Public Service

“Say: Travel through the Earth and deeply observe how God did originate the creation; then God produces the next creation; surely God has power over all things” (Qur’an 29:19-20)

Welcome and May the peace and blessings of God be upon you.

Source: PassNowNow

“If the fundamental purpose in your career is to make life a little better and easier for people at the end of the day, that is compatible with faith.”

– Dr. Shereef Elnahal

In this new world of global pandemic and social distancing, we are reminded of our own health and our communal responsibilities to others. Those two concepts are practiced very differently amongst a community. We see that in everyday interactions and now, during the COVID-19 pandemic. What more perfect time to talk about public service than now? Meet Dr. Elnahal, President and CEO of University Hospital in Newark.

What is your job/occupation?

“I’m the CEO of the only state hospital in New Jersey (there is one county hospital, Newbridge). The hospital is a Level 1 trauma center and is the main academic center for Rutgers medical school. We have top notch surgeons, ophthalmology, etc. I was recently commissioner of health for the state. When this opportunity came up, I didn’t hesitate because I knew how important this hospital is to the community.”

Why is this job so important to you?

“This hospital was part of a grand bargain struck with the black community after riots in the 1960s. The community in Newark reacted because of more than a century of discrimination, disenfranchisement and abandonment by government at all levelst. Part of the deal in settling things was to make this hospital a permanent fixture that would always be an anchor for the community, for health care needs. But, its role is even broader. It’s a place of employment, where folks go when there’s nowhere else to go. It’s a refuge, a place that should be an institution of trust, as much as churches, mosques, community centers and other civic institutions. Knowing that this mission and role had been compromised (the hospital had not been playing its intended role: its basic mission to provide quality care), I knew this would be an opportunity to make history. This hospital will be remembered by the city and the state forever, and its history is so important to Newark. The hospital is also a part of the broader story of revitalization in Newark. Mayor Baraka has an ambitious and achievable agenda to make Newark an economic center of power. Companies, small businesses, new jobs and people are moving here. The city has infrastructure to accept more residents in terms of space, but if we don’t have a good hospital in the middle of the city, than it’s tougher to do that. There’s an emotional, historical and mission-based story from a healthcare standpoint. But it’s also a story for the future in revitalizing Newark. All other hospitals are from the private sector.

“The broader point is that the hospital is an extricable part of Newark’s history with civil rights. To this day, community leaders remember that. Even if they weren’t alive during those times, stories are passed down the generations. You hear them come out during public meetings and what people’s views are of the hospital.

“Let there among you be a group that summon to all that is beneficial commands what is proper and forbids what is improper; they are the ones who will prosper‟. (Qur’an 3:104)

What do you love about your job?

“The opportunity to deliver on the initial promise of this hospital. My favorite part is interacting with employees and getting to know them. If you google search the hospital, you see a lot of bad news over the last year. That said, the employees are some of the most talented and dedicated in healthcare s. They know the community, the problems patients face. Employees come from the community. Their dedication is actually heroism in a hospital that doesn’t have a system of care that is reliable. It’s just the right stuff you need to turn around the place. That starts with trust. Any initiative around change starts with building trust with the workforce, especially with employees, the people who empower themselves and others to deliver on the mission. The people who are talking to patients, whether the unit clerks, nurses’ aide or physician or resident, all of them matter. The only way to engage employees is to fix the surrounding system. My role is a support role.”

What do you like least about your job?

“The hardest thing about change in a healthcare setting is doing it at a pace and with a strategy that respectfully tries to change culture when necessary. That’s why healthcare is so complicated. Each stakeholder grew up in a culture that was different in terms of education and the journey through their career. The issue with trying to corral an organization like ours is that each stakeholder has their own culture that causes friction between the different types of care providers. But it’s worth pursuing.”

Do you see any relationship between faith and your career?

“Faith does play a role. The concept that you can come into your job and work hard towards a benefit at scale for people is really important. It’s a principle that underlies all faiths, not just Islam. This leadership challenge is pretty significant. I didn’t come into this with ignorant assumptions. It’s not going to be easy to bring the hospital to where I think it should be. There’s a big element of risk. But that’s what anybody with a sense of civic purpose does. They jump into areas where there are problems, not the other way around. I jumped into the VA when there was a crisis for access to veterans, and folks were asking me why I would do that. I did it because that’s the job worth doing. New Jersey was an opportunity to go into a job where there was room for improvement, particularly for minority communities and people of color whose life was tough. I had many challenges as health commissioner for two years. It required as many partnerships as possible, working hand in hand with faith groups.

“Seek the life to come by means of what Allah granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as Allah has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for Allah does not love those who do this‟ (Qur’an 28:77).

Source CDC

“Islam creates productive boundaries for one’s conduct as a leader. Being an honest broker and approaching things in good faith comes from values I get from Islam. There are practical reasons to not be a bad actor, but practical reasons don’t protect you ethically in those situations. Faith also has a role in setting values as an organization. As a leader, the impression you leave on people and how you act and how responsive you are is a model for the organization. If you’re known to be unapproachable in negotiations, then that’s a pass for everyone else. It’s good form and good ethics to set an example. Islam has a moral code that in many cases is not ambiguous. In my time as commissioner, I developed a lot of good relationships in New Jersey. Folks have asked me why and how, because it’s hard to be in a position of leadership without making enemies. This is in part because in certain situations when talking to stakeholders, I gave the truth and didn’t try to make them happy. I wasn’t manipulative. Over time people saw that and saw how I operated. It’s helpful to know that regardless of the outcome, your behavior generates respect.”

During early Islam, bimaristans were created, hospital systems that were devoted for public welfare and health preservation. This tradition of multidisciplinary complexes became more commonplace in early Islam, as complexes of mosques, schools, higher education institutions and hospitals were built. This reveals the important role hospitals had in the community, but also the broader role hospitals and public health had within society, associated with other centers of learning and education.

What do you want people, especially Muslims, to know about your career?

“Take a second look at service. Muslims are of all background and stripes. They are not a monolith. One common theme, and general theme with immigrant communities, is you have to make sure you are secure, financially or in your career. That’s a product of the immigrant mentality because life is hard for folks who left their home and came to a place away from home. The typical values are be good, follow Islam, become financially secure and take care of your family. I suggest to not shy away from taking risks to serve. There are different investments you can make for yourself and your family. One type of investment is social investment, even if it’s at a financial cost. Social investment generates respect and appreciation for yourself and any group you represent, including Islam. You don’t have to be a public servant. There are other ways to give back to the community that come with a cost, but it’s worth it. It’s a different type of security for yourself and your family. There’s no reason we can’t have the same reputation that certain faith groups have. Islam can have any of those. It’s just a function of people getting involved in their communities, being helpful to others, not just Muslims, and making service a part of their lives.”