1 00:00:00,719 --> 00:00:04,000 Exciting things are happening at Becker's Healthcare. Stay 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,240 ahead of industry trends with the new Becker's 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,419 CFO plus Revenue Cycle podcast, 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:11,119 your go to source for insights from top 5 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:14,154 healthcare finance leaders. Tune in wherever you get 6 00:00:14,154 --> 00:00:15,054 your podcasts. 7 00:00:15,914 --> 00:00:18,475 And don't miss the tenth annual health IT 8 00:00:18,475 --> 00:00:22,154 plus digital health plus RCM conference, happening September 9 00:00:22,154 --> 00:00:24,474 30 to 10/03/2025 10 00:00:24,474 --> 00:00:25,214 in Chicago. 11 00:00:25,755 --> 00:00:26,879 Join thousands of 12 00:00:27,279 --> 00:00:30,079 executives, engage with industry leaders, and explore the 13 00:00:30,079 --> 00:00:31,619 future of health care innovation. 14 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:36,719 Learn more about our upcoming events at beckershospitalreview.com. 15 00:00:36,719 --> 00:00:37,619 See you there. 16 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,879 This is Laura Dierdo with the Becker's Healthcare 17 00:00:40,879 --> 00:00:41,379 podcast. 18 00:00:41,804 --> 00:00:43,405 I'm thrilled today to be joined by doctor 19 00:00:43,405 --> 00:00:44,225 Chris DeFletch, 20 00:00:44,604 --> 00:00:46,924 vice president and chief medical information officer at 21 00:00:46,924 --> 00:00:48,685 Penn State Health as well as professor at 22 00:00:48,685 --> 00:00:50,225 Penn State College of Medicine 23 00:00:50,604 --> 00:00:53,244 and emergency medicine physician at Milton s. Hershey 24 00:00:53,244 --> 00:00:55,244 Medical Center. Doctor DeFletch, it's a pleasure to 25 00:00:55,244 --> 00:00:57,090 have you on the podcast today. Hey, Hey, 26 00:00:57,090 --> 00:00:58,869 Laura. Thanks for having me. Appreciate it. 27 00:00:59,409 --> 00:01:01,649 Absolutely. Well, I'm looking forward to our conversation. 28 00:01:01,649 --> 00:01:02,689 I know we have a lot to talk 29 00:01:02,689 --> 00:01:03,670 about, and, certainly, 30 00:01:04,129 --> 00:01:06,609 Penn State Health is going through a huge 31 00:01:06,609 --> 00:01:09,489 transformation with EHR as well as, bringing in 32 00:01:09,489 --> 00:01:11,569 new technologies and doing some really cool things. 33 00:01:11,569 --> 00:01:13,064 And so I'm excited to talk about that. 34 00:01:13,064 --> 00:01:14,744 But before we dive in, can you tell 35 00:01:14,744 --> 00:01:16,104 us a little bit more about Penn State 36 00:01:16,104 --> 00:01:17,484 Health and what makes it unique? 37 00:01:17,864 --> 00:01:18,844 Oh, yeah. Absolutely. 38 00:01:19,384 --> 00:01:20,825 You know, proud to say I've been at 39 00:01:20,825 --> 00:01:22,905 Penn State Health for, for more than more 40 00:01:22,905 --> 00:01:23,804 than two decades, 41 00:01:24,504 --> 00:01:26,924 practice in emergency medicine the whole time and, 42 00:01:27,784 --> 00:01:29,799 being able to to serve as the chief 43 00:01:29,799 --> 00:01:32,200 medical information officer. You know, we've really grown 44 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:32,700 from 45 00:01:33,159 --> 00:01:34,219 a single hospital, 46 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,099 Milton Hershey Medical Center, to now, 47 00:01:37,479 --> 00:01:39,319 depending on how you count it, seven hospital 48 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:40,939 systems across all of, 49 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:43,179 Central, Pennsylvania. 50 00:01:44,194 --> 00:01:46,855 We're we're lucky really enough to be able 51 00:01:47,234 --> 00:01:49,155 to to to be able to take care 52 00:01:49,155 --> 00:01:50,614 of all of our patients 53 00:01:51,155 --> 00:01:53,075 in the Penn State area and the Penn 54 00:01:53,075 --> 00:01:54,454 State region. We're talking, 55 00:01:55,075 --> 00:01:57,209 an area that that you can get any 56 00:01:57,209 --> 00:01:59,209 type of care that you want right here 57 00:01:59,209 --> 00:02:00,730 at home. You don't gotta travel to Pittsburgh. 58 00:02:00,730 --> 00:02:02,109 You don't gotta travel to Philadelphia. 59 00:02:02,409 --> 00:02:04,409 You know, it's it's all done here, whether 60 00:02:04,409 --> 00:02:05,469 you need it in the community 61 00:02:06,010 --> 00:02:08,504 in Berks County or, you know, further west 62 00:02:08,504 --> 00:02:10,685 or up north of the state college. And, 63 00:02:10,745 --> 00:02:13,224 you know, we're academic tertiary care into Penn 64 00:02:13,224 --> 00:02:15,544 State. So, you know, we're we're coming off 65 00:02:15,544 --> 00:02:16,104 one of our, 66 00:02:16,745 --> 00:02:17,245 really, 67 00:02:18,905 --> 00:02:19,944 flagship moments. 68 00:02:20,264 --> 00:02:20,939 Penn State 69 00:02:21,419 --> 00:02:23,659 THON was this past weekend. And for those 70 00:02:23,659 --> 00:02:25,360 of you who aren't familiar with THON, 71 00:02:25,740 --> 00:02:28,560 it's the largest run student run philanthropic 72 00:02:29,260 --> 00:02:29,760 events, 73 00:02:30,540 --> 00:02:31,360 in the nation. 74 00:02:32,699 --> 00:02:33,520 The university 75 00:02:33,819 --> 00:02:34,319 students 76 00:02:35,084 --> 00:02:38,305 raised over $17,000,000 77 00:02:38,604 --> 00:02:40,784 for direct care for patients 78 00:02:41,485 --> 00:02:43,965 pediatric patients suffering from cancer in the four 79 00:02:44,044 --> 00:02:46,044 and so it's called the four diamonds fund. 80 00:02:46,044 --> 00:02:46,784 And so 81 00:02:47,300 --> 00:02:48,439 all of our, 82 00:02:49,139 --> 00:02:50,680 pediatric patients who 83 00:02:51,060 --> 00:02:52,040 are getting treated, 84 00:02:52,419 --> 00:02:53,159 for cancer 85 00:02:54,259 --> 00:02:55,780 get it get it taken care of by 86 00:02:55,780 --> 00:02:57,780 the four diamonds fund. You know, you hear 87 00:02:57,780 --> 00:03:00,580 things like, other companies who who do this 88 00:03:00,580 --> 00:03:02,020 and they don't have care, but it's only, 89 00:03:02,020 --> 00:03:03,675 you know, for people who aren't in clinical 90 00:03:03,675 --> 00:03:05,055 trials. For us, it's everybody. 91 00:03:05,355 --> 00:03:06,974 Anybody who comes to Penn State, 92 00:03:07,435 --> 00:03:08,094 who has 93 00:03:08,474 --> 00:03:10,474 a a child suffering from from cancer and 94 00:03:10,474 --> 00:03:12,875 gets treated at our children's hospital gets it 95 00:03:12,875 --> 00:03:14,955 done for free. And this is really on 96 00:03:14,955 --> 00:03:17,115 the backs of these students. It's it's an 97 00:03:17,115 --> 00:03:17,615 incredible 98 00:03:17,915 --> 00:03:20,099 event that's turned out to be an event 99 00:03:20,099 --> 00:03:21,620 for all the high schools in the area 100 00:03:21,620 --> 00:03:23,319 as well. So they have mini thons 101 00:03:23,620 --> 00:03:25,139 at all of our high schools, and they'll 102 00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:28,180 build, you know, 10,000, 20 thousand dollars in 103 00:03:28,180 --> 00:03:29,459 each one of these high schools, 104 00:03:29,939 --> 00:03:31,620 in addition to the 17,000,000 105 00:03:31,620 --> 00:03:32,120 that, 106 00:03:32,419 --> 00:03:34,604 Penn State bond students do. It's it's it's, 107 00:03:34,925 --> 00:03:36,784 it's heartwarming. It's it's incredible 108 00:03:37,165 --> 00:03:39,004 that and it goes directly to care. There's 109 00:03:39,004 --> 00:03:41,504 no intermediary. There's no other people. It's really 110 00:03:41,805 --> 00:03:43,805 students collecting money for the care of these 111 00:03:43,805 --> 00:03:47,405 these these, these pediatric cancer patients. And, you 112 00:03:47,405 --> 00:03:49,430 know, that's one of many things that, that 113 00:03:49,430 --> 00:03:51,610 Penn State, makes Penn State special. 114 00:03:52,550 --> 00:03:54,709 That's amazing to hear. And what a unique 115 00:03:54,709 --> 00:03:56,550 situation you have. Great to hear that the 116 00:03:56,550 --> 00:03:59,030 students are so passionate about raising that money 117 00:03:59,030 --> 00:04:01,030 and providing care for pediatric patients in the 118 00:04:01,030 --> 00:04:01,509 community. 119 00:04:01,830 --> 00:04:03,585 I think it's truly impressive and, 120 00:04:04,305 --> 00:04:06,305 very indicative of the community you have there, 121 00:04:07,665 --> 00:04:08,805 at Penn State Health. 122 00:04:09,344 --> 00:04:10,944 It's the reason I've been here for so 123 00:04:10,944 --> 00:04:12,784 long is it's it's about people taking care 124 00:04:12,784 --> 00:04:14,145 of people, and that's all they care about. 125 00:04:14,145 --> 00:04:15,750 I mean, it's it's you know, there's lots 126 00:04:15,830 --> 00:04:17,829 of things in medicine, lots of technology, and 127 00:04:17,829 --> 00:04:19,110 we're gonna get into that. And there's lots 128 00:04:19,110 --> 00:04:20,730 of this sort of stuff. The other day, 129 00:04:20,790 --> 00:04:22,790 it's about people taking care of people, and 130 00:04:22,790 --> 00:04:23,290 and 131 00:04:23,829 --> 00:04:25,750 and and Penn State students see that. And 132 00:04:25,750 --> 00:04:27,509 and people who work at Penn State Health 133 00:04:27,509 --> 00:04:29,990 see that. And and it's, it's it's really 134 00:04:29,990 --> 00:04:31,545 it's it's really an honor, kind of incredible 135 00:04:31,545 --> 00:04:32,285 to be around. 136 00:04:33,225 --> 00:04:35,384 Well, absolutely. Yeah. And and I think, to 137 00:04:35,384 --> 00:04:37,225 your point, I mean, it's something that, you 138 00:04:37,225 --> 00:04:38,365 know, a lot of organizations 139 00:04:38,985 --> 00:04:40,985 aspire to but have not been able to 140 00:04:40,985 --> 00:04:42,585 achieve. So is there anything that you see 141 00:04:42,585 --> 00:04:44,900 that makes Penn State Health special in that 142 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:46,280 way, the culture, the community? 143 00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:48,900 You know, what really has been grown and 144 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:51,860 fostered there for years that, has created, you 145 00:04:51,860 --> 00:04:55,300 know, this ability to truly, truly, support the 146 00:04:55,300 --> 00:04:56,925 effort that you're doing and have that type 147 00:04:56,925 --> 00:04:59,764 of community feel. Yeah. It's it's, what's it's 148 00:04:59,764 --> 00:05:01,205 it's very interesting. We've gone through a lot 149 00:05:01,205 --> 00:05:02,964 of transition at at Penn State Health over 150 00:05:02,964 --> 00:05:04,425 the over the decades, 151 00:05:04,725 --> 00:05:06,884 you know, starting off with, you know, the 152 00:05:06,884 --> 00:05:08,805 philanthropic thought processes of, 153 00:05:09,524 --> 00:05:11,685 of the Hershey Company, starting off the Milton 154 00:05:11,685 --> 00:05:12,360 s Hershey Medical 155 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:15,879 Center with a single phone call and $50,000,000, 156 00:05:15,879 --> 00:05:17,479 you know, back in the sixties to creating 157 00:05:17,479 --> 00:05:19,479 a, a medical center and a medical school 158 00:05:19,479 --> 00:05:20,539 that I went to, 159 00:05:20,919 --> 00:05:22,519 in the middle of a cornfield in Hershey, 160 00:05:22,519 --> 00:05:23,019 Pennsylvania, 161 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,439 really growing the town, right, and growing the 162 00:05:26,439 --> 00:05:28,654 area about who we take care care of 163 00:05:28,654 --> 00:05:29,854 and why we take care of it and, 164 00:05:29,854 --> 00:05:30,995 and creating this 165 00:05:31,935 --> 00:05:34,735 academic medical center that has now expanded to 166 00:05:34,735 --> 00:05:36,514 a health academic health system, 167 00:05:36,974 --> 00:05:39,055 across the region. It's really been incredible to 168 00:05:39,055 --> 00:05:41,139 see. And at the core, it's about, you 169 00:05:41,139 --> 00:05:43,300 know, people taking care of people. It's about, 170 00:05:43,540 --> 00:05:45,620 us staying at home. It's about us taking 171 00:05:45,620 --> 00:05:47,160 care of people in our region. 172 00:05:47,860 --> 00:05:49,620 You know, we have to be able to 173 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:50,980 make ends meet. We have to be able 174 00:05:50,980 --> 00:05:51,480 to 175 00:05:52,259 --> 00:05:54,339 ensure that, you know, we can do what 176 00:05:54,339 --> 00:05:55,944 we need to do to take care, take 177 00:05:55,944 --> 00:05:57,944 care of patients from a financial perspective. It's 178 00:05:57,944 --> 00:05:59,625 about the care. And one of the, the 179 00:05:59,625 --> 00:06:01,305 ways that, you know, one of the, one 180 00:06:01,305 --> 00:06:03,305 of the prouder things, I think. Over the 181 00:06:03,305 --> 00:06:05,084 last couple of years, for me 182 00:06:05,384 --> 00:06:06,925 is that ability to connect, 183 00:06:07,545 --> 00:06:10,689 that strategic vision from the board to the 184 00:06:10,689 --> 00:06:11,750 executive level, 185 00:06:12,289 --> 00:06:13,430 down to the practical. 186 00:06:13,889 --> 00:06:16,209 How do you go from, you know, theory 187 00:06:16,209 --> 00:06:18,529 to practicality in a way? And it's hard. 188 00:06:18,529 --> 00:06:19,909 I mean, it's really hard, 189 00:06:20,209 --> 00:06:22,389 but the connection of people who, you know, 190 00:06:22,689 --> 00:06:25,089 really, you know, grew up here, live here, 191 00:06:25,089 --> 00:06:27,314 work here, have family members cared for in 192 00:06:27,314 --> 00:06:30,115 our hospital is really what drives us. And 193 00:06:30,115 --> 00:06:31,735 how we go about doing that. 194 00:06:32,035 --> 00:06:34,354 That activity is such a, is, is such 195 00:06:34,354 --> 00:06:35,254 a big deal. 196 00:06:35,794 --> 00:06:38,274 So, so for me, it's, you know, setting 197 00:06:38,274 --> 00:06:41,110 that strategic vision, aligning to it. Don't be 198 00:06:41,110 --> 00:06:42,470 afraid to fail. I mean, if you, if 199 00:06:42,470 --> 00:06:43,829 you go after something and you don't do 200 00:06:43,829 --> 00:06:45,509 it well, that's okay. Let's go back after 201 00:06:45,509 --> 00:06:46,169 it again. 202 00:06:46,550 --> 00:06:48,409 Tying in the university and 203 00:06:49,029 --> 00:06:50,329 research and activities 204 00:06:50,709 --> 00:06:52,389 into it is such a big deal. You 205 00:06:52,389 --> 00:06:54,375 know, give an example where, you know, I've 206 00:06:54,375 --> 00:06:57,335 been lucky enough to serve on, a board 207 00:06:57,335 --> 00:06:59,814 at, at Penn State University in the, in 208 00:06:59,814 --> 00:07:02,615 the College of Engineering, really the Department of 209 00:07:02,615 --> 00:07:05,595 Industrial Engineering, Industrial Manufacturing Engineering. 210 00:07:05,895 --> 00:07:07,230 We actually were able to create, 211 00:07:07,750 --> 00:07:10,449 an undergrad and a graduate degree in service 212 00:07:10,589 --> 00:07:11,089 engineering. 213 00:07:11,550 --> 00:07:12,850 Now that sounds funny, 214 00:07:13,150 --> 00:07:14,610 but ultimately nowadays. 215 00:07:15,389 --> 00:07:17,790 The United States is a service industry. Healthcare 216 00:07:17,790 --> 00:07:19,009 is a service industry. 217 00:07:19,470 --> 00:07:21,150 And, you know, while we do have some 218 00:07:21,150 --> 00:07:21,650 manufacturing, 219 00:07:22,764 --> 00:07:25,564 continuing across here, it's really about service. So 220 00:07:25,564 --> 00:07:26,384 we've been actually, 221 00:07:26,764 --> 00:07:27,824 able to create. 222 00:07:28,365 --> 00:07:30,464 A degree at Penn state university, 223 00:07:31,165 --> 00:07:33,324 in service engineering. So how do you, you 224 00:07:33,324 --> 00:07:33,824 know, 225 00:07:34,365 --> 00:07:36,979 manage projects? How do you understand the use 226 00:07:37,519 --> 00:07:40,240 of input, throughput, output, and lean sig sig 227 00:07:40,399 --> 00:07:41,939 the symbols inside of, 228 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,039 health care delivery processes and apply them in 229 00:07:45,039 --> 00:07:47,279 a real practical sense? And so it's that 230 00:07:47,279 --> 00:07:48,339 connection between 231 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:50,995 the academics and the practicality, I think, that 232 00:07:50,995 --> 00:07:53,074 makes, is really a difference maker at Penn 233 00:07:53,074 --> 00:07:53,574 State. 234 00:07:54,595 --> 00:07:56,274 That's amazing to hear. Thank you so much 235 00:07:56,274 --> 00:07:58,454 for sharing that history with us and certainly 236 00:07:58,754 --> 00:08:00,595 how it's grown and developed into what it 237 00:08:00,595 --> 00:08:03,474 is today. And, I'm curious, you know, thinking 238 00:08:03,474 --> 00:08:05,129 through the last year or so, especially, 239 00:08:05,750 --> 00:08:07,029 could you tell us a little bit about 240 00:08:07,029 --> 00:08:09,050 the accomplishments you're most proud of? 241 00:08:09,589 --> 00:08:11,689 Well, I you know, I think there's nothing 242 00:08:11,990 --> 00:08:14,949 nothing bigger than the decision to to move 243 00:08:14,949 --> 00:08:18,165 from, Cerner slash Oracle Health to, to Epic, 244 00:08:18,704 --> 00:08:20,805 as our, health care delivery platform. 245 00:08:21,665 --> 00:08:23,665 We didn't take that lightly. You know, we're 246 00:08:23,665 --> 00:08:24,485 a long term, 247 00:08:24,944 --> 00:08:26,404 Cerner client, actually, 248 00:08:27,104 --> 00:08:28,004 over twenty, 249 00:08:28,464 --> 00:08:30,324 years actually, about thirty years, 250 00:08:30,704 --> 00:08:31,764 working with Cerner, 251 00:08:32,384 --> 00:08:35,169 and the decision to, to, to move, 252 00:08:35,649 --> 00:08:36,629 towards epic, 253 00:08:37,169 --> 00:08:37,909 was significant 254 00:08:38,289 --> 00:08:41,169 and, you know, not undertaken lightly. And really, 255 00:08:41,169 --> 00:08:43,909 I think shows the ability of our organization 256 00:08:44,049 --> 00:08:46,289 to say, you know, we've really had great 257 00:08:46,289 --> 00:08:46,789 partnerships 258 00:08:47,409 --> 00:08:49,404 with companies in the past, and maybe it's 259 00:08:49,404 --> 00:08:52,284 just time to, to, to move, into a 260 00:08:52,284 --> 00:08:55,325 different area. We've had great success with, Oracle 261 00:08:55,325 --> 00:08:57,644 health and, and Cerner over the years, and, 262 00:08:57,644 --> 00:08:58,924 you know, I'll continue to help, 263 00:08:59,485 --> 00:09:01,580 you know, different groups like the VA VA 264 00:09:01,580 --> 00:09:03,840 and DOD and others, to be successful, 265 00:09:04,460 --> 00:09:06,539 with that platform. For for Penn State, it 266 00:09:06,539 --> 00:09:08,700 made most sense. We've got a lot of 267 00:09:08,700 --> 00:09:10,139 surrounding community hospitals, 268 00:09:11,019 --> 00:09:13,434 who have EPIC, and exchange of information with 269 00:09:13,434 --> 00:09:15,754 those companies is really an important thing for 270 00:09:15,754 --> 00:09:17,995 the care of our patients. And so the 271 00:09:17,995 --> 00:09:20,014 real coordinated decision, 272 00:09:20,875 --> 00:09:22,095 to move in that direction, 273 00:09:22,475 --> 00:09:24,315 you know, driven by some of our our 274 00:09:24,315 --> 00:09:26,509 physicians and and clinical staff, 275 00:09:26,970 --> 00:09:28,830 heard by our executive group, 276 00:09:29,210 --> 00:09:30,409 really run through our, 277 00:09:31,129 --> 00:09:31,629 administrative, 278 00:09:32,889 --> 00:09:35,610 and and boards and the board, you know, 279 00:09:35,610 --> 00:09:37,629 making the decision to move in that direction. 280 00:09:38,409 --> 00:09:40,225 I think I'm really proud of that just 281 00:09:40,225 --> 00:09:42,245 because it was such an inclusive conversation, 282 00:09:43,664 --> 00:09:46,004 and it was done with the motivation 283 00:09:46,705 --> 00:09:48,164 of the patient in the center, 284 00:09:48,465 --> 00:09:50,625 which, again, it is our core. Again, people 285 00:09:50,625 --> 00:09:51,690 taking care of people and how can we 286 00:09:51,690 --> 00:09:54,110 do that most effectively and efficiently. And so, 287 00:09:54,330 --> 00:09:56,090 you know, we don't do that lightheartedly. We've 288 00:09:56,090 --> 00:09:58,250 got, you know, thirty years of data in 289 00:09:58,250 --> 00:09:59,230 a Cerner system. 290 00:09:59,769 --> 00:10:01,950 We've been taking care of patients, you know, 291 00:10:02,009 --> 00:10:03,610 on that platform for a period of time. 292 00:10:03,610 --> 00:10:03,701 So now we're on, we're on our epic 293 00:10:03,701 --> 00:10:04,519 transformation journey. And, and, and I'm really, 294 00:10:06,764 --> 00:10:09,644 and, and I'm really, really excited to, to 295 00:10:09,644 --> 00:10:10,784 to help lead that. 296 00:10:11,725 --> 00:10:13,964 Well, that's amazing to hear. And, certainly, you 297 00:10:13,964 --> 00:10:16,205 know, looking at a project like that takes 298 00:10:16,205 --> 00:10:16,945 a lot of, 299 00:10:17,644 --> 00:10:20,044 time, effort, and resources from the leadership team 300 00:10:20,044 --> 00:10:22,209 and and everyone on the front lines as 301 00:10:22,209 --> 00:10:24,289 well of planning, that and then and then 302 00:10:24,289 --> 00:10:26,629 making the transition. So I'm curious. 303 00:10:27,809 --> 00:10:30,610 You talked about the discussions being inclusive and, 304 00:10:30,929 --> 00:10:31,909 making the decision, 305 00:10:32,529 --> 00:10:34,764 to make the switch as being, you know, 306 00:10:34,764 --> 00:10:37,164 something that, you didn't take lightly or the 307 00:10:37,164 --> 00:10:38,304 team didn't take lightly. 308 00:10:38,684 --> 00:10:39,584 I think especially 309 00:10:39,964 --> 00:10:40,464 knowing, 310 00:10:41,404 --> 00:10:44,304 how much goes into a transition like this. 311 00:10:46,205 --> 00:10:47,985 I guess, how did you balance 312 00:10:48,845 --> 00:10:50,065 or how are you balancing, 313 00:10:50,899 --> 00:10:53,639 the input with the potential output and and 314 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:56,440 sharing that, change management with the broader team? 315 00:10:56,980 --> 00:11:00,259 Sure. Sure. You know, again, patient's always in 316 00:11:00,259 --> 00:11:02,420 the center. No question. How do we get 317 00:11:02,420 --> 00:11:05,300 that patient the the the best information for 318 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:07,715 code decision making, making, for be able to 319 00:11:07,715 --> 00:11:09,235 take care of them in a most effective 320 00:11:09,235 --> 00:11:10,995 and efficient way, to be able to engage 321 00:11:10,995 --> 00:11:11,495 them 322 00:11:11,955 --> 00:11:13,815 in their home, to be able to 323 00:11:14,195 --> 00:11:14,695 incorporate, 324 00:11:15,955 --> 00:11:18,054 the ongoing data for, 325 00:11:18,595 --> 00:11:21,750 management of populations over time. All these things 326 00:11:21,750 --> 00:11:23,049 come into play. And, 327 00:11:23,990 --> 00:11:26,069 you know, we've we've again, we've had some 328 00:11:26,069 --> 00:11:28,709 great success with with, Cerner and Oracle in 329 00:11:28,709 --> 00:11:30,309 the past. And, you know, there was just 330 00:11:30,309 --> 00:11:32,294 some areas that that we thought that that 331 00:11:32,294 --> 00:11:34,294 Epic had a little bit of an upper 332 00:11:34,294 --> 00:11:35,575 hand on. And, 333 00:11:35,975 --> 00:11:37,195 again, with the interoperability 334 00:11:37,575 --> 00:11:38,554 with other systems, 335 00:11:38,934 --> 00:11:41,754 the ability to incorporate into, you know, 336 00:11:42,534 --> 00:11:44,695 data that would be, able to be used 337 00:11:44,695 --> 00:11:45,835 across systems, 338 00:11:46,534 --> 00:11:48,339 to to be able to coordinate with other 339 00:11:48,339 --> 00:11:51,879 systems and research and development for education and 340 00:11:51,980 --> 00:11:52,480 and, 341 00:11:52,980 --> 00:11:55,940 and research activities. We just thought really it 342 00:11:55,940 --> 00:11:56,759 was the time. 343 00:11:57,940 --> 00:11:59,320 You know, and so, 344 00:12:00,019 --> 00:12:01,814 it made the most sense for us. I 345 00:12:01,814 --> 00:12:04,375 think individual hospitals and health systems have to 346 00:12:04,375 --> 00:12:07,095 make their own decisions independently of what the 347 00:12:07,095 --> 00:12:08,394 needs are at that time. 348 00:12:09,254 --> 00:12:11,334 But, you know, for us, you know, we 349 00:12:11,334 --> 00:12:12,794 went through a process of 350 00:12:13,414 --> 00:12:15,274 engaging our staff and demonstrations 351 00:12:15,735 --> 00:12:16,235 and 352 00:12:16,659 --> 00:12:18,580 know, opportunities. Some of them kinda had come 353 00:12:18,580 --> 00:12:20,259 from other Cerner sites. Some of them come 354 00:12:20,259 --> 00:12:22,419 from other EPIC sites. And, you know, we 355 00:12:22,419 --> 00:12:24,519 take their, input very, 356 00:12:25,379 --> 00:12:27,480 strongly, and that was really a driver 357 00:12:27,860 --> 00:12:29,860 for the whole thing. And then, well, if 358 00:12:29,860 --> 00:12:30,740 the if the, 359 00:12:31,434 --> 00:12:34,715 if the working community and and patients and 360 00:12:34,715 --> 00:12:36,894 things are sort of asking for that activity, 361 00:12:36,955 --> 00:12:38,795 it's our obligation to look into it in 362 00:12:38,795 --> 00:12:40,795 great detail, and that's what we did. And 363 00:12:40,795 --> 00:12:42,815 in a in a really comprehensive 364 00:12:43,355 --> 00:12:46,200 long term investigation and, you know, 365 00:12:46,740 --> 00:12:47,959 costing and transformation 366 00:12:48,259 --> 00:12:50,259 and and and all of the work that 367 00:12:50,259 --> 00:12:52,740 needs to be done, we decided that was 368 00:12:52,740 --> 00:12:55,059 absolutely the best thing for us. And, and 369 00:12:55,059 --> 00:12:57,299 we're, again, looking very much forward to this, 370 00:12:57,700 --> 00:12:59,320 this transformational activity. 371 00:13:00,605 --> 00:13:02,365 That's great to hear. Thank you for digging 372 00:13:02,365 --> 00:13:03,904 a bit deeper in there. Now 373 00:13:04,524 --> 00:13:05,184 I'm wondering, 374 00:13:05,644 --> 00:13:07,325 I can imagine some of the big growth 375 00:13:07,325 --> 00:13:09,085 opportunities for the next twelve months or so 376 00:13:09,085 --> 00:13:11,644 are also tied to the EHR transition. How 377 00:13:11,644 --> 00:13:13,504 are you thinking about growth and and development, 378 00:13:14,044 --> 00:13:16,220 especially during this time of a lot of 379 00:13:16,220 --> 00:13:16,720 change? 380 00:13:17,259 --> 00:13:17,759 Yeah. 381 00:13:18,139 --> 00:13:19,419 So, you know, I I think, 382 00:13:20,460 --> 00:13:22,940 I think, change is such a neutral word. 383 00:13:22,940 --> 00:13:25,179 Sometimes people think it negative, something is positive. 384 00:13:25,179 --> 00:13:26,080 I see advancements, 385 00:13:26,539 --> 00:13:27,254 rather than change. 386 00:13:28,215 --> 00:13:30,215 And so, you know, people that just move 387 00:13:30,215 --> 00:13:31,735 from one thing to a next just for 388 00:13:31,735 --> 00:13:33,174 the sake of change, it's not really worth 389 00:13:33,174 --> 00:13:33,674 doing. 390 00:13:34,134 --> 00:13:35,735 You have to take advantage of where the 391 00:13:35,735 --> 00:13:38,294 advancement is, whether it's a technology or the 392 00:13:38,294 --> 00:13:40,375 people on processes. More importantly for me, it's 393 00:13:40,375 --> 00:13:42,029 the people in the process. How can I 394 00:13:42,110 --> 00:13:43,889 simplify the experience of the patients? 395 00:13:44,269 --> 00:13:46,370 How can I simplify the experience of our 396 00:13:46,509 --> 00:13:49,950 physicians and nurses and APPs and and and 397 00:13:49,950 --> 00:13:51,170 registration staff, 398 00:13:51,629 --> 00:13:53,649 so that they can provide that better experience 399 00:13:53,710 --> 00:13:55,550 inside of here? So for for us, it's 400 00:13:55,550 --> 00:13:57,625 really about how do we advance our organization. 401 00:13:57,625 --> 00:13:59,565 And we think this this platform helps 402 00:13:59,945 --> 00:14:01,945 us, advance the organization. I think there are 403 00:14:01,945 --> 00:14:02,445 other, 404 00:14:03,545 --> 00:14:05,785 components of it that, you know, we rally 405 00:14:05,785 --> 00:14:08,345 around, again, patients being first, but it could 406 00:14:08,345 --> 00:14:10,610 also mean, you patients who are on clinical 407 00:14:10,610 --> 00:14:11,110 trials, 408 00:14:11,970 --> 00:14:12,870 patients who, 409 00:14:13,410 --> 00:14:13,910 maybe, 410 00:14:14,769 --> 00:14:17,490 need additional support at home in a unique 411 00:14:17,490 --> 00:14:17,990 way. 412 00:14:18,529 --> 00:14:20,690 So it's not only just the, the EPIC 413 00:14:20,690 --> 00:14:23,190 transformation and advancement that we have with 414 00:14:23,705 --> 00:14:26,684 that EMR platform. But it's also other technologies 415 00:14:26,904 --> 00:14:28,504 that that be able to do that. So, 416 00:14:28,504 --> 00:14:31,304 you know, advancing your telehealth or or, 417 00:14:31,784 --> 00:14:32,445 you know, 418 00:14:32,825 --> 00:14:35,784 hospital home programs, which has been been very 419 00:14:35,784 --> 00:14:38,550 well received in our our community and, you 420 00:14:38,550 --> 00:14:39,830 know, people able to, 421 00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:42,790 take care of each other at home with 422 00:14:42,790 --> 00:14:45,269 the support of Penn State's hospital at home 423 00:14:45,269 --> 00:14:47,750 program, I think, has has been a big 424 00:14:47,750 --> 00:14:48,250 difference. 425 00:14:48,870 --> 00:14:51,750 I think there's some advancing technology in, you 426 00:14:51,750 --> 00:14:52,154 know, 427 00:14:52,634 --> 00:14:54,555 quote, unquote AI. I'm sure we'll get into 428 00:14:54,555 --> 00:14:56,475 that a little bit because that's the, you 429 00:14:56,475 --> 00:14:58,555 know, that's the catchphrase related to it, but 430 00:14:58,555 --> 00:15:01,675 it's really about how can technology be leveraged 431 00:15:01,675 --> 00:15:02,415 to improve 432 00:15:03,195 --> 00:15:05,514 the care and outcomes of our patients. And 433 00:15:05,514 --> 00:15:06,014 and 434 00:15:07,039 --> 00:15:09,600 so for us, you know, change you know, 435 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:11,440 changing our core platform is one of it, 436 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:13,139 then being able to build upon that, 437 00:15:14,079 --> 00:15:14,579 taking 438 00:15:15,039 --> 00:15:15,539 advantage 439 00:15:16,079 --> 00:15:18,419 of our university, and how can we incorporate 440 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:18,980 those 441 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,391 thinkers and knowledge into, 442 00:15:21,704 --> 00:15:23,504 our health system in a way that we 443 00:15:23,504 --> 00:15:24,565 haven't before in this new platform 444 00:15:25,345 --> 00:15:26,245 to maybe develop 445 00:15:26,865 --> 00:15:29,745 some technologies that haven't been seen before. But 446 00:15:29,745 --> 00:15:31,664 more importantly, I think for us, it's it's 447 00:15:31,664 --> 00:15:33,125 partnering with good companies, 448 00:15:34,225 --> 00:15:34,725 who 449 00:15:35,105 --> 00:15:37,190 want to, you know, have the same, 450 00:15:38,690 --> 00:15:40,309 moral compass, that same 451 00:15:40,850 --> 00:15:41,990 sort of ethic, 452 00:15:42,690 --> 00:15:44,769 that it's about the patients and the patients 453 00:15:44,769 --> 00:15:46,610 first. And, you know, we've been lucky to 454 00:15:46,610 --> 00:15:48,370 find a number of those companies out there 455 00:15:48,370 --> 00:15:48,794 that have, 456 00:15:49,355 --> 00:15:49,855 associated 457 00:15:50,634 --> 00:15:53,115 AI or other machine learning technologies that we 458 00:15:53,115 --> 00:15:55,134 think, you know, may be a great partnership 459 00:15:55,195 --> 00:15:56,654 with us to to advance 460 00:15:57,115 --> 00:15:58,954 the needs of our patients in in our 461 00:15:58,954 --> 00:15:59,454 area. 462 00:16:00,554 --> 00:16:02,975 That's amazing to hear. And, you know, certainly, 463 00:16:03,434 --> 00:16:06,419 a lot, as you mentioned, happening to improve 464 00:16:06,419 --> 00:16:09,639 patient care, especially given technology, the data, 465 00:16:10,019 --> 00:16:12,759 telehealth, virtual hair care, hospital at home, 466 00:16:13,139 --> 00:16:16,500 really great advantages for health care providers to 467 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:18,820 continue to expand what they're doing and provide 468 00:16:18,820 --> 00:16:20,894 a better experience for patients. And I know 469 00:16:20,894 --> 00:16:23,535 you mentioned AI is something that is top 470 00:16:23,535 --> 00:16:25,295 of mind. I know a lot of hospitals, 471 00:16:25,295 --> 00:16:28,014 health systems, and organizations are, you know, looking 472 00:16:28,014 --> 00:16:30,254 at the best use cases for AI ways 473 00:16:30,254 --> 00:16:32,415 that they can really provide value through it, 474 00:16:32,415 --> 00:16:34,495 but also understanding, you know, there are risks 475 00:16:34,495 --> 00:16:35,669 involved there. So 476 00:16:36,149 --> 00:16:38,149 what are those tech conversations like when you 477 00:16:38,149 --> 00:16:40,709 look at new a AI technologies and and 478 00:16:40,709 --> 00:16:42,629 governance and those kinds of things? Is that 479 00:16:42,629 --> 00:16:43,909 something that you've, 480 00:16:44,470 --> 00:16:46,389 broached in a meaningful way with the leadership 481 00:16:46,389 --> 00:16:46,889 team? 482 00:16:47,269 --> 00:16:49,154 Yeah. We have. You know? And and, again, 483 00:16:49,154 --> 00:16:50,914 we we do this together. I think there's 484 00:16:50,914 --> 00:16:53,554 sort of, you know, AI is kind of 485 00:16:53,554 --> 00:16:55,414 a catchphrase now. And and 486 00:16:55,875 --> 00:16:57,634 in my heart of hearts, I'm an engineer, 487 00:16:57,634 --> 00:17:00,195 and I'm an emergency physician. So I I 488 00:17:00,274 --> 00:17:02,799 I'm I'm very tied to the practical. What 489 00:17:02,799 --> 00:17:04,579 is it going to make a difference for 490 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:06,420 me or my patients 491 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,519 to do this? Not the I love talking 492 00:17:09,519 --> 00:17:11,140 theory, and I love in my 493 00:17:11,679 --> 00:17:14,000 research space to be able to I've got 494 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,099 a center at Penn State called 495 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:18,315 the Center for Healthcare Organization 496 00:17:18,934 --> 00:17:20,394 Transformation, which studies, 497 00:17:20,695 --> 00:17:23,494 you know, systems systemness and and health care 498 00:17:23,494 --> 00:17:25,174 delivery science and things like that. And I 499 00:17:25,174 --> 00:17:26,855 love being able to think about that. But 500 00:17:26,855 --> 00:17:29,174 but as a CMIO, an emergency physician, I 501 00:17:29,174 --> 00:17:31,220 I really wanna say there's lots of these 502 00:17:31,220 --> 00:17:32,900 people out here with the word AI. What 503 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:34,660 do they really mean by it? Right? Digging 504 00:17:34,660 --> 00:17:37,059 into the technology, what does it make sense 505 00:17:37,059 --> 00:17:39,700 to do? And, you know, there are some 506 00:17:39,700 --> 00:17:41,240 that are just using the words 507 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:43,700 and not really understanding what it is. There 508 00:17:43,700 --> 00:17:45,380 are some, you know, who will say, yeah. 509 00:17:45,380 --> 00:17:46,634 We're using the catch phrase to get in 510 00:17:46,634 --> 00:17:49,055 the door, but it's really, you know, basic 511 00:17:49,115 --> 00:17:51,755 clinical decision support or machine learning to a 512 00:17:51,755 --> 00:17:52,255 degree 513 00:17:52,555 --> 00:17:54,894 rather than truly creating new, 514 00:17:55,515 --> 00:17:58,154 new information. Right? So for for us, we 515 00:17:58,154 --> 00:18:00,795 try and categorize it into, you know, is 516 00:18:00,795 --> 00:18:01,559 it in the discovery space? 517 00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:06,059 Space? Where's the data sits? 518 00:18:06,360 --> 00:18:09,259 How does that data get incorporated into practicality? 519 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,460 Who owns that data whenever it gets generated? 520 00:18:12,759 --> 00:18:13,500 And, ultimately, 521 00:18:14,039 --> 00:18:15,180 is this an advantage 522 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:15,795 over, 523 00:18:16,994 --> 00:18:18,835 what we're doing today or what we could 524 00:18:18,835 --> 00:18:21,575 be doing today based upon other basic technologies? 525 00:18:22,035 --> 00:18:24,115 I think the AI is real. I think 526 00:18:24,115 --> 00:18:24,855 it has 527 00:18:25,475 --> 00:18:26,535 tons of opportunity. 528 00:18:26,835 --> 00:18:28,835 I think it's a little bit overblown right 529 00:18:28,835 --> 00:18:29,335 now, 530 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,279 but we'll come back to some semblance of 531 00:18:32,279 --> 00:18:33,500 reality. We did 532 00:18:33,799 --> 00:18:36,380 lots of piling and piloting in the generative 533 00:18:36,519 --> 00:18:38,380 AI space a few years ago. 534 00:18:38,759 --> 00:18:39,259 Actually, 535 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,640 about five years ago, we were trialing some 536 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:43,865 stuff. And two years ago, we got deep 537 00:18:43,865 --> 00:18:44,765 into a trial. 538 00:18:45,144 --> 00:18:46,825 I think about now is the time that 539 00:18:46,825 --> 00:18:48,924 we're starting to see it really have enough, 540 00:18:49,705 --> 00:18:50,205 accuracy 541 00:18:51,465 --> 00:18:51,945 and, 542 00:18:52,345 --> 00:18:52,845 benefits 543 00:18:53,384 --> 00:18:55,805 that you're starting to see some 544 00:18:57,150 --> 00:18:57,650 efficiencies 545 00:18:58,029 --> 00:18:58,529 gained 546 00:18:59,150 --> 00:19:00,590 in the and we're really talking about the 547 00:19:00,590 --> 00:19:02,049 document generative AI, 548 00:19:02,509 --> 00:19:04,430 space. I think we're starting to see it 549 00:19:04,430 --> 00:19:05,730 too in some of the, 550 00:19:06,430 --> 00:19:09,570 imaging and pixelation activities in regards to diagnostics. 551 00:19:09,855 --> 00:19:11,855 I think there's a lot of opportunity in 552 00:19:11,855 --> 00:19:12,595 that space. 553 00:19:13,535 --> 00:19:15,474 I think there's a lot of opportunity 554 00:19:15,855 --> 00:19:16,515 in the, 555 00:19:18,815 --> 00:19:19,315 NLP, 556 00:19:20,894 --> 00:19:21,634 to AI 557 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:23,480 activities in, 558 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:26,279 nondiscrete data. I think we're probably gonna start 559 00:19:26,279 --> 00:19:27,899 seeing some discovery in that, 560 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:30,359 over the next couple of years. And, you 561 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:30,859 know, 562 00:19:31,639 --> 00:19:33,480 say it before, I'll say it again. Health 563 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:35,384 care is about people taking care of people. 564 00:19:36,345 --> 00:19:38,924 And, like, working in this discovery space, 565 00:19:39,625 --> 00:19:41,384 the people who you work with is such 566 00:19:41,384 --> 00:19:42,984 a big deal. So I'm I'm you know, 567 00:19:42,984 --> 00:19:45,164 at Penn State, I've got a great informatics 568 00:19:45,384 --> 00:19:48,080 team, and I've I've got a great research, 569 00:19:48,519 --> 00:19:50,599 group and a great college of medicine set 570 00:19:50,599 --> 00:19:53,259 of leaders who are really, you know, advancing 571 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:55,500 the thought process at the college of medicine. 572 00:19:55,559 --> 00:19:58,440 And same way within our our our health 573 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,019 systems of innovative leaders who are saying, okay. 574 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:02,444 Yep. We're We're gonna spend a lot of 575 00:20:02,444 --> 00:20:05,025 our focus on epic and the transformation activities. 576 00:20:05,565 --> 00:20:07,164 But, you know, we've got a couple of 577 00:20:07,164 --> 00:20:09,724 these other spaces that, that we're gonna take 578 00:20:09,724 --> 00:20:10,704 care of as well. 579 00:20:11,804 --> 00:20:12,625 It's a lot. 580 00:20:13,724 --> 00:20:14,865 But it's an exciting 581 00:20:15,419 --> 00:20:17,179 time, to be able to be in health 582 00:20:17,179 --> 00:20:17,679 care 583 00:20:17,980 --> 00:20:20,059 and to see all of this stuff start 584 00:20:20,059 --> 00:20:20,960 to come to fruition. 585 00:20:21,339 --> 00:20:22,779 I I I joke a little bit. I've 586 00:20:22,779 --> 00:20:24,059 been doing this such a long period of 587 00:20:24,059 --> 00:20:25,200 time. I remember when 588 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:27,500 people used to say, oh, just going to 589 00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:29,605 electronic records is gonna make things so much 590 00:20:29,605 --> 00:20:31,544 better and more efficient and more effective. 591 00:20:32,164 --> 00:20:34,484 Ask your normal doc on a daily basis 592 00:20:34,484 --> 00:20:35,464 with, you know, who've 593 00:20:35,845 --> 00:20:39,365 written handwritten notes and, and handwritten orders compared 594 00:20:39,365 --> 00:20:39,865 to 595 00:20:40,244 --> 00:20:42,630 CPOE and and electronic notes today, 596 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:45,769 and ask them, is there really a difference, 597 00:20:46,470 --> 00:20:48,950 or not? And I think they may tell 598 00:20:48,950 --> 00:20:49,450 you, 599 00:20:49,990 --> 00:20:51,190 they may have a little bit of a 600 00:20:51,190 --> 00:20:53,910 different experience. So with that knowledge and and 601 00:20:53,910 --> 00:20:55,670 having done it for for such a period 602 00:20:55,670 --> 00:20:57,450 of time, it is the 603 00:20:58,085 --> 00:21:00,325 adaptation of the technology and the adoption of 604 00:21:00,325 --> 00:21:01,765 it is such a big deal because at 605 00:21:01,765 --> 00:21:03,765 the end of the day, it's people first, 606 00:21:03,765 --> 00:21:06,805 it's process second, and it's technology third. And, 607 00:21:07,045 --> 00:21:08,884 if I think if most people keep that 608 00:21:08,884 --> 00:21:09,464 in mind, 609 00:21:10,164 --> 00:21:11,980 keep their moral compass on something that makes 610 00:21:11,980 --> 00:21:14,380 a difference for their patients, you'll see the 611 00:21:14,380 --> 00:21:17,019 benefit to not only the people that you 612 00:21:17,019 --> 00:21:18,940 influence on a daily basis, but your health 613 00:21:18,940 --> 00:21:19,440 system. 614 00:21:20,539 --> 00:21:22,779 I mean, that's really powerful stuff. And and, 615 00:21:22,779 --> 00:21:25,494 you know, such an important lesson to remember 616 00:21:25,494 --> 00:21:27,335 how, you know, the technology and health care 617 00:21:27,335 --> 00:21:28,234 space has evolved. 618 00:21:28,615 --> 00:21:30,454 I know a lot of opportunities ahead, but 619 00:21:30,454 --> 00:21:31,974 challenges as well. Could you, 620 00:21:32,535 --> 00:21:33,894 talk a little bit about some of the 621 00:21:33,894 --> 00:21:34,394 challenges, 622 00:21:34,775 --> 00:21:36,775 that you're seeing and planning for in the 623 00:21:36,775 --> 00:21:37,835 next couple years? 624 00:21:38,279 --> 00:21:39,019 Sure. Sure. 625 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:40,700 I I think, you know, 626 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:42,359 we we talk about, 627 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,259 what some people like to call social determinants 628 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:47,240 of health. I like to call them maybe 629 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,500 social indicators of of health outcomes, 630 00:21:50,519 --> 00:21:53,055 really talking about the impact of the day 631 00:21:53,055 --> 00:21:53,714 to day, 632 00:21:54,575 --> 00:21:56,515 and how it then affects there. 633 00:21:56,894 --> 00:21:58,674 I think we've got a whole generation 634 00:21:59,055 --> 00:21:59,555 of 635 00:22:00,015 --> 00:22:02,434 folks who grew up in the pandemic 636 00:22:02,894 --> 00:22:03,954 and who are struggling, 637 00:22:04,494 --> 00:22:04,799 with, 638 00:22:05,360 --> 00:22:07,860 you know, day to day activities, whether it's, 639 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:09,779 depression, anxiety. 640 00:22:10,799 --> 00:22:12,720 You know, we've got a whole generation that 641 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:14,720 are dealing with with that coming out of 642 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:17,625 the pandemic. We've got an economy that is 643 00:22:17,625 --> 00:22:19,005 challenging for these 644 00:22:19,305 --> 00:22:21,404 young folks who are coming out maybe with, 645 00:22:21,625 --> 00:22:23,705 you know, lots of lots of debt from 646 00:22:23,705 --> 00:22:24,684 school or, 647 00:22:25,464 --> 00:22:26,984 you know, can't afford to put a down 648 00:22:26,984 --> 00:22:28,525 payment on the house because, 649 00:22:28,904 --> 00:22:32,130 you know, eggs cost $8 a a a 650 00:22:32,130 --> 00:22:32,630 dozen. 651 00:22:33,089 --> 00:22:35,170 You know, they're worried about feeding themselves. To 652 00:22:35,170 --> 00:22:35,670 me, 653 00:22:36,289 --> 00:22:38,450 that's where they're, you know, them then now 654 00:22:38,450 --> 00:22:40,130 they're thinking about how do I even get 655 00:22:40,130 --> 00:22:42,210 health care, or is health care even on 656 00:22:42,210 --> 00:22:43,704 that list of things when I have all 657 00:22:43,704 --> 00:22:45,804 these other things that are that are there? 658 00:22:46,505 --> 00:22:47,644 Here's where I think, 659 00:22:48,105 --> 00:22:50,105 we can make a difference. Here's where I 660 00:22:50,105 --> 00:22:53,404 think technology can advance things. I think that, 661 00:22:53,544 --> 00:22:55,740 you know, like, the hospital home has started 662 00:22:56,299 --> 00:22:58,779 blurring that line between taking care of patients 663 00:22:58,779 --> 00:23:00,799 in just the four walls of a hospital 664 00:23:00,859 --> 00:23:01,359 to, 665 00:23:01,660 --> 00:23:03,740 you know, the same type of care but 666 00:23:03,740 --> 00:23:05,980 within their home. I think we've gotta, you 667 00:23:05,980 --> 00:23:07,980 know, really get back to the basics of 668 00:23:07,980 --> 00:23:08,299 that with, 669 00:23:09,575 --> 00:23:11,515 with that type of care for 670 00:23:12,055 --> 00:23:14,154 patients at home. You know, the reality is 671 00:23:14,375 --> 00:23:15,275 in healthcare, 672 00:23:15,734 --> 00:23:18,615 it's episodic. You know, you may have one 673 00:23:18,615 --> 00:23:21,255 hospitalization, two primary care visits, and an emergency 674 00:23:21,255 --> 00:23:23,400 department visit in a year. That's a lot. 675 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:25,900 Most people don't have one of those things. 676 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:27,500 But yet 677 00:23:27,799 --> 00:23:30,599 the habits that they have or the need 678 00:23:30,599 --> 00:23:31,820 for care or 679 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:35,320 need for, behavioral health or social support exists. 680 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:36,994 So I think that it's our obligation, 681 00:23:38,015 --> 00:23:40,575 as a healthcare industry, especially healthcare IT, to 682 00:23:40,575 --> 00:23:42,654 see how can we leverage this technology to 683 00:23:42,654 --> 00:23:43,154 support 684 00:23:43,855 --> 00:23:45,934 patients in a way that they haven't been 685 00:23:45,934 --> 00:23:46,434 supported 686 00:23:46,894 --> 00:23:49,075 in the past. And for me, behavioral health 687 00:23:49,454 --> 00:23:50,755 and, you know, 688 00:23:51,349 --> 00:23:53,750 underlying anxiety, depression, and how can we provide 689 00:23:53,750 --> 00:23:56,549 support services in that space as part of, 690 00:23:56,869 --> 00:24:00,309 a community service, not necessarily fee for service 691 00:24:00,309 --> 00:24:01,450 or event activity. 692 00:24:02,309 --> 00:24:03,830 I think, there's a lot in there. I 693 00:24:03,830 --> 00:24:05,589 think AI has a a lot to do 694 00:24:05,589 --> 00:24:07,505 in that space. I think you could do 695 00:24:07,505 --> 00:24:09,505 the same thing with some other chronic diseases. 696 00:24:09,505 --> 00:24:10,785 I think you could do the same thing 697 00:24:10,785 --> 00:24:12,085 with medication management. 698 00:24:13,025 --> 00:24:14,305 So I think there's gonna be a lot 699 00:24:14,305 --> 00:24:14,965 of this, 700 00:24:16,545 --> 00:24:17,045 incorporating, 701 00:24:17,424 --> 00:24:18,245 you know, 702 00:24:18,785 --> 00:24:19,525 the people 703 00:24:19,985 --> 00:24:22,850 into the patient population. So instead of having 704 00:24:23,230 --> 00:24:25,410 one or two or three episodes of care, 705 00:24:25,630 --> 00:24:27,789 you know, at Penn State health in a 706 00:24:27,789 --> 00:24:28,690 given year, 707 00:24:29,150 --> 00:24:30,670 you you are a partner in health with 708 00:24:30,670 --> 00:24:32,049 Penn State. And, 709 00:24:32,990 --> 00:24:35,230 we help you through you and your family's 710 00:24:35,230 --> 00:24:35,730 journey, 711 00:24:36,724 --> 00:24:38,244 whether it happened to be through, you know, 712 00:24:38,244 --> 00:24:40,484 pediatric cancer that's getting paid for by the 713 00:24:40,484 --> 00:24:41,865 four diamonds fund, or 714 00:24:42,325 --> 00:24:44,005 unfortunately, you break your leg and you come 715 00:24:44,005 --> 00:24:46,184 visit me in the emergency department or 716 00:24:46,805 --> 00:24:48,105 or some other treatment. 717 00:24:48,565 --> 00:24:49,859 And so I think it's that, 718 00:24:50,900 --> 00:24:51,720 that community 719 00:24:52,019 --> 00:24:53,859 that that we have at Penn State Health. 720 00:24:53,859 --> 00:24:56,339 I think it's that community that we grow 721 00:24:56,339 --> 00:24:58,339 that you're not taking people, you know, out 722 00:24:58,339 --> 00:25:01,059 of town or flying them great distances because 723 00:25:01,059 --> 00:25:02,839 that's the only place that has that specialty 724 00:25:03,299 --> 00:25:05,215 and really provide that care, not only at 725 00:25:05,215 --> 00:25:07,775 your home, but having, you know, home care 726 00:25:07,775 --> 00:25:09,615 done at the local facility. So I I 727 00:25:09,615 --> 00:25:11,375 think that's where, you know, we're getting back 728 00:25:11,375 --> 00:25:13,055 to basics again, and I I think that's 729 00:25:13,055 --> 00:25:14,674 where technology can get us. 730 00:25:16,095 --> 00:25:17,775 I love that. And and, you know, such 731 00:25:17,775 --> 00:25:20,429 a really amazing picture that you paint of 732 00:25:20,429 --> 00:25:21,809 health care as it's moving, 733 00:25:22,269 --> 00:25:24,589 in a direction, again, closer to patients, but 734 00:25:24,589 --> 00:25:27,390 supported by technology and all the different types 735 00:25:27,390 --> 00:25:29,869 of investments that health care organizations are able 736 00:25:29,869 --> 00:25:30,529 to make. 737 00:25:30,909 --> 00:25:33,150 I'm wondering before we wrap up here, with 738 00:25:33,150 --> 00:25:35,184 our last minute or two, what is the 739 00:25:35,184 --> 00:25:36,785 number one thing that you're doing right now 740 00:25:36,785 --> 00:25:38,465 to set Penn State Health up for long 741 00:25:38,465 --> 00:25:39,285 term success? 742 00:25:39,984 --> 00:25:42,404 Yeah. It's really the basics. And and and 743 00:25:42,785 --> 00:25:44,164 building that epic foundation, 744 00:25:44,705 --> 00:25:46,785 for Penn State Health over the next eighteen 745 00:25:46,785 --> 00:25:48,330 months is really our priority. 746 00:25:49,109 --> 00:25:50,890 You know, we'll build upon that platform. 747 00:25:51,269 --> 00:25:52,650 We'll gain upon that knowledge, 748 00:25:53,509 --> 00:25:54,009 and, 749 00:25:54,470 --> 00:25:56,170 you know, we'll be lucky enough to leapfrog 750 00:25:56,230 --> 00:25:58,070 a couple of different areas in regards to 751 00:25:58,070 --> 00:26:01,115 the deployment in and of itself. But then 752 00:26:01,115 --> 00:26:02,794 it's the add ons on top of there. 753 00:26:02,794 --> 00:26:04,734 It's the how do we leverage our students 754 00:26:04,794 --> 00:26:05,294 and 755 00:26:05,674 --> 00:26:08,315 and and, and college of medicine? How do 756 00:26:08,315 --> 00:26:09,534 we leverage our university? 757 00:26:09,994 --> 00:26:11,774 How do we leverage the amazing, 758 00:26:12,394 --> 00:26:14,970 you know, physicians who are innovated in in 759 00:26:14,970 --> 00:26:16,650 and of themselves and allow them to innovate 760 00:26:16,650 --> 00:26:18,410 and give them platforms to do so, whether 761 00:26:18,410 --> 00:26:18,910 it's 762 00:26:19,289 --> 00:26:21,789 generative AI or, you know, pixelization 763 00:26:22,170 --> 00:26:22,910 of of, 764 00:26:23,609 --> 00:26:24,109 pathology 765 00:26:24,410 --> 00:26:26,494 specimens or or what whatever it happens to 766 00:26:26,494 --> 00:26:28,735 be. You know, give them a platform to 767 00:26:28,735 --> 00:26:30,975 be able to build upon the our our 768 00:26:30,975 --> 00:26:31,715 new epic, 769 00:26:32,255 --> 00:26:32,755 transformative 770 00:26:33,055 --> 00:26:33,555 baseline, 771 00:26:34,494 --> 00:26:35,955 to be able to to 772 00:26:36,494 --> 00:26:36,994 engage, 773 00:26:37,855 --> 00:26:39,215 their patients in a way they haven't been 774 00:26:39,215 --> 00:26:40,595 able to engage them before. 775 00:26:41,295 --> 00:26:43,420 So I I, you know, it's it's really 776 00:26:43,420 --> 00:26:45,740 gonna be about rebuilding that foundation and then 777 00:26:45,740 --> 00:26:48,480 then leapfrogging on top of that new foundation. 778 00:26:49,900 --> 00:26:51,980 That's amazing to hear. Doctor Defletch, thank you 779 00:26:51,980 --> 00:26:53,900 so much for your time today. It's been 780 00:26:53,900 --> 00:26:55,820 a great conversation. I learned a lot, and 781 00:26:55,820 --> 00:26:57,340 I look forward to connecting with you again 782 00:26:57,340 --> 00:26:57,840 soon. 783 00:26:58,195 --> 00:27:00,115 Great. Thanks thanks for having me. And I 784 00:27:00,115 --> 00:27:01,015 I, you know, 785 00:27:01,394 --> 00:27:03,075 started off with this, and I just wanna 786 00:27:03,075 --> 00:27:03,815 thank everybody, 787 00:27:04,195 --> 00:27:05,715 you know, at Becker's, but but most of 788 00:27:05,715 --> 00:27:07,955 the people at Penn State who've, you know, 789 00:27:07,955 --> 00:27:09,955 allowed Penn State to be so successful over 790 00:27:09,955 --> 00:27:11,474 the years. And it's really, all the people 791 00:27:11,474 --> 00:27:13,234 that I work with and the the the 792 00:27:13,234 --> 00:27:14,769 patients that I get to take care of 793 00:27:14,769 --> 00:27:16,170 and that we get to take care of 794 00:27:16,170 --> 00:27:18,410 at Penn State that allows us to to 795 00:27:18,410 --> 00:27:20,809 be so successful. And, man, I look forward 796 00:27:20,809 --> 00:27:22,970 to, just doing some great things over the 797 00:27:22,970 --> 00:27:23,950 next couple of years.