Synergy - September/October 2014 - 26

namss focus

Start with Why
By Diane M. Meldi, CPCS, CPMSM, MBA

D

o you know your "Why"? The
purpose, cause, or belief that
inspires you to do what you do?
Have you ever wanted to volunteer for
NAMSS? Do you have concerns about your
career path? Do you want to develop
leadership skills and open up doors? If the
answer is "yes," you need to start with
"Why" or you may not end up where you
thought you would be in the end.
Simon Sinek, author and visionary thinker
who teaches leaders and organizations
how to inspire people, has authored two
books: the global bestseller "Start with Why:
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to
Take Action" and "Leaders Eat Last: Why
Some Teams Pull Together and Others
Don't." Simon's vision is simple: Create a
new generation of men and women who
understand that an organization's success
or failure is based on leadership excellence
and not managerial acumen. NAMSS
needs leaders who can meet this vision
and understand the true purpose of the
organization-the Why.

To meet this vision, the NAMSS Board
of Directors has established a Leadership
Development Task Force. The goals and
responsibilities of the task force are also

simple: create a career path for members and
leaders, and offer education so individuals in
the future can inspire leadership excellence.
To meet the needs of members, the
education will come in the form of webinars,
in-person trainings, suggested book readings,
and much more. NAMSS members are taking
great strides to solidify themselves as the
gatekeepers of patient safety, a determination
that is molded by the strength of great
leaders-both at the volunteer level and in
our offices and departments.
As you know, NAMSS held its annual Call
for Nominations and Call for Committee
Volunteers earlier this year. It is my sincere
hope that each of you felt compelled
to volunteer your expertise and your
knowledge to our national organization.
If you did not volunteer, we arrive again
at the question Why?
The words in the NAMSS emails and on its
website may have inspired you to volunteer,
but only action will create change. If you
aren't yet ready to serve in a full capacity,
I encourage you to submit your information
into the NAMSS Resource Registry, which
is a repository of interested volunteers who
may be called upon to contribute to special
projects and strategic initiatives.

Take the first step to reach your goals
and be inspired by attending Becoming a
Volunteer: Introduction to Volunteering with
NAMSS in New Orleans at NAMSS 38th
Educational Conference & Exhibition. The
NAMSS Board, Committee Chairs, and
members of the Leadership Development
Task Force will be in attendance, and you
will have the opportunity to connect with
other volunteers, learn about the plans for
2015 leadership development opportunities,
and hear first-hand the importance and
value of volunteer leadership and career
development from your peers.
As Chair of the Leadership Development
Task Force, I am excited for all that is to
come for the development of great leaders.
Remember, only action can create change.
Together, let's start with Why.
For more information on Simon Sinek and
his valuable leadership tools, visit YouTube
or Ted: Ideas Worth Sharing. ■

Diane M. Meldi, CPCS, CPMSM,
MBA, is the Executive Director of
Medical Staff Services at Mercy in
Springfield, Mo. She is also Chair
of the NAMSS Leadership
Development Task Force.

The Beauty of Failure
continued from page 22

My fellow test-takers, I hope this story
encourages you. Just because you fail
an exam, it does not mean you are a
failure. There is no shame in not passing
an exam as long as learning is achieved
along the way. Certification exams are
difficult, which is why NAMSS has specific
criteria regarding years of experience for
registering for a testing cycle.

Certification is extremely important, as
it a lays the foundation upon which our
professional futures are built. My advice to
those contemplating certification: Attend
a preparatory course, network, study, and
do not rush into sitting for the exam until
you are confident and ready. Remember,
perseverance, preparation, and believing in
yourself are the keys to your success.

Late in 2013, NAMSS added me as a
Student Instructor for the CPCS Prep
Course. In June 2014, I completed
my student role as I move to NAMSS
Instructor.

A special thank you to my husband, Gary; our
children, Brian, Steven, Zach, and Ashley; and
my predecessor, mentor, and friend, Ms. Kathy
Matzka, for not only believing in me but also
encouraging me to believe in myself. ■

26

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SYNERGY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Merella Schandl is a Director
of Medical Affairs Services with
Memorial Hospital in Belleville,
Ill. She has more than 18 years
of knowledge and experience to
share with colleagues and
administrative and medical staff leaders on
issues relevant to medical staff services and
healthcare management. She is CPMSM and
CPCS certified and holds a degree from
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in
Workforce Education and Development. She is
the current Missouri Association Medical Staff
Services (MoAMSS) President.
http://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSS38thEducationalConferenceandExhibition/RegistrationInfo.aspx http://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSS38thEducationalConferenceandExhibition/RegistrationInfo.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReRcHdeUG9Y http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action http://www.namss.org/About/ResourceRegistry.aspx
Synergy - September/October 2014

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