Camden Clark Medical Center leadership academy graduates class

Director: Goal is to improve patient care

PARKERSBURG -- The Camden Clark Medical Center Laurence B. Mallory Leadership Academy has graduated its 11th class of employees selected to participate in the year-long development program.

The Leadership Academy, led by Nancy Brooks, director of Organizational Development and Supportive Services, is a one-year program limited to eight candidates chosen by Camden Clark's senior leadership. Participants are required to take classes and electives totaling 110 hours.

In addition, they are required to complete a hospital project, shadowing, community service and personal assessments.

The purpose of the Leadership Academy is to help employees improve their levels of patient and family-centered care and to grow in the areas of self-awareness, self-confidence, self-accountability, gain knowledge of a broader systemic view of healthcare and to have an enhanced appreciation of the connection of mind, body and spirit, Brooks said.

Optimal outcomes include understanding the role of manager versus leader, having a healthier work and life balance, understanding of the dynamics of teams, developing respectful relationships in the workplace and a commitment to delivering results despite external pressures and workloads.

Participants learn about effective leadership and about themselves, Brooks said.

"Participating in the leadership academy is certainly a commitment," said Brooks, "But I believe all of the graduates would say that it was a year well spent studying the principles of leadership, learning more about their organization, and most importantly, more about themselves in a patient care-focused environment."

Cathi Emerick, ambulatory and support services manager, a 2017 graduate, said the Leadership Academy gave her a broader understanding of healthcare and the organization.

"I have gained personal awareness, recognizing my strengths and opportunities for growth as well as the importance of having a work-life balance," Emerick said.

Kevin Dixon, microbiology general supervisor, another graduate, said he was thankful for being chosen for the Leadership Academy.

"It was a humbling experience to see how others see me in my paradigm. My personal and professional growth and unity with my classmates will always be special," he said. "It's about being able to remove the lid to see the big picture while always keeping our vision and end goal attainable, as our journey has just begun."

Other graduates were: Debbie Life, infection preventionist; Natalie Collins, nursing manager Cardiac Services; Chris Childress, clinical manager/antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist. Back row: Jennifer Colvin, clinical quality nurse specialist; Kiz Metz, CCPC business manager; and Cindy Ankrom, director of patient financial services.

The Laurence B. Mallory Leadership Academy was established with the support of the Camden Clark Foundation. The program was renamed in 2012 in honor and the memory of the former Camden Clark Chairman of the Board Larry Mallory, who was devoted to the efforts of the medical center and to the Leadership Academy.

The academy receives significant support from senior management and the Board of Directors. Organizational Development and the Leadership Academy started with the generosity and investment of the Camden Clark Foundation.