Michael Spigel Named to Lehigh Valley Business’ Inaugural Power Players List

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network President & CEO Michael Spigel, PT, MHA, has been named to the first-ever Lehigh Valley Power Players list.

Lehigh Valley Business chose 18 professionals from throughout the region who are leaders in their field and make a difference in their respective industries. Read the full Lehigh Valley Power Players list here.

As part of the recognition, Spigel answered questions about 2020’s challenges, community involvement and what is in store for 2021:

What are you most proud of in terms of how you and your organization responded to this year’s challenges?

Being an essential part of the health-care system in and beyond the Lehigh Valley region, Good Shepherd’s Associates responded to this year’s challenge far better than one could have ever hoped. For us, it was a year of contradictions. We lived in a time where we were fearful but fearless; socially distant but caring and compassionate; scared but confident; facing the unknown but employing ingenuity. Like others, we learned that when our organization faced the pandemic, we came together as people and as a community, and we did whatever was needed to take care of people. The memories of 2020 will be forever, as will the gratitude I have for our Associates.

As a leader in your organization and industry, what do you feel is your biggest responsibility to the community?

The first is to realize that leaders have a responsibility to their communities, not just their organization. For me, the reason is obvious: we live side-by-side with our patients. As a leader of a local organization, I need to set a vision and put in place the actions that help solve local problems and advance the priorities of our employees, patients and residents. I need to make sure the words and deeds of Good Shepherd clearly look out for our broader communities as we plan and make decisions about our organization. While this should be easy for a mission-based health-care provider like Good Shepherd, I have the obligation to make sure the needs and solutions stay aligned, overlapped and balanced.

What are your expectations for your organization and your industry in 2021?

I am optimistic about 2021 for several reasons. First and foremost, will we begin to return to pre-pandemic activities, traditions and behaviors? I think so. Will we begin to see each other without masks and in-person? I hope so. From an organizational perspective, 2021 will be an exciting one for Good Shepherd. In the late summer, we will begin construction of our new Rehabilitation Hospital in Center Valley, a milestone for our employees, our organization and the Lehigh Valley as we add to the sophisticated and highly specialized health-care services available in our region.

Learn more about Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.