HealthManagement.org is pleased to introduce the new
Editor-in-Chief for EXEC, Ms. Ann Marie O'Grady. O’Grady is Chief Executive of Leopardstown
Park Hospital, Dublin, a specialist hospital for older
people encompassing services that include rehabilitation, respite care,
sheltered housing, day-care services and residential care. It is a not-for-profit
independent hospital providing health services under a service level agreement
with the Irish national health service (Health Service Executive).
Following her initial qualification as a physiotherapist
she has continued her broad and ongoing continuing professional development
including post-graduate qualifications in leadership, communication and
executive coaching
She has held a number of positions, both clinical and
managerial, in both the Irish and New Zealand healthcare settings since
qualifying from University College Dublin. In addition she has held a number of
pro bono Non Executive Board member positions over the years in the areas of
professional regulation, professional bodies and hospitals.
She is a Council Member and Honorary Editor of the Health Management Institute of Ireland, producing the ejournal Health Manager and has been a longstanding member of the Editorial Board/Communication Working Group Board of the European Association of Hospital Managers.
Zoom On Profile
How do you feel about taking over the role of EXEC E-i-C at HealthManagement.org?
It is an absolute
privilege to take over the role of EXEC Editor in Chief at HealthManagement.org and I am looking
forward to working with colleagues across Europe in the ongoing development and
delivery of this important journal for health managers.
What are your editorial aims for the publication and readers?
My first aims are to cover
the key emerging issues for health managers, to learn from experiences across
Europe and to provide a platform for health managers to promote
and share and learn from each other in different areas of health. However I
would be very keen to explore what
health managers want from the publication and look to deliver on this.
What are your key areas of interest and research?
The professionalisation of the
healthcare management discipline, healthcare leadership, corporate/clinical
governance, and development of high performing teams
What
are the major challenges in your field?
Ensuring that healthcare managers are equipped, enabled and
empowered to carry out their roles in an ever-changing and highly accountable
and high profile environment.
What is your top management tip?
I can’t pick only one, so if I
can name two they would be:
Find your passion, even in the toughest of times, if you are passionate about what you do, this will help bring you through and keep you true to yourself.
Grow and develop people relentlessly. Denis Doherty Senior Healthcare Leader, Ireland made the following statement in 2000: “Your job as a leader is to identify people better than you and brighter than you and throw them past you”. This has resonated with me ever since.
What
would you single out as a career highlight?
Very hard to single out one highlight, but probably what I
am most proud of is that there have been a number of occasions over the years
when an individual or team I have been working with has excelled beyond what
they thought was even possible. Their growth and achievements, and therefore
their confidence to go even further, has always been an incredibly positive
experience. I would like to consider myself as a talent manager in many ways
and uncovering hidden talent and ability has been a significant highlight over
my career
If you had not chosen this career path what do you think you would
have become?
Difficult question as I
did not set out to be a health manager/CEO in the first instance. I have loved
every role I have had, starting off my career on a clinical pathway and then
moving into general management. A
previous manager thought I had talents that would have made me a good lawyer. I
do have a significant interest in people so maybe Human Resources or
potentially occupational psychology. The main driver for me has always been
that I am learning and constantly challenged in any role and that I feel I am making a real difference.
So far all roles I have held have met those criteria
What are your personal interests outside of work?
Family are a key part of who I am, I have two young children
of 9 and 12 and a very supportive husband who has been the reason that I have
been able to carry out the challenging role of health manager. I am a
Chairperson of a volunteer Cardiac First Responder Group in my town, which is
aligned with the Irish National Ambulance Service to provide first response to
cardiac arrest, chest pain, stroke and choking until the ambulance service
arrives. Bringing local people together, many with no prior clinical
experience, to deliver a high quality potentially lifesaving service to our
locality is an absolute honour. I
also make valiant efforts to get out running/exercising in the beautiful Irish
countryside as much as possible.
Your favourite quote?
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the
world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are
omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems
of the human race.”
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. the 30th President of the United States.