An update on my status
johnal...@gmail.com
As you may have heard, I have been out on medical leave for a while. I am fine and in great health so no need for alarm. What I found during my time off was my stress was practically non-existent. As you all know and experience daily, being a CIO at a large healthcare system is very stressful. In many ways it contributed to my health issues. I’ve talked to several ex-CIOs and they discovered the same thing. While being a CIO is immensely satisfying, the stress sometimes is so large it affects health and family. But I am preaching to the choir. I talked to a recruiter that I know and she said its surprising how many CIOs are either getting out, or thinking of getting out soon.
During my time off, and a lot of soul searching, I’ve decided to leave Holzer. Angela and I are building our retirement home on Lake Erie in Cleveland and hope to move back up there in August. I don't yet know what I will do with my life, but Angela wants me to retire. She says I have accomplished enough in life and I don't need to work anymore, nor prove anything to anyone. Perhaps I may do that, or perhaps look to consulting sometime in the future. My bucket-list job is being a Barista at Starbucks. I know I will be the best customer service person they ever had. I’ll probably OD on coffee though.
I know for certain that I have no interest in being a CIO any longer. I’ve been a CIO at different organizations for over twenty years and have discovered life has more to offer than long days, angry and unappreciative users, no funds to do things right, and a tunnel with no light at the end. Sound familiar? Having said that, I loved my job, and loved Holzer, the people I’ve worked with and thoroughly enjoyed the transformation I was able to be a part of for the merger of two dramatically different organizations. It will remain a high point of my professional career.
I now choose to enjoy life, family, and the things I love to do, and then look for something to fill the void. It’s very cold on the Lake in the winters so a traveling part-time consulting gig may just work. Keep me in mind in the future if I can help you. But for now and the immediate future, further stress-detoxification. Boating, golf, photography, golf, maybe fishing, and golf will be on my agenda as I contemplate what else to do. Did I mention golf?
I want each of you to know how much I have enjoyed working with you, and marvel at your collective leadership skills and what I have learned from you. I will miss many things not being a CIO. My greatest joy was the mentoring and development of my team. They are the best I’ve ever worked with and I will miss them and watching them prosper. Second, I will miss not being able to make a positive impact on the evolution of healthcare, and we all know it is a disaster, heading for a train-wreck, and needs some serious fixing. Third, I will truly miss working with you, and watching the remarkable development of the product with your leadership. If I do dabble in consulting, I will make it my mission to work with Paragon and you all again. I believe collectively you all will lead that product to be a top tier HIS in the future.
This is not a goodbye, just a pause in our relationship. I have no doubt our paths will cross again and we will be able to laugh again about life, work and the mysteries of healthcare. Until then, if there is absolutely anything I can do for you, either personally or professionally, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you just need an ear to vent, I have a broad shoulder and time on my hands. I am a great listener. As an option, we can meet on my boat in Lake Erie, hop over to Put-In-Bay or Kelly’s Island, and talk as long as you want while taking in the scenery and festive activities. Or did I mention golf? You can also call or email at any time. My Cleveland home is always open to you if you travel my way.
Again team, it has been an absolute pleasure. My life has been blessed to have worked with each of you. I appreciate all you have done for me and with me. My life is richer for having known and worked with each of you.
I wish you the best of luck in your careers and safe passage with a strong wind at your sails. I hope to talk to you all soon. Please don't hesitate to call my cell (440.396.8215), or email me at johnal...@gmail.com at any time for any reason. I’d love to hear from you and stay in touch. If I am on my boat, I will turn off the engine so we can talk. If golfing, I will answer, but may put you on hold while I putt. But I will enjoy talking to you. I ask that you don’t clutter the listserver with personal messages but email or call me directly. If there are no objections, I will stay connected to the listserver to stay plugged into the educational conversations.
Kindest and most sincere personal regards,
John
John H. Allen Jr.