4 minute read
North Oaks Health System: Michelle Kidd Sutton
Q&A with Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE President & CEO of North Oaks Health System
Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE, President & CEO of North Oaks Health System, recently celebrated her thirty-fifth year of service with one of the Northshore’s largest community-based healthcare organizations. Sutton also is serving as the newly installed Chair-Elect of the prestigious American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), which advances excellence in healthcare leadership internationally among its 49,000 members. As Chair-Elect, she has begun the first part of a three-year term to be followed by serving as Chair (in 2025) and Immediate Past Chair (in 2026).
WHAT IS SPECIAL OR UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY? WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
I have worked in three different industries throughout my career, but healthcare leadership is what has really inspired me the most. Working in healthcare is a calling, and witnessing the North Oaks team make a difference in others’ lives never ceases to inspire me.
I have the privilege of seeing our doctors, nurses, advanced practitioners, technologists, therapists, plant operations engineers, environmental services staff and other team members improve the lives of our patients and their families with every interaction These healthcare heroes are selfless and graciously use their skills to treat our patients as if they were part of their own family. God may not have given me the gift of healing, but I am grateful to be blessed with the tools necessary to provide leadership, resources and support to those who’ve answered the call to save lives and ease suffering.
I wake up energized each morning in anticipation of witnessing the great deeds our team will accomplish. I am constantly in awe of their compassion, teamwork and dedication.
NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING: WHAT ROLE HAS NETWORKING PLAYED IN YOUR CAREER?
Ask any successful person how they achieved their career milestones, and they will surely tell you that the people, the relationships and the organizations were the biggest influencers along the way.
For me, a defining moment was when I joined ACHE. I came from banking as a marketing officer and needed a trusted partner to help me transition into the healthcare industry. The subsequent relationships forged and leadership skills I developed through my ACHE involvement have been welcome value adds.
I am a more effective leader today because of the relationships, strategies and tools I gained through ACHE and have implemented on behalf of North Oaks’ mission to improve lives every time, every touch.
MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT: HAVE YOU HAD MENTORS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER? IF SO, HOW HAVE THEY IMPACTED YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
When I became an ACHE Regent for Louisiana a decade ago, the first person I met at the Council of Regents meeting was the late Rick Henault, fellow Louisianian and former Chair Officer.
He said, “You’re the type of individual and leader ACHE seeks,” and then proceeded to sponsor and mentor me. On occasion, he would stop by my office to make sure I was fulfilling my potential and would offer encouraging words or sage advice. Though no longer with us, his memory and passion for healthcare excellence live on through me.
