Hello. My name is Rhonda Shimmens. I am clinical coordinator for outpatient services at St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.

I am honored to be here. Even more, I am humbled. When I was asked to talk about courageous leadership, I thought about people who risk their lives to save other lives … or to stand up for principles … or to preserve freedom. I thought about greatness.

Then, I was reminded of the words of Mother Teresa, who was a model of courage in her work with the poor and sick. She said, "We can do no great things … only small things with great love."

We think of Mother Teresa as a great leader by modeling selfless humanity … but day in and day out, person by person, for more than 60 years, she did small things.

Her lesson is important for all of us in health care: Just as important as what we do is how we do it … and that must be with great love.

I cannot remember a time when I did not love my work, and I have worked at St. Mary's for 31 years. However, not until I was a consumer of health care myself did I understand the true relationship between love and work. First, it was being by my husband's side through his battle with cancer at the age of 35. Then, it was sitting in the orthopedic surgeon's office with my 17-year-old son and wondering if the shoulder injury would dash his dream to quarterback his football team again. Finally, it was my own open-heart surgery at the age of 40. Each time I gained new layers of understanding about the importance of the caregiver who dresses the wound or counsels the chronically ill or calms the fears. The caregiver who does those small, everyday things with great love makes all the difference.

As a supervisor, I am responsible for ensuring the clinical skill level of my staff. But, just as importantly, I never let us forget the manner in which we use our skills. I remember the young woman who had just had a miscarriage and the nurse who was doing everything medically correct, but still needed some coaching to recognize the emotional pain in the woman's eyes … and to nurse that pain as well.

It takes courage to express your love - even for a job. Each day I arrive in my office, I read the same prayer, which is adapted from a Dr. Seuss poem. I have shared it with staff members many times, and in closing I would like to share a few lines with you.

I love my job, I love the pay!
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, he is the best!
I love his boss and all the rest.
I love my furniture, drab and gray,
and piles of paper that grow each day!
I love this work, I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job - I'll say it again,
I love my job. Amen. Amen.