Inspiring Conversations: Leading People in an Ever-Changing World – Embracing the Mind, Body and Spirit through Health Care

This session of the Inspiring Conversations Series featured a discussion about effective leadership amidst duel pandemics with guest speaker Dr. Penny Wheeler, MD, the president and chief executive officer of Allina Health. This virtual event was led by Tom Schreier (‘84), the founding director of the Inspired Leadership Initiative. Through this discussion, Wheeler demonstrated ways in which leaders can navigate their large organizations throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic as well as the killing of George Floyd and the need for racial equity.

At the very beginning of the discussion, Schreier explained that Dr. Wheeler had been surrounded by Allina Health literally since birth, as she was born at its flagship hospital, served as a clinician for two years, and is now the president and CEO. When asked to describe the community of Allina Health, Dr. Wheeler described the whole organization as mission-driven, explaining how Allina fashions themselves as caring for individuals holistically; that is, they work to serve mind, body, spirit, and their overall connection to the community. She further explained that healthcare is “more about love than anything else,” for one of Allina’s greatest assets is the 28,000 people who work in direct care giving and supporting the community.

On the topic of the pandemic, Dr. Wheeler explained that with addressing the pandemic came overwhelming anxiety as to how to best serve the community. This anxiety was rooted in several challenges, from the safety of the staff when protection equipment was in short supply to having enough space to serve. Dr. Wheeler explained that Allina needed to double the intensive unit capacity, an action that was incredibly difficult but ultimately reaped benefits. On the subject of George Floyd and systemic racism, Dr. Wheeler explained that it was a heavy subject. Floyd was killed blocks from where they were working on Lake Street, which became a hub of civil unrest. Dr. Wheeler spoke of the importance of conversation amidst this: Two weeks after George Floyd’s death, the Allina Board of Directors had a powerful meeting to open a dialogue about how people were feeling personally, rather than speaking strictly business, further illustrating Dr. Wheeler’s focus on direct engagement and the importance of personal relationships.

In order to manage and lead an organization throughout the effects of life-changing challenges, Dr. Wheeler gave three key tips. Firstly, Dr. Wheeler stated, “Never forget who you are serving and why.” There must be a continual focus on purpose and connecting work to that specific purpose. Then, Wheeler explained the second tip: “Directly engage with people on the frontlines.” She explains that, by learning opportunities from other people, a good leader will learn how to improve. Finally, the third tip was “Focus on how you manage your own energy.” Wheeler explained the importance of maintaining a calming force as well as a thoughtful energy in order to effectively lead an organization through difficult obstacles.

Wheeler also placed much emphasis on the importance of a healthy relationship with Allina’s Board, for the constancy of will and purpose is driven from the board. A good relationship with the board of directors allows leaders to deal with the reality of things by maintaining an open and truthful environment. By learning her new job as a systems thinker with a team, Wheeler was able to utilize her patience and thoughtfulness to become a great leader.

In the Q&A portion of the virtual event, Wheeler answered a wide range of questions, touching on psychological health and the future of healthcare. In her eyes, “health is not the absence of illness.” She explained that although the issuance of a vaccine was heavily important, Allina also works toward focusing on the other effects of the pandemic—loneliness, mental health, physical distancing. True wellbeing is multi-dimensional. Answering a question about the financial effect of the virus, Wheeler explained that Allina dropped about 45% in the volume of services, leading to significant financial loss. Additionally, their hospital system took care of about one-third of covid-infected lives in Minnesota. 

Wheeler ended the discussion by conveying the importance of curiosity, the importance of gaining insights from the people she serves. Wheeler stated, “Never forget who or what you are serving…Make sure you are designing from the people you’re serving back than from your board down.” Through this quote, Wheeler illustrated the importance of a good leader to embody empathy and compassion when serving their organization and the community beyond.

Visit the event page for more.