1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,480 This is Laura Dierda with the Becker's Healthcare 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:04,639 Podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by 3 00:00:04,639 --> 00:00:07,359 John Henderson, vice president and chief information and 4 00:00:07,359 --> 00:00:09,759 digital officer for Rady Children's Health. John, it's 5 00:00:09,759 --> 00:00:11,199 a pleasure to have you on the podcast 6 00:00:11,199 --> 00:00:11,699 today. 7 00:00:13,125 --> 00:00:14,425 Great to be with you, Laura. 8 00:00:15,285 --> 00:00:17,285 Absolutely. Well, I'm excited to learn more about 9 00:00:17,285 --> 00:00:18,725 some of the cool things you're doing at 10 00:00:18,725 --> 00:00:21,224 Rady Children's, and, certainly, it's such a fascinating 11 00:00:21,364 --> 00:00:23,125 time in health care right now, especially with 12 00:00:23,125 --> 00:00:25,625 technology changing as quickly as it has. But 13 00:00:25,809 --> 00:00:27,489 before we dive into that, I'm wondering if 14 00:00:27,489 --> 00:00:28,689 you could just tell us a little bit 15 00:00:28,689 --> 00:00:30,689 more about Rady Children's Health and what makes 16 00:00:30,689 --> 00:00:31,269 it unique. 17 00:00:33,009 --> 00:00:34,210 Sure. Sure. So, 18 00:00:35,009 --> 00:00:36,229 I'll start with 19 00:00:36,609 --> 00:00:38,070 Rady Children's Health, 20 00:00:39,090 --> 00:00:39,989 is the 21 00:00:40,524 --> 00:00:42,065 the new parent organization, 22 00:00:43,085 --> 00:00:44,145 that brought together, 23 00:00:44,925 --> 00:00:47,565 Children's Hospital of Orange County and Rady Children's 24 00:00:47,565 --> 00:00:49,024 Hospital in San Diego. 25 00:00:49,484 --> 00:00:50,945 We merged, January 26 00:00:51,325 --> 00:00:52,145 of this year 27 00:00:53,260 --> 00:00:54,640 and brought these two organizations, 28 00:00:55,179 --> 00:00:57,200 together who have a, 29 00:00:57,659 --> 00:00:58,719 incredible mission 30 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:00,159 to serve pediatric, 31 00:01:00,700 --> 00:01:01,920 patients, throughout, 32 00:01:02,300 --> 00:01:04,159 Orange County and San Diego County. 33 00:01:04,780 --> 00:01:05,599 And so 34 00:01:06,944 --> 00:01:07,924 as part of that, 35 00:01:09,024 --> 00:01:11,825 you know, our organization now is 800 plus 36 00:01:11,825 --> 00:01:12,325 beds, 37 00:01:14,144 --> 00:01:15,125 80 specialty 38 00:01:15,825 --> 00:01:16,325 clinics, 39 00:01:16,784 --> 00:01:17,284 and 40 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:19,829 over 11,000 employees and 1,700 41 00:01:19,990 --> 00:01:21,370 physicians. So really creating, 42 00:01:21,829 --> 00:01:23,909 a a really one of the largest pediatric 43 00:01:23,909 --> 00:01:25,209 health systems in the country. 44 00:01:25,909 --> 00:01:27,370 And, you know, that focus, 45 00:01:29,030 --> 00:01:30,329 on the pediatric population 46 00:01:31,109 --> 00:01:32,329 in Southern California 47 00:01:33,305 --> 00:01:35,564 with the level of specialty that we provide, 48 00:01:35,944 --> 00:01:38,025 I think is what really makes us, unique. 49 00:01:38,025 --> 00:01:39,884 We're focused on not only 50 00:01:40,584 --> 00:01:43,465 our our the individual regions, but really trying 51 00:01:43,465 --> 00:01:43,965 to, 52 00:01:44,825 --> 00:01:47,930 deliver better population health and be able to 53 00:01:47,930 --> 00:01:50,510 deliver the best pediatric care, 54 00:01:52,170 --> 00:01:53,630 to serve our patient population. 55 00:01:55,930 --> 00:01:57,849 That's amazing to hear. And, you know, what 56 00:01:57,849 --> 00:02:00,109 a a huge transition in bringing together, 57 00:02:00,569 --> 00:02:02,590 both Brady Children's and and CHOG. 58 00:02:03,344 --> 00:02:06,224 I know whenever you bring two organizations together, 59 00:02:06,224 --> 00:02:08,145 there's a lot to figure out and troubleshoot 60 00:02:08,145 --> 00:02:10,004 in terms of the technology and, 61 00:02:10,544 --> 00:02:12,944 IT integrations and those kinds of things. So 62 00:02:12,944 --> 00:02:14,164 how's that been going? 63 00:02:16,009 --> 00:02:18,090 You know, it it's going well. You know, 64 00:02:18,090 --> 00:02:19,469 we started preplanning 65 00:02:19,770 --> 00:02:21,389 in 2024, 66 00:02:21,610 --> 00:02:23,389 and there was a lot we couldn't do, 67 00:02:23,930 --> 00:02:26,590 with the regulations around how mergers come together. 68 00:02:26,810 --> 00:02:28,875 So you couldn't really get into any any 69 00:02:29,115 --> 00:02:31,275 detail specific conversation, so you had to keep 70 00:02:31,275 --> 00:02:32,574 it at a very high level. 71 00:02:33,435 --> 00:02:35,055 But once the merger was 72 00:02:35,354 --> 00:02:35,854 approved 73 00:02:36,155 --> 00:02:36,655 and 74 00:02:37,275 --> 00:02:40,335 solidified in in January, we really launched into 75 00:02:40,634 --> 00:02:41,294 the details. 76 00:02:41,990 --> 00:02:43,990 So so far, it's going really well. We're 77 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:44,969 focused on, 78 00:02:45,750 --> 00:02:47,990 I'll say, for the next twelve months, probably 79 00:02:47,990 --> 00:02:51,129 three really large activities in the technology space. 80 00:02:51,990 --> 00:02:55,210 One is related to getting to single ERP 81 00:02:55,854 --> 00:02:58,115 platform. We both are on different platforms, 82 00:02:58,974 --> 00:03:01,055 in San Diego and Orange County, so getting 83 00:03:01,055 --> 00:03:03,854 to single platform is a critical activity for 84 00:03:03,854 --> 00:03:04,354 us. 85 00:03:04,735 --> 00:03:06,115 We'll also have to 86 00:03:06,495 --> 00:03:08,495 figure out our EHR plan, getting to a 87 00:03:08,495 --> 00:03:09,474 single EHR. 88 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:11,580 Oracle Health in Orange 89 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:14,699 County, EPIC in San Diego, 90 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:16,520 and the goal is to get the single 91 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,280 platform. So we have an, we have an 92 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:19,960 approach in the process to get to that 93 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:20,460 decision. 94 00:03:21,159 --> 00:03:23,580 And then the third piece is 95 00:03:24,735 --> 00:03:26,115 getting to single identity, 96 00:03:27,375 --> 00:03:29,955 unifying our Microsoft three sixty five environment. 97 00:03:30,814 --> 00:03:32,915 And so that is a really, 98 00:03:33,455 --> 00:03:35,794 really big activity for us. And, 99 00:03:36,349 --> 00:03:37,710 typically, you look at that and say, oh, 100 00:03:37,710 --> 00:03:40,290 well, you just gonna merge the mailboxes. 101 00:03:40,990 --> 00:03:41,490 Well, 102 00:03:41,870 --> 00:03:43,949 what we're actually doing is standing up a 103 00:03:43,949 --> 00:03:44,930 brand new tenant, 104 00:03:45,710 --> 00:03:47,330 creating a new active directory 105 00:03:48,110 --> 00:03:50,830 infrastructure, which helps us get to a single 106 00:03:50,830 --> 00:03:51,969 identity platform. 107 00:03:52,655 --> 00:03:54,675 And the reason we're doing that 108 00:03:55,215 --> 00:03:55,715 is 109 00:03:56,415 --> 00:03:57,155 when you 110 00:03:58,335 --> 00:04:00,814 and been doing this for a really long 111 00:04:00,814 --> 00:04:01,314 time, 112 00:04:01,854 --> 00:04:04,415 active directors, it really drives everything in the 113 00:04:04,415 --> 00:04:07,230 organization, your user ID, how you gain access 114 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:08,370 to different systems. 115 00:04:09,150 --> 00:04:10,449 And over time, 116 00:04:11,069 --> 00:04:13,409 you create what I would call this 117 00:04:13,790 --> 00:04:15,250 maze of structures. 118 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:17,170 And you it's really 119 00:04:17,870 --> 00:04:20,855 untenable to unwind it. And so we wanted 120 00:04:20,855 --> 00:04:23,115 to take the opportunity to really create 121 00:04:24,375 --> 00:04:26,394 a structure that really represents 122 00:04:27,574 --> 00:04:30,535 the combined organization, but also simplified it in 123 00:04:30,535 --> 00:04:32,855 a way that allows us to really be 124 00:04:32,855 --> 00:04:33,595 more effective 125 00:04:34,129 --> 00:04:36,689 and put in leading practice there. And so 126 00:04:36,689 --> 00:04:38,529 that's gonna really take us the rest of 127 00:04:38,529 --> 00:04:40,289 the year, maybe a little bit beyond, to 128 00:04:40,289 --> 00:04:41,990 get all of those things in place, 129 00:04:42,689 --> 00:04:45,089 which then allows the organization to really come 130 00:04:45,089 --> 00:04:46,789 together and begin to collaborate, 131 00:04:47,089 --> 00:04:47,909 same tools, 132 00:04:48,584 --> 00:04:49,245 same identity, 133 00:04:49,545 --> 00:04:50,444 same network. 134 00:04:50,824 --> 00:04:53,225 So those are really the big activities. And 135 00:04:53,225 --> 00:04:54,605 so far, they're going well. 136 00:04:55,064 --> 00:04:56,824 And we're getting ready to launch the actual 137 00:04:56,824 --> 00:04:59,225 implementation of that and get that project, 138 00:04:59,545 --> 00:05:00,925 moving in the next week. 139 00:05:01,384 --> 00:05:02,045 But, overall, 140 00:05:02,824 --> 00:05:03,884 lots to do. 141 00:05:04,509 --> 00:05:06,669 And those are just three of the the 142 00:05:06,669 --> 00:05:08,449 things we're focused on right now. 143 00:05:09,949 --> 00:05:11,629 That's amazing to hear, and thank you so 144 00:05:11,629 --> 00:05:13,469 much for for going through that. I think, 145 00:05:13,469 --> 00:05:14,990 you know, as you mentioned, there's so many 146 00:05:14,990 --> 00:05:17,894 different growth opportunities in spaces, 147 00:05:18,354 --> 00:05:20,115 you know, to to really bring the whole 148 00:05:20,115 --> 00:05:21,334 organization together, 149 00:05:22,115 --> 00:05:25,254 from a tactical perspective and and certainly then, 150 00:05:25,875 --> 00:05:28,754 integrating those IT systems. I know it'll then 151 00:05:28,754 --> 00:05:31,569 make everything much more efficient and connected once 152 00:05:31,569 --> 00:05:32,949 you're able to get that done. 153 00:05:33,569 --> 00:05:36,129 And, you know, I'm curious. Obviously, the technology 154 00:05:36,129 --> 00:05:37,189 is one thing, but, 155 00:05:38,209 --> 00:05:40,449 bridging the the people and the teams and, 156 00:05:40,689 --> 00:05:42,789 just the organizational culture is another. 157 00:05:43,475 --> 00:05:45,475 What have you seen or or noticed in 158 00:05:45,475 --> 00:05:46,935 trying to bring together, 159 00:05:47,555 --> 00:05:50,535 two different organizations with different cultures and different 160 00:05:50,915 --> 00:05:53,415 teams under kind of the the same umbrella? 161 00:05:53,795 --> 00:05:56,129 How receptive, I guess, is not only the 162 00:05:56,129 --> 00:05:56,629 IT 163 00:05:57,089 --> 00:05:59,329 team and leadership, but then just the whole 164 00:05:59,329 --> 00:06:01,350 organization as you're going through this change? 165 00:06:03,089 --> 00:06:05,169 Right. Right. So, you know, I'd say that 166 00:06:05,169 --> 00:06:06,789 the teams are really receptive. 167 00:06:07,649 --> 00:06:09,250 There's obviously you know, when you go through 168 00:06:09,250 --> 00:06:09,910 a merger, 169 00:06:10,675 --> 00:06:12,355 and not a lot of not a lot 170 00:06:12,355 --> 00:06:14,694 of people have gone through this process before. 171 00:06:14,835 --> 00:06:16,514 But when you go through it, there's there's 172 00:06:16,514 --> 00:06:18,435 typical anxiety that teams are gonna have. What 173 00:06:18,435 --> 00:06:20,055 is it what it's gonna look like? 174 00:06:20,754 --> 00:06:21,495 Are we 175 00:06:22,115 --> 00:06:23,814 are we just merging teams? 176 00:06:25,069 --> 00:06:26,449 Our role is going to change. 177 00:06:26,750 --> 00:06:28,990 And so what what our approach with this 178 00:06:28,990 --> 00:06:30,050 has been is 179 00:06:30,509 --> 00:06:33,649 we we really have to run these two 180 00:06:34,029 --> 00:06:36,764 different teams really in parallel for for a 181 00:06:36,764 --> 00:06:39,404 bit before we really begin to integrate them 182 00:06:39,404 --> 00:06:42,444 and merge the teams. And so our approach 183 00:06:42,444 --> 00:06:43,504 with that has been 184 00:06:44,524 --> 00:06:46,144 let's let's be very deliberate. 185 00:06:46,444 --> 00:06:48,464 As we stand up different teams 186 00:06:48,980 --> 00:06:51,000 related to the merge integration activities, 187 00:06:51,459 --> 00:06:53,620 then we begin to bring the leaders together 188 00:06:53,620 --> 00:06:54,839 and the teams together, 189 00:06:55,459 --> 00:06:57,300 so that then you can begin to get 190 00:06:57,300 --> 00:06:58,519 get to know one another, 191 00:06:59,139 --> 00:07:00,279 and begin to 192 00:07:01,685 --> 00:07:03,944 really rally around a a common purpose. 193 00:07:04,644 --> 00:07:05,384 And so 194 00:07:05,845 --> 00:07:07,925 what I've seen so far is the leadership 195 00:07:07,925 --> 00:07:10,644 team is real both leadership teams have been 196 00:07:10,644 --> 00:07:11,144 great, 197 00:07:11,444 --> 00:07:13,785 as we've been going through these planning activities, 198 00:07:14,459 --> 00:07:17,420 understanding the different technologies that both organizations have 199 00:07:17,420 --> 00:07:19,360 have and how do we get to, 200 00:07:19,980 --> 00:07:20,879 common platforms. 201 00:07:21,660 --> 00:07:22,399 The collaboration 202 00:07:22,699 --> 00:07:24,160 has been has been 203 00:07:25,100 --> 00:07:27,920 from from my perspective, it's gone really well. 204 00:07:28,894 --> 00:07:29,555 You know, I 205 00:07:30,175 --> 00:07:32,654 think the broader organizations I've, you know, getting 206 00:07:32,654 --> 00:07:34,654 to to know the the the leadership team 207 00:07:34,654 --> 00:07:36,115 in the San Diego region, 208 00:07:36,495 --> 00:07:39,375 which, I wasn't as familiar with. It's been 209 00:07:39,375 --> 00:07:41,214 great getting to know them. They're helping me 210 00:07:41,214 --> 00:07:41,714 understand 211 00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:43,474 what they're looking for, 212 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,759 in a technology partner, what things they wanna 213 00:07:46,759 --> 00:07:48,779 see us do, maybe differently. 214 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:52,220 And so that's all culminating in, 215 00:07:53,319 --> 00:07:55,259 we as a as an IT organization, 216 00:07:56,279 --> 00:07:58,779 how we come together and really establish 217 00:07:59,694 --> 00:08:01,455 what our new identity is going to be 218 00:08:01,455 --> 00:08:02,754 as a combined organization. 219 00:08:03,295 --> 00:08:05,615 I had a retreat recently with my direct 220 00:08:05,615 --> 00:08:07,935 reports, and that was the key focus, really 221 00:08:07,935 --> 00:08:08,754 talking about 222 00:08:09,214 --> 00:08:11,714 what's our new identity as a technology organization 223 00:08:11,774 --> 00:08:12,975 going to be, how do we want to 224 00:08:12,975 --> 00:08:13,634 be known, 225 00:08:14,099 --> 00:08:15,079 in this new, 226 00:08:15,459 --> 00:08:16,360 merged organization, 227 00:08:17,219 --> 00:08:20,039 that that that we're now find ourselves in? 228 00:08:20,099 --> 00:08:22,199 And so we kinda landed on 229 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:24,519 on on partnership, 230 00:08:25,539 --> 00:08:27,479 value, and service excellence. 231 00:08:27,939 --> 00:08:29,639 It's it's kinda that that identity. 232 00:08:29,995 --> 00:08:32,714 And so now we're working through that process 233 00:08:32,714 --> 00:08:34,315 with the rest of the leadership team and 234 00:08:34,315 --> 00:08:35,134 the rest of, 235 00:08:35,514 --> 00:08:36,495 the IT organization. 236 00:08:37,034 --> 00:08:40,174 We'll solidify that, finalize it, and then 237 00:08:41,115 --> 00:08:43,970 then we start to build the underlying processes 238 00:08:43,970 --> 00:08:45,250 around that. How do we what do we 239 00:08:45,250 --> 00:08:47,509 have to do differently to make sure that 240 00:08:47,809 --> 00:08:48,870 when our organization 241 00:08:49,250 --> 00:08:52,129 experiences us, that's what they walk away feeling 242 00:08:52,129 --> 00:08:54,929 feeling like. Part they've had a partner, we've 243 00:08:54,929 --> 00:08:57,429 delivered value, and we've delivered excellence. 244 00:08:59,735 --> 00:09:01,815 I love that. I I think it, really 245 00:09:01,815 --> 00:09:04,134 speaks to the care it it takes in 246 00:09:04,134 --> 00:09:06,934 order to make these transitions and, certainly, bringing 247 00:09:06,934 --> 00:09:09,254 everyone together, being able to have that retreat, 248 00:09:09,254 --> 00:09:10,235 have that time, 249 00:09:10,740 --> 00:09:13,379 to establish that relationship, and then the identity, 250 00:09:13,379 --> 00:09:15,540 as you mentioned, developing that and working on 251 00:09:15,540 --> 00:09:16,040 it, 252 00:09:16,740 --> 00:09:17,240 which 253 00:09:17,540 --> 00:09:19,559 then follows throughout the entire organization. 254 00:09:20,019 --> 00:09:21,379 It seems to be a really smart way 255 00:09:21,379 --> 00:09:23,245 to go about these things. And so I 256 00:09:23,245 --> 00:09:25,904 appreciate the extra insight into how you're, 257 00:09:26,285 --> 00:09:28,764 managing the technology as well as the teams 258 00:09:28,764 --> 00:09:29,904 and and people aspect 259 00:09:30,285 --> 00:09:32,144 of bringing two organizations together. 260 00:09:32,524 --> 00:09:33,825 Now I'm curious, 261 00:09:34,205 --> 00:09:35,965 when you are looking ahead, a lot of 262 00:09:35,965 --> 00:09:38,144 opportunity, but I know there are also 263 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:39,539 plenty of challenges, 264 00:09:40,159 --> 00:09:42,480 headed in for the health care space. And 265 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:43,519 so what do you really, 266 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:45,839 you know, are you anticipating? What's top of 267 00:09:45,839 --> 00:09:47,199 mind for you when you look into the 268 00:09:47,199 --> 00:09:47,679 future, 269 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,000 and you'll start to think about what you 270 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,379 might need to prepare for, 271 00:09:51,759 --> 00:09:53,379 in terms of challenges or headwinds? 272 00:09:55,174 --> 00:09:57,995 Sure. Sure. You know, there's so much uncertainty, 273 00:09:58,774 --> 00:10:00,475 just in the external environment. 274 00:10:01,735 --> 00:10:04,294 With new administration coming in, you know, we're 275 00:10:04,294 --> 00:10:06,475 we're having to really understand the impacts, 276 00:10:06,779 --> 00:10:08,799 that may come our way from, 277 00:10:09,179 --> 00:10:11,980 from a CMS perspective. And so we have 278 00:10:11,980 --> 00:10:14,559 to kind of account for what may happen, 279 00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:17,440 and really really be in a position to, 280 00:10:17,899 --> 00:10:20,539 adjust and pivot. So, you know, with that 281 00:10:20,539 --> 00:10:21,440 being said, 282 00:10:21,980 --> 00:10:23,524 you you know, I think the the other 283 00:10:23,524 --> 00:10:26,504 challenges we we're we're we're we're looking at 284 00:10:27,044 --> 00:10:29,065 is really how do we balance, 285 00:10:30,884 --> 00:10:33,284 very large merger integration activities that we have 286 00:10:33,284 --> 00:10:34,884 in front of us, things we must do 287 00:10:34,884 --> 00:10:36,424 to bring the organization together. 288 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:38,120 We also have, 289 00:10:38,680 --> 00:10:40,620 a couple of large facility expansions. 290 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,580 So in Orange County, we have a new 291 00:10:44,279 --> 00:10:47,080 specialty clinic tower that's coming online in June 292 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,580 of this year. And in San Diego, 293 00:10:50,644 --> 00:10:51,464 our inpatient, 294 00:10:52,564 --> 00:10:53,064 facility, 295 00:10:54,084 --> 00:10:54,824 is getting 296 00:10:55,284 --> 00:10:56,504 a brand new building. 297 00:10:56,884 --> 00:10:58,664 And that's several years out, 298 00:10:59,444 --> 00:10:59,944 but 299 00:11:00,245 --> 00:11:02,324 when you when you're planning and putting up 300 00:11:02,324 --> 00:11:03,144 a new facility, 301 00:11:03,690 --> 00:11:05,769 there is so much that goes into it. 302 00:11:06,009 --> 00:11:08,169 So we have those activities. And then, of 303 00:11:08,169 --> 00:11:10,090 course, you still have to continue to run 304 00:11:10,090 --> 00:11:11,149 day to day operations, 305 00:11:12,490 --> 00:11:13,629 for the health systems. 306 00:11:14,090 --> 00:11:15,950 So finding the right balance, 307 00:11:16,804 --> 00:11:18,245 is, I think, one of the things one 308 00:11:18,245 --> 00:11:20,004 of the challenges that we that we're faced 309 00:11:20,004 --> 00:11:22,424 with. And so what we're really looking at 310 00:11:22,725 --> 00:11:23,225 is, 311 00:11:23,764 --> 00:11:25,225 from a governance perspective, 312 00:11:25,684 --> 00:11:27,445 how do we find the right balance of 313 00:11:27,445 --> 00:11:30,120 what's most critical for us to to focus 314 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,840 on from a daily operations perspective, one of 315 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,160 the most critical initiatives that's aligned to our 316 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:36,220 strategic priorities 317 00:11:36,680 --> 00:11:39,100 so we can really hone in there. 318 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:39,980 And 319 00:11:41,399 --> 00:11:42,620 I'll use the phrase, 320 00:11:43,399 --> 00:11:44,940 and block out 321 00:11:46,735 --> 00:11:47,955 some of those activities 322 00:11:48,335 --> 00:11:50,434 that we would normally just take on 323 00:11:50,894 --> 00:11:52,115 if we didn't have 324 00:11:52,894 --> 00:11:55,054 the new the large expansion as well as 325 00:11:55,054 --> 00:11:57,534 the merge integration activities. We're gonna have to 326 00:11:57,534 --> 00:11:59,235 make some decisions to 327 00:11:59,740 --> 00:12:01,899 defer some of those things, and so really 328 00:12:01,899 --> 00:12:04,639 finding that right balance, making sure our governance 329 00:12:04,860 --> 00:12:05,840 for both organizations 330 00:12:06,220 --> 00:12:08,139 are are are really effective in in that 331 00:12:08,139 --> 00:12:08,639 lens. 332 00:12:09,340 --> 00:12:11,660 I think some of the, other challenges we're 333 00:12:11,660 --> 00:12:12,399 going to face 334 00:12:13,500 --> 00:12:14,960 is things that 335 00:12:16,115 --> 00:12:17,875 I think everyone is really dealing with. You 336 00:12:17,875 --> 00:12:20,934 know, the cybersecurity landscape is continuing to evolve. 337 00:12:21,475 --> 00:12:24,215 The threats are just all over the place. 338 00:12:24,274 --> 00:12:26,375 And so really stay in vigilant particularly 339 00:12:26,995 --> 00:12:29,735 as an organization that's emerging. You're bringing together 340 00:12:30,179 --> 00:12:31,779 technologies and trying to get to these common 341 00:12:31,779 --> 00:12:33,720 platforms, we have to really stay 342 00:12:35,379 --> 00:12:37,159 vigilant to make sure that 343 00:12:37,539 --> 00:12:39,159 we're not leaving any gaps 344 00:12:39,779 --> 00:12:42,100 as we as we make these transitions. And 345 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:43,700 then I think the last thing from a 346 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:44,600 challenge perspective 347 00:12:45,345 --> 00:12:48,004 is just the technology overall is changing. 348 00:12:48,704 --> 00:12:50,404 Everyone is wanting 349 00:12:51,105 --> 00:12:53,524 to take advantage of AI and JNI capabilities, 350 00:12:54,144 --> 00:12:55,284 but it's still early 351 00:12:56,384 --> 00:12:57,985 in its in its in its evolution and 352 00:12:57,985 --> 00:13:00,884 maturity. And so really making sure we don't 353 00:13:01,860 --> 00:13:02,680 jump into 354 00:13:03,540 --> 00:13:06,100 something that we're really not ready for. And 355 00:13:06,100 --> 00:13:07,940 just because it's it's new and it's in 356 00:13:07,940 --> 00:13:10,019 the media and it's being talked about, and 357 00:13:10,019 --> 00:13:11,460 it's kind of one of those shiny objects, 358 00:13:11,460 --> 00:13:13,700 we wanna really avoid that and be really 359 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:14,680 use case driven. 360 00:13:17,144 --> 00:13:19,084 That makes a lot of sense. And, certainly, 361 00:13:19,704 --> 00:13:22,264 especially all those factors you talked about from 362 00:13:22,264 --> 00:13:24,444 some of the economic challenges to so much 363 00:13:24,664 --> 00:13:27,464 uncertainty on the policy and and political front 364 00:13:27,464 --> 00:13:28,024 as well. 365 00:13:28,504 --> 00:13:30,424 Just a lot to think about and prepare 366 00:13:30,424 --> 00:13:30,924 for. 367 00:13:32,029 --> 00:13:35,309 And then with technology evolution, I mean, generative 368 00:13:35,309 --> 00:13:37,709 AI, I know even two or three years 369 00:13:37,709 --> 00:13:40,110 ago was not something on the radar of 370 00:13:40,110 --> 00:13:42,350 multiple system executives. And so to see how 371 00:13:42,350 --> 00:13:43,965 fast things have changed and then, 372 00:13:44,925 --> 00:13:47,245 understand what that the actual value is for 373 00:13:47,245 --> 00:13:49,245 a health system. It takes a very disciplined 374 00:13:49,245 --> 00:13:50,465 leader, it seems like. 375 00:13:52,285 --> 00:13:54,785 Yep. No. Absolutely. Absolutely. It it's 376 00:13:55,245 --> 00:13:58,065 it's one of the it's really exciting times, 377 00:13:58,519 --> 00:14:00,600 but you wanna make sure you don't get 378 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:01,820 caught up in the hype, 379 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,440 and really focus on on on value that's 380 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:07,159 gonna really solve some real real challenges and 381 00:14:07,159 --> 00:14:08,779 real problems in your health system. 382 00:14:10,279 --> 00:14:11,500 Absolutely. Well, 383 00:14:12,445 --> 00:14:14,605 in looking at, you know, all of those 384 00:14:14,605 --> 00:14:16,065 challenges as well as opportunities, 385 00:14:16,684 --> 00:14:18,764 if you're focusing in, what is it would 386 00:14:18,764 --> 00:14:20,284 you say is the number one thing you're 387 00:14:20,284 --> 00:14:22,784 doing right now to set up the organization 388 00:14:22,924 --> 00:14:24,144 for long term success? 389 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:27,180 So 390 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:31,720 ironically enough, it's tied to merger activity. So 391 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:33,980 it's it's really setting our 392 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:34,860 foundation 393 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,379 our technology foundation in place. 394 00:14:39,625 --> 00:14:42,045 Between the two organizations, it's really landing on 395 00:14:42,264 --> 00:14:43,004 the best 396 00:14:44,184 --> 00:14:45,404 technology infrastructure, 397 00:14:46,105 --> 00:14:48,105 that's gonna really set us up for for 398 00:14:48,105 --> 00:14:50,425 future success. And I think the other key 399 00:14:50,425 --> 00:14:51,965 thing is creating, 400 00:14:52,985 --> 00:14:55,639 we're in the midst of building out, an 401 00:14:55,799 --> 00:14:57,100 our new data platform. 402 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,339 And it's really designed 403 00:14:59,879 --> 00:15:01,419 to for for 404 00:15:01,799 --> 00:15:02,860 three main purposes. 405 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,519 From a research data science perspective, we wanna 406 00:15:06,519 --> 00:15:07,820 make sure we can serve 407 00:15:08,134 --> 00:15:09,195 that part of our organization 408 00:15:09,575 --> 00:15:10,714 effectively and efficiently. 409 00:15:11,815 --> 00:15:15,254 From a traditional insights, you have to provide 410 00:15:15,254 --> 00:15:17,335 insights to the organization so you understand how 411 00:15:17,335 --> 00:15:19,115 you're performing, you understand, 412 00:15:19,975 --> 00:15:20,475 forecasting, 413 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:23,500 and really be able to provide information that's 414 00:15:23,500 --> 00:15:24,639 relevant and timely 415 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:26,240 for day to day operations. 416 00:15:27,019 --> 00:15:29,259 And then the third part has to do 417 00:15:29,259 --> 00:15:31,659 with how do we serve the data scientists 418 00:15:31,659 --> 00:15:34,460 that are building models, predictive models, and integrating 419 00:15:34,460 --> 00:15:36,504 them into the point of care. We have 420 00:15:36,504 --> 00:15:38,904 to have an infrastructure that's gonna allow for 421 00:15:38,904 --> 00:15:41,404 that to be effective and efficient. 422 00:15:42,424 --> 00:15:44,845 And so that's being built right now, 423 00:15:45,625 --> 00:15:47,865 and that's really what's really setting us up 424 00:15:47,865 --> 00:15:48,764 for the future. 425 00:15:49,429 --> 00:15:51,929 We earlier talked about AI and GenAI. 426 00:15:52,629 --> 00:15:53,129 We 427 00:15:53,509 --> 00:15:55,990 put together our own private instance. We're starting 428 00:15:55,990 --> 00:15:59,209 to build products against against, this new infrastructure 429 00:15:59,829 --> 00:16:02,089 and data platform that we're putting together. 430 00:16:02,585 --> 00:16:04,585 And the only way you can really set 431 00:16:04,585 --> 00:16:06,524 yourself up to be successful, 432 00:16:07,705 --> 00:16:09,625 you have to have the right data platform. 433 00:16:09,625 --> 00:16:10,524 You have to 434 00:16:11,384 --> 00:16:12,285 have the right 435 00:16:13,544 --> 00:16:16,409 data infrastructure to really serve and support it 436 00:16:16,730 --> 00:16:18,589 because you can't really build 437 00:16:19,449 --> 00:16:21,929 good AI products if you don't have a 438 00:16:21,929 --> 00:16:25,370 good data pipe pipeline and platform because everything 439 00:16:25,370 --> 00:16:27,549 starts with having the the right datasets 440 00:16:28,009 --> 00:16:30,009 and the right platform that allows you to 441 00:16:30,009 --> 00:16:31,149 access that information. 442 00:16:31,815 --> 00:16:32,315 Otherwise, 443 00:16:32,774 --> 00:16:35,514 you can't really build the successful models. 444 00:16:36,215 --> 00:16:38,054 So that's for us, that's really the the 445 00:16:38,054 --> 00:16:40,535 most important thing is setting that up so 446 00:16:40,535 --> 00:16:42,774 that we're in a position to just build 447 00:16:42,774 --> 00:16:44,535 products that's going to allow us to work 448 00:16:44,535 --> 00:16:47,250 differently in the future, not only from a 449 00:16:47,330 --> 00:16:49,190 from an from an administrative perspective, 450 00:16:49,649 --> 00:16:51,730 but also how do we leverage that to 451 00:16:51,730 --> 00:16:52,950 help serve and complement, 452 00:16:53,570 --> 00:16:54,710 the clinical experience. 453 00:16:57,009 --> 00:16:59,090 That's amazing to hear. And, you know, I 454 00:16:59,090 --> 00:17:01,784 am impressed to understand that you kind of 455 00:17:01,784 --> 00:17:03,164 like that private instance 456 00:17:03,625 --> 00:17:05,464 of, generally, the AI you've been putting together 457 00:17:05,464 --> 00:17:07,704 the products that you're working on. Obviously, the 458 00:17:07,704 --> 00:17:10,125 infrastructure data platforms are so important. 459 00:17:10,984 --> 00:17:13,230 Have you built, like, a a data science 460 00:17:13,230 --> 00:17:15,789 or technology team that's really, leading that up, 461 00:17:15,789 --> 00:17:17,569 or has it been kind of an evolution 462 00:17:17,630 --> 00:17:18,289 of the, 463 00:17:18,990 --> 00:17:20,429 team members you already had, 464 00:17:20,750 --> 00:17:21,410 in place 465 00:17:21,869 --> 00:17:22,369 at, 466 00:17:22,910 --> 00:17:24,670 Brady Children's and in, you know, 467 00:17:25,309 --> 00:17:28,289 really kind of training and leveraging their expertise? 468 00:17:29,845 --> 00:17:31,784 So it's a little bit of both. So 469 00:17:32,404 --> 00:17:34,105 leveraging the existing team, 470 00:17:34,804 --> 00:17:35,304 and 471 00:17:36,005 --> 00:17:36,744 and also, 472 00:17:37,684 --> 00:17:38,804 bringing on new, 473 00:17:39,125 --> 00:17:39,944 data engineers 474 00:17:40,325 --> 00:17:42,880 with that specific purpose. And and there's also 475 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,119 there's also some partners that that we that 476 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:46,500 we're leveraging as well. 477 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:47,539 And so, 478 00:17:49,279 --> 00:17:51,460 brought in a new leader over data analytics 479 00:17:51,599 --> 00:17:53,059 about 16 ago, 480 00:17:53,519 --> 00:17:55,140 came in from the gaming industry, 481 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:56,660 and 482 00:17:57,535 --> 00:17:58,434 it has been incredible, 483 00:17:59,295 --> 00:18:02,115 leading this effort, and it's really an integrated 484 00:18:02,174 --> 00:18:03,954 effort. So I I referenced our 485 00:18:04,654 --> 00:18:06,595 research, data science group, 486 00:18:07,055 --> 00:18:09,875 our our hospital data science team. 487 00:18:10,894 --> 00:18:12,835 These teams report into different, 488 00:18:14,230 --> 00:18:15,529 leaders in our organization. 489 00:18:15,990 --> 00:18:18,009 But our leader over analytics 490 00:18:18,390 --> 00:18:21,109 and and data integration, she's really bringing those 491 00:18:21,109 --> 00:18:21,929 teams together 492 00:18:22,710 --> 00:18:23,450 to really 493 00:18:23,990 --> 00:18:26,150 architect that platform and making sure it's gonna 494 00:18:26,150 --> 00:18:27,075 serve those needs. 495 00:18:27,875 --> 00:18:29,494 And and if we build those products, 496 00:18:30,115 --> 00:18:32,355 it's not it's not a one versus the 497 00:18:32,355 --> 00:18:34,434 other team that's going to do that. We 498 00:18:34,434 --> 00:18:36,534 really are are building this together 499 00:18:37,154 --> 00:18:37,654 and 500 00:18:38,194 --> 00:18:39,095 working working 501 00:18:39,450 --> 00:18:41,950 in a way that is truly, truly matrix 502 00:18:42,009 --> 00:18:44,669 and and partner. So, for for us, 503 00:18:45,450 --> 00:18:46,429 we're not trying 504 00:18:47,289 --> 00:18:49,289 to control all the delivery and all the 505 00:18:49,289 --> 00:18:51,529 build. We wanna make sure the the right 506 00:18:51,529 --> 00:18:53,309 teams have the right capabilities 507 00:18:54,065 --> 00:18:55,505 to to build the products that's gonna be 508 00:18:55,505 --> 00:18:56,244 most effective. 509 00:18:57,744 --> 00:18:59,505 And that's amazing to hear. Thank you for 510 00:18:59,505 --> 00:19:01,825 double clicking on that. Now before we wrap 511 00:19:01,825 --> 00:19:03,204 up, I I was just curious. 512 00:19:04,304 --> 00:19:06,065 Could you tell us about an accomplishment you're 513 00:19:06,065 --> 00:19:07,845 most proud of from the last year? 514 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:10,980 Oh, wow. 515 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,839 So what I'm going to say, it's not 516 00:19:15,839 --> 00:19:17,059 going to be a technology 517 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:18,500 driven activity. 518 00:19:19,759 --> 00:19:20,660 I'm I'm 519 00:19:21,039 --> 00:19:23,059 gonna bring it back to to the merger. 520 00:19:23,914 --> 00:19:25,294 So in 2024, 521 00:19:26,875 --> 00:19:28,174 I think I mentioned earlier, 522 00:19:28,875 --> 00:19:30,315 you really couldn't get into a lot of 523 00:19:30,315 --> 00:19:31,934 detail. There was a lot of restrictions, 524 00:19:32,474 --> 00:19:33,934 from a regulatory perspective, 525 00:19:34,634 --> 00:19:36,234 but we were able to do a lot 526 00:19:36,234 --> 00:19:36,974 of preplanning. 527 00:19:38,154 --> 00:19:39,454 And I'll say the 528 00:19:40,610 --> 00:19:42,789 last six months of 2024, 529 00:19:44,049 --> 00:19:46,690 both teams spent a ton of time week 530 00:19:46,690 --> 00:19:48,870 to week really going through, 531 00:19:49,890 --> 00:19:51,330 the kind of the tech the high level 532 00:19:51,330 --> 00:19:53,830 technology capabilities both organizations had 533 00:19:54,345 --> 00:19:54,845 and 534 00:19:55,144 --> 00:19:57,804 really, really proud of how both teams 535 00:19:58,424 --> 00:19:59,565 really came together, 536 00:20:00,184 --> 00:20:04,105 and really worked in their respective areas to 537 00:20:04,105 --> 00:20:06,904 really help us understand where we where we 538 00:20:06,904 --> 00:20:07,404 were 539 00:20:07,990 --> 00:20:10,390 and where our opportunities might be to help 540 00:20:10,390 --> 00:20:12,890 us get the common platforms across the board. 541 00:20:13,269 --> 00:20:16,149 That was really the the launching point for 542 00:20:16,149 --> 00:20:18,569 our organizations and from an IT perspective 543 00:20:19,190 --> 00:20:20,809 to really start to come together. 544 00:20:21,214 --> 00:20:23,295 And we've been able to transition from that 545 00:20:23,295 --> 00:20:23,795 activity 546 00:20:24,815 --> 00:20:26,195 once the merger was approved 547 00:20:26,654 --> 00:20:29,775 to really solidifying those teams and continue that 548 00:20:29,775 --> 00:20:32,095 work at a much more detailed level. So 549 00:20:32,095 --> 00:20:34,414 really, really excited and really pleased about the, 550 00:20:35,039 --> 00:20:36,640 the work that those teams have have been 551 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:38,259 doing and are continuing to do. 552 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:42,000 That's amazing to hear. John, thank you so 553 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,840 much for your time today. I really appreciate 554 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:46,000 it. This has been such a fun conversation, 555 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:47,440 and I look forward to connecting with you 556 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:48,259 again soon. 557 00:20:49,544 --> 00:20:51,484 Same here. Always great to talk to you.