WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:04.319 - There's a small circle of people who truly 2 00:00:04.319 --> 00:00:05.919 - understand what it takes to lead a health 3 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:08.660 - system right now. The decisions are enormous. 4 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:11.919 - The variables are constantly shifting, and the stakes 5 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:14.099 - of getting a call wrong don't stay contained. 6 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:16.824 - That's not a complaint. It's a structural reality. 7 00:00:17.204 --> 00:00:19.125 - And it's why the most effective c suite 8 00:00:19.125 --> 00:00:21.285 - leaders are deliberate about where they go to 9 00:00:21.285 --> 00:00:22.585 - pressure test their thinking. 10 00:00:22.964 --> 00:00:25.945 - Becker's fourteenth annual CEO and CFO roundtable 11 00:00:26.324 --> 00:00:28.564 - brings together more than 1,500 12 00:00:28.564 --> 00:00:29.864 - executive level attendees 13 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:32.799 - and nearly 400 speakers for four days built 14 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.739 - around growth, financial sustainability, 15 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:38.079 - workforce strategy, and the leadership questions that don't 16 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:39.140 - have easy answers. 17 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:41.840 - Join us November second through the fifth in 18 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:42.340 - Chicago. 19 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:44.820 - For the agenda and event details, 20 00:00:45.195 --> 00:00:47.355 - visit beckershospitalreview.com 21 00:00:47.355 --> 00:00:49.115 - and click on the events tab in the 22 00:00:49.115 --> 00:00:49.935 - upper right. 23 00:00:50.795 --> 00:00:53.035 - This is Laura Dierdahl with the Becker's Healthcare 24 00:00:53.035 --> 00:00:55.274 - podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by 25 00:00:55.274 --> 00:00:57.835 - Will Davis, president of the Illinois region at 26 00:00:57.835 --> 00:00:58.975 - Deaconess, Illinois. 27 00:00:59.329 --> 00:01:00.210 - Will, it's a pleasure to have you on 28 00:01:00.210 --> 00:01:02.689 - the podcast today. Hey. Good afternoon, Laura. It 29 00:01:02.689 --> 00:01:04.290 - is a pleasure to be with you all, 30 00:01:04.609 --> 00:01:08.549 - this afternoon on this this beautiful July 23. 31 00:01:08.609 --> 00:01:09.010 - And, 32 00:01:09.569 --> 00:01:12.209 - weather is great, and that's not always the 33 00:01:12.209 --> 00:01:15.224 - case in, in middle of July. Right? So 34 00:01:15.224 --> 00:01:16.604 - we're taking it as a win. 35 00:01:17.224 --> 00:01:19.625 - Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Well, always, 36 00:01:20.185 --> 00:01:22.504 - wanna get some sunshine in and and monthly, 37 00:01:22.504 --> 00:01:24.665 - some of the things have settled, so we're 38 00:01:24.665 --> 00:01:26.045 - in a good good place. 39 00:01:27.520 --> 00:01:29.760 - Excellent. Well, I'm excited for our conversation. I 40 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:32.480 - know you're always, so forthcoming and candid about 41 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:34.879 - everything that's going on, with Beaconist and and 42 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:36.719 - how you're looking at health care. So we'll 43 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.239 - spotlight some of the things that you're doing 44 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:39.915 - today as well as how you're, 45 00:01:40.395 --> 00:01:41.995 - planning to grow and develop in the future. 46 00:01:41.995 --> 00:01:43.995 - But before we dig in, can you share 47 00:01:43.995 --> 00:01:45.594 - with our listeners just a little bit more 48 00:01:45.594 --> 00:01:47.375 - about yourself and Deaconess, Illinois? 49 00:01:48.395 --> 00:01:51.515 - Sure. You know, Deaconess, Illinois consists of, 50 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:54.359 - we've got four own hospitals in the in 51 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:57.340 - the Illinois region and then few other affiliate 52 00:01:57.400 --> 00:01:58.760 - locations, about seven, 53 00:01:59.079 --> 00:02:00.700 - locations in total in Illinois. 54 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:03.019 - It's part of the Deaconess, 55 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:06.224 - system, based out of Evansville, Indiana with, 56 00:02:07.185 --> 00:02:08.465 - roughly 23, 57 00:02:08.784 --> 00:02:09.604 - now locations. 58 00:02:10.064 --> 00:02:12.145 - You all did a beautiful story with our 59 00:02:12.145 --> 00:02:14.324 - retiring CEO, Sheryl Wathan, 60 00:02:14.864 --> 00:02:16.465 - a few weeks ago and, 61 00:02:17.025 --> 00:02:19.560 - just talking about that tremendous growth from one 62 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:20.520 - health care, 63 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:24.120 - location to now 23 and something beautiful to 64 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:26.120 - watch. And and I'm fortunate to be a 65 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:27.879 - part of that and and part of a 66 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:30.139 - a system that truly cares about the communities 67 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:31.259 - it serves. So, 68 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:33.959 - and and the mission is is very, very 69 00:02:33.959 --> 00:02:35.444 - real of keeping care close 70 00:02:37.444 --> 00:02:38.245 - to home, which we'll talk about today. I 71 00:02:38.245 --> 00:02:41.064 - love it. And, so important having that community 72 00:02:41.205 --> 00:02:43.205 - feel and that mission base is really at 73 00:02:43.205 --> 00:02:45.605 - the center of everything. So with that, could 74 00:02:45.605 --> 00:02:47.125 - you give us a quick state of the 75 00:02:47.125 --> 00:02:49.030 - union? What has gone well this year for 76 00:02:49.030 --> 00:02:50.790 - Deaconess, Illinois, and what are you focused on 77 00:02:50.790 --> 00:02:52.490 - for the rest of 2026? 78 00:02:53.270 --> 00:02:54.010 - Yeah. So, 79 00:02:54.550 --> 00:02:56.710 - really, you know, if I had to kinda 80 00:02:56.710 --> 00:02:57.210 - describe, 81 00:02:57.909 --> 00:02:59.669 - state of the union in a in a 82 00:02:59.669 --> 00:03:01.510 - few words, I'd say it's been a definitely 83 00:03:01.510 --> 00:03:02.730 - a year of momentum. 84 00:03:03.814 --> 00:03:05.974 - And I would also couple that with, 85 00:03:06.534 --> 00:03:09.034 - I'll say I'll phrase it like this, disciplined 86 00:03:09.574 --> 00:03:10.074 - execution, 87 00:03:11.094 --> 00:03:13.034 - you know, and strategic execution. 88 00:03:14.215 --> 00:03:15.114 - We've definitely, 89 00:03:15.894 --> 00:03:17.735 - you know, been in in growth mode as 90 00:03:17.735 --> 00:03:18.955 - I kinda just mentioned 91 00:03:19.430 --> 00:03:22.069 - across the system, and and Illinois is definitely 92 00:03:22.069 --> 00:03:23.669 - part of that and has been a part 93 00:03:23.669 --> 00:03:24.250 - of that. 94 00:03:25.189 --> 00:03:27.110 - One thing I'd I would say with I'm 95 00:03:27.110 --> 00:03:29.129 - proud of is we have, 96 00:03:29.590 --> 00:03:32.569 - not lost focus of, you know, the patient 97 00:03:32.629 --> 00:03:33.370 - and quality, 98 00:03:34.324 --> 00:03:35.145 - and the patient, 99 00:03:35.685 --> 00:03:38.905 - safety and patient experience through that rapid growth. 100 00:03:39.525 --> 00:03:40.164 - And so, 101 00:03:40.645 --> 00:03:42.805 - that's something that we are gonna continue to 102 00:03:42.805 --> 00:03:43.944 - to focus on. 103 00:03:44.405 --> 00:03:47.145 - We've been able to expand, you know, access, 104 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:49.780 - which I'm very passionate about here in these 105 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:50.520 - rural communities, 106 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:52.540 - in rural Southern Illinois. 107 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:53.479 - I, 108 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.620 - always like giving examples on this and and 109 00:03:57.620 --> 00:03:58.520 - one program, 110 00:03:59.139 --> 00:04:01.460 - I'm very proud of it in Union County. 111 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:02.680 - So think remote 112 00:04:04.875 --> 00:04:08.555 - Southern Illinois area, we launched a memory care, 113 00:04:08.795 --> 00:04:09.295 - program, 114 00:04:09.995 --> 00:04:12.795 - that's now seeing patients come from three different 115 00:04:12.795 --> 00:04:15.194 - states, at a critical access hospital if you 116 00:04:15.194 --> 00:04:17.439 - can believe that. And they're doing some tremendous 117 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:19.839 - work. But we've got examples across the the 118 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:21.300 - region, across the system 119 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.740 - of, of how we've been expanding care and 120 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:27.360 - and truly raising the bar on health care 121 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:29.379 - in, in the in the region. 122 00:04:30.535 --> 00:04:32.694 - That's incredible to hear. And, you know, I 123 00:04:32.694 --> 00:04:35.814 - know that idea of, making sure that you've 124 00:04:35.814 --> 00:04:36.214 - got, 125 00:04:37.095 --> 00:04:39.495 - great care, what the community needs, and being 126 00:04:39.495 --> 00:04:40.235 - able to, 127 00:04:40.694 --> 00:04:42.855 - create access points, you know, is a huge 128 00:04:42.855 --> 00:04:45.220 - focus for a lot of organizations, but not 129 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:48.339 - always easy. So how do you think about, 130 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:49.939 - and what are the things that you're doing 131 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:51.620 - to raise that level of care, and then 132 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:54.020 - how do you measure that success with your 133 00:04:54.020 --> 00:04:54.520 - team? 134 00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:57.460 - Yeah. So I I will say one of 135 00:04:57.460 --> 00:04:59.460 - the benefits in in being part of a 136 00:04:59.460 --> 00:05:02.254 - system is being able to to leverage those 137 00:05:02.475 --> 00:05:05.754 - expertise. Right? And you couple that with today, 138 00:05:05.754 --> 00:05:07.835 - we're we're so fortunate, you know, here in 139 00:05:07.835 --> 00:05:08.715 - 2026 140 00:05:08.715 --> 00:05:11.134 - that, you know, now we've got advanced technology 141 00:05:11.355 --> 00:05:13.995 - to do that and and to, to leverage 142 00:05:13.995 --> 00:05:17.160 - that technology to, you know, help expand access 143 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:19.339 - in these remote and rural areas. 144 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:21.259 - We're able to to, 145 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:23.900 - you know, use, tele or, 146 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:27.560 - use AI and and different, things like that 147 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.060 - that, 148 00:05:28.545 --> 00:05:30.625 - you know, before, you know, we weren't able 149 00:05:30.625 --> 00:05:31.925 - to do. And even, 150 00:05:32.705 --> 00:05:33.205 - when, 151 00:05:33.584 --> 00:05:35.365 - part of another system, 152 00:05:36.064 --> 00:05:38.625 - you know, prior to to joining Deaconess, we 153 00:05:38.625 --> 00:05:40.680 - we just didn't have the capital and the 154 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:43.639 - investment wasn't there to do these, these, you 155 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:46.300 - know, fun, fun things that expand access. 156 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.160 - So, you know, that has been definitely a 157 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:50.539 - a change in our, 158 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:54.279 - the way we've approached medicine in rural health 159 00:05:54.279 --> 00:05:56.894 - care. And so, like I said, just in 160 00:05:56.894 --> 00:05:58.914 - in with that memory care program, 161 00:05:59.294 --> 00:06:00.754 - now with the amyloid, 162 00:06:01.375 --> 00:06:03.454 - plaque testing that we're doing there and the 163 00:06:03.454 --> 00:06:06.034 - early detection, we've been able to partner with, 164 00:06:06.574 --> 00:06:06.974 - another, 165 00:06:08.014 --> 00:06:08.514 - neuroscience 166 00:06:08.974 --> 00:06:11.394 - group that, also, you know, 167 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:13.740 - helps bring in their expertise. 168 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:16.279 - And I would say helping to leverage all 169 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:18.919 - of these partnerships has really been to the 170 00:06:18.919 --> 00:06:21.319 - betterment of of these rural communities that we're 171 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:21.819 - in. 172 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.185 - I love that. That's so helpful to understand, 173 00:06:25.185 --> 00:06:27.204 - and I think especially the idea of partnerships 174 00:06:27.264 --> 00:06:29.664 - are becoming more and more critical for any 175 00:06:29.664 --> 00:06:31.444 - type of health care organization today. 176 00:06:31.985 --> 00:06:33.904 - And, you know, along those lines, what do 177 00:06:33.904 --> 00:06:35.264 - you see as being some of the biggest 178 00:06:35.264 --> 00:06:37.104 - headwinds that you're keeping an eye on right 179 00:06:37.104 --> 00:06:38.485 - now and preparing for? 180 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.180 - Laura, 181 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.160 - I don't know if we've got enough time 182 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.879 - to answer that one. You know, it it 183 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.100 - is it is it definitely not one single 184 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:50.740 - issue. It's that combination of the the financial 185 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:54.064 - pressures. It's the combination of the workforce dynamics, 186 00:06:54.285 --> 00:06:55.504 - the change in reimbursement, 187 00:06:55.805 --> 00:06:57.745 - or lack thereof of reimbursement. 188 00:06:58.205 --> 00:07:00.205 - And you gotta you know, here in health 189 00:07:00.205 --> 00:07:02.764 - care, we we don't get a pass. We've 190 00:07:02.764 --> 00:07:04.785 - gotta continue to provide 191 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:07.860 - high quality health care every time. That's what 192 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:10.339 - our patients expect every time they walk in 193 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:12.899 - our door that we're given our best, and 194 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:15.699 - the bar isn't lowering. And so amidst all 195 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:16.839 - of these headwinds, 196 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:19.160 - I was just talking to our our CFO, 197 00:07:19.745 --> 00:07:21.745 - and, you know, we're looking at the the 198 00:07:21.745 --> 00:07:25.584 - Medicaid enrollment numbers here, and we're we're looking 199 00:07:25.584 --> 00:07:28.384 - at, you know, those folks shifting from some 200 00:07:28.384 --> 00:07:30.784 - pay to to no pay, and that is 201 00:07:30.784 --> 00:07:33.284 - impacting our bottom line. You know, we're we're, 202 00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:36.279 - next quarter projecting, you know, some of our 203 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:38.600 - our state directed payments to drop, you know, 204 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:39.800 - $500,000 205 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:41.319 - at at one of our locations. And we're 206 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.060 - saying, okay. 207 00:07:42.520 --> 00:07:44.759 - That expectation, what do we do to offset 208 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:45.819 - that? And so 209 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:49.020 - these pressures are are very real. 210 00:07:49.615 --> 00:07:51.535 - But, you know, what I can assure our 211 00:07:51.535 --> 00:07:53.855 - communities that is that we aren't gonna let 212 00:07:53.855 --> 00:07:56.574 - our quality or safety and and that experience 213 00:07:56.574 --> 00:07:58.435 - drop off. We're gonna figure it out. 214 00:07:59.375 --> 00:08:01.854 - Absolutely. I think that's so critical and such 215 00:08:01.854 --> 00:08:04.519 - a helpful and important message to be sharing 216 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:06.519 - with your teams and, you know, the the 217 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:08.300 - broader community at large. I think, 218 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:11.160 - in understanding what some of these changes with 219 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:14.360 - Medicaid are will entail and then Yeah. You 220 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:16.795 - know, other policy shifts. I know three forty 221 00:08:16.795 --> 00:08:18.495 - b is a big one for many people. 222 00:08:18.955 --> 00:08:20.875 - Yeah. You know, it it's hard to really 223 00:08:20.875 --> 00:08:21.375 - communicate 224 00:08:21.754 --> 00:08:23.835 - what that's gonna happen to the broader public, 225 00:08:23.835 --> 00:08:26.235 - but at the same time you know? So 226 00:08:26.235 --> 00:08:27.995 - how do you, I guess, navigate through that 227 00:08:27.995 --> 00:08:29.915 - when you're looking at, you know, what what 228 00:08:29.915 --> 00:08:32.179 - is gonna make the biggest difference for us? 229 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:34.259 - How do you kinda limit the impact without 230 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:35.639 - taking on too much risk? 231 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:38.980 - Yeah. I tell you one key relationship has 232 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:39.879 - truly been, 233 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.240 - with with, 234 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.480 - our CFO and our finance, 235 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:44.600 - teams 236 00:08:45.085 --> 00:08:47.644 - and truly trying to project out and and 237 00:08:47.644 --> 00:08:49.105 - going through all the scenarios 238 00:08:49.644 --> 00:08:51.024 - and what, you know, 239 00:08:51.565 --> 00:08:55.004 - the impact of these, you know, changes are, 240 00:08:55.245 --> 00:08:56.065 - payer changes, 241 00:08:56.445 --> 00:08:59.264 - as you say, policy changes, three forty b, 242 00:08:59.389 --> 00:09:01.789 - and truly trying to project out and scoring 243 00:09:01.789 --> 00:09:02.529 - through scenarios 244 00:09:02.909 --> 00:09:04.370 - of, you know, if thens. 245 00:09:04.830 --> 00:09:07.070 - And so that we actually have a game 246 00:09:07.070 --> 00:09:09.950 - plan to not just be able to react, 247 00:09:09.950 --> 00:09:11.090 - but how do we 248 00:09:11.565 --> 00:09:12.065 - actually 249 00:09:12.605 --> 00:09:14.684 - get ahead of hit get ahead of things 250 00:09:14.684 --> 00:09:16.144 - and start positioning ourselves 251 00:09:16.764 --> 00:09:19.325 - or, you know, what we already know is 252 00:09:19.325 --> 00:09:20.865 - is this, you know, 253 00:09:22.044 --> 00:09:24.924 - financial mountain, that that is, in front of 254 00:09:24.924 --> 00:09:26.544 - us. And so that, 255 00:09:27.070 --> 00:09:28.589 - for me has been a a key, 256 00:09:29.070 --> 00:09:29.570 - relationship, 257 00:09:30.429 --> 00:09:32.029 - in our organization that, 258 00:09:32.429 --> 00:09:34.350 - you know, we're very we're staying very close 259 00:09:34.350 --> 00:09:35.009 - to or, 260 00:09:35.470 --> 00:09:35.950 - I think, 261 00:09:36.669 --> 00:09:39.070 - you know, we're having breakfast and dinner together 262 00:09:39.070 --> 00:09:40.725 - now. So it's just 263 00:09:41.125 --> 00:09:43.125 - is is is one of those things that, 264 00:09:43.444 --> 00:09:46.245 - I'm sure every health care organization is is 265 00:09:46.245 --> 00:09:48.745 - really looking at and and diving into, 266 00:09:49.125 --> 00:09:50.904 - and and having good data, 267 00:09:51.524 --> 00:09:53.865 - is definitely an important part to that. 268 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:57.220 - Absolutely. That makes a a a ton of 269 00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.899 - sense. And, you know, I the thing you 270 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.820 - brought up just now having good data and 271 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:03.399 - having the technology and that kind of infrastructure 272 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:05.639 - backbone to drive the success, 273 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:08.064 - you know, is so important, but not easy. 274 00:10:08.064 --> 00:10:10.065 - You know, those are huge investments, of not 275 00:10:10.065 --> 00:10:12.464 - only financial resources but then time from the 276 00:10:12.464 --> 00:10:12.964 - team. 277 00:10:13.504 --> 00:10:15.504 - Absolutely. But you said it right. It's an 278 00:10:15.504 --> 00:10:19.365 - investment. It's an investment. It, ultimately pays dividends, 279 00:10:19.424 --> 00:10:21.529 - and and that's how, you know, that's how 280 00:10:21.529 --> 00:10:23.690 - we definitely look at it, in in our 281 00:10:23.690 --> 00:10:25.690 - health care system as as truly 282 00:10:26.089 --> 00:10:28.409 - it's not a it's not necessarily a a 283 00:10:28.409 --> 00:10:29.629 - cost. It's an investment. 284 00:10:30.730 --> 00:10:32.250 - Absolutely. That's a great way to look at 285 00:10:32.250 --> 00:10:33.704 - and think about it. And, you know, to 286 00:10:33.704 --> 00:10:35.024 - that point, where do you see some of 287 00:10:35.024 --> 00:10:36.944 - your best opportunities for growth in the next 288 00:10:36.944 --> 00:10:38.324 - two to three years or so? 289 00:10:38.944 --> 00:10:39.845 - Yeah. You know, 290 00:10:40.384 --> 00:10:42.544 - I'm sure, you know, we kinda like the 291 00:10:42.544 --> 00:10:45.664 - traditional answer. There's there's, you know, growth in, 292 00:10:45.664 --> 00:10:48.144 - you know, specialty clinics and and some of 293 00:10:48.144 --> 00:10:48.884 - the the, 294 00:10:49.629 --> 00:10:50.129 - outpatient 295 00:10:50.509 --> 00:10:53.389 - ambulatory, you know, there's always those opportunities. I 296 00:10:53.389 --> 00:10:55.309 - think what I would add to much of 297 00:10:55.309 --> 00:10:58.529 - that discussion for, for us is again, 298 00:10:59.789 --> 00:11:02.850 - the partnership piece. I think, there is 299 00:11:03.444 --> 00:11:06.184 - a big opportunity here in in Southern Illinois. 300 00:11:06.324 --> 00:11:09.365 - Definitely when we look from a strategic standpoint 301 00:11:09.365 --> 00:11:11.444 - on of leveraging that, we've got a lot 302 00:11:11.444 --> 00:11:12.184 - of FQHCs 303 00:11:12.644 --> 00:11:13.464 - in the area, 304 00:11:14.884 --> 00:11:18.245 - as well as, you know, some independent specialists 305 00:11:18.245 --> 00:11:20.970 - that, you know, historically, we've not had, 306 00:11:21.429 --> 00:11:24.090 - relationships with, and we're now doing those things. 307 00:11:24.149 --> 00:11:25.610 - A few, few, few, 308 00:11:26.070 --> 00:11:28.649 - months ago, we we just announced the partnership 309 00:11:28.710 --> 00:11:29.929 - with the VA hospital. 310 00:11:30.710 --> 00:11:32.950 - I'll just give you an example of of 311 00:11:32.950 --> 00:11:35.424 - a a true partnership to better the patient. 312 00:11:35.424 --> 00:11:38.625 - And so we partner with, WellHive and and, 313 00:11:38.865 --> 00:11:40.384 - we're the first ones in the state of 314 00:11:40.384 --> 00:11:40.884 - Illinois, 315 00:11:41.504 --> 00:11:43.745 - to partner with the VA and give them, 316 00:11:43.745 --> 00:11:45.904 - you know, direct access to our scheduling. And 317 00:11:45.904 --> 00:11:46.350 - so, 318 00:11:46.909 --> 00:11:47.789 - now, you know, the VA, 319 00:11:49.069 --> 00:11:50.850 - you know, can see real time 320 00:11:51.309 --> 00:11:51.809 - availability. 321 00:11:52.269 --> 00:11:54.110 - And so it just cuts that, 322 00:11:54.750 --> 00:11:57.549 - gauntlet down of making multiple phone calls to 323 00:11:57.549 --> 00:12:00.195 - try to coordinate care for our veterans. And, 324 00:12:00.274 --> 00:12:02.355 - I know we got recognition in in DC 325 00:12:02.355 --> 00:12:04.595 - and and several other places, but at the 326 00:12:04.595 --> 00:12:06.274 - end of the day, we've gotta make that 327 00:12:06.274 --> 00:12:07.335 - patient experience, 328 00:12:07.794 --> 00:12:10.115 - better. And so that's just, you know, one 329 00:12:10.115 --> 00:12:11.715 - of the the things I will say, you 330 00:12:11.715 --> 00:12:14.115 - know, as far as growth that that we 331 00:12:14.115 --> 00:12:15.014 - have a real, 332 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:18.659 - opportunity for and, you know, in addition to 333 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.559 - those traditional, 334 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:20.600 - areas. 335 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:23.559 - It makes a ton of sense. And, 336 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:26.740 - you know, I think it's so interesting to 337 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:28.664 - look at the patient experience, look at, 338 00:12:29.144 --> 00:12:31.144 - you know, their journey through the health care 339 00:12:31.144 --> 00:12:32.985 - organization, whether it's inside the walls of the 340 00:12:32.985 --> 00:12:34.524 - hospital or a clinic or, 341 00:12:34.904 --> 00:12:36.664 - you know, what they're doing at home and 342 00:12:36.664 --> 00:12:38.664 - and how they the different access points they 343 00:12:38.664 --> 00:12:40.985 - get. And so are there any, things that 344 00:12:40.985 --> 00:12:43.009 - you've noticed that have changed over the last 345 00:12:43.009 --> 00:12:44.450 - couple years, or what do you really see 346 00:12:44.450 --> 00:12:46.929 - as patients needing now that would make that 347 00:12:46.929 --> 00:12:47.429 - experience, 348 00:12:48.050 --> 00:12:49.570 - you know, the one that you wanna be 349 00:12:49.570 --> 00:12:50.470 - able to give them? 350 00:12:51.090 --> 00:12:53.110 - You know, it it's a it's a different 351 00:12:53.490 --> 00:12:53.990 - perspective, 352 00:12:54.450 --> 00:12:56.595 - I would I would say. And so, you 353 00:12:56.674 --> 00:12:58.054 - know, patients now, 354 00:12:59.314 --> 00:13:00.774 - give you instant feedback. 355 00:13:01.954 --> 00:13:05.095 - And so you it's very real time, 356 00:13:05.554 --> 00:13:07.554 - and they'll go online. They'll make a post. 357 00:13:07.554 --> 00:13:09.074 - I mean and so you 358 00:13:09.649 --> 00:13:11.410 - every health care system, we've gotta be on 359 00:13:11.410 --> 00:13:13.590 - our p's, on our q's, and making sure 360 00:13:13.889 --> 00:13:15.750 - that, you know, that that experience 361 00:13:16.129 --> 00:13:19.590 - meets the expectation because that expectation has definitely 362 00:13:19.970 --> 00:13:22.450 - that bar has been been moved, and rightfully 363 00:13:22.450 --> 00:13:25.315 - so. And so, you know, I'm I'm blessed 364 00:13:25.315 --> 00:13:26.595 - to be a a part of a a 365 00:13:26.595 --> 00:13:29.794 - health care organization that recognizes that and, you 366 00:13:29.794 --> 00:13:31.875 - know, truly stop tries to stay in front 367 00:13:31.875 --> 00:13:34.274 - of those things and and examine from, you 368 00:13:34.274 --> 00:13:36.274 - know, that patient perspective what is it can 369 00:13:36.355 --> 00:13:38.134 - that we can get that do better. 370 00:13:39.269 --> 00:13:41.289 - And so that patient voice, 371 00:13:42.149 --> 00:13:44.009 - you know, it it resonates, 372 00:13:44.710 --> 00:13:47.990 - throughout our our locations. And, we talk about 373 00:13:47.990 --> 00:13:49.850 - being the the deaconess difference, 374 00:13:50.149 --> 00:13:51.990 - in a patient's life, and it's it's very 375 00:13:51.990 --> 00:13:54.464 - real, gets to the culture of of our 376 00:13:54.464 --> 00:13:56.865 - very organization and the fabric of who we 377 00:13:56.865 --> 00:13:57.365 - are. 378 00:13:57.825 --> 00:13:59.745 - And so I'm I'm I'm definitely proud to 379 00:13:59.745 --> 00:14:02.384 - be a part of an organization like that. 380 00:14:02.384 --> 00:14:03.445 - And I'll say conversely, 381 00:14:04.225 --> 00:14:06.804 - the employee voice is is equally, 382 00:14:07.504 --> 00:14:08.190 - as loud. 383 00:14:08.669 --> 00:14:10.590 - Having a culture where people want to come 384 00:14:10.590 --> 00:14:13.950 - to work is at the utmost important because 385 00:14:13.950 --> 00:14:15.950 - they are truly the the face of your 386 00:14:15.950 --> 00:14:16.450 - organization. 387 00:14:17.309 --> 00:14:18.049 - And so, 388 00:14:18.830 --> 00:14:21.149 - I I I'll stop there, but I as 389 00:14:21.149 --> 00:14:22.590 - you know, Laura, I can keep going on 390 00:14:22.590 --> 00:14:23.330 - this stuff. 391 00:14:24.154 --> 00:14:26.075 - Oh, yeah. Absolutely. We could get a a 392 00:14:26.075 --> 00:14:28.554 - whole dissertation on on the team culture and 393 00:14:28.554 --> 00:14:28.955 - building, 394 00:14:29.595 --> 00:14:31.035 - what is gonna be a positive, 395 00:14:31.355 --> 00:14:33.915 - foundation for the future. So another podcast, another 396 00:14:33.915 --> 00:14:36.075 - day will be deeper than that. But Absolutely. 397 00:14:36.075 --> 00:14:37.434 - You got it. This is great. You gotta 398 00:14:37.434 --> 00:14:38.495 - do. Yeah. Yeah. 399 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:42.120 - Perfect. And, you know, before we wrap up 400 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.960 - here with the last couple of minutes, I 401 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:45.720 - wanted to just talk to you a little 402 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:48.040 - bit about leadership. Who do you admire as 403 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:50.220 - a leader, really, from any industry and why? 404 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.940 - Oh, man. That is a tough 405 00:14:53.285 --> 00:14:53.785 - question. 406 00:14:54.485 --> 00:14:56.725 - I I will I'll give you I'll give 407 00:14:56.725 --> 00:14:58.565 - you cut well, first, I'm gonna tell you, 408 00:14:58.965 --> 00:14:59.945 - our our CEO, 409 00:15:00.245 --> 00:15:03.625 - Sean McCoy, he is, you know, very genuine, 410 00:15:04.325 --> 00:15:05.545 - very forward thinking, 411 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:09.980 - and also allows, you know, us as as 412 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.879 - teams and and leaders of of teams to, 413 00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:15.279 - to to truly own 414 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:18.379 - our regions, own our business, own our service 415 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.879 - lines, 416 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.240 - but often 417 00:15:20.674 --> 00:15:23.074 - and always reminds us, you know, of what 418 00:15:23.074 --> 00:15:25.735 - that mission is, in our organization. And, 419 00:15:26.355 --> 00:15:28.595 - and plus the guy can run, like, a, 420 00:15:28.914 --> 00:15:31.875 - marathon in no time. So he's definitely on 421 00:15:31.875 --> 00:15:33.014 - the on the list. 422 00:15:33.394 --> 00:15:35.334 - And I'll I'll I'll also say, 423 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.059 - I'll tell you another one. I'll give you 424 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.519 - another one. Shaquille 425 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:40.720 - O'Neal. 426 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.980 - And, you know, not just because he's a 427 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:46.539 - giant, but because, you know, 428 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.539 - when you look at the guy and his 429 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:50.320 - and his life, he's he has truly 430 00:15:50.985 --> 00:15:53.544 - done some really great work on the, in 431 00:15:53.544 --> 00:15:55.164 - the philanthropic space. 432 00:15:56.024 --> 00:15:58.264 - And so I, I love, you know, people 433 00:15:58.264 --> 00:15:59.404 - who, who give, 434 00:16:00.024 --> 00:16:02.825 - to help, the betterment of, of others and 435 00:16:02.825 --> 00:16:04.830 - not for a thank you, but because it's 436 00:16:04.830 --> 00:16:06.350 - the the right thing to do or the 437 00:16:06.350 --> 00:16:08.110 - thing to do when you you're in that 438 00:16:08.110 --> 00:16:10.210 - position to give back. And so, 439 00:16:10.590 --> 00:16:13.070 - you know, those are are some, you know, 440 00:16:13.070 --> 00:16:14.670 - that that would make the list. And, of 441 00:16:14.670 --> 00:16:17.389 - course, you know, I it my my dad, 442 00:16:17.389 --> 00:16:19.964 - my my my father-in-law, there's so many others 443 00:16:19.964 --> 00:16:22.684 - just that, you know, locally that I I 444 00:16:22.684 --> 00:16:24.544 - look up to and and our true heroes, 445 00:16:25.004 --> 00:16:27.325 - to me, just day in day out. They, 446 00:16:28.044 --> 00:16:30.445 - thankless jobs that they do, but they they 447 00:16:30.445 --> 00:16:31.745 - impact so many lives. 448 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.660 - That's incredible to hear. I mean, it seems 449 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:36.840 - like a through line really is that humility, 450 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:39.240 - ability to inspire others, and, 451 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.259 - really, you know, having that positive impact on 452 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:44.340 - the the community no matter, you know, where 453 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.004 - you're at, being able to have that focus 454 00:16:46.004 --> 00:16:48.245 - drive, and energy, which is so meaningful in 455 00:16:48.245 --> 00:16:49.785 - the health care space as well. 456 00:16:50.245 --> 00:16:52.745 - It is. It is. It is. Yeah. Absolutely. 457 00:16:53.125 --> 00:16:54.485 - Yep. Now if only Shaq could have made 458 00:16:54.485 --> 00:16:56.164 - a couple more free throws, we would be 459 00:16:56.164 --> 00:16:57.304 - in a better place. 460 00:16:58.164 --> 00:17:00.664 - Notice notice I didn't say anything about basketball. 461 00:17:00.725 --> 00:17:02.860 - Basketball. He's not the not in prison. No. 462 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.660 - I'm not Sorry if you're listening, Jack. Sorry 463 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.480 - if you're listening. 464 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.859 - Excellent. Excellent. Well, Will, thank you so much 465 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.700 - for joining us on the podcast today. This 466 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.859 - has been such a fun conversation, you know, 467 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:16.819 - really Always. Absolutely. Inspiring to hear. Yeah. And 468 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.134 - so I know you'll be, 469 00:17:18.455 --> 00:17:20.934 - speaking at our CEO CFO roundtable too. So 470 00:17:20.934 --> 00:17:22.535 - we'll be looking forward to seeing you there 471 00:17:22.535 --> 00:17:24.775 - in person and digging deeper into these things 472 00:17:24.775 --> 00:17:26.775 - and, you know, being able to problem solve 473 00:17:26.775 --> 00:17:27.275 - together. 474 00:17:27.933 --> 00:17:30.573 - Absolutely. Thanks, Laura. Always a great time, and, 475 00:17:30.893 --> 00:17:33.453 - we'll we'll see you all at the, at 476 00:17:33.453 --> 00:17:35.853 - the, at Becker's event coming up here. Thank 477 00:17:35.853 --> 00:17:36.353 - you.