by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | November 25, 2022
From the November 2022 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
HCB News: How would you describe the leadership style at Huntsman?
AM: I have a very inclusive style of leadership and welcome input from many other people to help me make the best decisions possible. As soon as I started as chair, I established an Executive Leadership Group (ELG) consisting of myself and several other leaders in the department. The ELG meets on a regular basis to discuss important issues facing the department. In addition to these ELG meetings, I have been meeting with every faculty member as well as directors of various groups such as nursing, dosimetry and therapist to better learn the organization and spark new ideas.
HCB News: What are the patient demographics that you're serving in the radiation oncology department?
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AM: Although the majority of patients we treat are local, since Huntsman is the only comprehensive cancer center in a 5-state region (Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana), as the radiation oncology department at Huntsman we treat many patients who live at a distance. Specifically, we provide specialized radiation treatments that might not be available at centers closer to where many of these patients live; for example, children with cancer, patients who could benefit from proton beam therapy, and radioactive implants for gynecologic malignancies.
HCB News: Are there any special projects or initiatives you're undertaking or planning to undertake?
AM: There is a tremendous opportunity for translational research — advancing novel ideas from the lab into the clinic. Since I started a few months ago, we have had a couple of translational researchers visit the department. This is still a work in progress, but I am hopeful that we can recruit at least one of them.
A major issue the medical field is facing is widespread burnout. The pandemic took a toll on the frontlines of healthcare; hence, there is a state of general dissatisfaction among healthcare workers. Filling open positions, and keeping those positions filled, is an ongoing issue. It is not just an issue of hiring, but of increasing retention by improving the quality of life of our providers. Along these lines, I assigned one of our faculty to be chair of a wellness committee in which representatives from various groups in the department (nursing, dosimetry, billing, etc.) were asked to brainstorm and come up with ideas that could make their lives more fulfilling. Reviewing these suggestions and determining how the department can institute them will be a specific focus over the next few months.
