Dignity: Thankful for You 

It has been three years since I started writing these dignity posts. It all started as a commitment to my Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)team at Baystate Health. It was the day I changed as a leader, and it was the day I began to grow as a person. When I wrote my first dignity message it was a personal message between me and the 20+ teammates I had in CDI. I was committed in writing that I would be the leader and person they needed so that we could move forward and create a team that worked and lead with dignity. It was a journey that was filled with challenges and a journey that was filled with ups and downs, but it was the most rewarding roller coaster ride for me in my leadership journey. 

When I think back on the opportunities I have had in my career as a nurse I understand how truly blessed I have been. Many wonderful people have given me great opportunities. My first manager at Baystate Deb M. took a chance on me and saw leadership potential in me before I did. My friend Laura D. gave me my first opportunity to lead and along with some amazing people on Wesson 4 at Baystate I built my leadership foundation. Leesa-Lee K. who took a chance on me and gave me my first opportunity to manage the emergency room at Baystate Franklin and my first opportunity to become the director of emergency and behavioral health services. It was a challenging role. I constantly work hard thinking I had to prove myself. I lost my way and gave up on leadership. 

On March of 2020 when the world turned upside down the CDI team help me find my way and my purpose. I started my dignity and leadership journey when Yemisi (My DEI mentor) introduced me to the book Leading with Dignity by Dr. Donna Hicks PhD. It also started when Jennifer C. Assistant Director for CDI gave me the opportunity to lead the team but, more importantly, my friends at CDI allowed me to grow into the leader I have become by allowing me to lead them. It was CDI who led me to write the dignity message. It was CDI who spread the word about these messages. Because of them I know people who read these messages as part of their Friday morning meetings, and many who share them with their friends and families. I am honored that my words and my vulnerabilities help others.  

I am here today as the Diversity Officer for Berkshire Health System because Doreen H. and Lisa K. gave me the opportunity to be Quality Director for Fairview Hospital and that Darlene R CEO of Berkshire Health believe that I was the right person to lead and become the first DEI Officer at Berkshire Health. I am still amazed and thankful for what I have been given a chance to make a difference in the world. 

I dedicate this Dignity message to all the people I have mentioned above but also to every person I have worked with, every patient I ever took care of, my family, my friends, and to the community of Berkshire County. My success I owe to your love and support. There is this song by Rascal Flatts that states, “God blessed the broken road that point straight to you.” I have broken many roads in my day. I have broken hearts and had disappointments but the people I met along the way helped me to grow into someone better. I will continue to honor your belief in me by continuing to be a better person.  

THANK YOU 

Charles Redd RN 

Dignity Freedom Fighter