situations that could get him in trouble. One thing that struck me is
the number of people who came up to me after learning of my legal
troubles and told me, "That could have been me." Many of us wind up
in the "gray area" — sometimes without knowing it.
You may also think my story does not apply to you because you
aren't a high-ranking employee in a public company. But as the read-
ers of this magazine know, health care is a thicket of laws and regula-
tions that are constantly changing. It's impossible to stay on top of
everything. By necessity, you must rely on co-workers whom you
know to be trustworthy and knowledgeable, and on leaders who
uphold the highest standards and establish a culture that reflects
that. Doing what's best for patients, although admirable, isn't enough
and it's not always legal. In healthcare delivery, it's imperative that
your facility understands the pertinent laws and regulations, or
retains someone who does, and has procedures in place to ensure
they are followed. In short, you want a culture that does not tolerate
cutting corners.
Thanks for sharing in my journey
As I waited for my prison term to begin, I found that I was often
beating myself up for letting myself participate in illegal activity.
With the help of many friends, I came to the conclusion that this
was counterproductive and getting in the way of continued growth.
While I remain sorry for what happened and the consequences and
accept responsibility, I am not defined by my actions in that specif-
ic case, nor am I defined by the word "felon."
Since the events at ArthroCare, I have been on a journey of self-dis-
covery and growth. I am not the same person I was. I am more hum-
ble and calm, and much more focused on the things that are really
important to me: my relationships with my husband, my family, my
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