A Farewell Message From Mary Boosalis
When I arrived here to complete a post graduate fellowship in healthcare administration in 1986, I certainly had no idea I would be part of Premier Health some 35 years later! This incredible journey must now come to an end, and frankly it is impossible
to encapsulate all I would like to say. I am fortunate to have had a career that I was passionate about. That is because I have always believed in our mission, vision, and values as do the people who work here.
I have had the privilege of working with incredibly talented individuals at every level of this organization – the board of trustees, an excellent executive team, exceptional physicians, nurses, volunteers, and so many others. Suffice it to say, I have seen a depth and breadth of talent that not only makes me “Premier Proud” as we so often say, but is truly unparalleled at so many levels, and in so many ways.
Premier has hardly been immune from the many challenges facing our industry. Regardless of the challenge, you have accomplished so very much with courage, fortitude, and resilience and I believe, are second to none. This is because no matter what we have experienced, we have always focused on those we serve, working as a team – to benefit the community as a whole.
We have earned many distinguished clinical awards, greatly expanded our clinical footprint, forged ahead in the digital world, responsibly reduced costs, been recognized as a best practice nationally in diversity and inclusion, implemented numerous unique partnerships, built innovative care sites, and the list goes on.
Additionally, we have collectively faced what I believe are the most difficult decisions in our 125-year history during my tenure here, including the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital. The former hospital site has an exciting redevelopment plan with the support of many community partners that you will begin to see implemented this year.
We have experienced a series of crisis situations and have risen to the occasion after a horrific mass shooting and helped our own impacted employees and the community when devastating tornados hit our area. Through it all we continued to move forward, especially through a world-wide pandemic that has essentially now become endemic. You have exceeded expectations at every level, kept moving forward with grace and determination, and for these reasons and more, I believe, will be around for the next 100 years!!
To that end, our board has recruited a very experienced new president and CEO, Mike Riordan. Mike and I have been working together to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, and it has been a pleasure to become acquainted. I have assured him that just as I felt very welcome to the area all those years ago, I am confident he and his wife, Susan, will receive the same warm Premier and community welcome I experienced.
Having witnessed several people retire over the years, it is obvious the hard part is missing the people with whom you work. When you spend the amount of time many of us do at work, it is a void that will take time to overcome, when you no longer see those individuals on a day-to-day basis.
It has been my honor and privilege to work with you. It always bothered me that I could not ever “know” everyone at Premier, due to our sheer size, but that is true whether one is here or retired. At some level, it is reassuring to know that an organization like ours really transcends all of us individually. That is why someone in my role must always put the organization first.
So let me just say I take with me a lifetime of memories I will cherish dearly. As Garrison Keeler once said, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Back to the January 2022 issue of Premier Pulse
