Reflections on Fatherhood and Leadership: 10 Years as a Dad at Valley Children’s
June 15, 2025By: William Chaltraw
Categories: Personal Perspectives, Parenting
Father's Day is a special occasion that allows us to reflect on the journey of fatherhood and the profound impact it has on our lives. It shows how we are shaped by the lessons we have learned from our fathers and for some of us, the lessons learned from being a father. As I celebrate 18 years of being a dad, 10 of which I have had the pleasure of working at Valley Children’s, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned, as humbling and hard as they may be, and the experiences shared.
As the father of two amazing children, Kate and Jake, I know every day that as much as I love and value my work at Valley Children’s, my greatest achievement is being their dad. But I would not be the father I am today without the lessons I learned from my own dad - lessons that have also shaped me as a leader at Valley Children’s.
Lessons I have Learned
One of the most significant lessons my father taught me is the value of unconditional love. The bond between a parent and child is truly unlike any other and is important now more than ever. In a world that can sometimes seem chaotic, harsh or that simply moves too fast, our children need our unconditional love to be something that they can depend on, no matter what may occur or what they may do. I know that when I was young, no matter how much I misbehaved (yes, I was far from perfect), how much I talked back to my parents (I was always destined to be a lawyer, never lost an argument in my youth, still have not), or how much I challenged their authority, I knew I had my father’s unconditional love, and that was the blanket of protection that I needed to learn from my mistakes, grow and thrive.
I hope that as part of my fatherhood journey, I have instilled in my children that same sense of unconditional love so that they too can grow and thrive. This lesson of unconditional love has also shaped my leadership at Valley Children’s, inspiring me to lead with empathy and compassion, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for the team at Valley Children’s. In a healthcare world that may seem chaotic, harsh, or simply moves too fast, we could use this lesson to inform how we treat each other as we react to, adapt, and thrive as an organization.
My father also taught me the importance of patience. Raising children (including me) requires a great deal of understanding and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations. This is especially true as our children approach their teenage years, otherwise known as the period in fatherhood when we transition from our children excitedly meeting us at the door when we return home from work to them begrudgingly acknowledging our mere existence. I am told that this too will pass, so patience. Patience has not only helped me navigate the ups and downs of parenthood but has also translated into my professional life, allowing me to approach leadership with a steady and composed demeanor.
My father also taught me the importance of resilience. Parenthood is filled with moments of joy and challenges, and it requires the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. This resilience has been instrumental in my role as a leader, enabling me to face obstacles head-on and inspire perseverance in the face of adversity. As a children’s hospital, we see those joys from ringing the “no mo chemo bell” to patient discharges and visits from George and Santa Claus, as well as the setbacks. It is through resilience that we continue to serve our patients and families.
Last, my father taught me the importance of leading by example or what we at Valley Children’s call “modeling the way.” As we know, children learn by observing their parents, and it is crucial to demonstrate the values and behaviors we wish to instill in them. This principle has also guided my leadership approach at Valley Children’s, where I strive to be a role model for the team, embodying integrity, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
I am honored to work alongside many incredible dads at Valley Children’s who exemplify the values of unconditional love, patience, resilience, and leading by example. Their commitment to their families and their work is truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and share their experiences.
On this Father’s Day, I want to celebrate and honor the dads of Valley Children’s for their unwavering support and the positive impact they have on our community.
