Jane Hancock A/Chief Operating Officer
What would Leo do?
Dr Leo Marneros, my colleague, and friend – who was also a father, husband, son, brother, mentor, friend, biker, hiker, caver, dreamer, doer and Senior Emergency Physician – died on 31 March six years ago.
For those of you who knew Leo, whatever you are faced with today I encourage you to ask the question: “What would Leo do?”. For those of you who did not know him, I would like to share with you some of what I and others knew and respected about him.
Leo empowered those around him and supported others to achieve more than some of them thought possible, including interns, nurses, clerks, paramedics and managers (to name a few). He also cared passionately about what he did and shared his knowledge generously.
His teaching was boundary-less. The team in the emergency departments, and indeed across health services, have benefited from his practice, teaching and mentoring even all these years later. His teaching methods included innovative online training and simulation sessions for which he was a strong and passionate advocate. He continued to teach during his illness, and, in the week before he died, he was mentoring nurse practitioners from his bed. Yes, Leo didn’t waste time either!
Why did Leo teach? He was great at it and passionate, but importantly he cared about patients and he wanted clinicians caring for patients to be the best they could be. When he himself became a patient he reminded his friends, colleagues, and his treating team the importance of respect, empathy, compassion, honesty, and the therapeutic benefit of these for patients and their families.
Dr Christa Bell read the following quote as part of a tribute to Leo at his funeral (of course chosen by Leo):
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.” Tecumseh
Leo did all of this and more; what a great example of the values that we should aspire to embrace and live every day at work: integrity, respect, accountability, service, empowerment, collegiality, compassion and excellence.
On 22 May, which has just recently passed (Leo’s birth date), I can think of no better way to celebrate his life and legacy than asking you to ensure that someone remembers how important, supported and respected YOU made them feel. Or simply ask yourself in the midst of chaos or in a quieter moment, “What would Leo do?”.
Warm regards,
Jane