A Day in the Life of an Administrator: Jessica Hovland

An AC/DC-like team of OR rock stars with strange and unusual hobbies is what every leader should have.

Welcome to A Day in the Life of an Administrator, our online column, where we sat down with Jessica Hovland, DNP, RN, CPAN, NE-BC, PMGT-BC, senior director for UT Health Austin's Ambulatory Surgery Center in Austin, Texas. Outpatient Surgery Magazine is posting these profiles to give the administrators, directors and other leaders in ambulatory facilities a voice — and to share, in their own words, what it’s like to walk in their shoes. Their stories offer a glimpse into the significant role these individuals play on the OR team and the challenges they face as they work alongside their colleagues.

Outpatient Surgery Magazine (OSM): Who has been the most influential mentor in your career and why?
Jessica Hovland (JH): It’s hard to pick just one! All the nursing preceptors in my career have been a huge part of my success, but if I had to pick just one mentor, as cliche as it sounds, it would be my mom. She’s my biggest cheerleader and advocate for any challenge I face, and she has taught me to lead by example.

OSM: How do you remotivate or bolster morale after a tough day?
JH: Whenever the team has a bad day, my go-to prescription is a good night’s sleep. There is nothing like sleeping and waking up the next morning ready to start fresh. It resets your mindset and internal emotional battery. And to add to that, there is the powerful combination of sleep, delicious and nutritious food, and community that really brings everyone back on track. If the team is going through something, we always try to unite and celebrate the wins. In every worst-case scenario, you can always find something positive to reflect on when you have a strong team.

OSM: At 9:30 a.m. on a typical day, you are...
JH: ...hoping the espresso in my latte is absorbing into my body and giving me superpowers to find all the answers to the problems.

OSM: Driving in to work on a high-volume surgery day, what do you do to prepare yourself mentally for the day ahead?
JH: If I know I’m heading into a stressful or busy day, I do whatever it takes to pump myself up by listening to a playlist. Some days call for artists like Chris Stapleton or Teddy Swims; other days require a throwback Mariah Carey or Celine Dion song. Think of terrible shower singing (screeching may be a better term) — but in a car that’s going 5 mph with a driver who doesn’t have a care in the world.

OSM: If your OR team was a band, who would they be and why?
JH: Hands down, it’s AC/DC. This team walks into the OR every day to the intro of “Thunderstruck.” They bring “High Voltage” energy and play “T.N.T.” songs for every surgeon. Some days it feels like it’s a “Long Way to the Top,” but their “Wild Reputation” always gets them through it all. They’re rock stars. (Editor’s Note: This is first time an ASC leader has seamlessly weaved not one, but multiple AC/DC songs into a response.)

OSM: What is the strangest hobby or most unusual skill among your staff?
JH: We’ve got an eclectic group in the OR, and I feel like I’m always learning something new about them. From belly dancing to BBQ competition cooking skills to listening to the darkest true crime podcasts out there, this group has some unusual hobbies, and I love them.

OSM: You’ve just retired after a long, successful career in OR leadership. How would you like to be remembered?
JH: I want the team to remember the family environment that we built and cultivated over the years. There are both highs and lows that are the most memorable, but even thinking about the lows, I want our team to remember how much stronger they became or how much more they grew because of the tough days. I want them to remember that even though I may retire, my door is always open, and the mentorship, friendship and mutual support will live forever.

Note: Outpatient Surgery Magazine would like to thank Jessica for sharing her life with us! On behalf of our team, we are sending a small token of appreciation to Jessica and her OR team. If you are an administrator, director or any type of OR leader and would like to share your day and special insights for this online exclusive column, please contact our Editor-in-Chief Jared Bilski at [email protected] . Have a great day! OSM