Curtis Rooney... Servant Leader
“A great way to work and live!”
October 18, 2010

I recently asked Curtis Rooney, President of the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA), a series of important questions. His answers provide excellent Tips for Personal and Professional Success! 

Curtis is President of HIGPA, the leading organization that advocates on behalf of healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs) in Washington, D.C.   He is responsible for the association’s strategic, government relations and communications efforts to advance the healthcare Group Purchasing Organization industry.

Notice and learn from the very positive “servant leader” perspective and philosophy woven throughout all of his responses. Regardless of your current responsibilities or position, there is great food for thought... and action contained within these responses.  Notice that his responses are consistently uplifting, supportive of others and all about serving others!    

“If I were to ask those you serve to describe HIGPA, what few words or phrases would most please you?” Curtis immediately responded as follows:

“I’d like to hear the words ‘servant-leader’ associated with HIGPA, me and my team. That’s what we strive for on a daily basis.  It’s a great way to work and live.”

What a wonderful, inspirational and powerful perspective and attitude toward work and life! What a great response to a critically important question...“I’d like to hear the words ‘servant-leader’ associated with HIGPA, me and my team. That’s what we strive for on a daily basis.  It’s a great way to work and live.”

“What do you enjoy most about your role at HIGPA?”

“I count myself very lucky to be able to do the work I do and provide servant leadership to an important industry.  It is very rewarding to see a group of highly competitive companies and individuals come together in a united fashion to address common challenges.  I’ve always believed that GPOs have a great story to tell about saving hospitals and taxpayer’s money while improving quality.  I enjoy getting that message out in as many ways and as large an audience as possible. I think GPOs are the unsung hero of health care.” 

“What success are you most proud of this year?”

“HIGPA was very successful in navigating the GPO industry through health care reform.  We’re very proud of our success and believe that this was a great accomplishment.”

“What comments or key phrases do you hear from those HIGPA serves regarding the value delivered?”

“Health care reform was a challenging time for everyone.  We got ‘A’s’ for ‘effort and commitment’ and for doing a great job under difficult circumstances.”

“What is HIGPA greatest and second greatest strength?”

“HIGPA’s first and second greatest strength is its members.  HIGPA’s members serve the nation’s over 5000 hospitals and the strength of that relationship can not be overstated.” 

“What excites you most about healthcare?” 

“Healthcare is never boring and life in Washington is always something different.  When you combine those two facts it can only lead to excitement!”

I asked Curtis a number of other questions regarding HIGPA’s mission, vision, values, strategic objectives, performance and value delivered.  In each and every response, Curtis demonstrated clarity of purpose, commitment, compassion, inclusiveness, transparency, and a consistent uplifting and supportive spirit of servant leadership.  Excellent characteristics and strengths... worthy of pursuit by each and every one of us!

BTW, the 2010 HIGPA International Expo is October 25-27 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida.  If you attend, why not seek out Curtis Rooney and thank him for his servant leadership?  I am convinced Curtis is totally sincere and committed in his efforts to serve you with excellence... and to help you and your organization become more successful.   

Copyright © 2010 by Dan Nielsen