where individuals are valued, supported, and empowered to manifest their strengths and refine their talents.

In today's fast-paced world, it is critical that we remain adaptable to the changes that are constantly occurring around us. Change is inevitable and necessary for the health and success of any organization. Resisting change can lead to stagnation. I believe that we are up to the challenge at UMMC. Our talented and dedicated team is capable of embracing change and using it as a catalyst for growth and innovation.

The post-pandemic world has dealt us a tough hand in healthcare. Take for example, the workforce shortages that we face currently. It is in our best interest to accept and adapt to the new realities. We need to focus our energies on not only recruiting the best talent but also retaining our people through positive engagement, development and growth. Ultimately, our success as a department is deeply intertwined with the success of our people.

In a complex workplace like ours, it takes collaboration, support, and input from diverse individuals and teams to achieve our shared goals and objectives. No one individual can do it all. It really does take a village. I strongly believe that our future is full of potential and possibilities. While there may be challenges and obstacles along the way, our determination, perseverance, and positivity can overcome them and create a bright tomorrow for ourselves and for those we serve. Undoubtedly, our success will come as a result of commitment, collaboration, and re-imagination. We must strive towards making excellence an attitude: to always be better than yesterday, but worse than tomorrow.