Meet Andy Cruikshank
Spotlight
Meet Andy Cruikshank
Chairman , LeadingAge New York Board of Directors CEO , Fort Hudson Health System , Inc .
“ My inspiration comes from the energy created by those around me who share the same passion , the same goals , the same principles , and are willing to think hard , work hard and own what they accomplish .”
How do you see the field changing over the next two years and how do you see yourself impacting that change through your role with LeadingAge New York ?
Two themes are clearly present – risk and opportunity . Although change is a constant in our field , the pace of change and the implications of how providers respond to those changes have never been greater . What we have experienced over the past few years will be amplified in the years to come ; from customer expectation to provider collaboration to shifting public policy . Many forces are creating new or more acute risk , while potentially opening new avenues for adventurous opportunity .
My role , and more importantly the role of LeadingAge NY , is to be a strong voice of leadership in guiding our members through the challenges that lie ahead ; the credible and reliable educator to those developing policy ; and the advocate of those in our care . If done well , and in concert with the Board of Directors and LANY staff , our members will be prepared to successfully navigate the risks and capitalize on the opportunities .
Describe your greatest skill
I would like to believe that my greatest skill , if there is such a thing , is my ability to learn from others . I often find myself evaluating situations and challenges based on how others might react ; and I have been fortunate to have had a long career working with so many who were master-teachers , and they probably didn ’ t even know it .
What is your greatest accomplishment ?
I would like to think that I have not had my greatest accomplishment yet ; and such an assessment is best left to those who I have worked with . After all , what I may think a masterful performance may be viewed far differently by others .
Describe a situation where you have failed at something yet learned something significant as a result ?
We ’ re in the people business – and people are imperfect . So I ’ m pretty sure I have a solid list of failures ; but hopefully not failing at the same thing over and over . Failing at something once shows a willingness to try ; taking the same approach and failing at it again shows an unwillingness to learn , which is far more dangerous .
Who is your role model ? Why ?
It would be very difficult , and perhaps too limiting , to identify a single role-model . We should all aspire to the qualities and character of a higher level
( See Andy Cruikshank on page 8 )
7 Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2017