About

My passion is for my family, my friends, my work, my dogs (an English Mastiff, “Mattie, two Newfoundlands, “Zoey” and “Misha” and a wonderful part-Great Pyrenees, “Cooper”), books, bicycling, playing music, photography and raising Japanese Maples. I am honored to have a chance to share my blog with friends from this small planet we live on. For that I am thankful and humbled.

I have spent over 40 years in positions of senior leadership in leading privately and publicly held health care corporations. I’ve have focused my efforts on leadership, management, applications of social network analysis, complexity in organizations and organizational issues of health care organizations.  I have the honor to be with the the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX and lead the practice of Business Transformation.  Health care in the United States is changing rapidly and I have an opportunity to help others make those improvements. It’s a great career and a great place to work with great people.

I hold a Masters Degree in experimental psychology and a PhD in organizational psychology, and completed studies at the Ohio State University Fisher School of Business in the Executive Leadership program. Recently, I completed the certification program in Strategic Foresight at the University of Houston. I’m also an alumni of the Santa Fe Institute,  which is a private, not-for-profit, independent research and education center, where scientists grapple with some of the most compelling and complex problems of our time.

Additionally, I have served on the adjunct faculty of Minnesota State University, and have been a guest lecturer at the University of Minnesota and the University of Houston.  My volunteer efforts are focused on the Future Business Leaders of America and judging high school forensics and debate competitions.

Bill- Fall 2011

112 thoughts on “About”

  4. I’m so thankful that I am subscribed to your emails! Some of them reach my inbox with perfect timing. Life is so up and down, but I’m learning to try and keep my balance. Wishing you the best!

    Reply

  11. Hello Dr. Bill. Thank you for visiting my photo-blog. Your blog is simply beautifully laid out. I especially employed your photography. Are you a ‘Canon-ite’ or a ‘Nikon-ian’?

    Reply

    1. I am a Nikon-ian. I started out many years ago with Nikon and feel comfortable with them. I think Canon may have an edge now, but have too much invested to change . Thanks for you note. Take care . . .

      Reply

  14. What a beautiful blog you have Bill! I absolutely adore and love sites like yours! Thanks for the follow and visit. 🙂
    *hugs*

    Reply

  15. HI Bill. thank you so much for following my blog. I will be back to read more of your interesting blog. Have a great day. Renee 🙂

    Reply

  17. Hello, Dr. Bill. Welcome to the Diabetic Redemption family of readers. I’m glad you’ve joined us. If you’d like, please find my Friends page, and tell me and my readers a little about you and your blog, with URL, please, so they can find you. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the comments, if that’s something you like to do. Either way, once again, welcome!

    Reply

  22. Dr. Bill! I’m not sure how you stumbled across my blog, but I’m glad that has given the opportunity to know yours. Maybe you read some of the difficult things I went through in Germany, and I want to say that I actually thought about you during them, and felt a bit ashamed I wasn’t staying as calm or “Zeny” as maybe I should. When you run into things that might present themselves as overwhelming at first, what do you do? I can read all the posts, and agree and admire them…but as a real person from your experience, would you mind sharing? Thank you for your words and inspiration, and thank you!!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your post. Sometimes maintaining a positive balance in your live can be messy in times of high stress. Even when we find overall balance in our lives, there are going to be times when we are overloaded. If you find yourself in that position, don’t stress about it; that’s part of maintaining balance, too.

      I do this in my own life and, quite honestly, there are times when I need to adjust slightly to be back in balance, and other times when I need to adjust quite a bit. There are times when I feel myself getting a scratchy throat and realize that my body is telling me that I need to get back in balance quickly or I’ll get sick. I listen to my body and my emotions, and I make the necessary changes to stay in balance (or I listen to wise friends who encourage me to do so).

      Staying in balance looks different for everyone, as we all have different needs for balance, different variables we work with in our lives, different levels of tolerance for imbalance, and different resources available to us, among other things.

      Also, positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.

      Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information. If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you’re likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.

      Take what happen in Germany as an experience to learn from and I’m sure that they next time you are faced with a unpleasant challenge you will approach it with stronger positive, personal resources. We all “catastrophize” at times and have irrational thoughts, believing that something is far worse than it actually is.

      Be well,

      Bill

      Reply

  23. Dr Bill, you just started following my blog (meaningfulwesternlife.com) for which I am honored. After visiting your blog, I see we have some commonalities. I am an organizational change manager and my passion is to share ways to experience joy in their busy lives.

    I just recently had a paper published about ‘building change resiliency through meditation and mindfulness’ and I find it so interesting to see how businesses can transform easier when people are awake and aware, and see that they have a choice to make with everything that occurs around them.

    Your blog is lovely and inspiring. I just wanted to say hi and connect with someone else who shares the same kind of passion.

    Have a wonderful day,
    ~Wendy

    Reply

    1. Hi Wendy,

      That is amazing that we share the same belief about how a positive approach can be used to bring about organizational change. For over the last twenty years, I have utilized Appreciative Inquiry as a tool for engaging individuals in large change organizational initiatives. When individuals can use their own past positive experiences to create their future, the goals are more readily achieved.

      I would like to see a copy of your paper if possible. Also, if you have profile on Linked-In, we could connect.

      Best regards,

      Bill

      Reply

  29. You have a lifetime of giving here.. my doctor, whom i adore and is helping me to heal, once was at the cancer center and thankfully, was cured. He cannot speak more highly of it. Sadly his wife recently passed from breast cancer-any cancer is a very nasty disease i hope one day we conquer.

    I look forward to reading your thoughts here and enjoying your offerings. Blessings…

    Reply

    1. Thanks Linda. Working in a cancer center every day changes one’s perspective on the value of live. Most of our worries about living are actually rather small when you compare them to life and death decisions. Be well, Bill

      Reply

  31. Dr. Bill, I have nominated YOU for “The Addictive Blog Award”. Awesome!! Please visit me …www.positiveboomer.net. 🙂 Renee

    Reply

  32. I have enjoyed wandering through your thoughts to words…
    your space has a wonderful energy, I am never sure how I end up on
    a blog, but its usually because I need to see or read something for me in this moment….
    I found it today, as I enjoy your Sunday music Norah Jones…Beautiful ….
    Thank you for sharing you…
    Take Care…
    You Matter….
    )0(
    maryrose

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Mary Rose. Like you I journey through writing of many wonderful folks. I feel that I am a better person for just know them. Be well. Bill

      Reply

  38. Bill, thank you for visiting my blog. I’m so glad that you did, as I now have the pleasure of following your blog. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your kind words and that it has meaning for you. when I started it a few years ago it was driven for find words of self-affirmation. It has exceeded my expectations for friends like you. Be well, Bill

      Reply

  47. Dr. Bill, your site and postings are just stunning ….I mean, even if there was no commentary to read, the visuals and poems take my breath away. I am a caregiver to the nth degree and just perusing here lowers my blood pressure! I try to take care of everybody and everything without short selling myself and your “realm” you’ve created here is a secret spot for me to come and chill…truly. I have just started blogging, hoping my experiences will help others with a stress-packed life, and also because it is cathartic for me. I hope you’ll check it out and give me your honest opinion. One day I hope to be a go to spot for people that have too much on their plate all over the world. Thank you again for the pick me up! Cher

    Reply

  48. Dr. Bill, I have always enjoyed your upbeat posts, but hadn’t read your “About” page. Wow! Not only a nice, family-oriented person but a talented leader in healthcare. With that, your healthy lifestyle, and your volunteer work, you are a great role model. I’d love to hear your time-management tips!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Susan. I think we all have to figure how we manage the time we have. I have so many interests that I make sure I take the time to explore each of them and yet have time for my family and work, It’s like a three-legged stool. If you spend too much time taking care of yourself you have a lop-sided stool and life is out of balance.

      Reply

  49. Hi Dr. Bill! You follow my talented friend Mimi at Waiting for the Karma Truck; she blogged today about the book I wrote on breast cancer. I’m not sure how to contact you other than leaving a message here! I am hoping to get the book into hospital gift shops and cancer centers, and share the proceeds with the institutions. I would love to talk to you about working together. I can be reached at jfoerhirsch@gmail.com, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for following. this winter has been something else as far as winter goes and has seriously cut into my riding. Let’s hope for an early Spring. Take care! Bill

      Reply
  51. Pingback: inspired and grateful | Lead Our Lives

  52. so…I am joining the chorus of followers who are inspired by what you offer. The pingback above contains my nomination of your blog for a Lovely Blog award. Thank you for what you share. We all need inspiration from time to time and your blog is one of my “go to” places for that. 😉

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for following and the nomination for the blog award. Several months ago I dropped the awards off of my site in that I wanted the daily post to stand alone on its merits, but I do appreciate your kind words. Take care, Bill

      Reply

  54. How do I begin to – Thank You – for stopping over and following my humble blog-o-thing?!? I wish you the very best, not only today but well into the future. Be inspired and please take care.

    Reply

  57. Dr. Bill, I came to your blog from Ivon Prefontaine’s blog. I am quite overwhelmed with all that you have done. The posts you put up along with the images and the overall feel of your blog is very reassuring. Thank you for creating this beautiful space and sharing.

    Reply

  60. Dear Bill,

    Your website is a rare joy! The care with which you pick corresponding images is evident and has brought this reader much joy.
    Aloha, Susan Honolulu

    Reply

  61. Hello Bill – having been in the mental health field that overlapped with the physical health care arena, I am very appreciative of anyone interested in bringing more humanity and greater holistic focus on both of these arenas. Your blog is lovely, celebrating the beauty of nature.

    Reply

  62. I love your blog and I miss your posts. Hope your just taking time to rest and keep on posting.
    All the best from estonian Kati.

    Reply

    1. Hi Kati – thanks for the kind words. I have taken a short break this past week as I have been busier at work and haven’t had the time to devote to the blog. I will be back this week. Take care.

      Reply

  63. Dear Bill,

    Is it possible to get the Orginal Foto of the Woman in Meditation it give me so much Energie and i will put it in my livingromm that i can get the Energie Every day
    Thanks for answer me
    Eva

    Reply

  66. Dear Bill — A life event during an out of country stay allowed me to review my past—that’s when I discovered your blog. Forward in time — this weekend I will attend the 39th Annual Sioux River Folk Festival at Newton Hills State Park — it’s been an annual event for many years, since living in S.D. Time flys! And just want to say “HELLO”
    Sharon

    Reply

    1. Hi Sharon, So good to hear from you after these years. I haven’t posted in a while as I have been busy with a variety of retirement projects and writing a mystery that should be finished in about six to eight months. I hope you are doing well and will enjoy your time in South Dakota. Please keep in touch. Best, Bill

      Reply

  67. Hey Bill,

    Did you work at REM-Indiana, Inc? If so, I worked with you in the late 1980’s. I remember you being a very kind person and a great boss.

    Reply

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