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“Drew, why don’t you take the lead here,” Frederick Coleman said.
Of course, Coleman would have Drew run point at this meeting. For all the man’s bravado, Drew suspected Coleman didn’t enjoy going toe to toe with London. Lucky for him, Drew did. There came a point back in high school when he relished their confrontations—especially once he realized that she was never going to see him as anything but her academic rival. These days, he had more pleasurable things to do with her than locking horns.
But this was the job he had been hired to do. He couldn’t allow his and London’s relationship—he used that term in the loosest way imaginable—to get in the way of it.
“Earlier this morning, I presented the results of Trident’s initial assessment to the hospital’s board of directors and the executive committee,” Drew began.
“We did that Zoom thing,” Coleman interjected. “That’s how we were able to get everyone in the meeting even though they weren’t physically here.”
You gotta be kidding me.Drew wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually uncovered that Frederick Coleman was the number one reason behind County’s archaic technology. They’d had to strong-arm him into using Zoom for the meeting, and now he was touting it as some type of marvel.
He acknowledged Coleman with a tight smile before continuing. “The good news is that Trident is confident that with the right strategies in place, this hospital will be able to remain a publicly funded health-care resource for the people of Travis County.”
London’s mouth fell open for a moment before she quickly shut it. “That…that’s great,” she said.
If this were anyone else, Drew would have been disappointed in that subdued reaction. From London, it felt as if he’d hit gold.
He hated to take any of the shine off the news he’d just imparted, but also knew he needed to be straight with her.
“However, in order to achieve this, we must implement a number of cost-cutting measures,” Drew continued. “We’ve pinpointed several key areas of County’s overall operations that we believe should be addressed as quickly as possible. To do this, we will need buy-in from all hospital personnel.” He listed them on his fingers. “Medical staff, clerical, cafeteria workers, everyone.
“One thing we’ve found in doing this work is that personnel tend to listen to fellow colleagues they know and trust a lot more than they listen to a bunch of suits brought in.” He tried to gauge London’s reaction. Her face remained impassive. “The best way to achieve buy-in is to employ ambassadors.” He picked up the document with the names. “Members of the administration have come up with a list of people who they feel will be the best to help champion these ideas.”
“Ah, and you see me as one of these ambassadors?” London asked.
“Yes, we do. People listen to you, London,” Dr. Renault said. “They’ll get behind this if they see that you’re on board. But if you dismiss the work that Trident is doing, there are many on this staff who will do the same without even taking the time to hear them out.”
She folded her hands and smiled serenely at Dr. Coleman. “Hmm…I wonder why that is.”
“Because you’re loud and cause a ruckus every other week,” Dr. Coleman said.
“With all due respect, Dr. Coleman, the fact that I’m vocal is only one reason the staff here listens to me,” London said. “I also speaktothem and notatthem. And questioning hospital administration when I encounter something that is problematic is not causing a ruckus, it’s advocating for my patients.”
Coleman pushed up from the table. “I can’t deal with this. I have things to do.”
London sat at the table with a bored look on her face as Dr. Coleman made a production out of gathering the three-ring binder, leather portfolio, and the dozens of other materials he’d brought in with him—all of which could be electronically stored if the man weren’t still living in 1982.
“You and Dr. Coleman need to figure out how to work together,” Dr. Renault said the moment the other doctor left the room.
“It’s been five years. I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”
“London.” The man rubbed the spot between his eyes. He looked across the table at Drew. “Can you give us a minute?”
“No, let him stay. And forget about Coleman for now. Tell me more about this ambassadorship? What exactly would it entail?”
“Basically, Trident will work with the hospital’s administration to come up with a list of viable budget cuts. As an ambassador, you’ll sell our ideas for cutting costs to the staff,” Drew answered.
“Oh!” Her brows arched. “Is that all!” She turned to her mentor. “So, Mr. Sullivan hasn’t been around long enough to know how adamantly opposed I am to the majority of the cost-cutting ideas the hospital administration has proposed this past year, but you have, Dr. Renault. I can’t imagine you would have me champion something that I have been fighting against. I would look like a total hypocrite.”
“You would look like someone who is willing to put aside her differences for what’s best for this hospital’s bottom line,” Renault said.
“This hospital’s bottom line is not my main concern. My concern is for my patients. The budget cuts that have been proposed in the past have not been in the patients’ best interests.”
“It’s a luxury for you to be able to focus all your energy on your patients, Dr. Kelley, but there isn’t a money tree growing outside. This hospital has to make some tough choices,” Renault said.
“Will these ‘ambassadors,’” she said, making air quotes, “have any input in what gets in the budget and what doesn’t, or are we expected to just smile and regurgitate whatever the administration tells us to say?”
Drew chose his words carefully. “Trident’s charge is to conduct an assessment and make recommendations. What’s done with that is ultimately up to County’s board of directors.”
