Message from AHVAP Treasurer

As the saying goes, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. When writing this post, I can see out my windows that the ground is covered in snow and ice. Within the next 24 hours, more snow is expected to fall. This will kick off school vacation week, and those who ski will have a fresh coating of snow to trailblaze down the mountainside.

Winter in the Northeast can be cold and dark for someone who doesn't ski. I have dreamed for many years about getting away in the bleakest part of winter to feel the warm sun on my face and a warm breeze in my hair. However, February vacation usually comes and goes without me making plans, but not this year. I had a whirlwind trip to sunny Florida in early January and was able to catch about 20 minutes of warm Florida sun, and that was all it took. When I got home, I made reservations to return with my daughter during her winter break. I can honestly say I am giddy looking at the forecast: 80 degrees and sunny.

This trip will provide me with a good dose of warm sunshine and a way for me to reset and refocus. This is important for many reasons. According to a Forbes article by Colleen Reilly, employee vacation is not only important to the individual and family, but also to the organization. This leads to fewer sick days, less turnover, and lower healthcare costs. Vacations also work to reduce stress, improve productivity, and help with better sleep.

The anticipated sunshine, while allowing my thoughts to wander, will allow me to return in a weeks’ time with new vigor and new ideas: watch out AHVAP HQ! This reset is vital with all the pivoting value analysis professionals had to do over the last three years, both personally and professionally. It does not necessarily have to be a week or even a whole day. Blocking time on your schedule to grab coffee with a coworker, walk around your neighborhood, or stream a five-minute meditation video are all activities that can be worked into your day. Think of them as mini vacations for your mind. I hope you can prioritize a reset this month and consider ways to work them into your day!

Anne Marie Orlando, MBA, RN, RCIS, CVAHP
Treasurer, Board of Directors