Christian C. Strachan, MD, assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine, has been selected by IU Health Physicians to be the recipient of the 2020 John F. Fitzgerald Leadership Award.
This award honors the legacy of John F. Fitzgerald, MD, former IU Health Physician's president, who is credited with building IU health Physicians as one of the country's largest academic physician practices. This award is presented to an IU Health Physician who exemplifies leadership traits that include putting patients first, serving leadership, humble integrity, and decision making that benefits the healthcare system.
Nominated by his peers, Dr. Strachan exemplifies these qualities of leadership in practice as described by our emergency medicine faculty below:
"He consistently comes back to how a decision will impact the patient when determining the best course of action. When discussing the topic of patient experience, which can be somewhat controversial in Emergency Medicine, he always challenges us to focus on how we would want our family to feel if they were to need emergency care. To that end, he is the epitome of the servant leader – he would never ask us to do something he would not be willing to do himself. During the COVID pandemic response, he was always available to help as challenges came up. He was insistent that we took care of ourselves along with the departments we were leading. He is willing to admit when a mistake has been made and will work as much as possible to right any wrongs. Lastly, he consistently looks at the big picture of the healthcare system. He makes decisions to benefit the system, understanding that improvements to the system will improve care for the patients." - Karen N. Crevier, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health West
"Dr. Strachan regularly displays servant leadership and humble integrity. He places the needs of the department and faculty above his. A good example was when the need arose for emergency medicine directorship over the East Central Region; he arose to this need and led the ECR through a transition and change." - Peter S. Pang, MD, MS, FACC FACEP, Chair, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Health
"I support the nomination of Dr. Chris Strachan for this award because he is the type of emergency medicine physician and leader I aspire to be. He is a servant leader. He is selfless, putting the needs of the department and his patients first always. Even with great sacrifice to himself. He is the Vice Chair of my department. The department went through some tough times administratively over the last few years, but he has always been steadfast. He inspires people to be great. He embodies great leadership. He is a servant leader. The place is still standing because he equipped the team. I would love for him to have this honor and be recognized for everything he had done as our leader in emergency medicine." - Megan Crittendon, MD FACEP, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health Indianapolis Suburban Region (West, North, Saxony, and Tipton), Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, IU School of Medicine
Leadership Qualities Impact on Colleagues and the Organization
"The qualities that Dr. Strachan demonstrates serve to elevate the entire department of Emergency Medicine. I look up to him as a leader, and I know many of my colleagues do as well. His leadership has directly impacted the care for patients throughout the state by improving quality throughout all Emergency Departments in the system. This was exemplified by his exceptional response to the COVID pandemic; the incident command structure was set up quickly and efficiently, and he used what he knew about the individual strengths of each member to distribute the work in a way that would benefit all." - Karen N. Crevier, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health West
"Dr. Strachan is a role model leader and a stabilizing force for the Department of Emergency Medicine (EM) and the entire EM system throughout IU Health. He has risen to be one of the most respected leaders in emergency medicine. This was reinforced during the past year when our department went through major challenges, first with our chair and then with COVID. Dr. Strachan was steadfast in supporting our faculty, our interim chair, and every member of the EM team. He has stood as a beacon of hope. He leads with optimism and reassures us that we will get through this together. His unwavering commitment to the mission of the EM departments across the IUH system has been inspirational. His integrity has remained resolute, and he has earned our trust and respect." - Julie Welch, MD, Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, IUSM, IU Health Methodist Hospital
"Dr. Chris Strachan is very deserving of the leadership award. He has shown exemplary leadership during the COVID pandemic, being ahead of the curve by anticipating patient needs and ensuring staffing is more than adequate. He has always been available and considerate of the needs of our Emergency Medicine healthcare providers (physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and residents) during this difficult time, and has provided all support staff and patients alike with reassurance and confidence." - Greg Chupp MD, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health Blackford
Driving Excellence and Leading to Significant Improvement for the Department
"Dr. Strachan is strategic and intentional in his decision-making and communication. He challenges each of us to push the boundaries of our comfort zones and try things we did not think were possible. He is willing to hear discomfort and help work through it to drive improvement towards excellence in the Department of EM." - Karen N. Crevier, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health West
"His leadership has made a significant difference for our department by providing anticipatory guidance and ensuring resources such as PPE, educational materials, and adequate staffing are available. Chris has been tireless regarding regular meetings, oversight, and always adds a personal touch with the providers. It is my pleasure to nominate him for the Fitzgerald leadership award." - Greg Chupp MD, Emergency Department Medical Director, IU Health Blackford
"Dr. Strachan also makes decisions that benefit the healthcare system. During COVID, as our emergency department patient volumes decreased, despite an increase in COVID patients, we realized that we could be better financial stewards of our hospital resources. Without being specifically asked, we worked together and took the initiative to see where we could potentially reduce staffing costs without compromising the quality of care or safe patient care." - Peter S. Pang, MD, MS, FACC FACEP, Chair, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Health