Wake Up Call – When a CEO Takes the Night Shift
Sanford Behavioral Health CEO Tracy Rogers is working the night shift.
As a CEO, it’s easy to get disconnected from your organization’s front lines. But what happens when a CEO takes a step back into the trenches, answering the call for help in the dead of night? For this CEO, taking overnight admissions calls at Sanford Behavioral Health became a transformative experience that changed the way our organization operates and the way I lead.
When I forwarded the concept of 24/7 EZ Admissions at Sanford, I understood it would be a challenge. There was the inevitable branding and outreach to let people know we’d be more available. We would also have to add staff to our admissions team, hire a night on-call admissions nurse, and fine-tune scheduling. However, in the mental health world, crises often happen at night. I intuitively knew that a human answering phones 24/7 was an empathetic and efficient way to address these crises. What I did not think about until I began taking the night shift admissions calls was the renewed perspective I would get about the life-changing and life-saving work we do at Sanford.
Night Shift Admissions – A Glimpse into the Darkness
The calls come in at all hours, but the overnight calls can be the most heart-wrenching. Desperate families, frantic parents, and individuals on the brink of crisis are all reaching out for a lifeline. As CEO, personally taking these calls provided me with a glimpse into the darkness that many people face and the desperation that drives them to seek help. It also gave me perspective on the self-care needed to sustain the combination of compassion and tenacity required for the job of admissions specialist.
A New Perspective
By taking overnight admission calls, I have gained a renewed perspective on Sanford’s mission and purpose. It’s not just about metrics, outcomes, or profit margins. It’s about people—real people with real struggles and real stories. This newfound understanding sparked a sense of purpose and commitment to delivering exceptional care.
A Ripple Effect
My taking overnight admission calls has sent ripples throughout our organization. Team members have been inspired by their leader’s willingness to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Morale increases and a sense of camaraderie develops as everyone works together to provide the best possible care. Team members are asking to jump in and take the reins. Our team’s commitment is the very same—to provide hope, healing, and support to those in need.
A Commitment to Excellence:
Taking overnight admission calls is not just a symbolic gesture—it’s a commitment to excellence. I am holding myself accountable for our promise to deliver exceptional care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With my direct involvement in the admissions process, we have identified areas for improvement and made data-driven decisions to enhance the quality of care.
A Call to Action
As the demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, it’s time for CEOs and leaders to take a closer look at their organizations. The night shift has helped me to:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the needs and struggles of our clients.
- Inspire and motivate our team members to deliver exceptional care.
- Identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance quality.
- Demonstrate a commitment to excellence and hold ourselves accountable to our promise.
Taking night shift admission calls is not just a behavioral health CEO’s responsibility—it’s a call to action. By answering this call, we can transform our organizations, inspire our teams, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Will you answer the call?
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, or daily functioning, please don’t wait to change your life for the better– click the link below to speak with an admissions specialist today. Sanford Behavioral Health 24/7 EZ Admissions – talk to a human, receive an assessment, and start the process of admission to treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
