LO’S ADVICE

Loretta Kappel and I first worked together at Baton Rouge General Medical Centers in the late 90’s.  She later ran my Geropsychiatric program at Chalmette Medical Center and still later was my Director of Marketing at HealthSouth in Austin.  She is a bonafide Cajun from Houma, one of my wife’s best friends and a terrific and supportive friend of mine.

She and I battled to take HealthSouth from #5 in the Austin market to #1, a feat we accomplished in just 3 years.  Together, we won the “President’s Award” from HealthSouth, as well as “Most Improved Hospital” and “Best Marketing Team” for the Texas Division.  Because of all we had accomplished, it was hard to imagine I’d ever leave Austin…but then came the offer from RehabCare and the opportunity to return to Lafayette.  I asked Lo for her opinion, what should I do? 

I just found this 2009 message from my old friend, written with typical Loretta spunk.  Seems appropriate for the beginning of 2022:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Good advice for all of us as we enter the new year.  Take a chance, dare to do, explore, dream, discover!  Good one, Lo! See, I DO save the good stuff! - RAP