The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us. The days are short, and our to-do lists get even longer. It is easy to get lost in it all. I find, however, that this is a wonderful time to reflect on the year gone by and the changes it has brought. As I am completing my first year on the leadership team at the Duke Family Medicine Center, I find myself asking, “Are things better now than they were a year ago at this time?” And the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
I could spend pages talking about the accomplishments at Duke Family Medicine Center this year. We have provided excellent medical care to our patients. We have done excellent QI work. We have brought on fantastic new residents and graduated excellent physicians. We have hired amazing physicians, physician assistants, nurses and certified medical assistants. We have done important research, taught our student learners, and formed partnerships with specialty services. We have worked in our community. But perhaps the greatest change that I am seeing is in the relationships that we have with each other.
There is a growing sense of teamwork and joy in hard work that I am seeing. We all know that our jobs are hard. And I mean everyone’s job in the building is difficult. We are asked to deal with illness, stress, frustration and human hardship on a daily basis. What I am seeing, however, is a group of people coming together to make it work.
Just this past week, I have heard, “Thank you for the wonderful teamwork!” and “How can I help you?” said spontaneously and with a smile to a coworker. I see patients and staff laughing. Without even knowing it, I absorb this positive energy. It carries me through my day. While negative energy can become contagious, so can the positive energy. It is such a joy to see positivity.
I have seen it work, and I want it to continue in the new year. So, I will do my part. I will practice gratitude and positivity. I will continue to vociferously praise my patients for even the smallest changes they make. I will voice my pleasure when I see a job well done and loving care given. I will work to reflect the positive energy that I see. And, as always, I will be proud to work with a group of people who do so much good in the world.
Happy New Year!
Deborah Sharp-Dale is assistant medical director of Duke Family Medicine Center. Email deborah.sharp-dale@dm.duke.edu with questions.
Editor’s note: A member of the Duke Family Medicine Center leadership team guest blogs the third Friday of every month.