b'From Student to Hospital ExecutiveRight now, COVID-19 has really opened my eyes to emergency management and understanding that as leaders we are here to support our team members, demonstrate poise in difficult times, and be a source of knowledge. James PowellWhile having the opportunity to learn and bechallenges himself to learn and grow as a leader by mentored is great, the most important thing to do issetting smaller goals along the way that allow him to deliver results, he added. People can like and carelearn new skills, acquire new knowledge, and move one about you, but if you are not delivering results, none ofstep closer to realizing his dream.that will matter.Among his list of short-term goals is to spend time In April 2020 Powell was promoted to his current rolewith the directors of all the departments within the of associate administrator.hospital and in the medical groups. Powells mission is to understand what is really going on and to be humble James demonstrates a driven, hard-working workenough to learn and to ask the right questions. He said ethic, which is refreshing to witness, shared Emilyhe has always been curious and he hopes to continue Holliman, chief executive officer of Pascack Valleyto be curious, to learn, and to get results.Medical Center. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, James contributed tirelessly to the needs of thePowell said he advises current and future Harley administrative team and clinical staff. It has been aLangdale Jr. College of Business Administration pleasure to work with and mentor James. He is eagerstudents at VSU to gain as much experience as they and excited about growing his skills and knowledgecan, connect to people who have the knowledge they and in being the most successful he can be. need, and seek challenges that will help build their resumes.Powell said that working during the ongoing health crisis has expanded his understanding of the healthcare field. When youre a student you can be ignorant, he said. You can ask the dumb questions. You can spend a day Right now, COVID-19 has really opened my eyes toor two with executives and the front line to pick their emergency management and understanding that asbrain. For me it was an opportunity to ask as many leaders we are here to support our team members,questions as I possibly could in that time period and demonstrate poise in difficult times, and be a source ofcontinue to learn from as many people as I can. knowledge he said. COVID-19 demonstrated the lack of proactiveness within our healthcare system as a whole. The sky is the limit for Powell, but when asked what the next step was for him, he responded by saying, If Powell views every new day as an opportunity to learnI knew the answer to that, then it would take the fun more about how he can contribute to and improveaway. I take it one day at a time and try to stay in the the healthcare field. His long-term goal is to becomemoment and learn as much as I can while I have the chief executive officer at a hospital, and he continuallyopportunity to do so. SPRING 2021 11'