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By Luann Culbreth, M Ed, MBA, RT(R)(MR)(QM), CRA, FSMRT, FAHRA
July 2012—For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, summer has recently begun. No matter where you live, thoughts of summer include plans for vacations, holidays, camp, social events, and a lot of thoughts about family time together. The workhorse in us miraculously finds a way to ease off of our daily full throttle approach for a little time away. We need it, crave it, can’t wait for it, and work until the bitter last minute with “this has to get done before I leave” racing through our minds. (Funny how no one else other than ourselves thinks that about our imposed work load.) By then we’re exhausted and so weary that our time away is never long enough. Sound familiar?
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” Desmond Tutu
This year, I’ve been blessed to grow and get to know family in exceptional ways. My personal family is precious. The AHRA family is remarkable. As we start to wind down our AHRA governance year I can’t help but reflect back on so many AHRA family members I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and spend time with. In no other organization have I been able to connect with those who just get each other and share an incredible drive to be the best healthcare leaders we can be. At meetings and events I have attended, I am amazed at how people are connecting in ways that inspire and encourage professional development. When we’re together we understand each other – we can laugh, celebrate, commiserate, and even cry with one another. When I read the AHRA Forum I can sense the family feeling in the discussions. Some have never met; they only know each other virtually. Whatever the venue, AHRA members have a great desire to help one another, a family desire to help one another.
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Jane Howard
Now, most importantly, take care of yourself so that you can take care of your family. As we continue our personal and professional journeys through life, find ways to keep yourself whole, grounded, and focused on your reasons in life. I’m reminded of the movie “The Family Man” with Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. He was the workaholic who got a glimpse at how life could be… with a family. As we strive to stay on top of our ever changing profession, keep your family first and know that your AHRA family is here to support you in many ways.
My AHRA Board of Directors spotlight this month is on Kevin Hendrickson, CRA. He is the director of radiology at NortonHealthcare-NortonSuburbanHospitalin Louisville, KY.Speaking of family, Kevin is like an “AHRA brother” to me and many others. I first got to work with him in 2005-2006 when he recruited me for the 2006 Annual Meeting Design Team. I saw then his passion and commitment to the AHRA members. Kevin is currently serving his last year on the Board, having been elected to serve two consecutive terms since 2006. This past year he was chosen to serve as AHRA Finance Director, a position which includes the role of Secretary‐Treasurer of the AHRA and also a Class I Director on the AHRA Education Foundation Board of Directors. You can contact him at Kevin.Hendrickson@nortonhealthcare.org for anything about AHRA. Please acknowledge him for his years of volunteer service to AHRA – thank you Kevin!
I look forward to seeing you (and our families) next month at AHRA’s 40th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, FL. As Barbara Bush once said: “Cherish your human connections – your relationships with friends and family.”
My best to you and your family,
Luann
Luann Culbreth, M Ed, MBA, RT(R)(MR)(QM), CRA, FSMRT, FAHRA is president of the 2011-2012 AHRA Board of Directors. She is executive director of cardiology, medical imaging, radiation oncology at Saint Thomas Health in Nashville, TN and can be reached at Luann.Culbreth@stthomas.org.
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