Good Example Of Essay On Healthcare Leaders: Michael Murphy

As president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Sharp HealthCare, Michael W. Murphy is tasked with a large responsibility. He oversees more than 16,000 employees, 2,600 affiliated physicians and about 2,100 volunteers. In turn, this workforce provides service and healthcare to a completely integrated not-for-profit system that includes "four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, two affiliated medical groups, five urgent care centers, three skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospice, state-of-the-art outpatient facilities and a health plan" (sharp.com, 2015, internet). Murphy's healthcare career has spanned more than 30 years. He was appointed to his most recent position in June 1996 (sddt.com, 2015, internet). Murphy's bona fides are numerous. His executive experience includes serving as Chief Financial Officer of Grossmont Hospital, beginning in 1991. He is a certified public accountant as well. In addition, since September 2002, he has served as the Executive Director of Jack in the Box (bloomberg.com, 2015, internet).
The so-called Sharp Experience is central to the mission and values of Sharp Healthcare. According to sharp.com (2015), "The Sharp Experience means that the people of Sharp are focused on the special purpose of their work, how meaningful it is to patients and their families and the difference they make" (sharp.com, 2015, internet). This focus has translated to a positive reputation with respect to Sharp's services, and a powerful impact in the communities that Sharp serves. It is constantly striving to be on the cutting edge, transforming experiences for customers, employees, and physicians. In turn, Sharp's intensity of focus has led to higher satisfaction with regards to employees and customers. Part of this satisfaction can be seen in terms of employee loyalty. Sharp continually strives to improve its overall Sharp Experience by transforming into the "best place to work, practice medicine and receive care" (sharp.com, 2015, internet).
One of the innovations that has occurred during Michael Murphy's overseeing of Sharp Healthcare has been its focus on patient-centered care. Simply put, patient-centered care means putting patients, as well as their families, first. Care is customized and geared towards the individual patient. Thus, there is no "one-size-fits-all" profit-driven model that overshadows the quality and efficient delivery of care at a Sharp Healthcare facility. This model, which Murphy has played an integral role in implementing, means better, more-efficient care for all patients of Sharp Healthcare. Moreover, care is fitted with a respect for a patient's personal preferences. Received awards have reflected Sharp's (and Murphy's) continued dedication to excellence. For example, Planetree, Inc., an international patient advocacy group, has designated three of Sharp Healthcare's acute-care hospitals as Patient-Centered Hospitals.
During Murphy's tenure at Sharp, the three acute-care hospitals awarded with the designation of Patient-Centered Hospitals, include Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Sharp Coronado Hospital, and Sharp Memorial Hospital. Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center was one of the first facilities in the United States to receive the coveted Patient-Centered Care Hospital designation by Planetree. In 2010, Sharp Coronado Hospital became Planetree's first designee. Then, in 2012, Sharp Memorial Hospital received the distinction. Some of Coronado Hospital's include its Arts for Healing Program, Health Information Ambassadors Program, as well as its Integrative Healing Program. The realization of Sharp Healthcare's mission has focused on complementary services, and Mike Murphy has played an integral role in the fruition of Sharp Healthcare's mission and vision (sharp.com, 2015, internet).
Indeed, it appears that the major challenge that Sharp Healthcare has faced is the size of its labor force, increasing the time it takes to successfully launch its highly-innovative hospital features. Planetree's designations have helped Murphy and Sharp Healthcare prove their point -- that innovative, patient-centered hospital care at large hospitals is not only possible, but realizable.
Michael W. Murphy has proved to be a reliable and loyal leader, as he has been involved with Sharp HealthCare in a managerial capacity for more than two decades. His record of other achievements is immense. For instance, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Greater San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the American Hospital Association's Health Care Systems Governing Council, the Executive Partners Group for the Community Health Improvement Partners, and is a member of the Health Insights Foundation. He also supports the San Diego Rotary Club, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, as well as the Union of Pan Asian Communities and the YMCA - San Diego Chapter (bloomberg.com, 2015, internet).
Clearly, a great part of Michael W. Murphy's success is due to his commitment to community and community outreach organizations. In the course of nearly 30 years of service, he has demonstrated that success is not defined by profits because his most important venture -- Sharp Healthcare -- is solely a not-for-profit venture. Tailor-made service to those in need is also a cornerstone of Murphy's success in the San Diego community -- and beyond. Like the ripple effect, his dedication, loyalty, service, and vision have influenced other communities. Moreover, Sharp HealthCare's universal recognition has added to this ripple effect. Michael W. Murphy began as a man with a vision who articulated his vision into a mission. To this day, he reamins faithful to the core principles of his mission and vision, serving as a beacon to others. His success and accolades are well-deserved, but they have taken years of hard work to earn. Moreover, Murphy continually strives for improvement, a hallmark quality of notable leaders.

References

Bloomberg Business. (2015). Executive profile: Michael W. Murphy. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=3737703&ticke r=JACK
San Diego Source. (28 March, 2015). Newsmakers: Michael Murphy. Retrieved from http://www.sddt.com/newsmakers/profile.cfm?luid=H549AD1E&cuid=HFQ07AAS&_t= Michael%20%20Murphy#.VRaoK-EYErU
Sharp Healthcare. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.sharp.com