CEO of hospital foundation talks about COVID crisis
In March, local health care and community leaders found themselves dealing with the unexpected: the novel coronavirus pandemic that spread quickly through the United States.
California and San Joaquin County worked quickly to try and “flatten the curve,” hoping to minimize the illnesses and deaths that the new virus related to SARS might cause. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued statewide stay-athome orders, and health providers worked quickly to roll out testing, gather protective gear for
The News-Sentinel spoke to Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation President and CEO Wayne Craig about his experiences as he faced the contagious illness head on and tried to mitigate the effects of an economic shutdown.
Craig was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He arrived in Lodi in 1969, teaching speech and coaching the debate team at Lodi High School until 1978. After leaving the classroom, he had a successful career in commercial real estate and co-founded Moss & Craig Commercial Real Estate Inc., developing numerous buildings and communities in Central California, later serving as a first vice president for CB Richard Ellis in Sacramento and as president of Craig Realty Advisors Inc. in Lodi.
Craig’s philanthropy work started at the University of the Pacific, where he served as the major gifts director, then the interim development director, wrapping up a $70 million campaign. He has served on several boards, including the Visit Lodi! Tourism Board, Ironstone Foundation and Pebble Beach Concours Executive Board; he recently retired from the Micke Grove Zoological Society board.
He holds a Merchant Marine Masters License and has sailed for more than 50 years throughout the world. Q:
What led you to your current position? A:
Previous philanthropic work at the University of Pacific and desire to give back after a long career in commercial real estate. Q:
What is it like being in a leadership role during a pandemic? A:
Extremely humbling and inspiring. Our generous community has expressed support for Adventist Health Lodi Memorial in so many ways that it has been challenging to express our gratitude adequately. It has remained important to have an informed perspective, yet not be detoured by short term results and treating all areas the same. We are fortunate to have kept the surge down and the curve flat. Q:
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced over the past couple months?
A:
Keeping the community and staff safe while maintaining relationships and informing our donors of efforts of the hospital and foundation are doing to fight the pandemic. Q:
Have you found ways to relax and get away from the news when you’re not working?
Having recently lost my wife of 51 years, I am lucky my daughter was able to move in with me and together we work remotely and share the stress, walk the dogs, share social media posts with friends, exercise and attend church online. Q:
What do you see happening in the future of this pandemic? Do you have > advice for our readers going forward? A:
Listen to the public health directives and stay safe. When this ends (which we see as sooner than later) health care will change. Many new approaches have engaged that will likely change the way people access health care and that will change how the foundation supports it.
We are looking forward to the new normal, which will still benefit from the loyal and friendly people in our community. The hospital and foundation has a long legacy of caring for the greater Lodi region and we will build upon that heritage.