From the Editor's Desk: The winds of change

Listening. Creating. Empowering.

That pretty much sums up what we've been doing at the Center for Phlebotomy Education for 22 years now. It's not just a catchy little marketing slogan. It actually defines us. Over the years, we've listened to you, created well over 100 products to solve your problems, empowering hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals around the world to deliver better patient care. As we continue into our third decade of service to you, that tag line is taking on a whole new meaning; one that will transform the entire company. 

Here's a classic example of how we put our tag line into practice. A few years ago, a laboratory supply company came to us and asked if we'd produce a laminated card that healthcare professionals could attach to their ID badge as a reminder to follow the order of draw and to handle blood tubes properly. After several conference calls and multiple email exchanges (listening), we produced a design that they loved and had thousands printed and laminated for their catalog (creating). Because we then added it to our own catalog, Order of Draw Badge Tags are attached to the lanyards and pockets of healthcare professionals in facilities and academic institutions around the world reinforcing best practices (empowering).

The "new meaning" that tag line has taken on recently is quite profound for me. Over the last few years I've been listening to my heart and hearing a call far different than ever before. It sounds a lot like the winds of change. Although I love what I do, I've grown restless, unsettled, and rudderless. Could it be that instead of creating new products, I should be creating an opportunity for someone else to take command of the Center for Phlebotomy Education and empowering him/her to take it to new heights? 

Yes, I should.

Before the end of the year, therefore, I will be stepping down as the Director and empowering my hand-picked predecessor to move and expand the company in ways I have not even considered. That's what fresh energy and a new perspective does. My wife, Catherine, and I have built something profoundly beneficial to tens of thousands of healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. That alone is enormously satisfying, We've done just about everything we could possibly think of to elevate the status of the phlebotomy profession and heighten awareness of preanalytical errors, needlestick prevention and protecting patients from injury, complications, and the consequences of erroneous test results, but there's still more to be done. In fact, the work will never end. We have been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations by the people we've been able to know and serve and the places we've been able to go.

The next Director has already been chosen and is preparing to assume control in the very near future. I will announce the new Director in this blog and on YouTube very soon. After that, I will remain involved for the next year or so. The company has a lot of moving parts, partnerships, and infrastructure. Way more than can be learned to operate in a few months. So I'll continue to blog and play a visible role going forward. Before the end of the year, however, the new leadership will become the new face of the company and will be handling the day-to-day operations. As I stated in my most recent YouTube video, you can trust the individual has a mastery of the industry standards and customer service you've come to expect from us. Because I'm putting the company in good hands, I'm putting you in good hands as well.

The winds of change will, hopefully, blow me toward, but not fully into, a relaxing retirement. I will continue to maintain select consulting relationships with those companies and organizations I enjoy helping and advancing toward success. Most of all, though, I look forward to being free from running a company. It's been enjoyable, but I want to spend less time running my company and more time helping other people run theirs. Listening, creating and empowering; it's in my blood. 

It's also a tag line Catherine will be embracing as the demands of running a business diminish for her husband. I'm certain she's hopeful I'll be listening to her more attentively, creating a schedule that includes her more often, and empowering the lawn mower more than once each summer.

View "The Phlebotomy Guru Tells His Story" on YouTube.