We’re proud to share in the careers of so many incredible healthcare professionals who are not only experts in their field but also dedicated to the health and vitality of their community.
Meet Dr. Irving Ward, Chief Anesthesiologist for our Sound Anesthesia program in partnership with John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. As the leader of one of Sound’s first anesthesia teams, he shares what drew him to Sound’s unique structure and support.
What led you to Sound, and what keeps you at Sound?
Sound Physicians has partnered with John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS) for over five years. The local medical district is close-knit, and I heard about the high-quality care Sound provides early on.
Positive sentiments about the Sound Anesthesia team came from surgeons who practiced at multiple locations and had firsthand experience with Sound clinicians. When the opportunity to join Sound at JPS arose, I was confident that I’d be joining a collaborative team that would enable me to grow as an anesthesiologist and a leader. I’ve since settled into my role as Chief Anesthesiologist, and it’s been an opportunity that I have cherished.
Which of Sound’s values (Collaboration, Uncompromising Care, Ingenuity, Empathy, Accountability) shows up most in your work?
All of Sound’s values are paramount to any high-quality medical system. Without a doubt, uncompromising care rests at the pinnacle of any healthcare team. Anesthesiologists must form a bond and a level of trust with their patients that extinguishes the fears of the stranger they just met and the procedures they’re preparing them for. My patients deserve great care, even beyond what I would want for myself.
What aspects of your personality, upbringing, or advice you’ve received come in handy when leading your anesthesia team in the hospital?
Many clichés came to mind: “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” “Don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do,” and “Leaders lead” are a few. However, I’m surrounded by a group of high achievers. Each has a unique talent and skill set, and as I listen and learn about my teammates, I gain an appreciation for how they can best serve our patients. My goal is to extract the maximum potential from my staff and enable them to flourish.
Can you describe Sound Anesthesia’s team-based care model and how it benefits your patients?
Sound’s care team model is structured in a way to provide efficient, high-quality anesthesia throughout patients’ care. This structure ensures patients are managed collaboratively among team members as well as working directly with the entire perioperative team. Anesthesiologists and CRNAs can perform to their maximum potential and this valuable pool of resources contributes to our teammates’ education and continued development. Furthermore, a strong leadership contingent fosters development at the local, regional, and national level. Sound’s focus on the care team model also facilitates patient throughput, which is vital to our partner hospitals services.
What are some of your favorite things about Fort Worth, Texas, and the surrounding area?
My wife and I have four children and one grandchild, and we have had the opportunity to assimilate into the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) culture after moving here from Kansas City 10 years ago. As our children journeyed through various stages, we traveled along with them. Through their participation in sports, I found myself transitioning into a photographer for several of their teams. Now that all but one has left the house, my photography interest has transitioned into the numerous activities around the DFW and the surrounding area provide. The Cowtown Coliseum and the Stockyards have provided me with numerous opportunities to satisfy my interests, from street photography and photojournalism to capturing action shots at the rodeo.
Additionally, date night with my wife is defined by Bass Hall and the Jubilee Theater, as well as indulging in the many restaurants throughout Fort Worth. Most recently, we enjoyed a staycation at the elegant Drover Hotel. Why leave DFW when we can enjoy the amenities offered right here, close to home?
How does Sound support you in delivering the best anesthesia care or finding better ways of working?
The infrastructure at Sound provides several resources to assist in managing a team as well as providing uncompromising care. My leaders are easily accessible and provide valuable insight when I encounter challenging situations on-site. Additionally, Sound Anesthesia leadership facilitates collaboration with our partner hospital, ensuring their request and needs are addressed.
Furthermore, the technology resources are beneficial to the entire Sound group. Organization-wide channels provide a platform for submitting questions that the entire clinician community can discuss and respond to. Digital resources, such as lectures, meetings, and best practices, are always available to support clinical development. Finally, the Medical Director Summit, an in-person conference for Sound’s leaders from across the country, provides an excellent opportunity to network and share ideas, concerns, and problems encountered in various settings.
What advice would you give to future anesthesiologists or CRNAs joining our teams?
I would advise any new clinicians joining our team to take advantage of the resources that Sound offers. Furthermore, I would encourage them to accelerate their growth by seeking educational and leadership opportunities offered by Sound.