I've always wanted to work in a hospital. Now I am getting my chance. Starting June 12, I will be working at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare as their new Director of Business Development. In this role, I'll be finding great ideas to enhance/expand the health system's services, evaluate them from a business perspective, and then implement them into reality.

I'm asking all of you healthcare folks out there who read and blog - what advice would you have for me as a mid-level person working in a hospital for the first time? I've already received some advice from some friends and fellow bloggers - take the time to build trust and credibility with physicians; get to know the clinical areas more than you think you'll need; shadow a doc or nurse once a quarter; understand that difference of opinions is sometimes because difference of incentive.

But what would you say? What advice would you give a family member or friend who was going into hospital management as a newbie?

Specifically:
- What are some best practices or pitfalls in working with physicians and other clinical staff?
- How do I make constructive changes in a constructive way?
- Are there any "Sacred cows" in hospitals that can not be touched or talked about?
- What type of person stays the long haul in hospital management, enjoying it every step of the way?
- What do you *really* think of hospital management folks?

a little help, please!?

UPDATE: make sure you check out this hilarious/disturbing bit of "advice" I received from someone.