8BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD MONDAY , MAY 14 , 2018
By Robert Jones
CAREER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
By Mary V . Davids
Haitian-Born Henri Ford Named Dean of Miller School of Medicine
After his abdomen distended , the tender 6-year-old boy went without medical care for four days . A ceiling had collapsed during the January 12 , 2010 mayhem of Haiti ’ s devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake , crushing his pelvis . He laid in a makeshift infirmary at the U . S . Embassy in Port-au-Prince , which was being used by doctors to treat quake victims . Henri Ronald Ford , a
Have you ever ridden a wave too long ? Stayed in an industry or at a company for much longer than you thought or even wanted to stay ? It ’ s what happens when we develop an illogical belief that we are destined to get our dream position without having to strategically design it .
In her book Strategize to Win , Carla A . Harris says reinventing yourself “ suggests that you are making or creating
Haitian-born pediatric surgeon who flew to his homeland from Los Angeles to care for the injured , knew the youngster would perish if he didn ’ t get immediate care . “ We knew this was the kind of catastrophe where we couldn ’ t just send money ,” Ford said .
He and the boy were airlifted to the USS Carl Vinson , anchored off the coast of Port-au-Prince . There , in the super carrier ’ s better-equipped medical facility , Ford saved the boy ’ s life .
Ford – who in 1972 at age 13 fled with his family from the government of Papa Doc Duvalier and settled in Brooklyn , New York – is poised to begin the latest chapter in a life that embodies the American Dream .
On June 1 , Ford joins the University of Miami ’ s Miller School of Medicine as its new dean . “ As I reflect on my journey in American medicine , I feel that I ’ ve been preparing all my life to assume what is an incredibly important role for such a time as this ,” said Ford , vice president and chief of surgery at Children ’ s Hospital
5 Genius Ways to Reposition Yourself at Work
a new person , a new individual , distancing yourself from who you are or ‘ the old you .’” But , many of are merely repositioning – moving ourselves from one position to the next .
You can design your career by choosing how to approach opportunities that come your way and learning how to leverage them , too .
1 . Say YES more often . Look beyond the position and take on the challenges no one else wants . Not only will you help alleviate one thing off your boss ’ to-do list , you will also show you are committed to the overall success of the department and the organization . Be the person who does what no one else wants to do . Trust me , it will serve you greatly .
2 . Change up your style . We know your appearance can greatly impact career opportunities . Studies show bright colors help to attract positive attention for women . For men , using bold colors on a tie , handkerchief or cufflinks is a subtle , yet noticeable change . The goal is to
– Los Angeles as well as professor and vice chairman for clinical affairs in the Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California ’ s Keck School of Medicine .
Ford earned a bachelor ’ s degree from Princeton and an M . D . from Harvard Medical School , where he realized he could make the greatest impact as a pediatric surgeon .
In 2015 , Ford performed one of the rarest and riskiest operations in Haiti ’ s history – the separation of conjoined twins . He led a surgical team in separating 6-month-old infants , Marian and
As I reflect on my journey in American medicine , I feel that I ’ ve been preparing all my life to assume what is an incredibly important role for such a time as this .
refresh your look so others can see you in a different light . Your appearance is part of your brand . A new image can renew your confidence and elevate your courage .
3 . Learn New Things . The best way to leverage yourself in the workforce is to learn something new in your industry . Getting a certification or taking a course where you can contribute that knowledge to your workplace is a good way to start adding value to your resume . Keep up to date with industry trends . Your intellectual capital is your most valuable tool .
4 . Confront what you want to correct . If you don ’ t like something about your career remember , you have the power to change it . The important thing is to specify what you want to correct about your career path and address it head on . The goal is to define what is really holding you back from your career ambitions and create a strategy specifically for that .
5 . Get a Mentor . Who you know is
Michelle Bernard . “ When you operate on a newborn with a surgical emergency , you know that if you don ’ t intervene that child is going to die ,” said Ford , who has conducted groundbreaking research on the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis , a lethal disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract of newborn infants .
Ford said he is looking forward to becoming dean of a medical school that has a long history of providing care in Haiti .
Haitian-born pediatric surgeon Henri Ford is the University of Miami ’ s Miller School of Medicine ' s new dean
vital to your career success . Find out who will be in the room when it comes to making hiring or promotional decisions . Ask one of those decision makers if they would serve as your mentor or be willing to advocate on your behalf should a position become available . Ask them about their mistakes , their best decisions . Solicit their opinions about how to approach conflict or how to position yourself for promotion . You may not have access personally , but you should make it your business to ensure your name is at least part of the conversation .
The greatest mistake you can make in your career is not giving yourself permission to change the path you ’ re on to pursue what makes you happy .
Mary V . Davids is an executive career and leadership development coach , She is owner of D & M Consulting Services , LLC . For career tips and advice visit www . marydavids . com or email info @ marydavids . com .