HJNO May/Jun 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAY / JUN 2024 19 local grocery chains, Langenstein's. When you partner with people who are experts and know the way food moves, where you should purchase it, and how to spend your money, you’re making steps in the right direction. More of that can be helpful, but it's been intriguing to study it within our own four walls and with our own employees to help create healthy options. We're also working on healthy options at night for the night shift employees when the grill and normal cafeteria are closed. Editor Running a hospital is obviously challenging. What advice would you give to future administrators that you wish you had been taught? Nickens Vision, structure, people wrapped in a healthy, inspiring culture. You've got to get clarity around the vision. What is it exactly you're trying to accomplish?Who are you as a hospital? What's your identity structure? What's the building — the bricks andmortar? What does your hierarchy structure, your org chart, look like? Does it affirm the ability to make it easy to practice medicine at your hospital? It’s about the individuals making the decisions, listening, interacting with one another — healthcare doesn't happen by a machine. It's the individuals choosing to be excellent. There was a book in the '80s or '90s that said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." And it's true. I’ve made commitment to the culture, and I'm really focusing in on what I’m saying with Spirit of Charity — we show up. We're going to be here no matter what. We're going to take care of you, and we're going to choose to be excellent. I would tell them, if that's not your algo- rithm, come up with one because that's what you need to stand on when times get tough and you're trying to make very difficult deci- sions. You need to have a foundation, and for me, it's vision, structure, and people wrapped in a healthy, inspiring culture. Editor You mentioned you like to have fun. What do you do for fun? Nickens Well, I love Mardi Gras. I've ridden with almost every krewe, so if there's any parade out there that hasn't invited me to participate, I'd like for them to invite me because I very much enjoy Mardi Gras. I love walking around the city. I've gotten so intrigued with the history. I studied the history of Children's, and that led me down a few rabbit holes. Now I've been studying the history of Charity Hospital and Univer- sity Medical Center. I just love the city — walking around it and learning. I go into different parts of the neighborhood. I find it so intriguing that in Houston I drove an hour and 10 minutes each way for 20 years, and I talked to some- one here and they're like, "I can't go all the way out to the mall in Metairie. That's too far. I can't go across the bridge to the West Bank." There is a sweetness to the neigh- borhoods and where people are from. They are very proud of the neighborhood they came from. I do enjoy a bit of travel. I have a new perspective now after living in an older city. Comparing different cities is fun. Man, I love me some jazz. I love Trombone Shorty and Amanda Shaw — any kind of music. I've always loved music. I have zero talent in music other than it drives my emotions and energy. But here in NewOrleans, whew! You can get any music. That's a ton of fun, and I find it very therapeutic. Editor As we wrap up our conversation, could you share with our readers your personal philosophy or belief of the role of healthcare institutions like UMC in serving not just patients, but the broader community and society as a whole? Nickens That's a big one. I guess I'll end it the way I started it. I believe it's a privilege, sometimes our exclusive privilege, to serve the population, to grow the next generation of leaders, and to create a career path to be an economic engine. As a business, as leaders in healthcare, I think [we need] a reminder that we are caring for people when they're vulnerable. Be nice. Be kind. Hospitals are a core foundation of every city and culture and people. We should be very proud of that, and we should honor it. We should choose to be excellent. Editor Thank you for your time. Nickens Well, that was fun. n