Board Member Spotlight continued
critical thinker at a young age . I also learned a lot about communication , which has been a real benefit as a physician and as a member of the board of directors .
Figuring it all out I was accepted to medical school and defended my PhD dissertation during my first year of medical school ; fortunately both programs were at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston . I learned a lot about managing my time and setting priorities that year ! Medical school was hard work , but I really enjoyed the classes and my classmates . Even the first year with volunteer patients , I loved the patient care part , especially the interaction between the patient and caregiver .
My PhD degree helps me every day in my practice . It helps me be a better physician because it enhances the way I participate in research activities with medical residents and fellows . That ultimately benefits patients .
When I was in high school I got a chance to observe my dad in the operating room . I thought there was a wrong and a right answer for everything in medicine . In medical school , I immediately realized it ’ s not all that simple . I viewed that discovery as a new challenge , and the unknown is what has kept medicine exciting and appealing for me .
I was always enamored of the idea of a group practice , with all the doctors working together . I remember all the color and excitement when the king of the gypsies and his gypsy caravan would fill a corner of the Scott & White parking lot with their trailers . He and his entourage , as well as people who came to Scott & White from Oklahoma , even Mexico City , knew they could see all the medical experts under one roof . Even as a child , I recognized Scott & White as something different .
The privilege of medicine and a love of music I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege to serve on the board . Twenty years ago , Scott & White Healthcare had 350 physicians . Now , we have 800 physicians plus 380 advanced practice professionals ( physician assistants , nurse practitioners , and certified registered nurse anesthetists ). In the last five years , Scott &
White has seen unprecedented growth and development . I ’ m proud of how the board of trustees , the board of directors , and the executive leadership of Scott & White have worked together to move this institution forward to being the fifth-largest multispecialty group practice in the country . We ’ ve even been invited to Washington , DC , to discuss our integrated model for healthcare .
I especially enjoy the Monday-morning meetings with new physicians and employees , where we talk about our Mission , Vision , and values . Our culture is not just words on the wall — we lead by example . Leadership has a lot to do with a willingness to participate and a desire to listen . If we can help physicians , staff , nurses , and students do their jobs better for a better outcome , then we ’ ve been successful as leaders .
Providing healthcare is a privilege . The patients trust us with their most dear possession . Technologies and tests advance , but the doctor-patient relationship is truly an art . No matter how big Scott & White gets , I hope that every single patient interaction is a unique experience . Even though it may be one of 2 million visits
“ Providing healthcare is a privilege . The patients trust us with their most dear possession . Technologies and tests advance , but the doctorpatient relationship is truly an art .”
— Dr . Andrejs Avots-Avotins
this year , that visit is meaningful for us — and it certainly is for the patient .
If I weren ’ t in medicine , I ’ d love to be in some field of music . I played trombone in high school and learned a lot about teamwork . We have a piano at home that is collecting dust , and I occasionally have visions of playing it again one day . There ’ s hardly any music that I don ’ t appreciate , whether it ’ s classical , rock , or country . Gail and I like to see live music of all kinds , and we go to Austin City Limits with our three grown children . But as much as I enjoy music , it is a far , far second to taking care of patients . ■ sw . org | Summer 10 THE CATALYST 19