During my career, it has been my good fortune to cross paths with great teachers, great mentors and great leaders. If you have spent any time with Bill Passolt – OMSNIC’s recently retired President and CEO – you would know that he qualifies in all three categories. Bill is a selfless leader who cares deeply for the well-being of individuals and who has helped enhance the transparency, accountability and credibility of every organization he has led.
His service to the Board of the OMS Foundation from 2015 to 2021 can best be described as “the right person, in the right place, at the right time.” It is fitting that the Foundation honored him with its prestigious Torch award in September.
Bill’s collaborative leadership style was key to the development and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic alliance with AAOMS and the success of its Centennial Tree appeal in 2018. OMSNIC’s $100,000 gift-match challenge in 2018 inspired $400,000 of additional donations in just four months, creating a model for corporate support that continues to energize the Foundation’s fundraising today. After the Foundation’s adoption of an ambitious strategic plan in 2018, Bill oversaw the launch of its Global Initiative for Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) and a new two-year Clinical Research Support Grant in 2019.
During his term as Foundation Chair in 2020-21, he carefully steered both OMSNIC and the Foundation through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic with honesty, integrity and accountability, leaving both organizations stronger than ever.
I offer my most heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor. As his long-time colleague, I also count myself fortunate to have him as a valued friend.