Independence Day in Cleveland

I spent last week at Cleveland Clinic with my dad, who underwent a heart procedure; while I’m incredibly grateful to share that he’s doing well (hence the photo from the ClevelandMuseumofArt), I’m also walking away with something I didn’t expect: a deeper appreciation for what it means to build a truly human-centered culture.

Everywhere we turned - from the doctors and nurses to the food service team and the manager in the gift shop, there was a sense of calm, compassion, and purpose. People weren’t just doing their jobs - they were living the mission.

One particular quote on the wall spoke to me:
“The patient coming into the hospital should feel the touch of human kindness throughout their treatment.” And you know what? He (We) did. Every single day.

It reminded me that workplace culture isn’t just about values painted on a wall, it’s about how those values show up in the quiet moments, the small gestures, the way people treat each other when no one’s watching.

To the entire Cleveland Clinic team: thank you. You’re doing more than healing hearts, you’re setting the gold standard for what Culture in Action truly looks like.