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Hines VA Servant Leadership Supervisor Summit a slam dunk

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital supervisors participate in the 'Bucket List Buckets' activityt where they shared their bucket list goals.
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital supervisors participate in the Bucket List Buckets activity at the inaugural Hines VA Servant Leadership Summit.
By Rachel Everett, Public Affairs Specialist

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital supervisors from more than 60 services shared their bucket list goals with a game of shooting basketball hoops as part of the inaugural Hines VA Servant Leadership Supervisor Summit hosted at the Cuomo Center on the Loyola University Medical campus on Feb. 12

The summit was led by Employee Engagement and Whole Health Service Chief Dr. Irena Persky, who presented the idea to Hospital Director James Doelling in November 2023. 

“Mr. Doelling and the Executive Leadership Team were very supportive of the idea,” said Persky. “They advocated for making the event a full day and requested that all supervisors participate.”

Persky said the summit allowed supervisors to increase self-awareness while driving meaningful change within their respective teams. 

“This training provided opportunities for personal reflection and value-based action planning to increase professional fulfillment, wellness, and put servant leadership into action,” said Persky. 

The summit opened with remarks from Hines VA’s executive leaders and was followed by morning sessions on values and purpose, self-care, and compassionate leadership in action. 

For Facility Telehealth Coordinator Premilla Castelino the biggest takeaway was a workshop on self-awareness and actively listening to verbal and non-verbal cues. She also enjoyed writing a personal mission statement hosted by Dr. Zerek Mayes, Hines VA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Organizational Development Manager.

Dr. Mayes hopes his portion will help supervisors to rediscover their passions and find their inner motivations through a personal mission statement. 

“A personal mission statement can make a significant difference in whether we lose our drive or ignite a fire of passion, commitment, and transformation,” said Mayes. “Having a personal mission statement is similar to having a constitution that guides your life and helps you make everyday decisions.” 

Along with creating a personal mission statement, the afternoon session consisted of a presentation on protected time for self-care and a virtual and in-person leadership panel. The panel included Hines VA Chief of Environmental Management Service Jim Engstrom and leaders from across the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Servant leadership emphasizes compassion and respect, always,” said Doelling. “By putting our team and the care they provide first, we can continue to positively impact the well-being of our Veterans.”