- Email: [email protected]
David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN, PhD(c)
Leader to Watch David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN, PhD(c) Jackie L. Gonzalez, DNP, ARNP, MBA, NEA-BC, FAAN
D
r. David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN,
ues as a leader begin with his passion for nursing and
PhD(c), has built a solid and progressive
health care that lead to his commitment to the impor-
track record of leadership from early in his career by
tance of teamwork. Throughout his career, David’s aim
forming
results
has been to make a difference while always taking the
through change, and through his focus on the impor-
opportunity to grow and learn along the way, seeing
tance of each individual to the overall team. His val-
every success or failure as a lesson to build on.
lasting
www.nurseleader.com
relationships,
delivering
Nurse Leader
305
JLG: You have had a wonderful career as a nurse leader and now as a chief executive officer. What advice would you give to young leaders today to be successful? DZ: (1) Have clarity regarding why you selected a career in leadership. (2) Always remember that leadership is less about “doing” and more about “being.” (3) How we see ourselves and how we see others as an extension of ourselves— before any role, title, job. (4) Remain open to learning from everything you experience—if the learning is not clear, be still, ask, and it will come. JLG: What experience best prepared you for your current career? DZ: The experience and education go without saying; however, if I had to be completely honest, growing up in church as the son of a preacher and evangelist by far prepared me for a career in executive leadership. Additionally, I would say the opportunity of having very generous individuals take an interest in my development. JLG: What has motivated you and stayed with you through both successes and failures as a nurse leader?
306
Nurse Leader
DZ: Two things: (1) having a clear
intention about a desire to make a difference; (2) my constant pursuit of learning/growth have fueled my motivation. It’s easy to remain motivated when you are succeeding; however, in times where I have not succeeded, I have derived motivation from the lesson learned from that particular experience. JLG: What do you value most dearly in your leadership tool kit? DZ: The ability to connect with individuals on all levels and my desire to help others grow. I see both of these attributes as my responsibility to do for others —what was done for me. JLG: Who/what has been most influential and inspirational for you in your career? DZ: There are multiple individuals that have been both influential and inspirational in my career. My parents are Cuban immigrants and feel a debt of gratitude to the U.S. They always shared that the best way to honor our legacy was to grow up to be individuals of integrity—by working hard, getting an education, and remaining focused on our contribution to others.
So, starting with my sister (Isis Zambrana-Diaz) who is also a nurse: watching her passion for the discipline of nursing is the reason I became a nurse. From the beginning, there have been a host of individuals that supported my growth along the way. Silvia Stradi was the first nurse leader that took a chance on me by allowing me to go directly into the critical care internship as a new grad. She was clear that my success was her success. I follow her example of investing in others to this day. Carol Daley and Al Hernandez, my nurse leaders at the Ryder Trauma Center, both of whom modeled the pride and honor of being a trauma nurse and who stressed the responsibility we had to our patients and their families. Carry Feinroth, was my nurse manager in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson and a loving and committed nurse leader to everyone she interacted with. Carry exemplified the importance of investing in and contributing to others. Laura Cillo, Chief Operating Officer at Delray Medical Center, took a great deal of interest in me and my potential.
October 2017
When I interacted with Laura, it was clear to me she saw something in me that I did not see in myself, and her belief in my success gave me the confidence I needed as a growing leader. Dr. Nilda (Nena) Peragallo Montano, Dean of the University of Miami’s (UM) School of Nursing and Health Studies, was part of my panel interview at the UM, and from the onset she took an interest in my academic growth. She encouraged me to seek my DNP and move forward as I pursue my PhD. Lastly, Don Steigman, the Jackson Health System COO [chief operating officer] gave my first opportunity as a CNO [chief nursing officer] while he was the divisional SVP [senior vice president] for Tenet South Florida. Years later, he endorsed me for my first CEO [chief executive officer] role at UM and most recently gave me the opportunity to return to Jackson Memorial as the SVP/CEO, bringing my career full circle. JLG: As a very well-respected and progressive leader, you have developed relationships throughout your journey. How would you describe the importance of these to you/your work? DZ: I would describe my professional relationships and friendships as indispensable to my life and career. I am not referring to acquaintances, I am referring to the handful of individuals I can pick up the phone and ask for support, be vulnerable with, and know I will receive candid and sound advice. JLG: Today, nurse leaders are faced with multiple hurdles, often simultaneously. What advice would you share with others as to maintaining balance? DZ: This is a tough question, as I have struggled to find balance. As I have gotten older, I am more comfortable with
www.nurseleader.com
communicating my needs and at times even saying, “No, I am unable to do that.” My advice others is to find time to replenish yourself and remain committed to making time to do those things. JLG: What would you describe as one opportunity or failure in your career that left the greatest impression on you as a leader? DZ: Leadership courage is a “muscle” leaders develop over time. It is imperative for leaders to develop clarity about the environment you want to be a part of and not be afraid to make choices when there is an incongruence. There was time in my career that I did not exercise that choice soon enough. All things being perfect, I learned a significant lesson to never settle when something does not feel “right.” JLG: What would you say to encourage nurse leaders as they enter their journey in remaining true to themselves while striving to transform health care? DZ: Free yourself of the need to be perfect. Hard work and dedication does not need to look the same way for everyone. Your contributions to health care will go without saying— find the space within health care leadership you are passionate about and where you believe you can make a difference. Remain open to the lessons and the opportunities for growth this amazing field has to offer. JLG: What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a novice nurse leader? DZ: Bring passion to everything you do and always do your best. When both of those are present, others will notice. JLG: What is the one piece of advice you wish you had heard at an earlier stage in your career?
Nurse Leader
307
DZ: Education matters—be thoughtful about your education
Name/credentials/title: David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN, PhD(c). Hometown: Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and grew up in Miami, Florida. Current job/role: Senior vice president and chief executive officer, Jackson Memorial Hospital. Education: PhD(c) Nursing, University of Miami—expected graduation Fall 2017; Doctorate in Nursing Practice, University of Miami; BSM/MBA, University of Phoenix; nursing degree, Southern University.
path. This is an indispensable investment that will support your journey at every step. JLG: If you could change health care today, what would it look like for the future? DZ: (1) Payer and tort reform to drive new models of care that are focused on access to care, health/wellness and value; (2) A silo free inter-professional model of care that does away with the hierarchy and power dynamics that continue to exist in health care; (3) A care environment that leveraged innovation in the areas of technology/ informatics, biomedical engineering and healthcare care delivery to drive efficiency and superior outcomes; (4) Greater recognition of all of the health care disciplines that contribute to the health care delivery system. NL Jackie L. Gonzalez, DNP, ARNP, MBA, NEA-BC, FAAN, is senior vice president/chief nursing officer and patient safety officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. She can be reached at [email protected]. 1541-4612/2017/ $ See front matter Copyright 2017 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2017.07.008
First job in nursing: CVICU and CV stepdown. Being in a leadership role provides me an opportunity to: Model the leadership qualities necessary for all leaders today and be a change agent while supporting other leaders and staff to grow. My best advice to aspiring leaders is to: Have clarity about why you want to lead. If the response is anything other than contributing to others and making a difference, I encourage you to re-think a career in leadership. One thing I want to learn is to: Play golf. Books that have influenced my thinking: Daring Greatly, The Leadership Challenge, Radical Candor, The First 90 Days, Service Fanatics, If Disney Ran Your Hospital: 9½ Things You Would Do Differently, Good to Great. One word to describe me is: Driven. Most people don’t know that I: Love to sing.
308
Nurse Leader
October 2017
D
r. David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN,
ues as a leader begin with his passion for nursing and
PhD(c), has built a solid and progressive
health care that lead to his commitment to the impor-
track record of leadership from early in his career by
tance of teamwork. Throughout his career, David’s aim
forming
results
has been to make a difference while always taking the
through change, and through his focus on the impor-
opportunity to grow and learn along the way, seeing
tance of each individual to the overall team. His val-
every success or failure as a lesson to build on.
lasting
www.nurseleader.com
relationships,
delivering
Nurse Leader
305
JLG: You have had a wonderful career as a nurse leader and now as a chief executive officer. What advice would you give to young leaders today to be successful? DZ: (1) Have clarity regarding why you selected a career in leadership. (2) Always remember that leadership is less about “doing” and more about “being.” (3) How we see ourselves and how we see others as an extension of ourselves— before any role, title, job. (4) Remain open to learning from everything you experience—if the learning is not clear, be still, ask, and it will come. JLG: What experience best prepared you for your current career? DZ: The experience and education go without saying; however, if I had to be completely honest, growing up in church as the son of a preacher and evangelist by far prepared me for a career in executive leadership. Additionally, I would say the opportunity of having very generous individuals take an interest in my development. JLG: What has motivated you and stayed with you through both successes and failures as a nurse leader?
306
Nurse Leader
DZ: Two things: (1) having a clear
intention about a desire to make a difference; (2) my constant pursuit of learning/growth have fueled my motivation. It’s easy to remain motivated when you are succeeding; however, in times where I have not succeeded, I have derived motivation from the lesson learned from that particular experience. JLG: What do you value most dearly in your leadership tool kit? DZ: The ability to connect with individuals on all levels and my desire to help others grow. I see both of these attributes as my responsibility to do for others —what was done for me. JLG: Who/what has been most influential and inspirational for you in your career? DZ: There are multiple individuals that have been both influential and inspirational in my career. My parents are Cuban immigrants and feel a debt of gratitude to the U.S. They always shared that the best way to honor our legacy was to grow up to be individuals of integrity—by working hard, getting an education, and remaining focused on our contribution to others.
So, starting with my sister (Isis Zambrana-Diaz) who is also a nurse: watching her passion for the discipline of nursing is the reason I became a nurse. From the beginning, there have been a host of individuals that supported my growth along the way. Silvia Stradi was the first nurse leader that took a chance on me by allowing me to go directly into the critical care internship as a new grad. She was clear that my success was her success. I follow her example of investing in others to this day. Carol Daley and Al Hernandez, my nurse leaders at the Ryder Trauma Center, both of whom modeled the pride and honor of being a trauma nurse and who stressed the responsibility we had to our patients and their families. Carry Feinroth, was my nurse manager in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson and a loving and committed nurse leader to everyone she interacted with. Carry exemplified the importance of investing in and contributing to others. Laura Cillo, Chief Operating Officer at Delray Medical Center, took a great deal of interest in me and my potential.
October 2017
When I interacted with Laura, it was clear to me she saw something in me that I did not see in myself, and her belief in my success gave me the confidence I needed as a growing leader. Dr. Nilda (Nena) Peragallo Montano, Dean of the University of Miami’s (UM) School of Nursing and Health Studies, was part of my panel interview at the UM, and from the onset she took an interest in my academic growth. She encouraged me to seek my DNP and move forward as I pursue my PhD. Lastly, Don Steigman, the Jackson Health System COO [chief operating officer] gave my first opportunity as a CNO [chief nursing officer] while he was the divisional SVP [senior vice president] for Tenet South Florida. Years later, he endorsed me for my first CEO [chief executive officer] role at UM and most recently gave me the opportunity to return to Jackson Memorial as the SVP/CEO, bringing my career full circle. JLG: As a very well-respected and progressive leader, you have developed relationships throughout your journey. How would you describe the importance of these to you/your work? DZ: I would describe my professional relationships and friendships as indispensable to my life and career. I am not referring to acquaintances, I am referring to the handful of individuals I can pick up the phone and ask for support, be vulnerable with, and know I will receive candid and sound advice. JLG: Today, nurse leaders are faced with multiple hurdles, often simultaneously. What advice would you share with others as to maintaining balance? DZ: This is a tough question, as I have struggled to find balance. As I have gotten older, I am more comfortable with
www.nurseleader.com
communicating my needs and at times even saying, “No, I am unable to do that.” My advice others is to find time to replenish yourself and remain committed to making time to do those things. JLG: What would you describe as one opportunity or failure in your career that left the greatest impression on you as a leader? DZ: Leadership courage is a “muscle” leaders develop over time. It is imperative for leaders to develop clarity about the environment you want to be a part of and not be afraid to make choices when there is an incongruence. There was time in my career that I did not exercise that choice soon enough. All things being perfect, I learned a significant lesson to never settle when something does not feel “right.” JLG: What would you say to encourage nurse leaders as they enter their journey in remaining true to themselves while striving to transform health care? DZ: Free yourself of the need to be perfect. Hard work and dedication does not need to look the same way for everyone. Your contributions to health care will go without saying— find the space within health care leadership you are passionate about and where you believe you can make a difference. Remain open to the lessons and the opportunities for growth this amazing field has to offer. JLG: What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a novice nurse leader? DZ: Bring passion to everything you do and always do your best. When both of those are present, others will notice. JLG: What is the one piece of advice you wish you had heard at an earlier stage in your career?
Nurse Leader
307
DZ: Education matters—be thoughtful about your education
Name/credentials/title: David Zambrana, DNP, MBA, RN, PhD(c). Hometown: Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and grew up in Miami, Florida. Current job/role: Senior vice president and chief executive officer, Jackson Memorial Hospital. Education: PhD(c) Nursing, University of Miami—expected graduation Fall 2017; Doctorate in Nursing Practice, University of Miami; BSM/MBA, University of Phoenix; nursing degree, Southern University.
path. This is an indispensable investment that will support your journey at every step. JLG: If you could change health care today, what would it look like for the future? DZ: (1) Payer and tort reform to drive new models of care that are focused on access to care, health/wellness and value; (2) A silo free inter-professional model of care that does away with the hierarchy and power dynamics that continue to exist in health care; (3) A care environment that leveraged innovation in the areas of technology/ informatics, biomedical engineering and healthcare care delivery to drive efficiency and superior outcomes; (4) Greater recognition of all of the health care disciplines that contribute to the health care delivery system. NL Jackie L. Gonzalez, DNP, ARNP, MBA, NEA-BC, FAAN, is senior vice president/chief nursing officer and patient safety officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. She can be reached at [email protected]. 1541-4612/2017/ $ See front matter Copyright 2017 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2017.07.008
First job in nursing: CVICU and CV stepdown. Being in a leadership role provides me an opportunity to: Model the leadership qualities necessary for all leaders today and be a change agent while supporting other leaders and staff to grow. My best advice to aspiring leaders is to: Have clarity about why you want to lead. If the response is anything other than contributing to others and making a difference, I encourage you to re-think a career in leadership. One thing I want to learn is to: Play golf. Books that have influenced my thinking: Daring Greatly, The Leadership Challenge, Radical Candor, The First 90 Days, Service Fanatics, If Disney Ran Your Hospital: 9½ Things You Would Do Differently, Good to Great. One word to describe me is: Driven. Most people don’t know that I: Love to sing.
308
Nurse Leader
October 2017