Reflection: Heart, Leadership and Communication Drive Success

There are moments in life that force us to pause, reflect and truly appreciate the gift of each new day. For me, that moment arrived unexpectedly on March 15, when I was admitted to the hospital and began a journey that would test every ounce of my strength and resilience.

What started as a routine day quickly became a fight for survival. I found myself in the ICU at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, facing a health crisis so severe that doctors gave me that force us to pause, reflect and truly appreciate the gift of each new day. For me, that moment arrived unexpectedly on March 15, when I was admitted to the hospital and began a journey that would test every ounce of my strength and resilience. What started as a routine day quickly became a fight for survival. I found myself in the ICU at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, facing a health crisis so severe that doctors gave me only a one in three chance of survival. Larger hospitals declined to accept me, fearing I wouldn’t survive the flight (speculation is they didn’t want my death to be on their books). But Lakewood Ranch Medical Center stepped up and their team of doctors and nurses became my lifeline.

Those 19 days in the ICU were the most challenging of my life. For many of those days, I was on a ventilator, unable to move. When they finally woke me up, I could barely lift my arms or any part of my body. Each small action—lifting my arms, sitting up—became a monumental milestone. I lost significant strength and energy and the road to recovery seemed endless. But through it all, the unwavering dedication of the medical staff and my family kept me going. Their seamless communication, teamwork and compassion were nothing short of phenomenal. Every shift change and handoff—between doctors, nurses, dietary staff, the EVS team and physical therapists—was executed with clarity and care. This experience reinforced a lesson I’ve learned throughout my career: great care and great results, always start with great communication and a team that leads with heart.

True leadership is not just about making decisions—it’s about listening, connecting and empowering your team. In the ICU, I witnessed real leadership in action. The staff didn’t just treat my illness; they listened to my concerns, communicated openly with my loved ones and supported each other through every challenge. They proved that when a team cares deeply—when they have heart— anything is possible. Skills can be taught, but heart and compassion are what drive a culture of excellence.

Throughout my ordeal, I was surrounded by the love and support of my family—my beautiful daughters, my feisty 89-year-old mother, my wonderful fiancé, my brother, my extended family and friends from around the world. Their encouragement, along with prayers and well wishes from a global prayer family, became a source of strength and hope. I am deeply grateful for every message, every prayer and every act of kindness.

I am especially grateful to my professional family at Omnicell. My manager, Chris Baer and the entire team stood by me every step of the way. Their encouragement and the assurance that my place would be waiting until I was ready to return gave me peace of mind and a sense of belonging. Omnicell’s culture of support and understanding is a testament to the power of a workplace culture that values both heart and communication.

Now, as I reflect on this journey, I am over 80 percent back to normal, though I still have work ahead to regain my full strength and energy. Every small victory—a deeper breath, a longer walk, a laugh shared with loved ones—feels monumental. I am filled with gratitude for the incredible care I received, the love that surrounded me and the community that rallied around me.

This experience has changed me. It has reminded me that life is fragile and precious and that our connections—with family, friends, colleagues and caregivers—are what matter most. I urge everyone to take a moment to reboot from the seriousness of work and daily routines. Cherish your loved ones, appreciate the people around you and never underestimate the power of kindness and compassion.

To the heroes at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, to my family and friends, to my colleagues at Omnicell and to everyone who kept me in their thoughts and prayers— thank you. Your support carried me through the darkest days and gave me the strength to keep fighting.

As I continue on this path of healing and growth, I am filled with joy and a renewed appreciation for life. Please, don’t take anything for granted. Every day is a blessing and every act of kindness ripples further than we can ever know. Let’s all strive to be leaders who listen, who communicate and who lead with heart—at work, at home and in our communities. Together, we can make a difference.