Page 28 - Society Life_Feb_2019

A Common Purpose

“They really care about you here.

They care about you, your family.
They want you to be happy at work,

and that translates into happy patients.”

– Anthony Romero, RT, Radiology Manager, Texas Health Southlake

A big reason why teams operate as quickly and efficiently as
they do at Texas Health Southlake is that they hire people
who are committed to quality and safety. Hiring is a very in-
tentional process here. Only the most highly capable talent
are considered. They must be passionate about what they do
and hungry to make an impact in their profession. They’re
also humble, empathetic, sensitive to those around them, all
those soft skills that make a difference when dealing with pa-
tients dealing with major health crises or about to undergo
life-altering procedures.

“It’s really about integrity. You’ve got to be a person of in-
tegrity. Knowing that we won’t accept anything less than in the entire hospital has been deliberately replaced over the
that gives patients peace-of-mind,” Bernard emphasizes. last five years. That includes equipment that was working just
“As caregivers, you have to think of the people you serve fine. These days “just fine” doesn’t cut it. Doctors and staff
as family—your mother, sister, brother, father, spouse—it alike rely on state-of-the-art technology for a safer experience
adds a whole new dimension to your day-to-day routine. and ever improving outcomes for patients. And it’s another
Many of us bring our own family members here. That’s how reason why Texas Health Southlake is such an attractive place
strongly we believe in this mindset.” That unified sense of to work. Having the best tools at their disposal makes it sat-
purpose seems to be paying off. In addition to high physi- isfying for doctors and staff alike to do their jobs.
cian and patient satisfaction scores, Texas Health Southlake
has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally as a
Best Place to Work. The importance of this distinction isn’t Getting Back What You Give
lost on the hospital’s leaders. After all, if employees don’t
love where they work, they can’t get the results that they When the hospital first opened, anticipation was already high
want, patients don’t get the outcomes they expect, and the in Southlake. The community readily embraced its first hospi-
awards won’t come pouring in. tal. But newness only goes so far. To cement its place, Texas
Health Southlake had to maintain a steady presence in the
“My goal has always been to create the kind of culture where community. In the hospital’s earliest days, Bernard sought the
people say they wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” counsel of Southlake Mayor Laura Hill who, above anyone
Bernard explains. That vision has its roots in the hospital’s else, felt the pulse of the community. Mayor Hill advised her
founding, even before Bernard was hired on, when the hos- to get involved with the Southlake Chamber of Commerce.
pital was nothing more than a plot of land. It started with the Her advice proved sage. The hospital was present with a
original group of physicians who entered into a bold venture wealth of resources. It became abundantly clear that the more
that came with enormous financial risk. They took that risk the hospital contributed to the Chamber, the more it would
anyway because they strongly believed in having a say in get in return. Connections were made. Relationships were
how a hospital should operate. Physicians are notoriously built. Doors of opportunity flew open. The Chamber even
risk averse—making this venture all the more admirable. recognized the hospital as Corporate Business of the Year.
Ultimately, they knew this undertaking would result in better
patient care and an ideal work environment for employees. “Healthcare, in particular, is a highly relational industry. Your
job doesn’t stop at the door of the hospital. Your job is the
To maintain the hospital’s innovative edge, a concentrated community that you live in. People tend to reach out to those
effort was put in place to make large capital purchases on they know whenever a health issue arises. They need a face
new technology. From updating operating rooms to acquir- and a name to go with a place. I’m glad to be that face for
ing new radiology equipment, every single bit of technology the hospital,” admits Bernard.

26 FEBRUARY 2019 | SocietyLifeMag.com