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Author: Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA
There have been numerous highlights in the last year. I’ve witnessed our dedicated and coordinated teams orchestrate the delivery of world-class cancer care on the inpatient units, clinics, and operating rooms. I have seen synergy and collaboration at weekly treatment planning conferences. Every day, I watch with excitement as the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers takes shape. I have learned about ambitious and innovative research initiatives and appreciated the compassion in our teams while visiting our community clinics and affiliates.
Despite the fortitude and talent demonstrated by our teams every day, there are strains on our workforce and systems. As the pandemic continues to grind along, I have immense gratitude for the teams that continue to provide world-class care to our cancer patients in the midst of staffing shortages, clinical capacity constraints, and other personal challenges. Patients recognize the stress and demands placed on our frontline health care workers. If there is one positive outcome from the pandemic, I believe it’s our collective new voice to prioritize wellness in our professional and personal lives. In order to expertly take care of our patients, we cannot forget to take care of ourselves and each other.
"Culture is the key ingredient and is what defines Huntsman Cancer Institute. Culture is not an accident. Culture is highly intentional, present at every moment, yet can be easily eroded and lost if not tended to."
To our clinical and research teams, faculty, and staff: Thank you for your relentless and dedicated service. Your strength and resilience inspire and show the side of Huntsman Cancer Institute we are so proud of. Thank you for your sacrifices of time and energy when both may be in short supply. Thank you for continuing to find the strength to care for our patients with compassion, optimism, and professionalism.
Reflecting on my first year, many words come to mind: Delta, Omicron, staffing, capacity, and burnout. Yet, also grit, principles, innovation, community, resilience, and culture. To me, culture is the key ingredient and is what defines Huntsman Cancer Institute. Culture is not an accident. Culture is highly intentional, present at every moment, yet can be easily eroded and lost if not tended to. As our organization grows to realize its potential, it’s up to us to stay true to our founding principles of Patient and Community First, United Effort, and Excellence in All We Do. As we forge ahead, grow, and adapt, those foundational elements must remain at our core. We will do it together while watching out for each other.
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