Juan Lara

Text version of Juan Lara keynote remarks

Recently, I read an excerpt from a book written by Dr. David Niven from the University of Florida. He proposes that one of the avenues to achieve happiness in life is to think of one's occupation as a calling. For me this is exactly how our corporate mission fits so comfortably into my happy life. I take every opportunity to exemplify performance excellence in my functional responsibilities as well as my conduct around my fellow employees. Respect is extended to housekeepers, nurses, physicians, and technologists in equal measure; offered cheerfully and with a strong element of friendly cooperation.

Some judge my high regard of this guiding principle with an incredulous roll of their eyes. Being particular in this manner is part of my courage to stand by the commitment to support those who equally share my passion for service. I prefer to believe that most do offer prayer, quiet and strong; especially before taking the patient into the surgery suite or as we prepare the equipment and material for the next case. Exceptional work done when the lives of patients and those of family and friends are parts of a human aggregation of those who suffer and those committed to mix cool headed clinical interventions with warm caring smiles. I am proud to work with the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.

My perspectives were developed early in my career. It began more than 25 years ago in the United States Air Force. I remember in technical school one particular instructor with more wisdom and years than stripes on his shoulder, and his shirt sleeve was stiff with the insignia of a Master Sergeant. He was much older than the other instructors and I admired his decision to continue to be in the classroom long after most with his rank would leisurely cruise through the later years of their career in offices and meetings.

I don't know if they still have a self-paced curriculum, but twenty five years ago each trainee working through the Medical Equipment Repair School had to achieve a level 3 of a 7 level expertise scale in order to graduate. Graduation was always on a one-on-one basis with one of the instructors. I give thanks for receiving my certificate from this Master Sergeant. It is beyond me if his parting wisdom was the same for each of the students he shook hands with on their graduation. I only know that when he held my certificate and spoke the following words I was to perform my duties even to this day, with the same passion he had for service excellence.

He said, Juan, I hope that you have a long career and everyone without exception graduates with apprehension of their first assignment. Always remember this, do your work as if your own mother were to rely on that equipment's performance and don't forget.... most everyone.... technologist, physician, patient, or family members and visitors will never know what it takes for you to release, with a clear conscience, any equipment for patient service. After your work is done, always assure the outside looks good enough to represent the work done inside.

Throughout my career I have been faithful to those words offered to me years ago at that milestone in my life. I still encourage, remind, even nag those around me to bear in mind, "After your work is done, always assure the outside looks good enough to represent the work done inside."

So we take a little extra time and remove the sticky tape, stray marks, and smudges. I want those sitting next to their loved ones in our hospitals, waiting for Him to work his cure to not rationalize away the poor or un-kept appearance that those imposing and unfamiliar devices conjure in the worried eyes of family and friends.

Thank you for your attention and thank you for your commitment to excellence, that He may grace us with a healing hand.