Sandy C. Leake
Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Tiptonville, TN
10 Year Vision for Knoxville
My vision for Knoxville in 10 years is that it has successfully managed significant growth while preserving its best elements; including our strong sense of community and connectedness, our highly-relational feel and friendliness, and the spirit of pride and commitment Knoxville residents so readily demonstrate.
What is Knoxville’s Best Kept Secret?
Knoxville has several best kept secrets. One especially important to me is how easy it feels to live here. After living in Atlanta (and spending significant time in Washington, DC) over the last three decades, I am continually amazed by how much simpler life is in Knoxville. People are incredibly kind and gracious, a “long” commute is measured in minutes instead of hours, everything needed is within easy reach, and there is strong sense of safety and security. The restaurant scene is increasingly interesting and fun, and my husband and I have been pleasantly surprised by all there is to do culturally and recreationally.
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
Knoxville has many wonderful strengths, and we also have significant opportunities. I am especially concerned about health inequities in our population and ensuring access to care for all who need it. There is no doubt our current state is, at least in part, due to the of terrible toll the opioid epidemic has had individuals, families, and our community. Evidence is all around us that we have many people at great risk, including many in need of stable housing, health care and behavioral health services, and who need additional support services. I love the quote by American novelist, Pearl Buck, who said “the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members.” I hope to learn more during LK 2023 about how we, as a community of caring people, can better the lives of those among us who are struggling.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
I arrived in Knoxville in May of 2020 at the outset of COVID-19. For 15+ months, I lived in an apartment and away from my family while working virtually non-stop in health care during a global pandemic. My transition to Knoxville was surreal and difficult in many ways, and yet I’ve also managed to have a little fun! My favorite memories thus far are going to my first TN Vols football game (in over 30 years), making new friends, and introducing my adult children and their families to Knoxville. Sadly, I have been unable to entice them to relocate here… but I’m still trying!
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
It is impossible for me to cite a favorite book, as I am an avid reader and enjoy many genres. When COVID began and I moved to Knoxville in May of 2020, I began re-reading American classics and thoroughly enjoyed doing that. Typically, I read more than one book at a time, I love historical works (especially anything by Doris Kearns Goodwin … “Team of Rivals” is one of my favorites), and my current best read is “The Premonition” by Michael Lewis. I’m fascinated by this book because it tells a real-world story about several individuals, including a longtime colleague/friend of mine, Dr. Carter Mecher, who recognized early signs of the COVID-19 pandemic and who tried valiantly to influence (largely behind the scenes) our national response.
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
I have benefitted from having numerous influential mentors during my career, and it is difficult to pinpoint the best advice I’ve been given. However, one message I recall specifically was from the CEO who selected me for my first chief nursing officer (CNO) position almost 30 years ago. He told me that I should always focus on “taking care of the people who take care of the patients.” To me, this statement epitomized the very essence of servant leadership. This philosophy became foundational to my leadership approach as a new CNO and it remains so today.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
There are so many things I would tell my 16 year old self, although I doubt I would have believed a word of it! I would say to expect that life will be an amazing mix of good/wonderful, sadness/tragedy, and a lot in-between. I would tell myself that no matter how hard I might try, I would never have as much control as I believed I could exert over what happens, and to trust that most things eventually work out ok anyway. I would tell myself that faith, family, and friends are what are most important and really make life worth living, and to put those above all other things. Quite candidly, I would have saved myself a lot of stress and angst had I really believed these things at a much younger age.
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