Happy Holidays VHMA!
The holiday season is upon us. The fun and festive time when we give thanks, share gifts, spend time with family and drink too much egg nog. It’s such a busy time. Between preparing meals, fighting the crowds at the mall and neighborhood holiday parties, it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and lose sight of what is most important, the people around us that make our lives better.
As I think about all the incredible people who are there for me each day, so many of them are also part of my ‘VHMA Family.’ This year has been particularly meaningful for me, as I accept responsibility of building on our great association. I am thankful to every member for your trust in me and your devotion to our profession. I am filled with gratitude to work with an amazing group of people who, at times, care more about our patients than themselves. To volunteer for our association next to others who serve selflessly for the betterment of our industry. To have met so many great people who share that same commitment to their practices, their clients and patients and one another.
For me, this holiday season is about gratitude and appreciating those around you. Remembering that everyone is doing the very best they can in the moment. I am certain that we have all had a team member behaving badly that we had to redirect only to learn much later that they had something going on outside the practice. In hind sight, their behavior was more understandable (not acceptable) given the circumstances.
We recently experienced this at our practice. A client came in to refill prevention for his dog. Our team diligently reminded him that he was past due for a necessary test and we would need to have the pet come in for an exam. He left quite frustrated after scheduling the appointment. Fast forward to the appointment a few days later. The client arrives late for the appointment and we tell him we will fit him in as soon as we can. He waits anxiously for a short time and angrily comes to client service desk yelling that he can’t wait any longer. He cries "My wife always does this stuff and I have to leave right now to pick her up from the hospital after surgery last week!”
WOW, what a reminder for our team. We were so busy applying the ‘rules and policies,’ we missed the person. This gentlemen was doing all he could to care for his pet, probably at his wife’s request. He was far more worried about her than our policies. It was one of those moments where you realize that we all have something else going on. Life is busy. The holidays are even busier.
So forget about the Black Friday craziness and the office gift exchange and remember those around you. Show gratitude and appreciation to your family, for loving you, at your best and worst; your team, for their passion and commitment; your colleagues, for challenging and supporting you; your boss, for the opportunity to grow; your clients, who are the purpose of our jobs; and our patients, who truly love unconditionally.
We have so many things to be grateful for, take some time to show those who make a difference. Thank you, for being part of our association. We are great and have achieved so much because of our members. I wish each of you a very Happy Holidays. You are appreciated!
Jim Nash, MHA, CVPM
VHMA President