Donn Sorensen has been involved in healthcare for over three decades. So obviously, he’s a good business leader. He is now the executive vice president of operations for Mercy Health and regional president of Mercy’s West region, and had previous roles as vice president and COO of Mercy Clinic in the east Missouri region.
His overall goals have been to make good business decisions, while expanding healthcare services, improving patients’ overall experience and continuously improving employee satisfaction and engagement. He likes to extend it forward with the development of good management teams.
His book, “Big Hearted Leadership” provides insights into how today’s business leaders can go on to develop other good leaders who are strong and compassionate. What better way to show compassion than to help others? Sorensen offered his thoughts on philanthropy and how it fits (or should fit) into leadership, and indeed, our daily lives.
WHAT DOES PHILANTHROPY MEAN TO YOU?
It means giving of yourself to help others in need. Giving of youself can mean many different things. It can be volunteering your time, making monetary donations, creating enthusiasm in others to join together in support of others or their organization. It’s having a passion for helping when you can, and being really committed to the community.
WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE OPENED YOUR EYES TO THOSE IN NEED?
One year, I was asked to help out around the holidays in a nonprofit organization that helped the homeless. I could not believe so many people – of all ages and education levels – didn’t know if they would have enough to eat the next day or a place to sleep each night. It’s not something I had personally experienced, but yet, I certainly knew there were poor and homeless people living in our area and around the country. But being there and talking to people made me realize that but for the grace of God, it could be me or anyone, due to a variety of circumstances. This made it much clearer. Immediately after that, I set out to do something to help. It was a huge problem, and I had been unaware of the real impact and extent of it. At Mercy that year, we raised money, we delivered toys to children in need, and that was the beginning of a program called Force for Good, a Mercy Health System entity where employees volunteer, donate and/or raise funds for a charity of their own choosing.
WHAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH AND WHY?
I have served as board chair for a number of years at Care to Learn, where the goal is to break the generational poverty gap. One of the ways to do this is to help children to be successful in school. They can’t help what circumstances they were born into, but they suffer the consequences. This can often mean they aren’t able to study or get to school because they are hungry, they are tired, they don’t have proper clothes or coats or shoes for school. Thus, the poverty cycle continues. I also served on the governing board of the Make-A-Wish Missouri chapter because I like supporting children’s organizations.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PHILANTHROPY?
Of course, those you help will benefit from your personal support, your donations, your time and energy. You also gain a feeling of satisfaction from knowing that you’ve helped someone. He who refreshens others will be refreshed. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s also made me much more grateful for what I have in my own life and in my own family. You realize that when people are struggling to eat and stay warm, some of your own “needs” do not seem as urgent. And if you get your employees involved, there is a real sense of accomplishment to see them helping others, holding fundraisers and making a difference.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN PHILANTHROPY?
Search charities in your area that respresent something that interests you and/or your organizatiom and employees. Do your homework and research several within your bailiwick and figure out which one (or ones) that resonate the most. Or … you can always start your own. But there are many out there already that need more help.
Sorensen is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a former board chair for the American Medical Group Association. For more information on “Big-Hearted Leadership,” visit donnsorensen.com.
