Q&A with Gus Lee, chief operating officer of Memorial Health System

Gus Lee's life has been quite a journey: from growing up as part of an impoverished immigrant family to being second-in-command at Memorial Health System. Lee graduated from West Point and served in the military along the way.

As chief operating officer for the city-owned hospital system, Lee is charged with dealing with the daily operations of the hospital's many locations and staff. His biggest challenge is coping with the growing indigent health care needs in Colorado Springs.

Lee took time recently to tell CSBJ about himself and his business.

Organization: Memorial Health System

Position: Chief operating officer

Hometown: San Francisco

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: 14 years

Education: My life learnings have come from mentors, my wife, children and life ... but also the YMCA, and West Point and the University of California-Davis for undergrad, law and graduate school.

A few words about your company: Memorial Health System consists of a corps of selfless health care professionals and volunteers who provide an essential community service.

Recent accomplishments: I joined a great nonprofit, multi- disciplinary health care team. I have been fortunate to work alongside amazing colleagues. I haven't felt such a shared sense of high purpose since being in the Army and in law enforcement.

Biggest career break: As an asthmatic, legally blind, spine- curved, flat-footed 17-year-old from a broken, impoverished immigrant family, I undeservedly received four Army Surgeon General medical waivers and a congressional appointment to West Point.

The toughest part of your job: Ensuring that Memorial -- and Colorado Springs -- can continue to care for the many indigent health care needs in our community. Since 2002, Memorial's costs in this essential service have nearly tripled.

Someone you admire: I admire my boss, my colleagues and all who care for and defend the needy and the poor.

About your family: Diane, my spouse of 28 years -- soulmate, lifemate and best friend -- is a master's-prepared nurse who is a part-time faculty member at Bethel Nursing School at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Jena, 25, is executive director of a mission that has funded more than 100 water projects for 200,000 people in 10 African nations. Eric, 22, a newly-minted Army second lieutenant, is now at Fort Benning and preparing for deployment. Jessica, our first child, put up a brave fight, but died of heart disease at the age of 1. Danny, our ward until he turned 18, this year received a scholarship to UCCS and just started classes.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: I would like to improve my ability to serve.

How your business will change in the next decade: Baby boomers and the indigent will require more care, while reimbursements and physician incomes are unfairly dropping. We will need to grow nursing faculty to produce more nurses and we will need more specialty-area physicians. The good news is that these conditions compel us to be more principled in our responsibility to others and to answer with true, enduring teamwork, coordinated grassroots- community health, wellness and care programs, and the selfless professionalism that drew this generation into health care. We will become even better at caring for patients with non-negotiable individual care and service empathy.

What book are you currently reading? "If Disney Ran Your Hospital" by Fred Lee. Hospitals are not about amusement, but the author knows that we must be about courtesy and an unrelenting respect for the individual, and his or her needs.

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? Reduce self-criticism and improve racial reconciliation and cross- class harmony.

Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires
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