Today is a somber day for me. In our organization we are losing a great leader who is retiring today. I am a part of Berkshire Health Systems because she first hired me as a per-diem shift director and then in 2021 I became the Quality Director for Fairview Hospital. Today, February 28, 2024, Doreen Hutchinson will walk the halls of the hospital on her final day as the Chief Nurse Officer of Fairview Hospital. Her leadership will be missed but more importantly her commitment to the South County community will be missed. She has been a great partner in my health equity work and a great example of what it means to honor dignity.
I have had successes and failures in my life. I have come to learn that in my successes it takes not only me believing in myself and putting in the work, but it also takes others who believe in you as well. Doreen was one of those people for me. I am forever grateful that she took a chance on me and because of that I am where I am today. The legacy of a great leader is what they leave behind. Doreen’s legacy at Fairview will be the great leaders she mentored and a community that she worked tirelessly to uplift. Her dreams and visions will live on in all who had the honor to work with her.
I am taking this moment in my Dignity message to say “Thank you” to Doreen Hutchinson. Thank you for the encouragement when I questioned my ability to become the first DEI Officer of Berkshire Health Systems. Thank you for taking the chance on me as quality director for Fairview Hospital and thank you for the honest heartfelt conversations we had. I will miss seeing you on those Mondays when I come to Fairview.
Maya Angelou said. “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”
Your vision and commitment to Fairview and the community it serves has made a difference to so many.
I want to say thank you to the difference you made for the community and the many you have led. You have turned dreams from hope to reality.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 