We’re proud to host 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. In honor of Veterans Day, we’re delighted to showcase a clinician who bravely served our country before joining Sound as an accomplished leader.
Meet Dr. Roderick Fontenette, Program Medical Director for our Sound Critical Care site at Adventist Health St. Helena. Before caring for some of the hospital’s sickest patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), Dr. Fontenette served in the U.S. Air Force, where he built the foundation for the calm, steady leadership he’s known for today.
What led you to leadership, and how has Sound supported that transition?
I served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and retired in 2022. As you ascend the ranks in the military, you gain more exposure to leadership roles. From my time serving as associate program director of one of the Air Force’s four emergency medicine (EM) residency programs to serving as the Theatre Director for Critical Care Air Transport during my last deployment in Germany, the Air Force provided me with numerous opportunities to grow into leadership roles.
Sound made the transition from active-duty military into the civilian workforce pretty seamless! They’ve provided me with the tools and resources necessary to be successful. The Medical Director Summit, an annual in-person event connecting medical directors from all Sound sites nationwide, has been a great way to learn from others around the organization and take those lessons learned back to my team.
What does career development look like for intensivists under your leadership?
There are several opportunities within the hospital and community for members to get involved. Whether it’s helping to develop protocols to better streamline care within the unit or serving on hospital committees, team members can find what interests them most and get the time and resources to pursue those interests.
How do you build an effective critical care team?
I look for members who fit well into a team and work well with others. I look for clinicians who prioritize improving the team and place quality patient care at the center of all we do. Folks with these traits tend to contribute to team meetings, enhance team dynamics, and know that the team is stronger when we all work together.
What aspects of your military experience come through in the ICU?
Teamwork! As we say in the military: one team, one fight. We do all we can to ensure our care is exceptional and patient-centered. There is not one “main person” on the team. It takes the contributions and efforts of everyone to make an ICU work, and we must value and respect what everyone brings to the bedside.
Where is your hospital located and what do you like about the area?
We’re practicing out of St. Helena, California, a beautiful town with a population of just over 6,000. It has an authentic small-town feel, and the local community trusts the hospital and truly believes in our care.
What are you passionate about outside the ICU?
I love traveling and spending time with family and friends. One of the many benefits of being in the military was traveling around the country and to many countries abroad. I love to experience and interact with different local communities. I’m originally from southwest Louisiana and love trying new cuisines—especially if those cuisines include red velvet cake!
How do you prioritize well-being—for you and your team?
Focusing on well-being is paramount and crucial for career longevity in the ICU. Caring for our patients is something we’re all passionate about, but we must keep that same energy when it comes to our health and well-being. Taking time away from the office to rest, recharge, and focus on what is most important is something the whole team takes seriously. We work together as a team to help provide each team member the time necessary to decompress.