1 00:00:05,235 --> 00:00:07,285 - This is the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, created 2 00:00:07,285 --> 00:00:08,445 by the team of Becker's Healthcare, 3 00:00:08,605 --> 00:00:10,325 a multimedia company devoted to the people 4 00:00:10,345 --> 00:00:11,645 who power us healthcare. 5 00:00:11,915 --> 00:00:14,765 Four new 15 minute episodes are released daily containing 6 00:00:14,925 --> 00:00:16,685 industry news analysis and thought leadership. 7 00:00:16,685 --> 00:00:19,605 From powerful healthcare decision makers Support our show 8 00:00:19,705 --> 00:00:22,525 by leaving it a five star rating and review on Apple Podcast 9 00:00:22,745 --> 00:00:24,005 or other platforms you use. 10 00:00:24,155 --> 00:00:26,005 It's a chance to tell us what you like about the show 11 00:00:26,025 --> 00:00:27,245 and act on your feedback. 12 00:00:27,265 --> 00:00:29,205 Thanks for listening. Now here's the episode. 13 00:00:30,395 --> 00:00:32,725 - This is Chris Doster with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. 14 00:00:33,385 --> 00:00:36,245 I'm thrilled to rejoined by Jerry ak, chief Information 15 00:00:36,245 --> 00:00:38,485 and Innovation Officer for Children's Nebraska. 16 00:00:39,015 --> 00:00:40,805 Jerry, thank you so much for joining us today. 17 00:00:41,995 --> 00:00:43,055 - My pleasure to be here. 18 00:00:45,595 --> 00:00:46,995 - Excellent. Could you please introduce yourself 19 00:00:46,995 --> 00:00:48,315 and tell us a bit about your background? 20 00:00:49,145 --> 00:00:51,595 - Sure. So Jerry ak as was mentioned, 21 00:00:51,655 --> 00:00:52,875 I'm the Chief Information 22 00:00:52,895 --> 00:00:56,075 and Innovation Officer here at Children's Nebraska. 23 00:00:57,145 --> 00:01:01,155 I've been, uh, with Children's for about five years now. 24 00:01:01,895 --> 00:01:05,715 My responsibilities, uh, span information technology, 25 00:01:06,385 --> 00:01:07,715 information security, 26 00:01:08,755 --> 00:01:10,955 clinical engineering, strategic planning. 27 00:01:11,535 --> 00:01:13,115 And then about 18 months ago, 28 00:01:13,135 --> 00:01:14,835 we developed a new group called Digital 29 00:01:14,835 --> 00:01:15,915 Health and Innovation. 30 00:01:17,225 --> 00:01:20,835 I've been in healthcare for the majority of my career, 31 00:01:21,495 --> 00:01:22,555 32 years. 32 00:01:23,015 --> 00:01:26,915 Uh, always worked in, uh, academic medical centers, 33 00:01:26,915 --> 00:01:30,875 including children's Nebraska, mostly in adult, 34 00:01:31,095 --> 00:01:32,275 uh, healthcare. 35 00:01:33,315 --> 00:01:35,715 Although in my last position at BJC 36 00:01:35,715 --> 00:01:37,595 Healthcare, I supported St. 37 00:01:37,595 --> 00:01:38,715 Louis Children's Hospital 38 00:01:38,815 --> 00:01:42,115 and really got an appreciation for pediatric healthcare, 39 00:01:42,205 --> 00:01:45,555 which really interested me in this position here 40 00:01:45,975 --> 00:01:47,075 at Children's Nebraska. 41 00:01:48,805 --> 00:01:51,535 - Certainly you have a, a long and a story career. 42 00:01:51,585 --> 00:01:53,335 Jerry, thank you again for joining us. 43 00:01:53,755 --> 00:01:55,695 So what would you say is the evolution 44 00:01:55,695 --> 00:01:57,895 of the innovation gap in pediatrics 45 00:01:58,435 --> 00:02:01,575 and what are children's Nebraska's strategies to closing it? 46 00:02:02,735 --> 00:02:04,955 - Uh, that's really, really a great question. 47 00:02:05,215 --> 00:02:08,235 So first of all, uh, you know, as I mentioned, 48 00:02:08,315 --> 00:02:09,515 I have strategic planning. 49 00:02:09,695 --> 00:02:13,475 So we have five pillars of our strategic plan, 50 00:02:14,315 --> 00:02:17,275 and one of those pillars is to improve the health 51 00:02:17,375 --> 00:02:20,195 and wellbeing of every child through 52 00:02:20,965 --> 00:02:22,555 innovation and discovery. 53 00:02:22,935 --> 00:02:27,395 So we call that out very prominently in our strategic plan. 54 00:02:28,055 --> 00:02:32,275 We do have a child health research institute in partnership 55 00:02:32,545 --> 00:02:35,635 with our academic partner, uh, university 56 00:02:35,635 --> 00:02:36,995 of Nebraska Medical Center. 57 00:02:37,135 --> 00:02:39,435 So discovery, uh, research 58 00:02:39,435 --> 00:02:42,355 and innovation are very core in our strategic plan. 59 00:02:43,035 --> 00:02:46,875 I also mentioned that we have five core values, uh, 60 00:02:46,975 --> 00:02:50,475 in our organization, innovation, collaboration, 61 00:02:50,555 --> 00:02:52,555 accountability, respect, and excellence. 62 00:02:52,555 --> 00:02:56,275 So we call innovation out as well in our core values. 63 00:02:57,135 --> 00:03:00,365 And one of the reasons we, we find it so important, 64 00:03:01,125 --> 00:03:04,725 probably the primary reason we find it so important is 65 00:03:04,725 --> 00:03:07,365 that it is a national statistic that 66 00:03:08,205 --> 00:03:12,225 of all the dollars spent on healthcare innovation, uh, 67 00:03:12,225 --> 00:03:16,505 technology, less than 2% of that is dedicated 68 00:03:16,645 --> 00:03:17,905 to pediatrics. 69 00:03:18,365 --> 00:03:20,825 And when you think about, uh, the population 70 00:03:21,445 --> 00:03:25,065 of the United States, uh, over 20% of 71 00:03:25,065 --> 00:03:27,665 that population is under 18 years old. 72 00:03:27,805 --> 00:03:30,585 So it's a little bit of an alarming statistic 73 00:03:30,585 --> 00:03:32,225 that less than 2% 74 00:03:32,485 --> 00:03:36,345 of innovation dollars are spent on pediatrics. 75 00:03:36,925 --> 00:03:39,345 We feel it's important to bridge that gap 76 00:03:39,575 --> 00:03:42,745 because we want to intervene in these children's lives 77 00:03:43,205 --> 00:03:46,305 to set them up for great health into adulthood. 78 00:03:46,725 --> 00:03:48,305 So intervene early 79 00:03:48,525 --> 00:03:52,145 and as often as we need to with innovation to set them up 80 00:03:52,245 --> 00:03:54,305 for health, uh, in the future. 81 00:03:56,645 --> 00:03:59,275 - Jerry, given the mission of not only your health system, 82 00:03:59,375 --> 00:04:01,475 but yourself and your team, what are some 83 00:04:01,475 --> 00:04:02,835 of the recent innovations that you 84 00:04:02,835 --> 00:04:05,035 and your team are proud of and what's on the horizon? 85 00:04:05,975 --> 00:04:08,025 - Yeah, that's, that's really a great question. 86 00:04:08,125 --> 00:04:11,865 So, I, some of the things we're very, very proud of, uh, 87 00:04:11,865 --> 00:04:16,585 that have transpired of the past couple years are we have a, 88 00:04:17,225 --> 00:04:21,665 a project that's named Project Austin in our organization, 89 00:04:22,325 --> 00:04:27,025 and it was really the idea of two nurses in our organization 90 00:04:27,055 --> 00:04:31,955 that saw a need in the community of, uh, with children 91 00:04:32,105 --> 00:04:34,475 that have a lot of medical complexity. 92 00:04:34,655 --> 00:04:38,595 So, uh, they had this idea to partner with 93 00:04:39,235 --> 00:04:42,875 EMS per personnel in the community to make sure 94 00:04:42,875 --> 00:04:46,355 that those personnel had the most current medical records 95 00:04:46,775 --> 00:04:48,715 of, of those medically complex kids 96 00:04:49,095 --> 00:04:50,955 to intervene appropriately 97 00:04:51,935 --> 00:04:54,235 and, uh, potentially to save lives 98 00:04:54,695 --> 00:04:56,835 and to advance those patients' outcomes. 99 00:04:57,695 --> 00:05:02,635 And, uh, in 2015, I can share a statistic, we, uh, 100 00:05:03,255 --> 00:05:06,275 uh, served about 15 patients in that program, 101 00:05:06,855 --> 00:05:10,275 and we're up to about 2000 patients in that program now. 102 00:05:10,895 --> 00:05:15,115 And really what that does is allow those EMS personnel 103 00:05:15,115 --> 00:05:16,155 to get to those records. 104 00:05:17,055 --> 00:05:20,715 And recently we have developed an application 105 00:05:20,775 --> 00:05:22,315 for those EMS personnel. 106 00:05:22,455 --> 00:05:26,235 So imagine them having a, you know, digitized paper 107 00:05:26,625 --> 00:05:29,195 that they were revert referring to 108 00:05:29,975 --> 00:05:31,915 in the past when they encountered one 109 00:05:31,915 --> 00:05:33,035 of these kids that needed help. 110 00:05:33,765 --> 00:05:38,235 We've now, uh, digitized it that in an application 111 00:05:38,235 --> 00:05:41,435 that gives them access to real time, uh, 112 00:05:41,545 --> 00:05:44,235 feed from our medical record here at, 113 00:05:44,415 --> 00:05:45,555 at children's Nebraska. 114 00:05:45,815 --> 00:05:48,555 So that's really an advanced innovation 115 00:05:48,585 --> 00:05:49,835 that we're very proud of. 116 00:05:50,175 --> 00:05:54,395 And as a matter of fact, uh, our organization was recognized 117 00:05:54,415 --> 00:05:57,565 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, uh, 118 00:05:57,945 --> 00:06:00,965 for excellence in nursing for that program. 119 00:06:02,305 --> 00:06:07,165 Uh, recently, uh, in October, they were recognized by the, 120 00:06:07,225 --> 00:06:08,365 the Magnet Conference. 121 00:06:08,425 --> 00:06:10,485 So really, really great work there. 122 00:06:11,145 --> 00:06:14,005 Uh, the other thing that I'll call out is that 123 00:06:14,865 --> 00:06:18,605 our organization was just recognized by Modern Healthcare 124 00:06:19,345 --> 00:06:21,605 for our use of 3D print technology 125 00:06:21,745 --> 00:06:26,165 and advancing, uh, patient outcomes, uh, which is, 126 00:06:26,905 --> 00:06:31,765 uh, uh, recognized as a top innovator organization, again, 127 00:06:31,765 --> 00:06:32,805 by modern healthcare. 128 00:06:33,535 --> 00:06:37,285 We've been able to intervene with 3D printing technology, 129 00:06:38,145 --> 00:06:42,965 uh, to allow our surgeons to practice surgeries 130 00:06:43,145 --> 00:06:45,405 before they have to occur. 131 00:06:46,065 --> 00:06:49,525 It reduces the amount of time for the surgery 132 00:06:50,185 --> 00:06:53,725 and allows the, the, the surgeons to get an idea of 133 00:06:53,725 --> 00:06:56,645 what they're facing, uh, prior to having to, 134 00:06:57,065 --> 00:06:58,405 to start the surgery. 135 00:06:58,705 --> 00:07:01,045 So really great advancement there. 136 00:07:02,095 --> 00:07:04,895 I I will call out another thing that we're very proud of. 137 00:07:05,715 --> 00:07:09,375 Uh, a generous donor in our community is helping 138 00:07:09,435 --> 00:07:13,935 to finance an innovation center here at Children's Nebraska. 139 00:07:15,115 --> 00:07:17,655 We, uh, through, uh, COVID 140 00:07:18,515 --> 00:07:21,255 and the development of a hybrid work environment, 141 00:07:21,785 --> 00:07:25,775 we've been able to identify about 8,000 square feet 142 00:07:26,115 --> 00:07:27,255 in our organization. 143 00:07:27,435 --> 00:07:31,215 So we originally envisioned having to build a bricks 144 00:07:31,215 --> 00:07:32,535 and mortar innovation center. 145 00:07:32,545 --> 00:07:35,815 We've been able to save the organization a lot of money 146 00:07:35,915 --> 00:07:37,815 by buying backspace, uh, 147 00:07:37,815 --> 00:07:39,855 through our hybrid work arrangement program. 148 00:07:40,555 --> 00:07:42,415 And we're in the process of building out 149 00:07:42,415 --> 00:07:43,775 that innovation center now. 150 00:07:44,195 --> 00:07:47,015 It will open in early 2024. 151 00:07:47,915 --> 00:07:50,655 And some of the things we're gonna highlight, uh, in 152 00:07:50,655 --> 00:07:55,615 that innovation center is it'll, it'll showcase our use 153 00:07:55,615 --> 00:07:58,975 of 3D uh, imaging technologies. 154 00:07:59,665 --> 00:08:01,535 We'll have a patient room of the future 155 00:08:02,025 --> 00:08:04,975 where we're partnering with some of our critical vendors on 156 00:08:05,565 --> 00:08:08,335 advancing the patient patient experience 157 00:08:08,875 --> 00:08:12,255 and advancing patient outcomes as well. 158 00:08:12,825 --> 00:08:14,455 We're we're getting into a bit 159 00:08:14,455 --> 00:08:17,015 of application development in our environment. 160 00:08:17,115 --> 00:08:21,895 So if we see a gap in services that some of our vendors, uh, 161 00:08:21,985 --> 00:08:26,055 don't supply an an application, we're doing a little bit 162 00:08:26,055 --> 00:08:27,375 of application development. 163 00:08:28,025 --> 00:08:30,055 We're also going to have a real-time 164 00:08:30,975 --> 00:08:33,495 decision support analysis center. 165 00:08:33,595 --> 00:08:36,655 So we'll be able to, uh, if you've ever heard 166 00:08:36,655 --> 00:08:40,535 of a virtual ICU environment, we're gonna take that 167 00:08:41,355 --> 00:08:45,775 one step beyond a virtual ICU to what we're calling, 168 00:08:46,475 --> 00:08:48,295 uh, patient care of the future. 169 00:08:49,025 --> 00:08:52,895 We're we'll be able to take information from, uh, 170 00:08:53,105 --> 00:08:57,085 biomedical devices at the bedside, analyze that data 171 00:08:57,265 --> 00:08:58,565 and intervene more quickly 172 00:08:59,225 --> 00:09:01,325 to improve positive patient outcomes. 173 00:09:01,425 --> 00:09:03,525 So a few of the things that we're, 174 00:09:03,735 --> 00:09:05,565 we're gonna be highlighting in our innovation 175 00:09:05,565 --> 00:09:07,045 centers, we advance that. 176 00:09:08,705 --> 00:09:09,735 - Jerry, congratulations 177 00:09:09,755 --> 00:09:11,375 to your team on all those innovations. 178 00:09:11,435 --> 00:09:13,935 No doubt they've helped a whole lot of people 179 00:09:14,465 --> 00:09:16,695 since they were, uh, implemented. 180 00:09:17,115 --> 00:09:18,135 Uh, when you look around 181 00:09:18,155 --> 00:09:22,385 and you have other people in your healthcare sphere, 182 00:09:22,515 --> 00:09:27,385 let's say, and they're trying to devote more resources 183 00:09:27,385 --> 00:09:29,345 to this, what sort of advice would you have for them 184 00:09:29,805 --> 00:09:32,785 for using certain innovations that 185 00:09:33,505 --> 00:09:35,345 childrens Nebraska has put at the forefront? 186 00:09:36,125 --> 00:09:38,025 - That's really, really a great question. 187 00:09:38,245 --> 00:09:41,785 So, so a two-part answer to that. 188 00:09:41,965 --> 00:09:45,305 So first, it's very important to build a culture 189 00:09:45,405 --> 00:09:46,985 of innovation in your organization. 190 00:09:47,725 --> 00:09:51,705 So for us, this is really a grassroots effort 191 00:09:52,045 --> 00:09:54,625 and tapping into the wisdom 192 00:09:54,805 --> 00:09:56,745 and creative wisdom of all 193 00:09:56,745 --> 00:09:58,905 of our team members across the organization. 194 00:09:59,895 --> 00:10:04,225 When we developed, uh, this, uh, digital health 195 00:10:04,285 --> 00:10:09,185 and innovation strategy, we very quickly realized we, 196 00:10:09,245 --> 00:10:12,865 we wouldn't be able to do it effectively by hiring, 197 00:10:13,605 --> 00:10:15,785 for example, a team of 20 people 198 00:10:15,965 --> 00:10:17,745 who were just devoted to doing this. 199 00:10:18,055 --> 00:10:21,465 Because what we know here at Children's Nebraska is the best 200 00:10:21,595 --> 00:10:24,185 ideas come from the caregivers at the bedside 201 00:10:24,805 --> 00:10:26,705 are folks working out in the field. 202 00:10:27,365 --> 00:10:31,505 And so what we decided as a leadership team is we wanted 203 00:10:31,505 --> 00:10:35,025 to give all of our team members across the organization an 204 00:10:35,055 --> 00:10:37,505 opportunity to participate in 205 00:10:37,505 --> 00:10:39,545 what we're calling the culture of innovation. 206 00:10:40,245 --> 00:10:42,065 And we've taken a two-pronged approach, 207 00:10:42,565 --> 00:10:43,585 uh, approach to that. 208 00:10:44,125 --> 00:10:47,585 So first of all, we've developed affinity groups 209 00:10:47,725 --> 00:10:51,265 for innovation, and we've started with four affinity groups. 210 00:10:51,925 --> 00:10:55,665 So we have one around virtual reality, the second's 211 00:10:55,665 --> 00:10:57,585 around our 3D printing technology. 212 00:10:58,445 --> 00:11:00,825 The third is around artificial intelligence, 213 00:11:00,825 --> 00:11:03,065 and the fourth is around digital wearables. 214 00:11:03,645 --> 00:11:05,505 And so we have a physician lead 215 00:11:06,045 --> 00:11:08,625 and an executive lead for each of those groups, 216 00:11:09,405 --> 00:11:12,025 but they're open for anyone in the organization 217 00:11:12,085 --> 00:11:13,225 to participate in. 218 00:11:13,725 --> 00:11:17,425 And we have the, um, assurance of all 219 00:11:17,425 --> 00:11:19,385 of our leaders across the organization 220 00:11:19,815 --> 00:11:22,345 that they're gonna allot time for their folks to, 221 00:11:22,735 --> 00:11:25,585 that are interested in that, uh, uh, 222 00:11:25,615 --> 00:11:29,265 have an interest in those programs to participate in them. 223 00:11:29,925 --> 00:11:31,225 And we're very excited 224 00:11:31,575 --> 00:11:35,905 because, uh, we have up to about 80 folks 225 00:11:36,905 --> 00:11:39,625 participating in any one of those, uh, 226 00:11:40,595 --> 00:11:41,665 those affinity groups. 227 00:11:42,045 --> 00:11:43,545 So those meet monthly. 228 00:11:44,165 --> 00:11:48,305 So a lot of great participation across the organization 229 00:11:48,925 --> 00:11:51,265 and a lot of advancement across the organization. 230 00:11:51,925 --> 00:11:54,325 The other thing that we've done is we've introduced 231 00:11:54,355 --> 00:11:56,485 what we're calling the innovation cup, 232 00:11:57,095 --> 00:12:00,165 which is a competition in the organization, 233 00:12:00,785 --> 00:12:03,685 and everyone across the organization is allowed 234 00:12:03,685 --> 00:12:04,965 to participate in it. 235 00:12:05,585 --> 00:12:09,525 And what it's about is submitting your creative ideas 236 00:12:10,505 --> 00:12:14,405 around, uh, two specific areas of 237 00:12:15,235 --> 00:12:16,405 that we're focusing on. 238 00:12:16,545 --> 00:12:20,365 The first is around, uh, patient engagement. 239 00:12:21,185 --> 00:12:24,685 Uh, so how our patients are feeling about their experience 240 00:12:24,685 --> 00:12:28,365 with us, uh, advancing positive patient outcomes 241 00:12:29,265 --> 00:12:32,445 and their overall perception of us as an organization. 242 00:12:32,985 --> 00:12:36,285 And then the second is our team member engagement. 243 00:12:36,385 --> 00:12:38,925 So our employee experience 244 00:12:38,985 --> 00:12:41,085 and our team member engagement is 245 00:12:41,145 --> 00:12:43,045 of utmost importance to us. 246 00:12:43,465 --> 00:12:45,045 We wanna retain our employees, 247 00:12:45,065 --> 00:12:46,405 we have really great employees 248 00:12:46,405 --> 00:12:48,325 and wanna make sure they have a great experience 249 00:12:48,485 --> 00:12:50,405 with the organization as well. 250 00:12:50,945 --> 00:12:52,605 So that's our other focus area. 251 00:12:53,465 --> 00:12:55,925 So our innovation cup, our, our, 252 00:12:56,185 --> 00:12:58,445 across the organization folks are allowed 253 00:12:58,445 --> 00:12:59,725 to participate in that. 254 00:13:00,545 --> 00:13:03,445 And we just launched that this fall. Very successful. 255 00:13:03,745 --> 00:13:06,085 We got close to a hundred ideas 256 00:13:06,945 --> 00:13:08,805 across those two areas of focus. 257 00:13:09,305 --> 00:13:13,805 And right now we're in the process of, uh, judging those. 258 00:13:13,985 --> 00:13:15,165 We have a judging panel 259 00:13:16,105 --> 00:13:20,405 of multidisciplinary leaders across the organization with 260 00:13:20,505 --> 00:13:24,285 who will pick the top ideas in each of those categories. 261 00:13:24,985 --> 00:13:28,925 And then our, we have, we're very lucky, uh, very blessed 262 00:13:28,925 --> 00:13:31,285 to have a strong foundation in our organization 263 00:13:32,065 --> 00:13:33,405 who has raised money 264 00:13:33,545 --> 00:13:36,765 to help us advance those ideas to fruition. 265 00:13:36,945 --> 00:13:38,845 So if, for example, 266 00:13:39,075 --> 00:13:43,085 someone had a great idea about developing an application to, 267 00:13:43,345 --> 00:13:45,125 to help our employees 268 00:13:45,355 --> 00:13:48,005 with their experience in the organization, make that better 269 00:13:48,005 --> 00:13:50,045 for them, that would get funded 270 00:13:50,545 --> 00:13:52,765 and we would do the development around that 271 00:13:53,225 --> 00:13:55,645 and then roll it out to the rest of the organization. 272 00:13:55,785 --> 00:13:59,525 So, so to your point in your question, 273 00:13:59,785 --> 00:14:02,205 we find it's gonna be very important 274 00:14:02,795 --> 00:14:06,165 that the organization advances a culture of innovation 275 00:14:06,265 --> 00:14:10,845 and that folks feel empowered to be creative, to think 276 00:14:10,845 --> 00:14:12,165 beyond the status quo 277 00:14:12,665 --> 00:14:15,005 and not do everything the way they used to 278 00:14:15,025 --> 00:14:17,005 before to think innovatively 279 00:14:17,065 --> 00:14:19,205 and advance, uh, the organization. 280 00:14:19,995 --> 00:14:21,725 I'll say the second thing I think 281 00:14:21,725 --> 00:14:25,485 that is really critical in giving advice is 282 00:14:25,795 --> 00:14:28,805 what we found is unfortunately, 283 00:14:28,985 --> 00:14:30,685 the traditional healthcare vendors, 284 00:14:31,385 --> 00:14:35,085 the big healthcare vendors, um, are not 285 00:14:35,505 --> 00:14:37,245 as progressive as they could be. 286 00:14:37,465 --> 00:14:39,085 So, you know, healthcare 287 00:14:39,305 --> 00:14:43,005 for a long time has lagged on the innovation front. 288 00:14:43,465 --> 00:14:47,405 And I would say, say there's still some truth to that today, 289 00:14:48,035 --> 00:14:51,045 when we reach out to our vendor, traditional vendor partners 290 00:14:51,665 --> 00:14:54,525 and say, Hey, we're we're trying to advance innovation. 291 00:14:55,255 --> 00:14:58,645 Would you help be a partner with us on that front? 292 00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:01,815 They're, they're quick to come to the table, 293 00:15:02,315 --> 00:15:03,935 but they're not quick to execute. 294 00:15:03,935 --> 00:15:07,135 They're not as agile as, as I think they could be. 295 00:15:07,875 --> 00:15:10,615 Uh, and others in our organization think they could be. 296 00:15:11,045 --> 00:15:15,655 What we've found success at is, uh, partnering with, 297 00:15:16,355 --> 00:15:19,535 uh, more, what do we call startup companies, 298 00:15:20,665 --> 00:15:21,825 a little bit more agile, 299 00:15:22,255 --> 00:15:24,065 have a really quick development cycle. 300 00:15:24,595 --> 00:15:26,425 We've found success there. 301 00:15:27,125 --> 00:15:31,265 So, so I think it's very important to really vet vendors, 302 00:15:31,895 --> 00:15:33,625 look at folks that can be agile, 303 00:15:33,895 --> 00:15:35,985 that have a solid development cycle 304 00:15:36,365 --> 00:15:40,825 and can advance the ideas you have more quickly, uh, so 305 00:15:40,825 --> 00:15:44,905 that you can actually, uh, you know, see the outcomes that, 306 00:15:45,055 --> 00:15:46,665 that you're trying to achieve. 307 00:15:48,825 --> 00:15:50,115 - Certainly, Jerry, I hope, 308 00:15:50,295 --> 00:15:53,655 and we hope that the culture 309 00:15:53,655 --> 00:15:56,535 that you've created at Children's Nebraska yields any number 310 00:15:56,535 --> 00:15:58,935 of ideas and that vendors are able to match that 311 00:15:58,935 --> 00:16:00,175 with their agility. 312 00:16:00,795 --> 00:16:02,695 Uh, lastly, I will ask you, uh, 313 00:16:02,695 --> 00:16:04,895 what issue in pediatrics do you believe deserves 314 00:16:04,895 --> 00:16:06,255 to be discussed more often? 315 00:16:07,815 --> 00:16:12,195 - You know, so I, I think I will go back to, uh, 316 00:16:12,265 --> 00:16:16,435 that statistic of, you know, less than 2% 317 00:16:16,615 --> 00:16:20,915 of innovation dollars in healthcare are spent in pediatrics. 318 00:16:21,595 --> 00:16:25,075 I think all of us in the pediatric community need 319 00:16:25,075 --> 00:16:26,795 to be very focused around that. 320 00:16:27,015 --> 00:16:29,915 And we're starting to see some movement in that. 321 00:16:30,055 --> 00:16:34,275 You know, there's a consortium, uh, that's based in, uh, 322 00:16:34,855 --> 00:16:37,835 at LA Children's called Kids X, 323 00:16:38,405 --> 00:16:40,315 which has been very successful about 324 00:16:41,115 --> 00:16:44,435 bringing pediatric hospitals together with, uh, 325 00:16:44,435 --> 00:16:48,555 innovative vendors to advance innovation in pediatrics. 326 00:16:48,935 --> 00:16:52,435 You know, there's another program, I, I can't remember 327 00:16:52,435 --> 00:16:55,475 where it's, it's exactly where it's based out of, 328 00:16:55,475 --> 00:16:56,995 but it's called VINs Kids, 329 00:16:57,495 --> 00:17:01,795 and it also partners, uh, pediatric hospitals with 330 00:17:02,305 --> 00:17:06,075 more innovative thinking, uh, vendor partners to, 331 00:17:06,335 --> 00:17:09,795 to advance, uh, innovation in pediatric healthcare. 332 00:17:10,335 --> 00:17:14,955 And, and I think we need to continue to hone that focus to 333 00:17:14,955 --> 00:17:18,035 where we start to see the tide turn, uh, 334 00:17:18,035 --> 00:17:22,595 to those equitable dollars coming into pediatrics 335 00:17:22,695 --> 00:17:24,475 for research and innovation. 336 00:17:24,475 --> 00:17:25,755 Because as I mentioned 337 00:17:25,755 --> 00:17:29,785 before, you know, when you think about intervening 338 00:17:30,555 --> 00:17:33,585 early in the healthcare of children, 339 00:17:34,335 --> 00:17:39,065 that just sets them up for many, many years, more years of, 340 00:17:39,485 --> 00:17:41,585 of good health into adulthood. 341 00:17:42,605 --> 00:17:47,145 And, uh, that's when we should be intervening quickly 342 00:17:48,205 --> 00:17:51,805 and often when we see needs in the community, what, 343 00:17:51,805 --> 00:17:53,445 whether it be, uh, 344 00:17:53,445 --> 00:17:56,245 because kids aren't getting the appropriate healthcare 345 00:17:56,245 --> 00:17:58,205 because of social determinants of health 346 00:17:58,745 --> 00:18:02,805 or what other the, the circumstances are making sure 347 00:18:02,805 --> 00:18:07,045 that we're intervening early in the healthcare of these kids 348 00:18:07,225 --> 00:18:11,245 and young adults to make sure that they're set up for, uh, 349 00:18:11,255 --> 00:18:13,085 great health into adulthood. 350 00:18:13,385 --> 00:18:15,845 And I think we all need to maintain 351 00:18:15,845 --> 00:18:19,285 that focus in the pediatric community, uh, in, 352 00:18:19,465 --> 00:18:21,685 in advanced innovation to help us do that. 353 00:18:23,095 --> 00:18:25,325 - Jerry, thank you so much for being so generous 354 00:18:25,325 --> 00:18:27,045 with your time and your insights today. 355 00:18:27,185 --> 00:18:29,565 We definitely cannot wait to share them with our audience, 356 00:18:29,785 --> 00:18:31,165 and we hope to connect with you soon. 357 00:18:31,695 --> 00:18:33,945 - Awesome. 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