Leadership is about empowering those on the front lines
As a rheumatologist and leader within Vitalité Health Network, I witness daily the complexity of our system. Medical practice, especially in regional communities, requires much more than clinical expertise: it requires a constant ability to rethink the way we do things.
My commitment is rooted in a deep-seated conviction: leadership is not about gaining authority. As the author Jon Gordon points out, “A true leader doesn’t lead to gain power. They lead to empower and give power away.” Leadership does not flow from the top down; it means empowering those on the front lines. The best ideas do not necessarily come from those in senior positions, but from those who experience the reality of care on a day-to-day basis.
Within the cooperative I founded, we rely on this collective intelligence. We have put processes in place so that everyone’s voice is heard. For example, we hold a monthly meeting dedicated to listening, sharing challenges and, above all, co-creating solutions. The strength of an organization lies in its ability to listen to these challenges and to act quickly to transform these ideas into concrete processes. It is often our administrative assistants and nurses who, by taking on the role of leaders, enable us to continuously improve. It is because of them that we are cultivating a culture where everyone contributes to our common vision – improving the quality of health care.
Leadership also means cultivating an environment where every team member feels valued. Within the Network, the sustainability of our services depends on the health of our teams. By continuing to nurture a culture of collaboration, we attract and retain the talent needed to deliver services to our communities, including Indigenous communities with whom we have the honour of working.
Faced with the growing gap between supply and demand, we must prioritize care to meet the needs of the most ill and vulnerable patients. Paradoxically, they are often the ones who face the greatest challenges in accessing care. We have a moral responsibility to continue implementing measures to address inequities.
By strengthening our effectiveness and our collective desire for continuous improvement, we facilitate access to care for everyone. In health, like in other fields, I am convinced that a rising tide lifts all boats – by counting on mutual support and collaboration, we not only enhance the quality of our practice, but also the well-being of the entire community.
In an era where artificial intelligence is often presented as a miracle solution, we must never forget that the heart of health care is still human interaction. Technology is a powerful tool, but it does not replace the fundamental pillars - prevention, diet and physical activity. Now more than ever, it is essential that we break down the barriers of our clinics and meet patients directly in their communities. By bringing care closer to patients in this way, we are building a system that is more accessible and decidedly more humane. The integration of animal-assisted therapy, as a complementary approach, can also promote well-being and support both care providers and patients throughout their health care journey.
Together, through action and perseverance, we can turn today’s challenges into opportunities to provide accessible, modern and compassionate health care to all New Brunswickers.
Dr. Jean-Philip Deslauriers
Rheumatologist and leader at Vitalité Health Network
The “Voices of Our Leaders” column features leaders from Vitalité Health Network who come from various sectors and different levels of the organization. These individuals share their insights on leadership based on their experiences within the health care system.
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