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Why is Twyman Towery, Ph.D., FACHE, the nation’s most sought after speaker in the healthcare field?

Twyman Towery has over 30 years experience in the healthcare field beginning with his becoming the administrator of an 800 bed hospital and school at the tender age of 23. He received his masters in Medical and Hospital Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health on a scholarship from the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and was repaying his debt to the state. This was his initiation of fire into the exciting world of healthcare.

Since then, Dr. Towery has witnessed the implementation of Medicare, DRGs, the growth of the investor-owned companies, the struggle of inner city and rural hospitals, the emergence of HMOs and managed care organizations, hospital-physician alliances and their subsequent dissolution, painful employee downsizing and the other tumultuous changes experienced by healthcare professionals through these decades. He has worked extensively in healthcare in Europe, South America and the Middle East, experiencing their healthcare systems first hand.

Over the last 14 years Twyman has addressed literally hundreds of healthcare audiences including: hospitals, hospital associations, boards of trust, all types of nursing organizations, medical staffs and medical specialty organizations, healthcare (nursing home) companies and state organizations, home healthcare entities, insurance groups such as Blue Cross, health maintenance organizations, pharmaceutical companies, state pharmacy associations, non-profit hospital consortiums, investor-owned companies, ancillary health groups (engineers laboratory, radiology, volunteers, human resources and others) and countless other healthcare groups. This experience lets Twyman relate to whatever healthcare audience he is asked to address. Also, as a Life Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, he has stayed in touch with the academic side of healthcare, while working in the trenches.

Twyman uses humor to make his points and makes sure the audience continues to laugh throughout his speeches, seminars and retreats. People learn better when they are happy, and he knows as well as anyone that many healthcare workers are not happy today, feeling the constant pressure of being asked to do more with less. After years of seminars, retreats, speeches and consulting assignments, Twyman has developed an unmatched rapport with his audiences that is only achieved through training, experience, and continuous study of the healthcare field.

In healthcare today, as in other industries, change is continual, sweeping the industry at a rate that is staggering to many. No organization, physician, board member, or employee is immune to it. You either let change lead you or you become a change leader. Twyman’s presentations help you walk through the fire of change without getting burned. The industry is constantly being reshaped by mergers, coalitions, cost cutting, downsizing, re-organization and the growth of HMOs and managed care programs. Success depends on leaders who continuously create improvements in the way things are done. Twyman sees his job as being a catalyst and teacher in this process, while helping others feel good about their contribution to their organization and society.

Twyman’s latest books, The Wisdom of Wolves: Nature's Way to Organizational Success and The Power of Eagles: Nature's Way to Individual Accomplishment are enjoyed by everyone and are a featured part of many of his presentations. These books use these majestic animals as metaphors for management examples on topics such as: Courage, Symbolism, Mentoring, and many other characteristics possessed by great leaders. His next two books, The Depth of Dolphins: Nature's Way to Intelligent Communication and The Art of the Warrior, will be released in the near future. It is one of Dr. Towery's unique ways of teaching management techniques in a way that they are easily understood, enjoyed and effective.

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Strategic Planning
Hospital Managers & Organizational Development
Teamwork
Culture & Values
The Customer
Managing Up
Communication
Reward and Fun
Issues for Trustees and Medical Staff Members
Presentation Skills

 Strategic Planning

Mangers today long to know where their organization is heading and the role they can play in its future. It often seems that crucial direction is determined by spur-of-the-moment decisions. People want to believe there is more to their efforts than "bottom line" performance and want to be part of the success. When managers are allowed to help formulate policy, difficult but crucial goals are realized.

Hospital Managers & Organizational Development

Of all the issues management groups say is important to them, the issue of TRUST always is at the top of the list. Downsizing, layoffs, corporate ownership changes and constantly changing leadership and goals have all left many people in a cynical, if not downright hostile, mood. The way to build TRUST is for people to understand, not just professionally but personally as well, the backgrounds, training, personalities and goals of the people with whom they work. Handled correctly, this is what takes place on a seminar or retreat—a phenomenon that almost never materializes in any other way. When people truly TRUST each other, the scene is set for…

Teamwork

Elements of teamwork can, and should be, taught, but the actual practice must be experienced to become a reality. My meetings have people involved in working as a team before they realize learning is actually going on. Teamwork is like the weather, everyone talks about it, but few actually do something about it. If a leader expects support from people, the leader must invest the time and emphasis to mold them into a team. I know how to make this happen if the leader will commit to it and be consistent about the program.

 Culture & Values

In today’s world of sicker patients, lower occupancies, less staff, less reimbursement, managed care pressures, Medicare and Medicaid cutbacks, less time to train people properly for the job, pressure to cut expenses and increase profits and many other factors too numerous to list, people are often not sure what their culture is anymore. They long for the time they understood that quality care comes first and everything else will work out. But times are not so simple anymore, so it is important to rebuild or redefine what the culture actually encompasses. Financial, board, medical staff, and other issues can all be included in the context of corporate culture. While a readiness to change is important, the protection of deeply held organizational values is crucial.

 The Customer

Because of some of the concerns listed above, the customer, internal and external, often gets lost in the shuffle. Who are our customers? What do they want? Need? What do the employees need in terms of committed values to deliver to the needs of the customers? What are some of the policies and practices of the institution that either support or negate these values. If there is a gap between the ideal and the reality, what steps need to be taken to merge the two?

Managing Up

The CEO of a healthcare organization can no longer be expected to come up with all the new ideas needed to stay ahead of the competition, so managers and other employees must feel the freedom to come up with their own creativeness to keep the hospital ahead. This usually means they must feel free to fail, which must be encouraged by top management. It not, the employees will simply play it safe, doing their work, going home and leaving NEW thinking to the folks at the top. My seminars force everyone to get "out of their box" and begin helping the boss think. Quality teams that have a clear focus and the support of management often produce spectacular results.

 Communication

Often the best lines of communication established at a seminar or retreat happen outside of the formal meeting. People today are so busy that they tend to do their work, but don’t really take the time to communicate with others. These meetings give real communication the opportunity to flourish, which pays great dividends for the organization.

 Reward and Fun

Maybe the greatest part of a well done program is that people are rewarded for the difficult and demanding work they constantly do. It renews batteries and the realization that they are part of something bigger than themselves and that they are proud of their organization.

 Issues for Trustees and Medical Staff Members

• The changing role of the community (or other) hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Basic techniques for hospital governance
• Managed care pressures and what they mean to physicians and hospitals
• Areas of joint opportunity between hospitals and physicians
• Communication between hospitals, physicians and trustees
• Developing and maintaining a competitive strategy
• Change—How to survive in a rapidly changing environment
• Dealing with difficult people and problem professionals
• Other topics to be suited to the organization’s specific needs
• Clarification of goals, mission, values and direction

Presentation Skills

Every hospital employee is an ambassador for their organization. Whether they are a positive or negative force often depends on how well they articulate their feelings to others. This is generally a learned skill and not God-given. Through use of a video camera, lots of humor and sound principle, this seminar makes orators out of even the most reluctant manager.

Testimonials

"I wanted to drop you this special thank you for working with my board and I at our 2006 retreat in Denver. You have a special talent to work with boards of both not for profit and for profit hospitals, yet allowing each type of organization to maintain it's focus on it's own mission, vision and values. It is especially rewarding to me when I am able to have you join my Board and to see your abilities utilized to keep focus on the objectives of the meeting, yet making each board member feel appreciated and important. I find your insights into hospital operations and organizational focus to be invaluable to me as a Chief Executive Officer and I would be pleased to recommend you to any organization. Please feel free to use me as a reference and should any prospective client wish to speak to me, I may be reached at 620 225-8404.

John E. Walker, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Western Plains Medical Complex
Dodge City, Kansas



“I have worked with many professionals, speakers and facilitator over the years, and I feel that your talents, skills and commitments were excellent and I can assure you that the Brookwood Medical Center organization will be looking forward to seeing you at future activities. I strongly recommend your program and your skill set for any executive, especially in the healthcare industry that is trying to achieve organizational connectivity.”

John R. Nickens, III, Chief Executive Officer
Brookwood Medical Center

“Thank you for helping to make our annual meeting an outstanding success. As you can see from the enclosed evaluation, Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Although you were entertaining you had a message for the audience and that was appreciated.”

Wendy Ray, Program Coordinator
Washington State Hospital Association

“This is to express my deep gratitude for the preparation and participation in our recent Medical Staff Leadership Retreat at Callaway Gardens. Your remarks during the day on Saturday were in perfect sync with the theme of dealing with change in the present healthcare environment.

“Additionally, your keynote address on Saturday night really drove the point home about how we in healthcare are dealing with dynamics that have been seen many times in other industries. As always your style was warm and inviting and met your target audience effectively. Thanks for making our efforts successful. I look forward to the next time we work together.

“I have completed your book, The Male Code, and thoroughly enjoyed it; it was as though you were writing about me!”

Warren E. Callaway, FACHE, Administrator
Carraway Methodist Medical Center

“His positive style, his knowledge, and his skills as a leader were highly effective and were exactly what we needed. His presentation on Change & The Wisdom of Wolves set the tone for an educational, informative and enjoyable management retreat.”

Martha Bonner, Patient/Employee Relations
COLUMBIA Hughston Sports Medicine Hospital

“Your keynote address literally reverberated throughout the rest of our convention. People were talking about the concepts you introduced and using them to appreciate and understand others.”

Craig Burridge, Executive Director
Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York

“Thank you for the recent department head seminar on Job Burnout and Corporate Culture. It was tremendously successful, well-received, and meaningful to our department managers.”

Robert F. Letson, President
Florence General Hospital

“Outstanding! The 1997 Hospital Association Annual Convention & Exhibits in partnership with the Texas Hospital Trustees was a great success. One reason for this was the presentation you made at the general session. Thanks again for your inspiring message.

“Many of our convention delegates remarked to me how insightful and challenging your remarks were.

“Please do not hesitate to use the THA Convention as a reference. We all certainly enjoyed having you as our speaker.”

Terry Townsend, FACHE, CAE, President /CEO
Texas Hospital Association

“Thank you for such a refreshing, entertaining and provocative presentation at SCHA’s Mid-Year Meeting last week at Kiawah Island. We all laughed at your jokes and observations, but it was a self-deprecating laugh. We all see ourselves in what you were saying. This communication stuff is pretty tricky. It will be a major challenge as we advance reform in our communities.

“Perception truly is reality, and I perceive that your timely message was heard and retained by everyone in attendance at Kiawah. Thanks again.”

William L. Yates, FACHE, President
South Carolina Hospital Association

“Again, I want to thank you for the excellent presentation; our staff is still talking about it around here!”

Jane F. Ely, Board Assistant
Ohio Health

“Outstanding! Your presentation last night to the annual dinner of the Waco Conference of Christians and Jews was truly exceptional. Your humor and the quotes and metaphors from The Wisdom of the Wolves fit beautifully with the overall theme of the evening. The entire audience was able to relate to your message and virtually everyone indicated that this was one of the best annual dinners ever.

“I also want to thank you for your marvelous presentation earlier in the day to our administrative and management staff. It was equally well received and all of our staff was highly complimentary and most appreciative.

“Twyman, you have a marvelous gift in your ability to relate to an audience. Your message is one that all organizations could profit from, particularly in this time of organizational and societal change.”

Kent A. Keahy, FACHE, President
Providence Health Center

“On behalf of the board, staff and membership of the Wyoming Hospital Association, I would like to thank you for your two excellent presentations at our annual meeting and convention. Many of our evaluations we received back indicated that your Friday morning presentation was the highlight of the program.”

Donna K. Andersen, Administrative Assistant
Wyoming Hospital Association

“We greatly appreciate your taking the time to be with us and presenting a very interesting program for all the hospital executives. Our feedback indicates a great program and presentation.”

Thurman Turner, Executive Vice President
Alabama Hospital Association

“Our convention seems to have been a major success, and we certainly appreciate your coming to Missouri to participate in this important event for Missouri hospitals.

“We are sifting through the evaluations as they come in, and all of the conventioneers that attended your sessions were most complimentary and appreciated your presentations…it was a pleasure working with you.”

Charles D. Pardon, Vice President, Education & Human Resources
Missouri Hospital Association

“I want to thank you for participating in our Trustee Seminar. I thought you did a marvelous job. The critique forms indicated that the material you presented was very well received. In fact, most people thought your presentation, as well as some of the others, were not allowed enough time! I think next year, we will use a seminar style on at least one of the days in order to allow more subject development as well as more audience participation.

“Again, thank you so much for participating. You contributed significantly to the success of our seminar.”

Dan J. Ahart, FACHE, President
The Alliance of Healthcare Organizations, Inc.

“Both your content and delivery exceeded our expectations.”

Kenneth W. Oliver, Senior Vice President
RELIFE Physical Rehabilitation

“Your presentation was outstanding.”

Ed Stainback, Chief Executive Officer
Selma Medical Center

“A captivating presentation filled with substance, but presented with humor. You made our annual meeting a memorable one.”

William H. Cooner, M.D., President, Medical Staff
Springhill Memorial Hospital

“The concepts which were learned by those attending will undoubtedly have a lasting effect in our work group. You have succeeded in giving us something which is not temporary, but is a permanent change in our way of seeing.”

Jim D. McDonough, Manager, Data Processing
Georgia Health Source

“Your talk was extremely informative and your humorous, down-to-earth style appealed to everyone in our group.”

Robert G. Notarianni, Administrator
Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital

“I highly recommend your programs to any organization interested in developing a team management philosophy.”

William G. Buck, Administrator
HCA Gulf Coast Hospital

“You topped them all. You were just the tube of glue we needed.”

J. C. Riverbark, Administrator and CEO, CCH Chairman, WTHC
Candler County Hospital

“Outstanding weekend! Fabulous seminar! Honestly, I don't think I daydreamed one time. I usually go back in time and space and run punts back down the sideline…”

Jerome M. Broussard, M.D.
Lafayette Obstetrical & Gynecological Clinic

“Thanks for the fine presentations at our annual convention. Your comments were well received and much appreciated. I believe you actually caused some introspection and reflection. We frequently have speakers that are well received by the audience. It is much rarer to have someone that actually brings change. I believe you brought to us everything necessary to cause actual change—nice job. I'll be looking forward to working with you again.”

Ted Schultz, Vice President for Administrative Services
Nebraska Hospital Association

“I continue to receive comments from physicians stating that they found your presentation informative, enlightening and, most certainly, very entertaining!”

Paul D. Schneider, MD, Medical Director
St. Joseph Hospital and Health Care Center

“I would like to recommend Twyman’s program for any CEO who is considering something on the line of a seminar or retreat for their Board members.”

Karen S. Poole, Chief Executive Officer
Women's and Children's Hospital, Lafayette, LA

“It has been a while since I have seen someone capture an audience like you did—you have received many compliments.”

Robert D. Merkel, President
Louisiana Hospital Association

“Thank you for a stimulating interactive retreat! Our ultimate goal was met tenfold through your unique ability to involve participants. Interdepartmental communication was enhanced as participants viewed their peers differently with such descriptions as creative, having really good ideas, intelligent, wise, humorous, genuine, etc. All considered the sharing time as valuable to team building for QI. The content and group activities all contributed toward successfully reaching our goal of defining the role of hospital leadership in Continuous Quality Improvement.”

Martha Lewis, MS, RN, Assistant Executive Director
Riley Memorial Hospital

“Your unique ability to make people laugh at themselves while addressing some very serious issues was exactly what we needed. I would highly recommend you to anyone responsible for conference programs. Your knowledge, humor, sincerity, and deliverance are superb!”

Linda Bailes, Program Chairperson
TSHHRA State Conference

“Your keynote address literally reverberated throughout the rest of our convention. At dinner people were talking about the concepts you introduced, using them to appreciate and understand others.”

Craig Burridge, Executive Director
Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York

“Thanks so much for a splendid presentation to Tennessee’s hospital volunteers. Of the three educational programs we offered during the two-day meeting, yours received the highest scores with comments such as:

‘This year was great! Hats off to Twyman.’
‘The best’
‘Dr. Towery was splendid! Could he be invited again?’

“Thanks for pleasing our volunteers—and making me look so good!”

Judith Hodges, Staff Liaison to Council on Volunteers
Tennessee Hospital Association

“You were absolutely fabulous! An entertaining speaker, a man who knows what he is talking about, an engaging personality—what more could an association want?

“Following your presentation Monday morning, I heard many comments like ‘Why haven't we done this before?’ ‘Where did you find him?’ ‘You know, he really hit the nail on the head!’ It seems as if everyone in the audience could identify with what you said. All in all, your presentation made our annual meeting one of the best yet.”

Beth Ingram, Convention Manager
Arizona Hospital Association

“Your analogy to the wolf pack was inspiring. The slides were striking. I was impressed not only by your message but by your delivery. Your vibrant delivery sent a message of optimism to the audience. Working in a dynamically changing industry, it is key to find ways to cope with change in a positive manner.”

Donna Ferreira, Manager Medical Services
NEES, Westborough, Massachusetts

“Your presentation on Corporate Culture to our management group was well received. I particularly appreciate the attention and preparation you gave before the seminar to tailoring it to fit our needs.”

L. M. Sims, Director of Educational Services
Eastern Health System, Inc.

“The Oklahoma people really liked what you had to say. I appreciate the effort you made to find out what is happening here prior to your arrival. This was one of the best conventions we have had in years, and you played an important part in making it a good week.”

Mary Winters, Vice President Support Services
Oklahoma Hospital Association

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