20 Questions with Curtiss McNair, Jr., Vice President of Laboratory Services

1. How long have you been with AON?

Since April 2021.

2. What does a "day in the life" look like for you in your role?

My daily tasks surround making sure my team has all the tools they need to perform their jobs effectively all while assessing the laboratory needs in our network and creatively developing ways to grow our service line. I also troubleshoot problems throughout the network on a daily basis, communicating with lab teammates and leaders, physicians, senior leadership and other stakeholders.

3. What goals are you and your team working to achieve?

We are always looking to optimize lab operations at the central lab as well as the lab operations on the clinic side. One of our major forward projects and top priorities right now is assessing various options to partner for NGS (nextgeneration sequencing) testing at the central lab in Fort Myers.

4. How does your role contribute to AON's overall mission and goals?

Among laboratorians across the globe, there is a statistic called the 70/70 rule. This rule states that 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory data and 70% of a patient’s medical record is made up of laboratory data. While many medical and laboratory journals agree to disagree on the full truth of this statement, I believe the first half regarding medical decisions is true. With this thought, the lab contributes to AON’s overall mission quite nicely. AON stakeholders have partnered together to ensure the long-term success of community oncology with the focus of providing the highest quality care for our patients. The lab is a major contributing factor that directly aligns with this mission and is a driving force that helps make it achievable.

5. What are you most proud of when it comes to your team and department?

My team does whatever it takes to get the job done. Going the extra mile and putting our patients and providers first are normal and occur without fear of contradiction. They truly embody servant leadership and are tenacious when it comes to all they have been given responsibility for. I am proud of the sacrifice they display not only for our patients but also for their fellow teammates. If there were such an award, I would award all of them with the “GSD” award: “Getting Stuff Done.” I am honored to lead this team.

6. What principles guide your work and vision?

1 Corinthians 9:19, 22b sums this up for me. This is my fundamental core belief and is the basis of my doctoral research: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win them more; I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

7. How do you define the word success?

For me, success is the manifestation of practice makes better, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty and persistence.

8. How do you lead your team? What is your leadership style?

My leadership style would be considered Situational/Agile/Adaptive. This is also called “New-Age” Leadership. It works well for me simply because I believe leadership is “whatever you need at the time,” and this is facilitated through personality in action. This comes from my fundamental Christian beliefs and faith.

9. What's your favorite part about working for AON? Why AON?

My favorite part of working for AON is being aligned with like-minded professionals who really care not only about our patients but our teammates. This is exemplified by our CEO and trickles down to every staff level at AON. I truly believe AON is making a difference in the lives of our patients and teammates alike.

10. What has been the most memorable moment for you while you've worked for AON?

Getting a call from a provider who had a critical patient in need of our services. The lab team came together alongside the provider, pathologists and other stakeholders to ensure the most accurate and rapid turnaround time for these sensitive and critical results (48 hours). Had these tests been sent out to a reference lab, the provider would not have gotten results until about seven to 10 days conservatively! It was one of the highest levels of communication and teamwork I’ve seen at AON to date!

11. What motivates you to get up and get to work in the morning?

The fact that I don’t “get” to or “have” to go to work — I MUST! If I am to accomplish the task that I was placed on this earth for, coming to work is necessary, and it is a privilege I get to do this at AON.

12. What is a quote you live and/or work by?

“Be Intentional.” It’s hanging on the wall in my office.

13. What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?

Golf, more golf and fishing with my dad.

14. What is your favorite book (or books)?

The Bible and any book on leadership.

15. What is a fun fact about you?

I am a lucid dreamer and can fly in my dreams. Sometimes I can wake myself up from a dream if I don't like it. Crazy I know!

16. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Stay focused and stay on the path.

17. List three adjectives that describe your personality.

Humorous, adaptive and logical but reasonable.

18. What is one of your favorite travel destinations, or where do you hope to travel to in your lifetime?

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is my favorite vacation spot. I would also like to travel to Israel.

19. Who is your hero?

My grandmother who lived to be 99 years old.

20. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Of course, more wishes in perpetuity! 