Mission leaders are critical partners in ensuring that the Catholic worldview and commitments are expressed in an organization’s policies, practices and procedures. While day-to-day operations may look the same in Catholic health care and other-than-Catholic health care organizations, it is the how and the why things are done that differentiate the experience of patients, residents, families, co-workers and communities served by Catholic health. Every mission leader must be able to promote, shape and create practices consistent with the values and vision of Catholic health care and Catholic social teaching, which acknowledges the inherent dignity of each person, calls for the furthering of the common good and seeks justice through solidarity.

A. Collaborates with leaders to ensure recruitment, selection and retention are inclusive and consistent with the organization’s mission

TIER I: Dialogues with leaders on the role of mission and values in the selection, orientation and onboarding processes

TIER II: Participates in and provides meaningful feedback when key leadership and governance roles are filled to ensure they are representative of the community

TIER III: Builds system-wide processes with colleagues to ensure alignment with mission, vision and values in recruitment, selection and retention

B. Analyzes the culture to ensure mission and values are embedded in policies and procedures of the organization

TIER I: Articulates the key components of a mission-driven culture

TIER II: Contributes to strategies for enhancing cultural strengths and addressing challenges

TIER III: Creates and maintains structures which sustain culture to embody mission and values

C. Applies the Catholic theological and ethical tradition to operations and clinical practices

TIER I: Engages in frequent conversations on the connections between theology and ethics in daily operations and clinical decisions

TIER II: Influences decisions through the application of Catholic social teaching and ethical principles in clinical and organizational practices

TIER III: Ensures all members of the mission team are able to apply Catholic principles in decision-making and daily operations

D. Ensures that organizational and clinical practices reflect the radical inclusivity, caring and compassion of Jesus

TIER I: Articulates and celebrates when mission and values are demonstrated in daily work and raises questions when they are absent

TIER II: Participates in designing organizational and clinical practices and services which bring to life the love of Jesus in community

TIER III: Reviews quality and satisfaction metrics to promote health equity and patient centered care

Related Resources

• Video: Mission Leader connection to Operations – Scott McConnaha
• Video: Mission Leader connection to Operations – Julie Jones