It all begins with believing and belonging.
In March of 2019, Nancy Jones was listening to NPR and was captivated by the voice of a brilliant speaker, Dr. Peter Pronovost, who she later learned preferred to be called Peter. Peter was addressing the City Club of Cleveland on the topic of how success in healthcare evolves from healing in the hospital to getting healthy at home. The warmth of his voice and the humility that emanated over the radio drew her further into the broadcast. His delivery was heartwarming and inspiring. Peter opened with a Robert F. Kennedy quote:
Some men see things as they are, and say why. I dream of things that never were and say why not...
He described how he and his team were able to reduce deaths from catheter infections, which in 2001 killed more people than breast and prostate cancer, by 90% nationally! With Peter’s leadership, teams saw a large and sustained reduction (up to 66%) in rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections. How did he accomplish this? He said, “Not with new knowledge, but with freeing up the wisdom that already existed in the community.” Two simple things are the catalyst for change: Believing and Belonging. Do people believe the goal is attainable, and do we create structures for peer learning for people to belong and share knowledge, information, and ideas?
Nancy had long been concerned about the poverty, violence, healthcare and income inequities etc. that exist in America and particularly in Cleveland, Ohio where she grew up. As some others had, she pondered the idea of a transformational plan for Cleveland which had been inspired by the Marshall Plan implemented during WWII to rebuild Europe. Nancy wondered if such a plan might be implemented to rebuild the inner city of Cleveland. Obviously, Peter had brilliantly and successfully transformed hospital systems and therefore had the talent and know-how, and would be a great resource to bounce ideas off of. She worked up the courage to email Peter in April 2019 and to her amazement he responded immediately. He said:
"You are on to something. The key is to align groups around a common vision. Together they can move mountains. Two thoughts for us to work together: First, call me Peter; Second, never use the term "I am just.." again. You are powerful beyond your dreams".
Nancy and Peter met in person in June 2019 along with several of Nancy's community organizing friends, and that was the beginning of a beautiful and productive relationship that has blossomed into a loving and trusting friendship from which Conversations of Love emerged!