Exactly one year ago, I was yelling at my computer, wondering if this darn blogging software was ever going to work and asking myself what I had gotten myself into. Now, 320 posts later, we've reached our first birthday! It's really hard to believe that it's only been a year.

Some highlights from the year:
- Top 5 weirdest search terms that landed someone on this blog: Mother of all matter, brother&sister, accordian lessons alabama mobile, bed movies, i am a janitor
- Most unrelated site that links to hospitalimpact: www.samanthaburns.com (though I think she recently deleted the link)
- Most popular posts: Grand Rounds 2.05 (in the form of a letter from a hospital janitor) and the "If Disney Ran Your Hospital" Series
- Worst posts: when I mistakenly praised yahoo finance and shafted FDR.
- Best thing I did on the blog this year: had Andrew Barna and Nick Jacobs to blog with me.

For all those readers who've been with me from the start, thank you! What was the highlight for you? What would you like to see more of this coming year?

Let me leave you my two favorite non-healthcare blogs: waiterrants (our hospital registration staff should be trained by this guy) and Postsecret (safe way to vent. I wonder if this would be HIPAA-complaint)

Looking forward to another great year.

Not only am I looking for a good guest blogger, I'm also open to guest posts! If you'd like to submit a post to appear at Hospital Impact, here are my submission guidelines:
- The topic can be focused on any aspect of hospital administration/leadership. Drawing from other learnings from industries is highly encouraged. Issues that tie back to the hospital impact tagline above are also especially welcomed.
- Keep them relatively short (250 words or less), as blog readers are scanners or are busy or both.
- Send it either as a .txt file or .rft file (this way I can cut and paste pretty easily).
- Let me know if I should use a pseudonym; otherwise I'll use your real name. I would also be happy to link to your website/blog.
- I'll still reserve the right not to use it or to edit as I will maintain overall editorial control; but for most good pieces, I probably won't edit them at all.

Got an insight for hospital leaders? Please share with us!

Do you have a passion for great hospitals?
Do you have a way with words?
Are you currently a hospital leader?

We are looking for a Guest Blogger to join the team of me, Nick, and Andrew and to post inspiring, insightful, informative posts approximately once a week. If you are interested, please email me (tonyAThospitalimpactDOTorg) the following:
- your name
- your organization
- your role
- why you would like to blog for hospital impact?
- a sample post (250 words or less) (note: unless you notify me otherwise, I may use these posts and give you the appropriate credit)

Why become a guest blogger?
- Become a valuable resource for your colleagues in the industry
- Become known as a healthcare blogger
- Interact with other progressive healthcare thinkers and leaders
- Notoreity/Recognition (your choice)

Why am I looking for a guest blogger?
As Hospital Impact continues to grow (check out our SiteMeter ), I'm realizing the need for an injection of some fresh perspective. Andrew and Nick both do a great job thinking of things that I would never ever think of, and their posts expand my worldview. So, I think it's time to add yet another fresh perspective. I'd be particularly keen in adding someone who currently works at a hospital.

Additionally, my role in my day job continues to expand and grow, just as my role in the evening (update: our 1st child was born June 12, 2006!) continues to expand as well. (Studies show that for men between the ages of 30 and 40, our level of responsibility increases 25% every year). So, realistically, I probably can't keep up and I need some help! Nonetheless, I still plan to blog regularly.

Why not just start your own blog?
I would encourage you to do that as well! There is a small but growing community of hospital leadership blogs (we can almost form an ACHE member blogring). Nonetheless, my only advice is to be realistic about the time commitment - you'll want to post as often as you desire people to visit. And even for a seasoned blogger, it'll take 30-45 minutes for a thoughtful post. If inspiration hits you once a week or less, maybe joining as a Hospital Impact blogger is the better option. Nonetheless, you may be perfectly content in posting once a week (Andrew posts every Monday on his blog HealthcareTomorrow and then every Wednesday here at Hospital Impact)