1 00:00:00,235 --> 00:00:02,205 - Prepare to dive into the forefront 2 00:00:02,225 --> 00:00:05,525 of healthcare innovation at our 14th annual meeting coming 3 00:00:05,545 --> 00:00:06,645 up on April 8th 4 00:00:06,645 --> 00:00:10,765 through 11th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, with thousands 5 00:00:10,765 --> 00:00:13,965 of industry leaders converging over four dynamic days 6 00:00:13,985 --> 00:00:16,805 of discussions on crucial topics from health IT 7 00:00:17,185 --> 00:00:18,685 to executive leadership. 8 00:00:18,995 --> 00:00:21,325 It's where the future of healthcare takes shape. 9 00:00:21,865 --> 00:00:24,085 We can't wait to connect with you in person 10 00:00:24,305 --> 00:00:26,725 and engage in these important conversations. 11 00:00:27,675 --> 00:00:30,005 - This is Laura Dedo with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. 12 00:00:30,665 --> 00:00:32,885 I'm thrilled today to be joined by Tina Esposito, 13 00:00:32,885 --> 00:00:34,325 senior Vice President and Chief Data 14 00:00:34,325 --> 00:00:35,525 Officer at Advocate Health. 15 00:00:35,835 --> 00:00:37,965 Tina, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. 16 00:00:38,335 --> 00:00:39,685 - Thank you, Laura. Thanks for having me. 17 00:00:40,785 --> 00:00:42,285 - Now, I am really looking forward to talking 18 00:00:42,285 --> 00:00:43,685 with you further about some of the big things 19 00:00:43,685 --> 00:00:44,805 that you're doing at Advocate Health 20 00:00:44,865 --> 00:00:46,885 and you know, what you're looking ahead for. 21 00:00:46,945 --> 00:00:48,485 But before we dive into that question, 22 00:00:48,625 --> 00:00:49,805 can you tell me a little bit more 23 00:00:49,805 --> 00:00:51,005 about yourself and your background? 24 00:00:51,675 --> 00:00:53,805 - Sure. Happy to. So, yes, thanks for having me. 25 00:00:53,805 --> 00:00:56,885 Tina Esposito, chief Data Officer for Advocate Health. 26 00:00:57,105 --> 00:01:00,205 Uh, I've been with a legacy with, with the organization, 27 00:01:00,205 --> 00:01:02,205 with a prior to that legacy organization. 28 00:01:02,665 --> 00:01:04,925 Um, so I've been affiliated with, with this, um, 29 00:01:04,925 --> 00:01:06,645 organization for 25 years. 30 00:01:06,725 --> 00:01:09,405 I celebrate my 25th anniversary March 1st of this year. 31 00:01:09,905 --> 00:01:13,125 Uh, I came to this role, uh, I had started, if you will, uh, 32 00:01:13,185 --> 00:01:17,085 in one of our hospitals, advocate Lutheran General Hospital. 33 00:01:17,305 --> 00:01:20,045 Um, and I always say, uh, I was doing data 34 00:01:20,265 --> 00:01:21,405 before data was a thing. 35 00:01:21,465 --> 00:01:24,925 Um, and so I've been really been able to see firsthand, um, 36 00:01:25,225 --> 00:01:28,125 how the organization has evolved both in understanding 37 00:01:28,265 --> 00:01:31,125 of the benefit and value of data, information reporting, 38 00:01:31,395 --> 00:01:32,605 analytics, et cetera. 39 00:01:33,025 --> 00:01:34,245 Uh, and now has been able, 40 00:01:34,245 --> 00:01:36,885 and I've also been able to kind of have a hand, if you will, 41 00:01:36,885 --> 00:01:40,005 in, in enhancing that and improving, uh, our ability 42 00:01:40,005 --> 00:01:41,805 and capability around that effort as well. 43 00:01:42,865 --> 00:01:44,595 - Well, that's great to hear. And certainly, uh, 44 00:01:44,595 --> 00:01:46,315 like you mentioned, a long legacy of having 45 00:01:46,315 --> 00:01:49,075 that data-driven healthcare, um, which is exciting to see. 46 00:01:49,195 --> 00:01:51,555 I know so many different health systems right now are trying 47 00:01:51,555 --> 00:01:54,755 to figure out how to incorporate the immense amount of data 48 00:01:54,785 --> 00:01:57,155 that they can gather today into the healthcare system. 49 00:01:57,255 --> 00:01:59,835 So I'm excited to learn from your perspective 50 00:01:59,935 --> 00:02:00,995 how things have evolved and 51 00:02:00,995 --> 00:02:03,275 what you're really doing at Advocate Health now. 52 00:02:03,285 --> 00:02:04,635 Could you tell me about one 53 00:02:04,635 --> 00:02:06,755 of your most successful projects from the last year or two? 54 00:02:06,785 --> 00:02:08,675 What did you do and how did you measure the results? 55 00:02:09,465 --> 00:02:10,755 - Sure, sure. So I think 56 00:02:10,755 --> 00:02:12,275 that there's a couple that come to mind. 57 00:02:12,335 --> 00:02:13,475 As I mentioned, uh, 58 00:02:13,535 --> 00:02:15,475 and perhaps as, as listeners are aware, 59 00:02:15,755 --> 00:02:17,555 advocate Health is a relatively new entity. 60 00:02:18,135 --> 00:02:19,795 It was formed, uh, with the merger 61 00:02:19,815 --> 00:02:21,435 of Atrium Health in the southeast 62 00:02:21,495 --> 00:02:23,595 and advocate Aurora Health in the Midwest. 63 00:02:23,735 --> 00:02:26,035 Uh, so we've been, we've been sort of at this, if you will, 64 00:02:26,095 --> 00:02:27,235 for a little over a year. 65 00:02:27,895 --> 00:02:29,835 And a lot of the work that has gone on, and, 66 00:02:29,995 --> 00:02:33,035 and I'm very proud of this, we have been very thoughtful in 67 00:02:33,035 --> 00:02:34,955 how we are approaching our integration. 68 00:02:35,175 --> 00:02:37,435 Um, and that, um, you know, that 69 00:02:37,435 --> 00:02:39,075 that comes across in, in a number of ways. 70 00:02:39,075 --> 00:02:42,755 In, in my world, in my area, we've focused on ensuring 71 00:02:42,755 --> 00:02:44,195 that there is frameworks, uh, 72 00:02:44,215 --> 00:02:47,075 and a framework around, uh, coming together as it relates 73 00:02:47,075 --> 00:02:50,595 to data governance, to, um, ai, you know, 74 00:02:50,595 --> 00:02:54,315 being responsible in how we consider AI as a tool for us, 75 00:02:54,335 --> 00:02:57,635 and how we would, you know, uh, innovate and, and deploy it. 76 00:02:58,095 --> 00:02:59,445 Um, very thoughtful in 77 00:02:59,465 --> 00:03:01,685 how we were bringing legacy teams together 78 00:03:01,745 --> 00:03:04,085 and ensuring that we were aligning ourselves accordingly. 79 00:03:04,145 --> 00:03:07,685 Not as legacy organizations, but rather a new entity. 80 00:03:08,105 --> 00:03:10,125 Uh, and given the size, certainly kind of the, 81 00:03:10,125 --> 00:03:12,325 the changing strategy, if you will, as as that has evolved. 82 00:03:12,325 --> 00:03:14,565 So I, I would say I'm very I of that. 83 00:03:14,685 --> 00:03:17,605 I think the way to, to measure that is really to ensure 84 00:03:17,605 --> 00:03:19,645 that, um, I, I think 85 00:03:19,645 --> 00:03:21,525 that you've got a strategy moving forward, 86 00:03:21,765 --> 00:03:25,365 a cohesive strategy, you have teammate experience that is, 87 00:03:25,545 --> 00:03:28,965 is good, um, that people are, are understanding the value 88 00:03:28,965 --> 00:03:30,245 that they bring to the organization. 89 00:03:30,245 --> 00:03:31,925 They understand where they belong in the organization. 90 00:03:32,485 --> 00:03:33,525 I would also point to some of 91 00:03:33,525 --> 00:03:34,965 our outcomes really off the gate. 92 00:03:35,505 --> 00:03:36,605 Um, you know, our safety 93 00:03:36,605 --> 00:03:38,125 and health outcomes, for example, has, 94 00:03:38,385 --> 00:03:40,925 has surpassed even some of the legacy efforts that we had. 95 00:03:41,265 --> 00:03:43,485 So I, I think there's different ways of measuring it, 96 00:03:43,485 --> 00:03:45,565 but I also think it's important just to be thoughtful 97 00:03:45,565 --> 00:03:46,965 as we come together, uh, 98 00:03:46,965 --> 00:03:49,445 before we actually do, let's think thoughtfully about 99 00:03:49,445 --> 00:03:51,845 how we're gonna do it, uh, before we sort of hit go. 100 00:03:51,945 --> 00:03:53,965 So I, I would say I'm, I'm probably most proud about that. 101 00:03:54,045 --> 00:03:57,285 I think the other area, maybe more tactically, um, 102 00:03:57,285 --> 00:04:00,205 that we've spent quite a bit of time on is, is sort of our, 103 00:04:00,225 --> 00:04:02,615 our move to the cloud and, 104 00:04:02,755 --> 00:04:04,655 and creating a modern data platform. 105 00:04:05,035 --> 00:04:08,415 So as we think about, um, not only modernizing our data, 106 00:04:08,875 --> 00:04:12,135 but creating a platform that will enable us, uh, 107 00:04:12,205 --> 00:04:14,975 both from sort of an advanced data science perspective, 108 00:04:15,175 --> 00:04:17,535 a digital perspective, an AI perspective, 109 00:04:18,115 --> 00:04:19,255 uh, bringing that together. 110 00:04:19,555 --> 00:04:21,375 Uh, it's been a couple years of, 111 00:04:21,475 --> 00:04:24,095 of really thoughtfulness planning. 112 00:04:24,355 --> 00:04:27,335 Uh, and we've really been able to realize, uh, ensuring 113 00:04:27,335 --> 00:04:30,295 that we are, uh, enabling the organization through kind 114 00:04:30,295 --> 00:04:32,215 of this cloud-based approach with, with data and, 115 00:04:32,215 --> 00:04:33,655 and sort of the accessibility of it. 116 00:04:35,915 --> 00:04:37,455 - That's great to hear. And certainly 117 00:04:37,455 --> 00:04:38,855 that transition in the cloud 118 00:04:38,855 --> 00:04:39,895 and being able to have a, 119 00:04:39,975 --> 00:04:42,495 a cohesive platform I know can really, um, 120 00:04:43,525 --> 00:04:45,815 make a big difference, as you were saying, um, to 121 00:04:46,035 --> 00:04:48,335 how you're able to gather and corral some of that data 122 00:04:48,355 --> 00:04:51,695 and then use it in a very meaningful and thoughtful way. 123 00:04:52,245 --> 00:04:53,455 From your perspective and, 124 00:04:53,455 --> 00:04:55,895 and given how quickly things are changing in the healthcare 125 00:04:55,905 --> 00:04:58,135 field, how, what are your top priorities right now 126 00:04:58,135 --> 00:05:00,455 and for the next 12 months, what are you really seeing 127 00:05:00,455 --> 00:05:03,055 as being important and essential top of mind today? 128 00:05:03,765 --> 00:05:06,295 - Sure. Well, I think it does go back to a, a couple, I, 129 00:05:06,335 --> 00:05:07,375 I have a couple in mind. 130 00:05:07,495 --> 00:05:10,455 I think first, uh, continuing to build out our, 131 00:05:10,535 --> 00:05:13,095 our cloud strategy, moving more data into the cloud. 132 00:05:13,295 --> 00:05:16,255 'cause what that does is it really enables you to pull, uh, 133 00:05:16,285 --> 00:05:18,935 disparate sources together in, in sort of a, 134 00:05:19,015 --> 00:05:21,535 a very technical, technically appropriate way, 135 00:05:21,535 --> 00:05:22,775 but then also enabling it 136 00:05:22,835 --> 00:05:24,375 and exposing it to the right folks so 137 00:05:24,375 --> 00:05:26,855 that they can leverage it as part of their work, whether 138 00:05:26,855 --> 00:05:29,815 that's, you know, operations or strategy or what have you. 139 00:05:30,155 --> 00:05:32,055 So certainly that the other area 140 00:05:32,085 --> 00:05:35,295 that I'm really interested in, um, is thinking about 141 00:05:35,315 --> 00:05:38,575 how we better collaborate with, uh, our operators. 142 00:05:39,075 --> 00:05:42,655 And so as we think about, um, all of the, whether that's, 143 00:05:42,715 --> 00:05:45,775 you know, resources, we have, um, efforts that we, 144 00:05:46,475 --> 00:05:48,935 how do we sort of better engage in a, in a, 145 00:05:48,935 --> 00:05:50,335 in a more meaningful conversation 146 00:05:50,355 --> 00:05:51,855 to really identify priorities? 147 00:05:52,405 --> 00:05:53,535 What is value add? 148 00:05:53,955 --> 00:05:55,895 Um, I think there's often this back 149 00:05:55,895 --> 00:05:57,925 and forth that is a little bit more order taking, 150 00:05:58,345 --> 00:05:59,765 and then we sort of are disconnected. 151 00:05:59,905 --> 00:06:01,285 And so how can we strengthen 152 00:06:01,285 --> 00:06:03,645 that a little bit in terms of how we do our work? 153 00:06:03,745 --> 00:06:06,365 How do we ensure that operations has line of sight 154 00:06:06,745 --> 00:06:08,805 and to maybe what we might be dealing with and, 155 00:06:08,825 --> 00:06:11,605 and vice versa, how do we get ourselves much more in the 156 00:06:11,845 --> 00:06:14,885 operator's shoes so that we can better partner, uh, in a way 157 00:06:14,885 --> 00:06:16,645 that will help them be successful as well? 158 00:06:16,705 --> 00:06:19,205 So a lot of work going on as it relates to triaging, 159 00:06:19,585 --> 00:06:22,685 as it relates to staffing, as it relates to how we, um, 160 00:06:23,115 --> 00:06:26,005 connect and how we sort of have those conversations 161 00:06:26,145 --> 00:06:27,725 and ultimately identifying what kind 162 00:06:27,725 --> 00:06:29,765 of the most important work needs to be done. 163 00:06:32,225 --> 00:06:33,635 - That really makes a lot of sense. 164 00:06:33,855 --> 00:06:36,195 And, you know, I can imagine it's easier said than done 165 00:06:36,215 --> 00:06:38,715 to bring together a organization with the breadth 166 00:06:38,715 --> 00:06:39,755 and depth that you have, 167 00:06:40,055 --> 00:06:42,835 and then too to become, uh, better partners and, 168 00:06:42,835 --> 00:06:44,075 and like you were mentioning, have 169 00:06:44,075 --> 00:06:46,315 that operational efficiency that can be so meaningful. 170 00:06:47,195 --> 00:06:48,885 - Yeah, absolutely. I, I think you have 171 00:06:48,885 --> 00:06:51,565 to be very broad in terms of your thinking 172 00:06:51,625 --> 00:06:53,085 and sort of taking a step back 173 00:06:53,105 --> 00:06:55,245 to understand the big picture, but then also getting very 174 00:06:55,245 --> 00:06:58,285 deep and very practical, um, to ensure that, you know, 175 00:06:58,285 --> 00:07:00,965 even at the local level, folks have what they need to, 176 00:07:00,985 --> 00:07:03,005 to do their, do their work and, and run their day. 177 00:07:05,195 --> 00:07:07,035 - Absolutely. Um, that makes a ton of sense. 178 00:07:07,055 --> 00:07:10,155 And along those lines, you know, as times grow 179 00:07:10,155 --> 00:07:12,035 and evolve, how do you anticipate your role 180 00:07:12,055 --> 00:07:14,955 and teams will change based on the needs of the rest 181 00:07:14,955 --> 00:07:17,395 of the system and the patients that you're serving? 182 00:07:18,205 --> 00:07:19,815 - Well, I think we have to be really flexible. 183 00:07:20,095 --> 00:07:22,095 I think the business of healthcare is changing. 184 00:07:22,295 --> 00:07:24,255 I think there's still a core that needs to be, um, 185 00:07:24,305 --> 00:07:26,895 about the patient and always, uh, as such. 186 00:07:26,955 --> 00:07:30,055 But, um, these organizations have become incredibly complex, 187 00:07:30,595 --> 00:07:31,815 uh, and there's affiliations 188 00:07:31,955 --> 00:07:35,655 and there are other, um, you know, aspects of the business 189 00:07:35,655 --> 00:07:36,935 that we just really need to make sure 190 00:07:36,935 --> 00:07:38,855 that we're aligning ourselves accordingly and, 191 00:07:38,875 --> 00:07:41,975 and, you know, how we've always been doing the work may not 192 00:07:41,975 --> 00:07:43,375 be the way that we should be doing it. 193 00:07:43,755 --> 00:07:46,815 Uh, in the future. I'm excited, for example, on maybe, um, 194 00:07:46,815 --> 00:07:49,535 things that could be enabled by technology, whether 195 00:07:49,535 --> 00:07:50,975 that's AI or something else. 196 00:07:51,075 --> 00:07:53,775 And so how can we quickly pilot, understand 197 00:07:54,235 --> 00:07:57,135 and incorporate, uh, new technology or, 198 00:07:57,135 --> 00:07:59,775 or sort of kind of novel ways of, of doing our work 199 00:07:59,795 --> 00:08:01,575 to ultimately make us more efficient? 200 00:08:02,075 --> 00:08:04,695 Uh, I think that there's value, for example, in ensuring 201 00:08:04,695 --> 00:08:08,415 that we are very focused on doing what the data, 202 00:08:08,595 --> 00:08:09,975 not just pulling the data. 203 00:08:10,115 --> 00:08:11,335 So how do we make that clear? 204 00:08:11,875 --> 00:08:14,575 How can we better guide, how can we better consult so 205 00:08:14,575 --> 00:08:17,255 that ultimately, um, things are action oriented in a, 206 00:08:17,255 --> 00:08:19,335 in a way that would deem us successful 207 00:08:19,435 --> 00:08:20,855 or help us close the gap 208 00:08:21,035 --> 00:08:22,055 or, you know, um, 209 00:08:22,055 --> 00:08:24,095 perhaps realize the strategy that we are deploying. 210 00:08:25,965 --> 00:08:27,185 - That's fascinating to hear. 211 00:08:27,285 --> 00:08:28,745 And you know, as you look at this change 212 00:08:28,745 --> 00:08:31,705 and face these changes head on, especially going from, 213 00:08:31,765 --> 00:08:34,065 you know, just providing the information, providing the data 214 00:08:34,065 --> 00:08:35,585 to then making it actionable and, 215 00:08:35,585 --> 00:08:37,265 and ensuring that people are following up 216 00:08:37,265 --> 00:08:40,385 and, you know, having that, um, taking those actions 217 00:08:40,385 --> 00:08:42,745 and those steps, how do you change the culture on that? 218 00:08:42,745 --> 00:08:45,225 What is really from a leadership perspective, essential 219 00:08:45,225 --> 00:08:47,745 to do, um, to get the results that you're looking for 220 00:08:47,745 --> 00:08:50,385 and get the actions that you're looking for from the team? 221 00:08:51,615 --> 00:08:53,095 - I think that's a great question. I'm not sure anyone's 222 00:08:53,095 --> 00:08:55,350 cracked that nut, but I think some of what we intend 223 00:08:55,350 --> 00:08:58,645 to do is really double down a bit on data literacy, um, 224 00:08:59,305 --> 00:09:02,245 to ensure, I, I think even just raising this as something 225 00:09:02,245 --> 00:09:05,245 that is an opportunity and ensuring that there is a, uh, 226 00:09:05,305 --> 00:09:07,165 an understanding, a mutual understanding 227 00:09:07,165 --> 00:09:10,125 between the business and IT or data and analytics. 228 00:09:10,145 --> 00:09:11,485 You know, in my world it's data and analytics, 229 00:09:11,485 --> 00:09:13,365 but I think you can replace that with any sort 230 00:09:13,365 --> 00:09:15,045 of support service that exists. 231 00:09:15,205 --> 00:09:17,245 I think having meaningful conversations on how 232 00:09:17,245 --> 00:09:19,245 to be successful together, uh, 233 00:09:19,245 --> 00:09:21,445 makes a huge difference in the data and analytics space. 234 00:09:21,525 --> 00:09:25,325 I think a, a, a huge component of this is data literacy, um, 235 00:09:25,385 --> 00:09:28,045 and sort of this notion of understanding what, um, needs 236 00:09:28,045 --> 00:09:29,765 to occur in order for something 237 00:09:29,765 --> 00:09:31,445 to be very successful with data. 238 00:09:31,585 --> 00:09:33,085 So, and what I mean by that, and I, 239 00:09:33,085 --> 00:09:34,485 and I, I know I referenced this earlier, 240 00:09:34,625 --> 00:09:37,205 but, uh, for example, understanding very clearly 241 00:09:37,465 --> 00:09:38,525 as a data leader 242 00:09:38,625 --> 00:09:41,325 or as a, a data support, what's the question? 243 00:09:41,345 --> 00:09:43,605 What's the business issue that we're trying to solve 244 00:09:43,625 --> 00:09:46,165 for when I know context, I can much rather, 245 00:09:46,365 --> 00:09:49,485 I can much better help support them from a data perspective. 246 00:09:49,945 --> 00:09:51,925 Um, what you might need, right? 247 00:09:51,985 --> 00:09:54,245 If I only have a, a request for a report 248 00:09:54,745 --> 00:09:56,245 or a piece of information, 249 00:09:56,685 --> 00:09:58,245 I may be missing the bigger picture. 250 00:09:58,745 --> 00:10:00,925 So having that conversation with operations 251 00:10:00,925 --> 00:10:03,165 and together understanding, okay, what's, what are the, 252 00:10:03,165 --> 00:10:04,885 what's the business question we're trying to solve for now? 253 00:10:04,885 --> 00:10:07,365 Let's together figure out what would actually get us there. 254 00:10:07,465 --> 00:10:09,685 You know, what is the, what is the piece of data, 255 00:10:09,685 --> 00:10:12,485 the reporting, the analysis, whatever insert, 256 00:10:12,765 --> 00:10:14,925 whatever there, um, to help better support you. 257 00:10:15,065 --> 00:10:17,965 So, um, certainly, certainly I think an opportunity for us. 258 00:10:18,165 --> 00:10:22,525 I think also sometimes, um, you know, trying to figure out 259 00:10:22,525 --> 00:10:25,365 what that balance is between centralized resources 260 00:10:25,365 --> 00:10:28,485 and decentralized resources is, is often very important. 261 00:10:28,765 --> 00:10:30,485 I think there are efficiencies that 262 00:10:30,555 --> 00:10:33,885 that can be gained centralizing, um, infrastructure, 263 00:10:33,965 --> 00:10:38,685 centralizing governance, centralizing aspects that ensure 264 00:10:38,685 --> 00:10:40,165 that from a decentralized approach, 265 00:10:40,165 --> 00:10:41,805 if someone is accessing this information, 266 00:10:41,805 --> 00:10:45,645 they can be assured that it's correct, that it's valid, 267 00:10:45,645 --> 00:10:47,925 that it's governed, uh, that, you know, 268 00:10:47,925 --> 00:10:50,685 changes in the database have been incorporated and, 269 00:10:50,705 --> 00:10:52,325 and sort of they don't have to think about that 270 00:10:52,385 --> 00:10:54,165 and that makes their job easier as well. 271 00:10:54,305 --> 00:10:56,205 So, uh, I think that also is, 272 00:10:56,225 --> 00:10:59,405 is a huge component in understanding what is that line. 273 00:10:59,405 --> 00:11:01,205 Sometimes it's a little blurry, um, 274 00:11:01,205 --> 00:11:04,125 but if done well, I think it can be the most efficient way 275 00:11:04,465 --> 00:11:06,325 for an organization to ensure 276 00:11:06,325 --> 00:11:07,365 that they're leveraging their data. 277 00:11:10,215 --> 00:11:12,185 - That makes a lot of sense. Tina, thank you so much 278 00:11:12,185 --> 00:11:13,625 for joining us on the podcast today. 279 00:11:13,625 --> 00:11:15,305 This has been a fascinating conversation. 280 00:11:15,665 --> 00:11:16,985 I learned a ton and I look forward 281 00:11:16,985 --> 00:11:18,105 to connecting with you again soon. 282 00:11:18,285 --> 00:11:20,745 - Thanks so much, Laura. Appreciate it. I.