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61 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Remembering Chuck Lauer By Scott Becker and Molly Gamble C huck Lauer, 86, was a legend in the healthcare arena. He passed away April 30 after a battle with leukemia. It is an understatement to say he will be greatly missed. For 29 years, Chuck served as the publisher of Modern Healthcare and grew that magazine into greatness. He oversaw the publication's editorial direc- tion and served as vice president of publishing before he attempted to re- tire from Crain Communications in 2007. Retirement didn't work out well, and Chuck soon rebounded to his business interests and community work. As beloved as he was in healthcare, Chuck was first and foremost a de- voted family man. He tirelessly gave his time and prodigious energy to everyone and everything, but most of all his family — his beloved wife, Maggie, his children and his grandchildren. He always spoke of them with such love and pride. Chuck mentored so many people throughout his life. He was a longtime unpaid mentor to Becker's Healthcare, and to many of us personally, until we literally forced him to take a paycheck. He was always looking to help more. His advice transcended generations and boundaries, from editorial to sales to healthcare and leadership of all sorts. "As I watched Chuck work and relate to people into his 80s, I often thought, 'My God, I want to be Chuck Lauer when I grow up," says Publisher Scott Becker. Throughout his career, Chuck wrote several books and hundreds, if not thousands, of articles. His moral fiber and decency was apparent in his writing, and he never failed to advocate for patients. Chuck also served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and he devot- ed a great deal of his writing to lessons he learned and people he met throughout his service. "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," says Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health. "His edi- torials 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." We can't remember Chuck without recalling his unique spirit and brand of energy. Chuck was a friend to all, and a generous one at that. "An intro- duction from Chuck Lauer was the golden pass to business relationships," said Mr. Becker. He loved his sports — ice hockey and golf, particularly — and his kids' sports. He enjoyed spending time with his family in the sun of Naples, Fla. He was a natural networker and a sight to be seen when meeting people and introducing friends to one another. He was young at heart and never without his sense of humor. "Having worked with Chuck for nearly a quarter century, I can say that the success he had never went to his head," says Todd Sloane, a former se- nior editor at Modern Healthcare. "He was one of the warmest people you could meet and would go out of his way to help anyone who asked for it." Like hundreds of others who knew him, we at Becker's Healthcare are so grateful for the friendship we shared with the legendary Chuck Lauer. We are better for having known him, and he will be sorely missed. n Chuck Lauer, in the Words of His Readers, Friends and Colleagues By Kelly Gooch and Molly Gamble T he healthcare industry said goodbye to a giant on April 30 with the passing of Chuck Lauer, 86, former publisher of Modern Healthcare. Here, readers, friends and colleagues share the ways Chuck touched the industry, their work and their lives. "Chuck was a natural, gied communicator and always ensured that all of us in this field stayed in- formed and connected." — Terry Akin, CEO of Cone Health (Greensboro, N.C.) "Chuck was a kind, compassionate and thoughtful leader. rough his writing, he frequently reminded us that although healthcare is a business, our work in- volves the most vulnerable aspect of people's lives and we have a special obligation to be respectful in all we do. He will be greatly missed." — Teri Fontenot, President and CEO of Woman's Hospital (Baton Rouge, La.) "I'm not sure there are many in the healthcare indus- try who don't know — or know of, Chuck Lauer. He has been such an incredible influence to leaders throughout the country, over many years. His quick wit, his unapologetic quest for basic humanity, the love he openly shared with all of us about his family — dogs included — his country, and those serving in the military, his transparency about his own health- care experiences, always naming individuals and in- stitutions who exceeded expectations but never call- ing out publicly if someone did not, and his focus on 'other-centeredness.' It was not about Chuck, never was. Such a profound lesson. I particularly enjoyed Chuck's gi of the written lan- guage. I still have copies of many of his old Modern Healthcare columns, dog-eared as they may be, in- cluding his last one, December 2008. I'll quote the last two sentences: 'Please tell some people in your lives just how much you love them and remember to laugh, think and cry. It's all part of living a great life.' And, indeed, a great life he has lived. Blessed to know you, Chuck." — Julie Manas. President and CEO of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, Wis.)