Member Focus

Title: Administrator
Facility Name: Endoscopy Center of Monmouth County
City: Freehold
State: New Jersey
Length of time your facility has been an ASCA member: Three years

How do you keep staff morale up?

I make every attempt to eat with my staff in their space, and it then becomes a chat and chew. This allows me to keep my finger on the pulse, on what the hot topic of disenchantment is at the center without putting staff on the spot during our huddles. I have appreciation Monday on my phone where I give an individual a token of appreciation along with a card.

I have an open door policy and my staff knows this and they are very comfortable sharing their concerns and comments with me. Sometimes I just listen and other times I make a point of addressing the concern immediately.

What are your best tips for running an effective and efficient governing body meeting?

I start on time. I speak with the key players about any issue or item on the agenda that may require a vote, so that the board may ask questions prior to the meeting, which also allows me to dig deeper and provide more details. This could also lead me to not put an item on the agenda because I need more information. Secondly, I ask for the board's input for agenda items. I come prepared to answer questions regarding the items I put on the agenda. My format is clear, I send out reminders to the board members a week in advance. I type out an agenda with all my answers and notes so that I don't skip any pertinent items.