Project Sponsor/Mentor Highlight

Mike Kessel, MBA, CPA

Title: President & CEO, Cleveland Clinic Canada 

Projects: Executive Health Business Development and Preventive Genetics

What did you learn from the sponsors?

During my time with Mike I have learned how to approach and execute business development opportunities, how to market services to your target population, how to optimize and manage relationships with other countries and cultures, and effective leadership skills. I have gained knowledge into all things executive health and genetic testing, from clinical operations to financial planning.

What would you highlight about the sponsor? 

Mike is a very effective leader. His staff at Cleveland Clinic Canada are all very close and highly engaged. He not only maintains personal and meaningful relationships with his staff, but also with the majority of patients that come to Cleveland Clinic Canada. He maintains great vision while operating as a hands on leader who would not ask anyone to do a task that he doesn’t fully understand and could most likely do himself. Mike provides me and the rest of the team at Cleveland Clinic Canada with a large degree of autonomy to accomplish high priority initiatives. This approach and degree of trust has best allowed me to grow and develop while producing meaningful deliverables. I am very thankful for my time with Mike and would highly recommend him as project sponsor for future fellows.

                                                         

Vinnie Riley, MBA, CPA

     Title: Executive Director of Physician Integration - Clinical Affairs

      

      Projects: Physician Alignment

   

       What did you learn from the sponsors?

        In terms of technical knowledge, he has helped me understand the complexities of physician alignment models and compensation models. For instance, there are a myriad of ways clinical co-management agreements can be set up. In terms of leadership skills, he has taught me the importance of understanding people's reactions to topics when presenting and how to react. This is a new skill set that I have really enjoyed learning more about. 

What would you highlight about the sponsor?

       Vinnie helped me learn about the Clinic and some of the technical aspects of the work we are doing, but more  importantly, he is interested in mentoring. After meetings, Vinnie took the time to debrief with me on how things went    and what could have gone better. The time and thought he has put into helping me develop has been invaluable to me.

                                                                 

Mark Myers, CHEP 

  

         Title: Senior Manager, Emergency Preparedness

 Projects: Evacuation & Relocation Planning

 What did you learn from the sponsors?

Mark is an inspiring and dedicated leader. Because of his trust and commitment to excellence, I have learned how to manage projects with an enterprise scope. He has taught me how to clearly and succinctly communicate expectations and what needs to get done to reach the goal.  Additionally, he has taught me how facilitate conversations with diverse groups of stakeholders.

What would you highlight about the sponsor?

        Mark has helped me to build my confidence has an aspiring leader. He sets high expectations and has the faith that I will go beyond his expectations. He reminds me of my full potential and for that, I am grateful. Working with Mark Myers has been a highlight of my fellowship year.   

                                                         

Art Thomson, MA

      Title: Institute Administrator, Digestive Disease Institute

Projects: Uterine Transplant Program

What did you learn from the sponsors?

Art is a phenomenal leader and epitomizes the characteristics of humility, dedication and professionalism throughout his work. Through Art’s guidance, I have learned that you can enable team members by giving them clear direction and the right amount of autonomy to successfully complete their tasks. Through Art, I have gained skills on how to be an effective leader while maintaining the trust, respect, and enthusiasm of your team.   

What would you highlight about the sponsor?

 Art is a strong supporter of the fellowship program and continues to provide meaningful projects through the Digestive Disease Institute. Throughout the Uterine Transplant program, Art has provided continuous guidance, support, and mentorship, for which I am truly grateful! He is the ideal project sponsor and mentor!

                                                         

              

            

Travis Laird, MHA

Title: Senior Director of Operations, Avon Hospital

Projects: Avon Hospital Activation

What did you learn from the sponsors?

        - Getting an answer – Travis excels at finding solutions for complex problems.

       - Project Management – There are literally hundreds of tasks that Travis needs to keep track on for the activation. He is able to prioritize on a high level but at the same time, identify plans and ask detailed questions.

     - Facilitating Meetings – Travis can engage different audience in meetings and keep track of time.

What would you highlight about the sponsor?

Travis offers clear direction but allows a great deal of autonomy and flexibility. He holds you to high expectation but will give you more responsibility if you produce quality work. Travis always takes the time after our 1:1s to offer his feedback on my professional development. His candid feedback enables my growth. I am grateful to have met and learned from Travis during the fellowship. He is the kind of leader that you not only look up to but also think to yourself “I want to be him in 10 years!”

                                                         

              

       

Alison Ibsen, MPH

Title: Senior Director, Strategy

Projects: Integrated Practice Unit Initiative

What did you learn from the sponsors?

The biggest leadership skill that I learned from Alison was around effective communication. We had a multitude of key stakeholders with four different administrative working teams, physicians leads, executive sponsors and two external partners from Dartmouth college.  I was constantly learning from Alison around how to best keep everyone on the same page and learning the specifics around when and what other groups needed for information. Her guidance on how best to craft messaging to have the appropriate tone and content were invaluable.

What would you highlight about the sponsor?

I would like to thank Alison for making me feel a part of the team from day one. At our first onboarding meeting, Alison made it apparent that I would be here partner and she saw me as a teammate.  I appreciated the autonomy that she gave me from the start and that she was constantly supportive of my ideas and input. Creating a supportive environment really allowed me to find my own voice and thoughts with regards to our project work. She really provided a mentorship relationship that allowed me to grow and develop as a young administrator.