Dana Caviness, MBA, CPXP

Much of my success is rooted in the values my parents instilled in me early on. They never expected perfection, but they demanded follow-through. Being an hour early was always better than being one minute late. And above all, they taught me to make decisions I could sleep peacefully with at night.

Those foundational lessons shaped my character and became the framework for how I lead today. As I grew in my career, I adapted and refined my leadership approach through experience. I learned what not to do from ineffective leaders, and I intentionally reinforced the behaviors that most supported my own growth.

I’ve always worked to fill in the gaps through continuous learning, asking questions, seeking perspective, and committing to personal growth. Leadership, for me, has never been about arriving at a destination—it’s about constantly evolving into the kind of leader others deserve, and the situation demands.

Much of my recent leadership growth I attribute to surviving cancer. It gave me the profound and humbling experience of living the very reality I am now charged with helping create for others. It forced some of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had—with the people I love most—about mortality, uncertainty, and what truly matters.

That experience fundamentally reshaped me. It deepened my empathy, sharpened my perspective, and forever changed how I define leadership. It’s given me courage to speak up when I may have previously hesitated. It taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers or projecting strength at all times; rather, it’s about showing up with courage and authenticity, acknowledging what you don’t know, and having the humility to ask for—and accept—help.

More than anything, it reminded me that all humans share one universal currency, regardless of job, position, title, or education: time. How we spend it, how we honor it, and how we show up for others within it defines the impact we leave behind.

Some of the best career advice I’ve ever received was to embrace authenticity, speak kindly of everyone, and live intentionally. You don’t have to understand people’s experiences to be kind. Kindness does not require logic, only grace.

Trust that every season of your career is shaping you for what comes next, even when the reason isn’t yet clear. And always trust your gut. More often than not, your intuition is pointing you toward what matters most, if you’re just willing to listen.

1.   Don’t chase titles. Chase competence. Focus less on becoming a ‘leader’ and more on becoming someone people can trust. Ask thoughtful questions.

2.   Protect your integrity like it’s your most important credential. Skills can be taught. Trust must be earned.

3.   Start at the beginning. Some of the strongest healthcare leaders I have worked with began in roles that taught them how patient care actually works – patient access, scheduling, transport. The closer you understand the real human impact that occurs in health care, the more credible you become.

Some of the biggest challenges in healthcare include navigating workforce shortages, demanding digital transformation, and growing patient expectations.

When patient experience is seen as a symbolic exercise rather than a strategic imperative, it directly compromises the safe and high-quality experiences all patients deserve.

Healthcare systems that get it right include patient experience at the executive table which always results in environments that are safer, more equitable, and ultimately more capable of delivering consistently high-quality outcomes.

There are several values that guide me, but a few consistently rise to the top.

The first is integrity. I firmly believe that if I say I’m going to do something, I follow through. If I make an agreement with someone, I honor it. That doesn’t mean anyone is perfect—I don’t believe in perfection, but I do believe in taking ownership when mistakes happen. Being candid and transparent in those moments doesn’t diminish leadership; in my view, it strengthens it.

The second core value is grace. I think grace is an underrated but essential attribute. I’ve been fortunate to receive grace in my own life, which has shaped how I try to extend it to others. I’ve learned the importance of assuming positive intent. I may not always agree with someone, and there may be moments of frustration or disagreement, but choosing to pause and extend grace can completely shift a situation. It reminds me that we rarely know what others are carrying—their pressures, their challenges, or what’s happening behind closed doors. Grace doesn’t excuse behavior, but it does humanize it. It acknowledges that we all need it at different times.



The third is authenticity. In my field, authenticity can sometimes feel scary, but it’s something I deeply value and strive to embody. I don’t operate with different versions of myself depending on the setting. I’m consistent in what I believe, how I advocate, and how I show up each day. That authenticity has not only shaped the cultures I’ve worked in, but it has also grounded me personally and strengthened my relationships at work and at home.