mary cownie
Class of 2011
Chief of staff/innovation/accuracy, MercyOne
What’s one issue you’re very passionate about?
Over the past two years, and prior to this when I served on the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center board, I became passionate about health care. I was drawn to the fact it is a complicated, layered industry that would provide me the ability to learn every day, be exposed to a variety of experiences and have real impact on the health of Iowans. Coming to work every day at MercyOne knowing I’m doing my part to advance our vision to “set the standard for a personalized and radically convenient system of health services” is energizing and challenging, but is why I am passionate about what I do.
Knowing what you know now, what’s one thing you’d tell your younger self as you start your career?
Be a self-starter. When given a task, give 100% and don’t be afraid to fail. Step up for any project or opportunity that you can within your organization, as you will learn a great deal about your own passions, along with your strengths and weaknesses. There is nothing wrong with recognizing skills you do not have; it is most important to build upon the strengths you do have in order to provide value to your organization.
Class of 2011
Jill Marie Altringer
Christina Amys
Richard Breuss III
Elizabeth Coonan
Mary Cownie
Michael Egel
Charise Flynn
Brooke Foster
Syeta Glanton
Ryan Grant
Samantha Gronewald
Brenda Hagen McGuire
Cassandra Halls
Susan Hatten
Dominic Iannarelli
Wendy Ingham
Susan Kloewer
Justin Lossner
Zachary Mannheimer
Jennifer McDonald Perry
Christina Moffatt
Jan Myers
Erin Olson Douglas
Craig Patterson
Brooks Reynolds
Jana Rieker
Tony Rogers
Megan Ruble
Travis Rychnovsky
Paul Secord
Bridget Shapansky
Nicole Shumate
Tiffany Spinner
John Stineman
Kristin Tague
Wendy Wall
Ryan Wedemeyer
Neal Westin
Emily Williams-Bouska
Li Zhao Mandelbaum