July 12, 2006

Okay, now THAT'S a new one on me--

Trinity Medical Center creates, fills 'chief culture officer' position

Culture officer? Although I'm sure it's unintentional, it sure does sound like it has shades of the old Red Army's political commissars. As for what it REALLY is:

[...] As Trinity's first culture chief, [Ricky O.] Creech will oversee the hospital's Pastoral Care Program, Pastoral Advisory Council, Mission Integration Committee, Patient Advocates, organizational development, community outreach and governmental relations.

In creating the position, Trinity CEO Vicki Briggs says her focus was set on building relationships that further the hospital's faith-based mission.

"For years, it has bothered me that the one item missing from the balance sheet of a hospital is the equity of human capital. Those relationships are incredibly valuable," Briggs said in a written statement. [...]

Ummm, okay. I'm still kinda shaky on the naming, because to me it sounds more like being the director of public relations. But then again, I don't run a hospital for a living.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at July 12, 2006 01:21 PM
Comments

Except that Ricky O. turns out to be male and Baptist, I would have guessed this was part of the ex-nun full employment program.

Posted by: steevil (Dr Weevil's bro Steve) at July 12, 2006 01:55 PM

Probably best not to pry too deep.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at July 12, 2006 02:05 PM

I viewed myself as "chief culture officer" when I was in charge of all the tissue culture stocks in the lab. Actually I gave myself a grander title "Tsarina of tissue culture." My boss liked it and even called me that.

Just a different perspective.

Posted by: Sarah G. at July 12, 2006 03:19 PM

One wonders if his office will be a petri dish full of agar.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at July 12, 2006 04:04 PM