Alumni Fellow Spotlight: Erick Vidmar

Erick Vidmar standing in front of Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center

Erick Vidmar completed the administrative fellowship in 2007 and immediately took a project manager position working for Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.  When he left in early 2012, he was working as the Administrator for Medicine and Family Medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.  Upon returning to northeast Ohio, he took over as Administrator of the newly constructed Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center after the closing of Huron Hospital in East Cleveland.  A year after settling back into his career stateside, he shared some of his experiences from the past 6 years working in the Fellowship, in Abu Dhabi, and most recently working in Regional Operations...    

What has been the most rewarding aspect in coming back to northeast Ohio and working again for the Cleveland Clinic here after spending several years over at SKMC? What has been the biggest challenge?

Erick: The most rewarding aspect in coming back to northeast Ohio was coming back to an opportunity to work at Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center in East Cleveland.   The closing of a hospital and opening of a new center grounded in primary care and the care of chronic diseases was a much welcomed challenge.  Stephanie Tubbs Jones is not only a health center but also a community center providing a multitude of events and programming.  These programs include Stork’s Nest for new mothers, Cooking Classes, Walk with a Doc, Girls on the Run, Youth Diversion, Fit Youth, Living Fit and many others.  Knowing that what we do day in and day out makes a direct impact on the people in the community is incredibly rewarding.

The biggest challenge in coming back to northeast Ohio was the repatriation period.  In order to be successful in Abu Dhabi, you have to adjust to the living and working environment in the Middle East.  After a few years it becomes “home” and you have to go through the same adjustment period returning back to your original location.  Learning new systems, processes, and approaches while adjusting to life back in the United States is quite a challenge and requires patience.

What are some of the things you learned in the fellowship that served you well while you were overseas and now since you've been back working in Regional Operations?

Erick: The fellowship was an incredible experience both personally and professionally.  The friends I made in my fellowship class are lifetime friends and colleagues and  the connections I made with the leadership group during the fellowship have served as tremendous resources while in Cleveland and while abroad.  Everyone is very helpful and excited to assist when asked for information or advice.  The fellowship also taught me how to look at things critically and to not be afraid to come up with creative and innovative solutions to problems.  This approach has served me well both in Abu Dhabi and in Regional Operations. 

STJ is front and center in the roll out of Value Based Care across the Cleveland Clinic organization, what are some of the successes and challenges that you've experienced so far in this large initiative?

Erick: Value Based Care is the future of healthcare and it is great to be a part of the team building it from the ground up.  We have the benefit of learning from some of the early pilots and applying the best practices to the assets and knowledge base already present at our center.  We have seen great success with our chronic disease and Navigation teams and are excited to integrate these with the Care Coordination and pre-visit planning models.  I see the greatest challenge with this initiative as the change management process.  Education of our staff and patients on the new model of care is extremely important and integral to our success.

What’s your favorite fellowship memory?

Erick: My favorite fellowship memory, there are so many….  I was lucky to have such a great class of fellows and we all got along very well together.  My favorite memories are from the four of us sharing an office and discussing our projects and experiences.  We got to know each other more than we ever could have imagined and always found a way to have fun.  Get-togethers to this day are filled with funny stories and non-stop laughing.

The Four Fellowstones (circa 2006-2007)

What is one piece of advice that you would provide to current fellows and/or recent fellow alumni?

Erick: Take in the fellowship with an open mind and learn as much as you can.  Experience as much as possible, venture outside of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to take a risk.