Augusta, Ga. (March 29, 2024) – In honor of Women’s History Month, three executive leaders from Piedmont Augusta shared their unique leadership journeys with Piedmont Augusta team members, encouraging them to reach for their dreams and help forge a path where equal representation between genders is not the exception, but the norm.
“It is my honor to introduce a celebration that not only reflects on the past achievements of women, but also shines a light on the present and future where women executives are shaping our world,” explained Antuan Harris, Clinical Coordinator in Respiratory Services, and a Piedmont Augusta DE&I program leader. “In this event, we proudly feature a diverse group of leaders, each a trailblazer in her own right, who exemplifies the courage, innovation and leadership that continues to break barriers and forge paths of opportunity for all.”
Panelists participating were Lily Henson, M.D., Piedmont Augusta Chief Executive Officer; Janee Dock, Piedmont Augusta Chief Nursing Officer; and Jessica Edmonds, Piedmont Augusta Executive Director and Human Resources Business Partner. Piedmont Augusta’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) team moderated the discussion, which focused on the following three areas: Name women who have been influential in your careers. What is your perspective on failure, and what have you learned from it? What advice do you offer women who aspire to executive roles?
A highly critical and abrasive preceptor early in Dock’s nursing career oddly became a source of motivation. “She solidified for me that I was exactly where I was meant to be,” Dock said. “I was determined to prove her wrong and be the best nurse I could be.” From a completely different perspective, Dock spoke about former Piedmont Augusta CNO Marilyn Bowcutt, who exemplified leadership that she aspired to emulate. “She believed in the profession of nursing – continuing education, nurses having a voice and the value they bring to the patient experience. She was a constant encourager who always challenged us with great opportunities. She was a transformational leader.”
Edmonds said she worked with a Human Resources Director early in her career who made a significant impact on her personally and professionally. “She was never my leader, but I always knew her to be very respectful and a good listener, who was thought of very highly across the organization. It sounds simple, but I knew those were skills that I wanted to emulate, and she is still in my life today.”
Henson reflected honestly about being a young physician who was dismissed from her role as a medical director. “Failing so publicly was devastating. In hindsight, it was good for my career in that I have had many different opportunities and doors open that I would not have had if I had stayed in that role. However, a big part of leadership is accepting your contributing role when things don’t go right. I was young, and I had a lot to learn, and I have tried hard not to repeat those mistakes. I firmly believe that a failure is only a true failure if you don’t learn from it.”
Dock said that she believes strongly in self-awareness, self-reflection, continuing leadership education and venturing outside your comfort zone. “I try to always think about things from the other person’s perspective,” she explained. “In every interaction, I wonder if there was an opportunity for me to do something differently that would have resulted in a better outcome for all involved. Were my emotions, feelings or biases involved? Inevitably, mistakes happen, and I look at them as an opportunity to do better. Leadership is really more about you learning about yourself – your strengths, weaknesses and opportunities – than it is about the people you are leading.”
Henson would encourage women who aspire to executive roles to be very curious. “You have to love to learn,” Henson said. “Identify opportunities and aim for the stars. Surround yourself with people who yearn to reach and exceed their potential. Leadership is not a role, it’s a mindset.”
Women should not believe they have to aspire to an executive position unless they are just drawn to it, Edmonds said. “We need leaders at every level, and they are no more or less important in what they bring to the table. If an executive position is your aspiration, find a mentor and be a good student of those people who inspire you.”
Harris concluded the event by sharing, “Our celebration today is not just about recognizing what has been accomplished; it’s about igniting the inspiration and laying the groundwork for future generations of women leaders,” he said. “It is about inclusivity and driving change in our organization and community through the power of diversity, equity and inclusion – principles that our esteemed executives not only advocate for, but also embody in their daily work.”