Making a Difference in a Changing World

Editorial by John Sackett

There’s a lot going on these days. We are living in a time of great change, and we all feel it. Every day we hear announcements of potential changes that affect our communities, the healthcare industry or us personally. Change is always demanding – but rapid, unpredictable and large-scale change is especially challenging.

In times like these, it can be easy to get mired in feeling overwhelmed and powerless. However, we can choose instead to take a breath, center ourselves and continue to do our job supporting excellence in healthcare. I don’t say this lightly. It’s not easy sometimes. Some of you have shared your struggles, and I struggle at times as well.

When feeling drained, I find it helps to focus on our Mission. Most importantly, our Mission statement makes it clear that God is working through us. We can lean into the promise God has made to always be with us during our struggles.

It can also help to recall that our team is big. We have approximately 10,000 team members and partners – and all of us are committed to creating the best patient experience, whether our role is serving a patient directly, preparing a meal, doing lab work, ensuring clear communication or completing paperwork accurately. You are not alone in your efforts to be a positive force.

And it can help to remember that, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “... the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” What you are doing matters. You are bending the arc in both small ways and big ways – and even in ways where you might not see the impact right away. But always remember that your actions are meaningful.

Thank you for each of those actions. They add up. You are an important part of both how Adventist HealthCare will be seen and experienced as the trusted choice for exceptional care and how together we can make a difference in the world. If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your manager or reach out to your HR Business Partner. We may not be able to control all things, but together we can remain true to our calling to help people with compassion and provide high-quality care they can count on. And that makes a difference.

John Sackett serves as president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare.