By Frank Ruelas
Facility Compliance Professional, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center/Dignity Health
Steve Harvey, a popular TV and radio celebrity who is also well known for his work with various groups that advocate for a number of humanitarian causes reminded me of something that struck a chord with me that I felt compelled to write a blog on what it brought to mind.
First, let me be clear.
I see and don’t discount the wonderful opportunity that organizations like HCCA, SCCE, and others have done to promote awareness and promote development of the compliance profession. I value the posts of folks like Roy (who though may not know me from Adam I hope takes no issue with me referring to him by first name which might infer to others in some way that we are any more than colleagues that occupy a common space which is the universe of compliance professionals) and others who share their sage advice, comments, ideas, and opinions that often prompts us to think of various topics and how they impact us directly or indirectly.
During a particular episode of Steve Harvey’s show, the crew and cast celebrated his birthday. It was complete with cameos from friends and family and with comments by those who acknowledged his work and positive influence to include such folks as government officials along with the mayor of Cleveland. As a true showman, Mr. Harvey showed tremendous composure while obviously being tremendously moved.
At one point the show then highlighted some of the people that Mr. Harvey grew up with. That was it!
Mr. Harvey proceeded to comment that the people on the screen were the friends and neighbors that helped him develop “who I am” and how they taught him life lessons that still resonated with him today. The scene moved to a view of Mr. Harvey’s boyhood home. That was it…the floodgates opened as Mr. Harvey pointed to the monitor and proclaimed, “That’s My Momma’s House!” At that point, he could no longer hold back his emotions, turning away from the camera to gather himself. I thought to myself what thoughts must be going through this person’s mind.
The thought came to me which I wanted to close with by sharing it with those who may read this. Who are those people in our past that helped mold us by providing guidance, teaching, examples and at times the discipline that contributed in developing who we are? Certainly, in this ever increasing wired in network of humanity, some of these people we may be able to reach and send a note of thanks. For others we may not have the opportunity as they may have moved on, yet the power influence they exerted cannot be denied. It made me realize that though we may not have thanked some of those people who helped us be who we are, we continue to thank them by our deeds as compliance professionals. I believe all those people in our past would agree that this is the greatest show of thanks that they could ever hope to receive.
Like Steve Harvey, I no longer have my mother who I can share time with. However, the lessons I learned in “My Momma’s House” ring as true and clear today as they did when I learned them long, long ago. OK…maybe not that long ago!
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