ABSTRACT
Dan Arkman answers the telephone, listens for a full two and one-half minutes, and then says, “I'll get back to you.” It is 4:15 p.m. and another late night is setting in. On the telephone was the hospital board chairman for Davick Hospital in Michey, California. She is concerned about the recent merger of three area hospitals and their announced plans to expand services and market share, and to aggressively recruit physicians. At the next board meeting, she wants Dan to present some response to the board to quell her fears and perhaps those of other board members. Dan immediately tells his assistant to clear his calendar for tomorrow. He needs a day or two to utilize his health care management skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and decision making.
