Dignity: Celebrate the Greatness in You 

Happy Dignity Friday, 

Today I will be beginning a new journey in my career. It was an unexpected turn from where I thought my nursing career would take me. As a have grown as a nurse I saw myself as a Chief Nurse Officer (CNO) or a senior level nursing leader. I felt I could help an organization improve the care we give every day and be the voice of the frontline staff. As I have matured as a nurse and as a person, I thought I was ready to take that step. When I graduated with my master’s in healthcare administration in 2020, I had a five-year plan that would lead me to the position of CNO. I had my goals and plan set. I had my mission and vision written and then in one moment my vision went left instead of right. 

When I took the position of Quality Director at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Massachusetts it was all part of my plan to move me closer to my goal. I believe this role would cement my resume and I was on my way to living out my mission to be a top nurse leader. Little did I know life had another plan for me and in the matter of one year I became the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI) of Berkshire Health. This turn was so far to where I thought I would be I got whiplash. I have done a lot of work to support Diversity and Inclusion when I was at Baystate, but never did I see myself as a DEI Officer who would be responsible for the DEI strategy of an organization and answer directly to the CEO. I learned the life we plan is not always the life we get. 

I have the same fears that anyone would have when they take on a new role. I question myself because I know how important this role is and I do not want to fail. Everyone tells me I am going to do an excellent job but when I lie awake at night doubt does enter my mind and I question everything, and think am I the right person for this position and as the first will I be able to overcome the barriers and expectations that are put before me.  

I had a meeting this week with a colleague and fellow DEI partner, and she talked about how we often we look at the negative when we evaluate ourselves. I thought she was correct. So, Last night I decided to look at myself and this role in a different way. I looked back on my life and my career, and I realized that everything I have learned, every experience I have had, every person that I have cared for, and every team I have led has brough to this moment. Those life experiences have prepared me for this challenge, and I also realized that Darlene Rodowicz, our CEO, and the other senior leaders would not have offered me this opportunity if they felt I was not the right person. Will I stumble yes probably. Will there be times Darlene will need to speak to me and guide me when I am not at my best? Probably. What I know is that my success will outweigh my failures and we as a Berkshire Health System team will move forward and improve our quality of care and make sure that we deliver equitable care and move forward with our mission to, “advancing the health and wellness of everyone in our community in a welcoming, inclusive, and personalized environment.” 

The point of my blog today is this. Take today to look at yourself and celebrate the wonderful things you have to offer. We are living in challenging and tough times, but it does not mean that you do not have value or that you cannot help change someone’s life for the better.  

Charles Redd RN 

Dignity Freedom Fighter