Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/831159
62 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP "I had the honor of knowing Chuck Lauer for about 20 years. And, during the past several, we met for lunch a couple times a year at vari- ous Chicago area restaurants to catch up on our lives, swap stories and discuss the status of healthcare in the U.S. He was a great mentor and friend to my entire family, took my daughter Liz under his wing and has been an incredible influence in her career in healthcare. I could go on and on about the kindness and generosity of this great man. Instead, let me put it this way: In my 43 years in business, I have never met a more decent, credible and genuine person. He is a singular Mt. Rushmore." — Jack Querio, Senior Vice President of Sales, Entrotech Life Sciences "I am very sad to learn of Chuck's passing. His imprint on healthcare will never be forgotten, along with his contribution to making this world a much better place. I always looked forward to his role as mod- erator for IDN Summits, in which he brought out the very best in the healthcare leaders who would join him on stage. My condolences to his family, and may he rest in peace." — Bob Acosta, Director of Business Development for Healthcare Ser- vices, Konica Minolta Business Solutions "His articles were both enlightening and humorous at times. His ded- ication and 'emotional attachment' to the healthcare field could be felt in every article he wrote. ey were short, to the point and so valu- able to us when we were just entering the healthcare field back in the 1980s. I never personally met Mr. Lauer, but felt close to him just by the passionate method he so eloquently expressed in his articles con- cerning patient care. He was certainly one of a kind, and we'll all miss him dearly." — Rick J. Leinen, CFO of Montgomery County Memorial Hospital (Red Oak, Iowa) "As a publisher and columnist, Chuck was old school. He believed in journalism and the separation of 'church and state,' meaning editorial was king and advertising was there to support it, with profit a result of doing great journalism. Having worked with Chuck for nearly a quarter century, I can say that the success he had never went to his head. He was one of the warmest people you could meet and would go out of his way to help anyone who asked for it. He loved life and loved healthcare. He knew everyone in the healthcare business and had legions of admirers in the industry. He worked right up to the end of his life, even as he battled cancer, and kept his sense of humor all the way through." — Todd Sloane, Former Senior Editor at Modern Healthcare "While I have a number of warm memories of Chuck, one stands out as a special experience. At a Becker's CEO Roundtable several years ago, Chuck was the moderator of a CEO forum. I approached the front of the room to say hello and greet some of my former colleagues. I had re- tired from my CEO role at Sinai Health System by then. Chuck looked up with Scott Becker, and they both said, 'You need to be on this panel!' As much as I resisted, they insisted. It turned out to be one of my most enjoyable sessions. Chuck and I managed to get into a little humorous riff in the middle of a serious discussion on organizational manage- ment. Teasing each other in front of a crowd of CEOs and senior leaders echoed the warmth and charm that Chuck brought to all his friends and acquaintances. And, by the comments from several in the audience, I certainly was not alone in feeling that special connection with him. I will miss him dearly. He was a good friend, a thoughtful advisor and a very special human being." — Alan Channing, Former CEO of Sinai Health System (Chicago) "Chuck, as publisher of Modern Healthcare and then a special writer for Becker's Hospital Review, understood healthcare as few really do — the complexity, importance, the passion and the emotion. His editori- als were challenging and yet supportive as only those on the inside of healthcare would understand. His writings demanded good leadership and management in healthcare, and he prided himself in recognizing the good in healthcare leadership. I'll never forget the day he presented me with a Becker's Leadership Award. I think he enjoyed presenting it as much as I did receiving it. And I could tell he expected even more of me going forward. I'll miss his writing as much as I will miss him." — Chris Van Gorder, President and CEO of Scripps Health (San Diego) "Chuck was a very close friend for more than 35 years. We both spent time together for years at Health Insights and HRDI, and supplement- ed those relationships with many phone calls each month and some rounds of golf. To say he was an icon in the healthcare industry does not do justice to the respect others had for him. He was Mr. Modern Healthcare, a pillar of integrity and a genuinely fine human being. With the passing of Chuck, I lost a very close and dear friend. Now I must 'find strength in what remains behind.'" — Tony Alibrio, Corporate Officer and Division President at Marriott International "Chuck spoke at the Healthcare Planning, Marketing & Public Rela- tion Professionals of New Jersey Annual meeting in 2007. As the editor of Modern Healthcare for 29 years, Chuck's column had a following. He retired from Modern Healthcare prior to his talk at HPMSNJ, but his key- note set attendance records for HPMSNJ that I think have still not been broken. I went back through my notes and found his presentation. Here is an excerpt: "Success is oen understood to mean achievement in work - how high we climb the career ladder. But that definition falls short. For success includes all of life, and far more than what we do; it describes what we are. A suc- cessful person is not just productive but positive: not just a go-getter but a giver. A successful person seeks excellence. Not only in the workplace but in social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual dimensions as well. Nothing ranks higher than possessing a personal character than reflects time-tested virtues and values: honesty, resiliency, perseverance, kindness and the full slate of other essential traits." We were better people aer Chuck's presentation. God bless you, Chuck. anks for all that you did for HPMSNJ and for inspiring us as leaders." — Anthony C Stanowski, President and CEO of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Association "Chuck was a true icon who contributed enormously to healthcare and to many of our careers. He cared deeply about everyone and made you feel so welcome. I was truly honored to co-chair Becker's conferences with this extraordinary leader who touched all our hearts and souls. ere will never be another Chuck. He will be greatly missed." — Rhoda Weiss, PhD, National Co-Chair, Becker's Healthcare Spring and Fall Conferences