Fire Starter Hall of Fame
Michael T. Harris, MD is a nationally recognized expert in the field of gastrointestinal surgery, particularly in advanced reconstructive surgical techniques for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis). He has helped pioneer the use of minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgical techniques for both diseases, and has one of the largest single IBD practices in the nation.
Mickey (only his mother calls him "Dr. Harris") received his undergraduate degree cum laude from Cornell University in 1984, studying Russian Literature. He went on to earn his medical degree from The College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in 1988. He completed his general surgery residency at Mount Sinai and then was managing partner of a large private surgical practice for over 10 years. Mickey was awarded the Association of the Attending Staff / Bella Trachtenberg award in 1993 as Mount Sinai's most outstanding chief resident across all services.
Dr. Harris has been very active in support of The Mount Sinai Medical Center. He currently serves on the Hospital Medical Board and its Executive Committee, as well as on the Board of Governors of Faculty Practice Associates, the 840 physician multispecialty group of The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. As the elected president of the Association of the Attending Staff, comprised of over 2,000 active clinicians at Mount Sinai, Mickey served as a strong advocate for patients and their physicians. He is currently on the Steering Committee and is the Lead Physician Champion for Mount Sinai's Studer Initiative. His own practice has consistently scored in the 99th percentile nationally on their Press-Ganey Patient Satisfaction Surveys.
In 2007, Mickey was awarded with Mount Sinai Department of Nursing's highest honor for physicians, the Physician of the Year Special Recognition Award, given for outstanding collaboration with Mount Sinai nurses.
Dr. Harris was recently made a Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai, responsible for the management of Surgical Associates, a 45 surgeon faculty practice. He was recruited to this position and charged with helping create the premier patient-centered multispecialty surgical group in the nation. He relies heavily on principles learned from the Studer Group in order to help lead this effort.
"It was evident to me, from the moment that I met Dr. Mickey Harris, that he had a vision for excellence, and the determination to achieve it and live it every day. He is a top performing physician in the eyes of his patients, staff, and colleagues; he is a shining example of passion and goodness in the world!"
– Barbara Hotko, The Mount Sinai Medical Center and Faculty Practice Associates Mount Sinai School of Medicine Studer Group Coach
Jeanny Platt is the Director of Nursing for five Medical Surgical units as well as a 31 bed Emergency Department at North Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Jeanny pursued a career in Childhood Development and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas with a degree in Child Development Psychology in 1972. Nursing was a second calling for Jeanny and she pursued her nursing degree at Yavapi School of Nursing, Prescott, Arizona in 1979.
Jeanny has held various positions throughout her extensive career in nursing ranging from staff nurse in both Critical Care and Emergency nursing to holding various leadership roles in Medical Surgical and Emergency nursing. She has served as Director of Emergency services at Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital, Richmond, Texas, Director of Critical Care and Medical Surgical Services at Christus St. Catherine Hospital, Katy, Texas and most recently as the Director for Medical Surgical and Emergency Nursing services at North Austin Medical Center, Austin, Texas, where Mrs. Platt has leadership responsibility for over 250 FTE's and works collaboratively with her six department managers.
Throughout her career, Jeanny has been recognized for her leadership capabilities and contributions in nursing. In 2005, she was recognized by the Texas Nursing Association as a recipient of the Texas Fab Five award for Outstanding Nursing Leadership. Jeanny has also been the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards at the facility level, including "Employee of the Quarter" at Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital, and has been recognized on two occasions as the "Catch of the Quarter" for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills at North Austin Medical Center. She has also received the coveted "Fire Starter Award" from the Studer organization for outstanding nursing leadership skills in 2008.
Mrs. Platt is revered by her colleagues and staff as a leader who "Walks the Talk." Her passion for providing exceptional care and service for the patients and families she serves is the cornerstone of her success. Over the years, she has created innovative nursing campaigns, such as "I got your back," aimed at fostering teamwork and a positive work environment for her staff. Her creative abilities at problem solving along with her passion for immediate resolution for her patients remain an endearing characteristic of her leadership style. In 2004, Jeanny started a facility practice of asking her staff, "Give me a 1-10 on how satisfied you are with working here." It is customary to see Jeanny walking the halls of the facility asking her staff "how can I make your day a 10?" Her daily commitment to improving staff satisfaction is one of her primary objectives in maintaining a healthy work environment for her staff. Her employee satisfaction scores continue to be excellent as are her physician satisfaction scores. Her patient satisfaction has excelled to be recognized throughout the year as best practice within the organization. Jeanny has mastered the fiscal management for five medical surgical units as well as the emergency department, and has done exceptionally well by eliminating all contract labor usage on her Medical Surgical units with considerable annual cost savings, unit expense costs and overall operational costs within all her departments.
Jeanny is the mother of three children, Tifika, Tylor and Jeffery. Jeanny is a warm and down to earth person who enjoys the simple aspects of nature such as bird watching and star gazing.
"Jeanny has learned over the last year that there are no shortcuts to getting results and achieving and sustaining high levels of performance for her Med / Surg units. She and her team did the hard work. She has also learned there is great joy in creating a high performing team of managers and their hugs and smiles say it all!"
– Lyn Ketelsen, North Austin Medical Center Studer Group Coach
W. Stuart Smith began his career as an administrative resident at MUSC 36 years ago. He held progressively responsible positions leading to his appointment as Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center, twelve years ago.
As the largest non-federal employer in the historic Charleston, South Carolina area, MUSC and its component entities consists of over 11,000 employees, six colleges, multiple hospitals and clinics and an operating budget in excess of $1.8 billion. The 709 bed Medical Center employs nearly 6,000 employees and has a $900 million operating budget. Under Mr. Smith's direction, the Medical Center serves 33,000 inpatients and over 850,000 outpatients.
The American Heart Association has ranked MUSC among the leaders in stroke and heart disease care. U.S. News and World Report has recognized MUSC as a leader in digestive disease, rheumatology and nephrology and MUSC's Children's Hospital has consistently ranked among the top in the Southeast. Most recently, MUSC has received National Cancer Institute designation.
Mr. Smith was among the early academic Medical Center leaders in developing marketing and strategic planning strategies. In recent years, he led MUSC's implementation of MUSC Excellence (adopted from Hardwiring Excellence) across all MUSC organizational components.
Mr. Smith received his Master of Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia, a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University and Bachelor of Science from Washington and Lee University.
Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the South Carolina Hospital Association, American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, the University Health System Consortium, and the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. He is active with the Association of American Medical Colleges and involved with the American College of Healthcare Executives (Fellow).
"Stuart Smith has always believed in a culture of being the Provider of Choice as well as the Employer of Choice. He has led the Hardwiring of Evidence-Based LeadershipSM tools and tactics that has made MUSC Excellence a reality that has impacted thousands of Employees, Students, Patients and Physicians in the Charleston community!"
– Don Dean, Medical University of South Carolina Studer Group Coach
Ms. Wagner has over 30 years of leadership experience in nursing and health care administration. She began her career with Sutter in 1990. Since 2003, Janet has led the Sutter Davis team to numerous accomplishments that include phenomenal results across each of the pillars.
Janet is an individual who provides outstanding results in the form of measurable positive outcomes for Sutter Davis Hospital employees, physicians, patients and their families. Through a culture of trust and support, Janet keeps her team focused on pillar/dashboard goals, and holds each manager accountable in meeting their goals. She was a regional leader in helping launch the Leadership Development Institute for managers in 2002. She produces great leaders who are able to advance their careers in other Sutter Health affiliates to further their impact. She continues to assess the Must Haves, and has put in place strong measurement, patient satisfaction, process improvement, and reward and recognition teams.
Under Janet's leadership, Sutter Davis Hospital can be proud of many recent achievements:
- Sutter Health President's Award for Best Overall Performance in 2006 and 2007
- Studer Group Fire Starter of the Month Award in 2007
- 2007 Top 100 Hospital by Thomson Reuters, for achieving excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, financial performance and efficiency
- Strong patient satisfaction
- Physician satisfaction at the 98th percentile
- Employee satisfaction above the system goal for at least four years
- California Eureka Award for Performance Excellence from the California Council for Excellence
Ms. Wagner has a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Nursing and attended Duke's Executive MBA program.
"Janet Wagner is an "always" leader. She is centered on the patient always. She expects accountability always. She develops her leaders always. She is a passionate and courageous role model always. There is no status quo for Janet, she refines, adjusts and imagines always. And finally, Janet inspires, always."
– Zani Weber, Sutter Davis Hospital Studer Group Coach
Martin Padgett is president and CEO of Clark Memorial Hospital, a 241 bed hospital in Jeffersonville, IN. The hospital is just across the river from Louisville, Ky., and is recognized as a premier health care provider in the Kentuckiana area.
The vision of Clark Memorial Hospital is to be the best community healthcare provider in the United States. Through strong leadership and measurable results Mr. Padgett is achieving that vision for the patients and families, physicians, team members, and the southern Indiana community.
Clark Memorial Hospital clearly defines guiding principles and Standards of Performance that are built on its mission, vision and values and are aligned with Six Pillars of Excellence. The CEO and senior leadership team sustain and enhance this culture through accountability systems and a focus on results, which includes report cards for each department.
In 2008, Clark Memorial Hospital posted world-class results in team member, physician and patient satisfaction and its dedication to achieving best-in-class results across the organization's scorecard – evidence of Clark Memorial Hospital's commitment to its vision and the community it serves. Patient and team member satisfaction scores are above the 90th percentile, with physician satisfaction scores in the 70th percentile.
- Studer Group: Fire Starter of the Month Award for December 2005 and May 2008.
- Solucient's 100 Top Hospitals, April 2005
- Indiana Chamber of Commerce: Top 10 Places to Work in Indiana, 2007 and 2008
- One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce: Economic Impact Award, 2007
- Taste of Jeffersonville: Food and Nutrition Department won first place in the restaurant competition in 2006, 2007 and 2009, winning second place in 2008
- Kentucky Quality Award, 2005
- BKD Indiana Magazine Excellence Award Finalist, 2007
- Greater Louisville Inc.: Sliver Family Friendly Work Environment, 2004 and 2005
- First time Baldrige applicant in 2007, earning an excellent first time ranking as a Band 3. In 2008, Clark earned a Band 4.
With a long-standing tradition of compassionate, friendly care and continuous expansion of new programs and services, Clark Memorial Hospital is a premier healthcare provider.
"Martin Padgett epitomizes the example of a true leader. He works passionately for a cause, usually deferring credit to those around him. He strongly believes in the concept of a team, rallying those who work with him to share in his passion and idealism. Under Martin's leadership, the quality and satisfaction levels of Clark Memorial's services have dramatically improved with many achieving national best (top 10%) levels."
– Judy Kees, Clark Memorial Hospital Studer Group Coach
"Great leaders make happen what would not happen without their leadership." This has been the premise Dave Fox has both lived by and ingrained in all leaders since becoming the president of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in July of 2003. Since taking the helm at Good Samaritan, Dave has been a driving, inspiring, and catalyzing force in the organization's ability to provide superior clinical outcomes and an extraordinary patient experience to the over 225,000 people cared for annually. These efforts are known by all the associates, physicians and volunteers as theirs, and Good Samaritan Hospital's, "Good to Great" journey.
Dave's commitment to excellence, his dedicated leadership and skill in building productive and trusting relationships with physicians and associates, and his focus on growth and development, are evident in what he and his team have accomplished at Good Samaritan Hospital. Under Dave's Fire Starter influence, Good Samaritan has achieved:
- Steadily improving Clinical Outcomes, culminating in 2008 in the best outcomes in the hospital's history and in the top 10% nationally
- Steadily improving Physician Satisfaction, now in the top 10% nationally and best in the history of the hospital
- Associate Satisfaction in the top 10% nationally
- Increased Patient Satisfaction, currently in the top 10% nationally for most key service areas
- Top 100 Hospitals: National Benchmarks 2008 award by Thomson Reuters
- Designation as a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital
- A national Compass Award for providing excellent customer service
- Designation as a Mentor Hospital by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement
- Silver Award for Performance Excellence by the Lincoln Foundation of Illinois
With Fire Starter teamwork, even in the face of the current economic crisis, in 2008 Good Samaritan Hospital achieved its best results in its 32-year history across virtually all six pillars of performance, including:
- Increased admissions 5% and increased observation cases 21.6%
- Best net operating income ever
- Increased market share by 5% over 2007 and 7.3% over 2006
Among his many affiliations and areas of service, Dave is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; President, Region 2B, Illinois Hospital Association for 2007-2008; Member, State of Illinois Perinatal Advisory Committee; Chair, Illinois Hospital Association Political Action Committee; Member, Illinois Hospital Association Strategic Planning Committee; Member, Lincoln Foundation for Performance Excellence Board of Directors; Immediate past Chair, Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus; and, Member, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Truly great leaders inspire organizations to achieve their full potential. This Good to Great journey for Good Samaritan Hospital has been orchestrated by Dave Fox's visionary leadership.
"Dave's visionary leadership has moved results positively across the board at Advocate Good Samaritan from good to great. He is a "lean forward" leader who has always been willing to "go first" partnering with Studer Group on the leader evaluation software beta site tests 5 years ago and sticking firmly to the Nine Principles® and Evidence-Based LeadershipSM. Dave is a role model for any CEO wanting to leave a legacy of long term world class results such as clinical outcomes, physician relations, associate satisfaction and patient satisfaction."
– Page Stermung, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Studer Group Coach