WORKING FOR JOINT COMMISSION JCAHO



Hancock Building Home of JCAHO

Dennis O'Leary, MD President



     Today I spent some time at the Doctor's office again.  No big deal, just getting ready for my surgery next week.  The time brought my memories back to working for the JOINT COMMISSION.  It was on this day in 1987 that I began my tenure with the "JOINT".  I flew into Chicago, took a limo, registered at a fancy hotel, and got ready to start JCAHO employment on Monday.  I had just come back from Saudi Arabia.  Nothing could have been a bigger shocker than walking up the Magnificent Mile from my hotel to the Hancock Building  and to JCAHO.  The wind was blowing snow everywhere.  There was another new employee that you will know....Dennis O'Leary.  I knew him first while we were stealing donuts from the kitchen next to the conference room.  I had no idea who he was, but we enjoyed conversations all during my orientation. and later as a mature surveyor I felt he listened. It has been fun to watch his JCAHO career.

     I was not prepared mentally or physically for Chicago..   I  had left Dhahran in early October, traveled through Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China and arriving back in the States through Hawaii.  The average temperature was in the eighties.  My friend Mary Rose and I sailed for two weeks, then it was home and job hunting. 



Magnificent Mile



    My friend Alice Parrish, you will hear more about her later, suggested strongly I apply to Joint Commission to be a surveyor, I did and I was for fifteen years. I will never forget getting the telephone call.  I was visiting my friend Jane in Raleigh.  Her house has been a warm spot in my life for years.  Thanks, Jane.

      The class for February 1987 was wonderful.  I am searching down those folks, so if you know where they are, please let me know.  Searching....I am also looking for pictures and mJCAHO history.  It is amazing how little information is on the net. Only today and what is gonna be.   As I indicated, we walked (I am sure today,they would have sent a limo) from our hotel to the Hancock building and took an elevator to the 22nd floor, I think. You almost didn't notice the dire cold and snow when you walked the Magnificent Mile.  

    I do not believe I have ever studied as hard.  We started at 8am and ended at 6pm. Maybe ate a pick up then it was more study.  Usually in a group.  Pat Hassel was my model, so smart!  Thanks Pat. 

COLD, COLD MORE COLD

     My first assignment was in Albion, NY.  The team was Josephine Tozolo, Don Hansen, and the doctor rotated.  Don gave me guidance and advice that he will never remember as being such a support to me. Jo did not think I had any future in the Joint and used ever effort to get me out.  She did not succeed.  I hope she knew that I was well motivated and did survive.  Don helped as did Rosemary Laubenthal; they believed in me.Thanks.  I think Jo got a bad taste in her mouth when we arrived in Albion looking for a motel.  She took one look at my yellow caddy--I think she wanted to have a stroke. I loved that car we both lasted over 18 years.

Beekman Downtown

We surveyed only one day per survey that year.  My first assignment was in NY.  We visited Jamestown NY.  I finished my surveyor training just five hospitals later after doing Beekman Downtown.  Jo left, telling me I should go home.  I called Rosemary.  She simply said you. have a schedule and you are expected to finish it.  I did, and about 600 hospitals later, I retired.  Thanks to Don Hansen! 

Where we choose to stay was always interesting.  During my first exposure to New York, the city, it was more interesting.  Hotels were toooo expensive.  We found the Pan American on Queens Blvd.  It was something I don't want to remember, but I do.  The rooms were small and the roaches were huge.  I couldn't sleep, Jo was telling me I had to go.... It wasn't  a good memory.  I am sure it has improved since 1987.

More about JCAHO, motels, hotels, roads, people and hospitals later.