Administrator to Know: Brenda Cyrulik of Eastland Medical Plaza Surgicenter

Brenda Cyrulik (Eastland Medical Plaza Surgicenter, Bloomington, Ill.). Ms. Cyrulik is the administrator at the Eastland Medical Plaza Surgicenter, in Bloomington, Ill., a joint venture between St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington and 26 physician investors. The center opened in 2001 and has four operating rooms dedicated to multi-specialty surgery and four procedure rooms dedicated to endoscopy and pain management. The center performs an average of 7,200 procedures annually.

Ms. Cyrulik has been at Eastland since 1999, when the center was fully owned by St. Joseph. Prior to coming to Eastland, she served as a surgery manager at BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Ill., and worked for two years as a circulating staff nurse at Gailey Eye Surgicenter in Bloomington, Ill.

At Eastland, Ms. Cyrulik makes every attempt to balance the needs of the patients, physicians and staff that have any association with the center. "I consider all three of these groups as having equal importance and continually put all the energy I have into actively seeking input and feedback, really listening, openly communicating the needs as I understand them and serving as an agent for change when needed," she says. "I recognize those who contribute to the success of making desired outcomes happen. Over the years, frank conversations have typically lead to solid, trustworthy relationships and created a positive energy [at the center]."

When it comes to working at her center and serving as administrator, Ms. Cyrulik notes that "contagious enthusiasm is alive and well in our positive work environment."  This attitude starts at the board level and continues down through to the management, staff and physician investors, according to Ms. Cyrulik. "Everyone involved looks more for ways to make ideas work than looking for reasons why they won't," she says. "The managing board members and physician investors actively support continuing education and provide appropriate rewards and recognition for the goals achieved."

Ms. Cyrulik sees continued success for Eastland. "Although we have competing facilities in the area, I am confident the dedicated team we have will rise to any occasion and is certain to persevere," she says. "The quality of care we deliver and the manner in which it is delivered can't be outdone!"

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