“Charles, is everything all right?”
“Yes, yes. Not to worry. Please, have a seat.” He motioned to the chair across from him and watched as she got herself settled. “Ruth, from the moment I began here at Emeraldine, you’ve been an invaluable and exceptional partner to me.”
“I’ve only done what you’ve given me the opportunity to do.” She looked at him, surprised. Could this possibly be what he called me in for?
“Not at all. From the beginning, you cared about every aspect of the patient experience in a way that few people do. You helped me to plan the design of our wards and common rooms so that Emeraldine feels warm and welcoming, while still offering the highest standard of care; you have stayed abreast of the latest advances in our field and encouraged the hiring and adoption of the most innovative thinkers and treatments—your husband at the top of the list. And, you have enabled me to make sure that Emeraldine runs smoothly while your personal, loving touch has helped each and every patient at this hospital feel like they are part of a family instead of an institution.”
Ruth blushed. Such unmitigated praise made her uncomfortable. She didn’t see anything she had done at Emeraldine as singularly extraordinary. She knew that Charles appreciated her. She agreed that they were a good team. She was simply doing her job as best she could. What is this really about?
“I’m sure you have wondered for some time when I might step away from my role as head of this hospital. I am getting up in years after all.” He smiled.
“Not at all, actually. I can’t imagine Emeraldine without you. You’ve made it what it is.” Ruth felt a nervous sweat beginning to form under her blazer, in the pits of her arms. “Please don’t tell me that you are planning to leave?”
“Not leave. Retire. It is time, Ruth. You’ve more than proven yourself capable to take the helm of this hospital. I cannot think of anyone to whom I would rather pass on my title.”
“Charles, I’m honored and so appreciative of your support, but—it’s simply too much.” Ruth held her face in a tight but controlled smile, trying not to reveal the excitement she felt. She had, of course, wondered what it might be like to be the head of this entire hospital, but she’d never allowed herself to believe it was possible. It would be an incredible accomplishment for anyone—but especially a woman. Even if her name was on the building. Still, she knew much of Charles’s day-to-day was administrative in nature. How could she possibly take on all of his responsibilities and still have time for the patients?
“I don’t think I would be very good at the bureaucratic aspects of the job. The finances and the operations, the relationships with the major donors, legal protections and accreditations? You know my strength is with the people inside this hospital: the patients and the staff.”
“I do indeed. But I also know that there is nothing you can’t accomplish if you set your mind to it. I have begun to cull a list of candidates to replace you as assistant superintendent. People with backgrounds in just the type of administrative duties you are discussing. All with strong track records at other hospitals. And, of course, I won’t go until you have found your replacement.”
“But, the patients, Charles. What if I don’t have enough time for the patients?”
“I will be candid with you, Ruth. You won’t have as much time as you do now. You will have to sometimes trust reports from your assistant, as I have from you. But if you hire carefully, you can structure your position so that you have more time to be in the wards than I have. I ceded that part of my job to you because you are so exceptional at it.”
Ruth looked down at her hands, embarrassed.
“Also, I will still be available to give you guidance and advice. Your mother has asked me to assume her seat on the board.”
“She has?”
“Yes. Your father had only appointed it to her in an interim capacity, until you were ready to take over the hospital, at which point, he had intended for it to go to me.”