I'd like to thank the Academy...

There is loads to catch up on, but I had to jump on to gush for a minute.

If you have had a conversation with Jeff or I about his career in the last three (to five?) years you may have noticed a few repeated themes: Jeff Dorsey, Chief Operating Officer Development Program (COODP), corporate pipeline. In HCA, Jeff's company, there are are lots of ways to advance your career. But the most prestigious involves acceptance into the COODP. This "program" is really the pipeline to the top executive jobs throughout the company. Each year they accept six or seven applicants out of a pool of 700-1,000 applications.

Jeff was accepted this year! I couldn't be prouder. It has taken an incredible amount of focus, dedication, and just plain ol' hard work. As with any ultra-competitive corporate program, it takes not just talent, but a delicate process of navigating relationships, networking, and getting the "right" people (i.e. Jeff Dorsey, Division President and Jeff's boss for the last 3 years) endorsing your application. And Jeff has been doing all these things for years with the goal of getting into the COODP.

So what does it mean for us? Well, for starters Jeff gets a brand new Mercedes Benz convertible, a big deposit of money into our bank account and a membership to the corporate country club where he can smoke cigars and drink brandy with all the big wigs. I kid, I kid. That's when you get into The Skulls.

Basically not much changes for us right now. Jeff will stay in his current position at Wesley Medical Center here in Wichita. His salary changes over to corporate pay roll and he is eligible for bonus pay. In addition, he will spend a week each quarter in Nashville attending seminars and trainings. Usually participants stay in the program for 2-4 years and then are promoted to a COO job somewhere in the country.

For me it is a huge validation for all the long hours and sacrifices our family has made over the last few years. It feels a little like we've arrived. No longer student or resident or fellow or junior member of the executive team.

But mostly I just feel blessed. Blessed to be married to someone like Jeff who is such a good provider. Blessed that he has a stable and secure job. Blessed that he is surrounded by such good people that have become our dear friends. Blessed that his job has sent us around the country where we've been exposed to lots of different people and places. It's been a great thing.

Gushing complete.



HCA Corporate Headquarters - Nashville, TN 2008 on our cross-country move to Colorado.