Difficult Conversations Podcast

Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician

Episode 138 | April 6, 2021

Hospital Leadership During Covid-19

Dr. Noreen Bernard, RN

Chief Nursing Officer of UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital

Noreen Bernard

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. The COVID-19 crisis has affected us all, but especially with people in leadership roles in healthcare, which is why I am so excited today to have as my guest, Dr. Noreen Bernard, RN. Noreen is currently the Chief Nursing Officer for UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital and Broomfield Hospital. She is also an adjunct faculty at University of Colorado and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She has over 25 years of executive leadership experience with an emphasis on clinical operations, nursing professional practice, professional and organizational development. She is Nurse Executive Advanced board certified, a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, and we are really lucky to have her here today. As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.

Noreen begins by telling us about her journey, She tells us some traits about her that may have helped her get this job so quickly after graduating and gives advice to young nurses or clinicians who may want to follow the path of leadership. Find out why she says, “Lean in, get a seat at the table, and say yes.” Dr. Orsini talks about the “Healthcare Heroes” and how the COVID crisis has affected the entire group, and Noreen tells us how she navigated though all the issues the pandemic brought to hospitals and healthcare workers, such as possible furloughs and the hospitals losing millions of dollars each day. Dr. Orsini shares his views on how important communication is to your professional and private life, as well as being a compassionate and an active listener. Dr. Orsini and Noreen talk about how much the doctors, nurses, therapists, housekeepers, and everyone who works in a hospital have run towards problems and not away, and how selfless they have all been during this pandemic. Patient experience is always a hot topic in medicine, and Noreen explains the four things they focus on with patient experience and a special motto they follow, “Eyes up, Energy forward.” She also shares a story about allowing a family visitation during COVID and how family and friends at the bedside really helps with the healing process. We end with Noreen telling us the most difficult type of conversation she’s had in her life and how she navigated through it. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe button, and download all the previous episodes to find out more about what we do and how we teach communication.

Share This Episode

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this podcast, please go ahead and hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

Previous Episodes

Making an Impact with Ryan Estis

Ep. 181 – March 20, 2023

Recognizing Fear with Gina Jacobson

Ep. 180 – December 5, 2022

There’s a Snake on My Head with Mindy Spigel

Ep. 179 – October 31, 2022

Healthcare and Fatherhood with Jeff Atwood

Ep. 178 – October 10, 2022

A Life Dedicated to Babies with Dr. Gregor Alexander

Ep. 177 – September 20, 2022

Monitoring Physician Wellness for Patient Safety with Ellen Reilly

Ep. 176 – September 5, 2022

Difficult Conversations about Death and Dying with Julie McFadden

Ep. 175 – August 15, 2022

Difficult Conversations about Healthcare with Thomas Dahlborg

Ep. 174 – July 18, 2022

Why Physicians Die By Suicide with Dr. Michael Myers

Ep. 173 – June 27, 2022

Conversations About Malpractice with Jennifer Wiggins

Ep. 172 – June 6, 2022

Jennifer George

Communication IS Care with Jennifer George

Ep. 171 – May 16, 2022

Physician Coaching and Patient Experience with Joshua Washington

Ep. 170 – May 2, 2022

Health Benefits of the Sicilian Diet with Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile

Ep. 169 – April 18, 2022

Difficult Conversations in Human Resources with Paul Falcone

Ep. 168 – March 28, 2022

Dorthy Roberts

The Problem with Raced Based Medicine with Dorothy Roberts

Ep. 167 – March 14, 2022

Deborah Beidel

Conversations about PTSD with Dr. Deborah Beidel

Ep. 166 – February 28, 2022

Wendy Dean

Moral Injury with Wendy Dean, MD

Ep. 165 – February 14, 2022

Brian Ferguson

Reaching Peak Performance in Medicine with Brian Ferguson

Ep. 164 – January 24, 2022

Gunnar Esiason

A Life With Purpose with Gunnar Esiason

Ep. 163 – January 10, 2022

Dr. Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ

Holiday Episode – Highlights From 2021 with Dr. Anthony Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ

Ep. 162 – December 27, 2021

Dr. Bruce B.J. Miller

The Problem With Dying with Dr. Bruce B.J. Miller

Ep. 161 – December 13, 2021

Stuart Levine

Leadership From The Boardroom with Stuart Levine

Ep. 160 – November 30, 2021

Michele Blackwood

Difficult Conversations About Breast Cancer with Dr. Michele Blackwood

Ep. 159 – November 16, 2021

Robyn Symon

Do No Harm – Conversations About Physician Suicide with Robyn Symon

Ep. 158 – November 2, 2021

Karen Knops

Communicating With Your Doctor with Karen Knops, MD

Ep. 157 – October 19, 2021

Steve Lawler

The State Of Healthcare – Moving Forward with Steve Lawler

Ep. 156 – October 5, 2021

Cy Wakeman

Ditch The Drama with Cy Wakeman

Ep. 155 – September 21, 2021

Kristin Baird

Be The Leader Nobody Wants To Leave with Kristin Baird

Ep. 154 – September 7, 2021

Robert Pearl

Uncaring Conversations about Physician Culture with Robert Pearl, M.D.

Ep. 153 – August 24, 2021

Anthony Orsini

Difficult Conversations Anniversary Episode with Dr. Anthony Orsini and Elizabeth Poret-Christ

Ep. 152 – August 10, 2021

Marjorie Dejoie-Brewer

Advocating For Rare Diseases with Dr. Marjorie Dejoie-Brewer

Ep. 151 – August 3, 2021

Shari Moore

Medical Liability And Risk Management with Shari Moore

Ep. 150 – July 20, 2021

Lisa Strohman

How Do You Define Your Self Worth with Dr. Lisa Strohman

Ep. 149 – July 6, 2021

Dena Carey

Taking Care Of Our Own – True Nursing Leadership with Dena Carey

Ep. 148 – June 22, 2021

Susan Scott

Fierce Conversations with Susan Scott

Ep. 147 – June 8, 2021

David Shulkin

Memorial Day Tribute with Dr. David Shulkin

Ep. 146 – May 30, 2021

Jason Schechterle

Burning Shield – The Story Of Jason Schechterle with Jason Schechterle

Ep. 145 – May 25, 2021

Jeff Segal

Medical Justice And Malpractice with Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Ep. 144 – May 18, 2021

Kathi Sharpe Ross

Re-Invent Your Life with Kathi Sharpe Ross

Ep. 143 – May 11, 2021

Nick Hall

Helping Parents Of Premature Babies with Nick Hall and Laura Platt-Kilstein

Ep. 142 – May 4, 2021

Colin Smith

Learn to Listen with Colin Smith

Ep. 141 – April 27, 2021

Lori Gunther

Speaking The Truth – Debriefing Nurse Leaders with Lori Gunther

Ep. 140 – April 20, 2021

Mike Vacanti

Humans First with Mike Vacanti

Ep. 139 – April 13, 2021

Jennifer Ainsworth and Kristin Horwath

Motherhood And Milestones with Jennifer Ainsworth and Kristin Horwath

Ep. 137 – March 30, 2021