By Margaret Hopper

In an interview with Brian Cunningham, Gila Regional Medical Center chief executive officer, who has about 40 days remaining before he leaves this position, this writer attempted to learn not just history and statistics, but what insights and visions of his past experience might be passed on to the community to bridge the transitions that must certainly come as an interim, and, soon, a permanent hire take his place.

The first question was about leadership development and how it related to Gila Regional. He said there were many developing leaders here who saw the issue as essential to growing the organization. GǣMost of us came out through front-line care-giver positions... it's essential for leaders to understand this, to support our caregivers and physicians... so this is not only offered, it's required...to serve our caregivers better, to serve our patients better. We don't just say it, we put the program together, to give (others) the tools, to be a great leader.Gǥ

And who are these leaders? Directors and above, about 30 people, itG