1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,679 This is Scott Becker with the Becker's Healthcare 2 00:00:03,679 --> 00:00:04,179 Podcast. 3 00:00:04,639 --> 00:00:06,719 I'm thrilled today to be joined by a 4 00:00:06,719 --> 00:00:07,700 terrific leader. 5 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,019 We're joined by Sean Wally, 6 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:12,660 and Sean has had this tremendous career. 7 00:00:12,974 --> 00:00:15,294 He he currently serves as the president and 8 00:00:15,294 --> 00:00:18,015 chief executive officer of the Saint Mary's Healthcare 9 00:00:18,015 --> 00:00:20,335 System for Children. He's been at Saint Mary's 10 00:00:20,335 --> 00:00:21,474 for about ten years. 11 00:00:21,855 --> 00:00:24,015 He also, early in his career, spent a 12 00:00:24,015 --> 00:00:26,195 lot of time in sort of the philanthropic 13 00:00:26,414 --> 00:00:28,949 world, the fundraising world, and so forth. We're 14 00:00:28,949 --> 00:00:31,210 gonna talk to Sean today about Saint Mary's, 15 00:00:31,509 --> 00:00:33,989 about his career, trends he's watching, and a 16 00:00:33,989 --> 00:00:36,629 lot more. Sean, thank you for joining us. 17 00:00:36,629 --> 00:00:38,729 Can you take a moment to introduce yourself 18 00:00:38,949 --> 00:00:40,570 and tell us about Saint Mary's? 19 00:00:41,364 --> 00:00:42,725 Got it. Thank you so much. And, really, 20 00:00:42,725 --> 00:00:43,924 thank you so much for having me on 21 00:00:43,924 --> 00:00:45,144 your outstanding program. 22 00:00:45,604 --> 00:00:47,204 So I'm Sean Lally, as you said. I'm 23 00:00:47,204 --> 00:00:49,284 the president and CEO here at Saint Mary's 24 00:00:49,284 --> 00:00:51,684 Healthcare System for Children. Saint Mary's is a 25 00:00:51,684 --> 00:00:53,844 very special place within the health the health 26 00:00:53,844 --> 00:00:56,140 care landscape in New York. We were founded 27 00:00:56,140 --> 00:00:57,280 in 1870. 28 00:00:57,820 --> 00:00:59,259 It's what we believe was New York's first 29 00:00:59,259 --> 00:01:02,060 pediatric hospital with a mission to improve the 30 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:04,140 health and quality of life for children, young 31 00:01:04,140 --> 00:01:06,239 adults, and families with medical complexity. 32 00:01:06,700 --> 00:01:09,260 And while our modalities of care have evolved 33 00:01:09,260 --> 00:01:11,526 significantly over a hundred and fifty five years, 34 00:01:11,526 --> 00:01:13,669 our DNA has remained the same. This is 35 00:01:13,669 --> 00:01:15,812 the place where children and families who need 36 00:01:15,812 --> 00:01:17,954 help the most come to get it. And 37 00:01:17,954 --> 00:01:20,097 we execute that mission in a number of 38 00:01:20,097 --> 00:01:22,240 different ways. So we're unique in that we 39 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,939 have a continuum of care, which begins in 40 00:01:24,939 --> 00:01:27,040 a beautiful facility, the only freestanding 41 00:01:27,740 --> 00:01:29,819 facility in New York dedicated to long term 42 00:01:29,819 --> 00:01:32,319 pediatric medical medically complex care, 43 00:01:32,859 --> 00:01:34,219 which has a 124 44 00:01:34,219 --> 00:01:34,719 beds. 45 00:01:35,099 --> 00:01:37,340 And we execute on that mission through a 46 00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:39,465 certified home health care agency that serves about 47 00:01:39,545 --> 00:01:42,424 1,500 children across the region. In addition to 48 00:01:42,424 --> 00:01:43,884 care coordination services, 49 00:01:44,344 --> 00:01:45,564 medical day care, 50 00:01:46,104 --> 00:01:48,604 and a variety of dynamic and innovative outpatient 51 00:01:48,664 --> 00:01:49,564 rehab programs, 52 00:01:49,864 --> 00:01:52,104 and really anything we can think of and 53 00:01:52,104 --> 00:01:54,024 execute on that's gonna improve the health and 54 00:01:54,024 --> 00:01:55,600 quality of life for these special kids and 55 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:56,340 their families. 56 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:58,959 Simply amazing. And and and talk to us 57 00:01:58,959 --> 00:02:00,659 about your career journey 58 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,600 into health care and then into leadership and 59 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,920 then pediatrics specifically. Can you tell us a 60 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:07,760 bit about sort of your journey and and 61 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:09,314 how you ended up where you're at? And 62 00:02:09,555 --> 00:02:11,655 congratulations on on what you're doing. It's remarkable. 63 00:02:12,435 --> 00:02:14,754 Yeah. No. I really appreciate that, Scott. So, 64 00:02:14,995 --> 00:02:16,754 my career has taken a number of interesting 65 00:02:16,754 --> 00:02:17,254 turns. 66 00:02:17,635 --> 00:02:18,375 I graduated 67 00:02:18,835 --> 00:02:19,335 college, 68 00:02:20,034 --> 00:02:22,034 with a degree in philosophy and very little 69 00:02:22,034 --> 00:02:23,895 concept of what to do with myself. 70 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:25,959 And I was fortunate to go to work 71 00:02:25,959 --> 00:02:27,259 for Memorial Sloan Kettering 72 00:02:27,719 --> 00:02:30,139 and enter a leadership training program there, 73 00:02:30,759 --> 00:02:33,319 which began with patient relations and eventually grew 74 00:02:33,319 --> 00:02:34,699 to a career in philanthropy. 75 00:02:35,479 --> 00:02:37,159 And along the way, I became an attorney 76 00:02:37,159 --> 00:02:38,680 and got admitted to the New York State 77 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:41,245 Bar, but I was really fascinated by the 78 00:02:41,245 --> 00:02:43,344 intersection of the public and private sectors 79 00:02:43,724 --> 00:02:46,144 and how people take energy, vision, 80 00:02:46,444 --> 00:02:49,324 and resources to really affect change, in a 81 00:02:49,324 --> 00:02:50,944 significant societal way. 82 00:02:51,644 --> 00:02:53,610 And along the journey, I had children, and 83 00:02:53,610 --> 00:02:55,310 my children were born prematurely, 84 00:02:55,849 --> 00:02:58,330 which really forced a lot of soul searching 85 00:02:58,330 --> 00:02:58,989 for me. 86 00:02:59,930 --> 00:03:02,569 And, eventually, I got recruited to come work 87 00:03:02,569 --> 00:03:03,389 at Saint Mary's. 88 00:03:03,689 --> 00:03:05,530 And it's ironic because I grew up in 89 00:03:05,530 --> 00:03:07,805 Queens, not too far from the facility, but 90 00:03:07,805 --> 00:03:09,645 I've never heard of this place. And the 91 00:03:09,645 --> 00:03:11,965 minute I walked through the door, I was 92 00:03:11,965 --> 00:03:12,784 so overwhelmed 93 00:03:13,405 --> 00:03:14,465 by how unique 94 00:03:14,764 --> 00:03:17,485 the environment here was and how committed the 95 00:03:17,485 --> 00:03:19,745 staff were and how warm and welcoming 96 00:03:20,319 --> 00:03:22,960 every single unit and every single application of 97 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:23,939 care was here. 98 00:03:24,319 --> 00:03:26,560 And it was over a decade ago, and 99 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:28,159 every day has been the best day of 100 00:03:28,159 --> 00:03:29,599 my career that I've been here. So I 101 00:03:29,599 --> 00:03:30,819 feel incredibly fortunate 102 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:32,639 to now be at the helm, 103 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:34,340 serving as president and CEO. 104 00:03:35,294 --> 00:03:37,455 That's an amazing journey and I and I 105 00:03:37,455 --> 00:03:40,835 love that. I think most people would would 106 00:03:41,375 --> 00:03:43,055 love to be in that spot where they 107 00:03:43,055 --> 00:03:44,974 just love where they work, they love what 108 00:03:44,974 --> 00:03:45,635 they do. 109 00:03:46,574 --> 00:03:48,655 Take two minutes on advice you would give 110 00:03:48,655 --> 00:03:50,194 to, emerging leaders, 111 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:51,740 emerging career people, 112 00:03:52,199 --> 00:03:54,439 on finding that right spot, on on on 113 00:03:54,439 --> 00:03:56,379 finding the right position, the right situation 114 00:03:56,759 --> 00:03:58,780 where one could thrive and help an organization 115 00:03:58,840 --> 00:03:59,340 thrive. 116 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,139 So it's a really great question. 117 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,000 I would advise people in a couple of 118 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:05,835 different ways. 119 00:04:06,314 --> 00:04:08,395 One, it really is about finding the right 120 00:04:08,395 --> 00:04:10,395 people to work with, and I've been so 121 00:04:10,395 --> 00:04:12,715 fortunate at every step in my career to 122 00:04:12,715 --> 00:04:14,575 have great mentors and great partners. 123 00:04:15,435 --> 00:04:17,194 And when I came to Saint Mary's, that 124 00:04:17,194 --> 00:04:20,639 leveled up between the board here, the my 125 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,199 predecessor CEO, and the senior management team, and 126 00:04:23,199 --> 00:04:24,420 really the entire staff, 127 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,199 which leads to my next point, which is 128 00:04:27,199 --> 00:04:29,540 commit early to being a lifelong learner 129 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,040 and be humble to accept education and knowledge 130 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,040 from wherever it's gonna come, be it book 131 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,404 learning or every single person you encounter. 132 00:04:38,024 --> 00:04:40,105 And the environment at Saint Mary's is so 133 00:04:40,105 --> 00:04:41,004 open to that 134 00:04:41,384 --> 00:04:42,904 where, you know, I found from the day 135 00:04:42,904 --> 00:04:44,904 I walked in the door, people were just 136 00:04:44,904 --> 00:04:46,904 so giving when it came to information and 137 00:04:46,904 --> 00:04:47,404 knowledge 138 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,560 that I was able to grow just every 139 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:51,000 day I came to work. And that's part 140 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,439 of the reason I keep coming back is 141 00:04:52,439 --> 00:04:54,680 because I learned from my colleagues every single 142 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:55,740 day I come here. 143 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:57,420 So it's an amazing 144 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,699 story. Talk about pediatric state. 145 00:05:01,095 --> 00:05:02,875 What are some of the trends you're watching 146 00:05:02,935 --> 00:05:05,334 currently? What's top of mind in in what 147 00:05:05,334 --> 00:05:06,394 you're seeing in pediatrics? 148 00:05:07,814 --> 00:05:10,295 Yeah. So the number one issue we're thinking 149 00:05:10,295 --> 00:05:12,855 about now is the existential crisis posed by 150 00:05:12,855 --> 00:05:14,154 potential cuts in Medicaid. 151 00:05:14,535 --> 00:05:16,634 And in the medically complex space, 152 00:05:17,379 --> 00:05:20,099 so much reimbursement is driven through Medicaid and 153 00:05:20,099 --> 00:05:20,919 managed Medicaid 154 00:05:21,379 --> 00:05:23,620 that the seismic changes that are happening on 155 00:05:23,620 --> 00:05:25,220 the federal level and the trickle down effects 156 00:05:25,220 --> 00:05:26,599 they'll have at the state level 157 00:05:26,979 --> 00:05:27,479 really 158 00:05:27,779 --> 00:05:30,584 require deep reflection in terms of what will 159 00:05:30,745 --> 00:05:32,504 impose to this population and the way we 160 00:05:32,504 --> 00:05:33,324 provide care. 161 00:05:33,625 --> 00:05:36,845 So we're working deeply with parents, with legislators, 162 00:05:36,904 --> 00:05:37,644 with policymakers, 163 00:05:38,425 --> 00:05:39,324 with the governor 164 00:05:39,704 --> 00:05:41,384 to figure out how to ensure that these 165 00:05:41,384 --> 00:05:43,625 kids are protected no matter what policy changes 166 00:05:43,625 --> 00:05:44,604 come into effect. 167 00:05:45,310 --> 00:05:47,949 The other is the emergence of technology. So, 168 00:05:47,949 --> 00:05:50,270 you know, as your audience knows, pediatrics is 169 00:05:50,270 --> 00:05:52,430 usually an afterthought when it comes to dynamic 170 00:05:52,430 --> 00:05:52,930 innovation. 171 00:05:53,629 --> 00:05:54,529 But we're finding, 172 00:05:54,990 --> 00:05:57,230 particularly at the staff level, that there are 173 00:05:57,230 --> 00:06:00,110 ways to accelerate growth continually using technology and 174 00:06:00,110 --> 00:06:00,610 data 175 00:06:00,964 --> 00:06:02,964 that are really transforming the way that we 176 00:06:02,964 --> 00:06:05,224 conceive care delivery for our special population. 177 00:06:06,324 --> 00:06:07,685 Good. Good. Thank you. And what kind of 178 00:06:07,685 --> 00:06:09,284 technology are you most excited about? Do you 179 00:06:09,284 --> 00:06:10,584 see having the most impact? 180 00:06:11,604 --> 00:06:12,104 So, 181 00:06:12,805 --> 00:06:15,764 it comes quickly and in different ways every 182 00:06:15,764 --> 00:06:17,759 day. I think just to give you a 183 00:06:17,759 --> 00:06:20,319 couple of highlights, the one that we're driving 184 00:06:20,319 --> 00:06:23,439 towards is the integration of predictive analytics using 185 00:06:23,439 --> 00:06:26,319 AI with early warning systems. And for a 186 00:06:26,319 --> 00:06:27,699 medically complex population, 187 00:06:28,495 --> 00:06:30,814 technology like that has the potential to radically 188 00:06:30,814 --> 00:06:32,654 transform the way we conceive of what care 189 00:06:32,654 --> 00:06:35,294 delivery looks like. So for children who are 190 00:06:35,294 --> 00:06:36,194 in our facility, 191 00:06:36,654 --> 00:06:39,235 it would mean avoidance of terrible outcomes 192 00:06:39,615 --> 00:06:42,300 and really creating care plans that are responsive 193 00:06:42,439 --> 00:06:44,600 more and more to each individual child care 194 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,040 journey, but also would unlock extraordinary potential for 195 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:49,819 children to be cared for in the home. 196 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,759 And embedded in our mission is the firm 197 00:06:52,759 --> 00:06:54,919 belief that every child deserves the best care 198 00:06:54,919 --> 00:06:57,875 possible for that child, and no two children 199 00:06:57,875 --> 00:06:59,955 are the same. And the belief that there 200 00:06:59,955 --> 00:07:01,395 are more children who could be cared for 201 00:07:01,395 --> 00:07:03,875 at home using different technologies and modalities of 202 00:07:03,875 --> 00:07:06,675 care. And so when you take devices like 203 00:07:06,675 --> 00:07:08,595 that, when you take technology like that, when 204 00:07:08,595 --> 00:07:10,435 you take innovation like that and you wet 205 00:07:10,435 --> 00:07:13,229 it, the parents who are just desperate for 206 00:07:13,229 --> 00:07:13,729 help, 207 00:07:14,029 --> 00:07:16,370 the outcome the potential there is just extraordinary. 208 00:07:17,389 --> 00:07:19,709 That that is fantastic. And you've got parents 209 00:07:19,709 --> 00:07:21,469 that are very excited to get that help 210 00:07:21,469 --> 00:07:23,069 and very anxious to get that help. So 211 00:07:23,069 --> 00:07:24,930 I I I and it really is 212 00:07:25,435 --> 00:07:27,915 a partnership between the system and the parents 213 00:07:27,915 --> 00:07:28,735 and the children 214 00:07:29,354 --> 00:07:31,375 to get the best care available, isn't it? 215 00:07:32,074 --> 00:07:33,995 I mean, we have seen parents are our 216 00:07:33,995 --> 00:07:36,334 greatest resource. They're our greatest ally. 217 00:07:36,875 --> 00:07:39,689 We find that parents have such a unique 218 00:07:39,689 --> 00:07:41,550 understanding of what their child needs. 219 00:07:41,930 --> 00:07:44,009 We find that, as we mentioned, when we're 220 00:07:44,009 --> 00:07:47,050 confronting seismic policy change, parents are our greatest 221 00:07:47,050 --> 00:07:47,550 advocates 222 00:07:47,930 --> 00:07:50,009 with their passion and their insight. And so, 223 00:07:50,009 --> 00:07:50,509 really, 224 00:07:50,884 --> 00:07:53,044 you know, we say we're patient family centered, 225 00:07:53,044 --> 00:07:54,564 but it's more than that. We are hand 226 00:07:54,564 --> 00:07:56,084 in hand with parents every day in their 227 00:07:56,084 --> 00:07:56,985 health care journey. 228 00:07:57,685 --> 00:07:59,204 I I could not agree with that more. 229 00:07:59,204 --> 00:08:01,204 You know, you have this situation where sometimes 230 00:08:01,204 --> 00:08:03,125 parents get in the spot where they feel 231 00:08:03,125 --> 00:08:05,444 like the physician is either talking with them 232 00:08:05,444 --> 00:08:07,740 or down to them, and it makes a 233 00:08:07,740 --> 00:08:10,379 huge difference in how the care is delivered 234 00:08:10,379 --> 00:08:12,300 and the ultimate outcome for the patient and 235 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:14,139 the child. When you get in that right 236 00:08:14,139 --> 00:08:16,699 partnership relationship between the parents and the physicians, 237 00:08:16,699 --> 00:08:18,000 the nurses, the leadership, 238 00:08:18,379 --> 00:08:20,000 we're also much better off. 239 00:08:20,425 --> 00:08:22,185 Sean, let me ask you one more question. 240 00:08:22,185 --> 00:08:23,785 And and we, quite frankly, would love the 241 00:08:23,785 --> 00:08:25,865 continuity of the story of of Saint Mary's 242 00:08:25,865 --> 00:08:27,625 whenever you'd like to be on the podcast. 243 00:08:27,625 --> 00:08:29,305 So we're we are so thankful for you 244 00:08:29,305 --> 00:08:30,365 joining us today. 245 00:08:30,824 --> 00:08:32,904 Tell us what you're most focused on and 246 00:08:32,904 --> 00:08:34,759 excited about as we get to the end 247 00:08:34,759 --> 00:08:37,159 of this year and the start of 02/1926. 248 00:08:37,159 --> 00:08:39,159 Where are you most focused and excited? Then 249 00:08:39,159 --> 00:08:41,079 I'll ask you, you're in Queens. Do you 250 00:08:41,079 --> 00:08:42,919 ever get to go to the US Open? 251 00:08:42,919 --> 00:08:45,179 Because that's in Queens, I believe, too. But 252 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:47,000 but but first, what are you most focused 253 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,379 on and excited about currently? 254 00:08:49,304 --> 00:08:49,804 Yeah. 255 00:08:50,504 --> 00:08:52,424 Oh gosh. Scott, I am excited about so 256 00:08:52,424 --> 00:08:55,085 many things. I I think, I'm still relatively 257 00:08:55,144 --> 00:08:57,225 new as president and CEO just three months 258 00:08:57,225 --> 00:08:57,725 in, 259 00:08:58,024 --> 00:09:00,205 but, really, it's engaging with staff. 260 00:09:00,904 --> 00:09:02,825 I think the workforce that we have at 261 00:09:02,825 --> 00:09:04,919 Saint Mary's is truly unique in health care. 262 00:09:04,919 --> 00:09:06,360 We like to say it's a place where 263 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:07,820 big hearts help little patients. 264 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:09,720 And what I find with all of our 265 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,120 staff is the depth of compassion that they 266 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:12,620 have 267 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,120 combined with an innovative spirit is something that's 268 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:19,205 gonna drive us to just really, incredible heights 269 00:09:19,205 --> 00:09:20,965 when it comes to evolving our care delivery 270 00:09:20,965 --> 00:09:21,465 model. 271 00:09:21,925 --> 00:09:23,605 And so that that's my number one thing, 272 00:09:23,605 --> 00:09:24,884 I think, as we go to the rest 273 00:09:24,884 --> 00:09:26,325 of the year is really just continuing to 274 00:09:26,325 --> 00:09:28,565 engage with staff and figuring out how to 275 00:09:28,565 --> 00:09:31,399 partner to really drive innovation and care. 276 00:09:31,779 --> 00:09:33,779 We are in Queens. Unfortunately, most of us 277 00:09:33,779 --> 00:09:35,299 are meds fans. I hope you edit that 278 00:09:35,299 --> 00:09:37,860 out. We're we're you can see Citi Field 279 00:09:37,860 --> 00:09:39,319 from one of our patient rooms. 280 00:09:39,779 --> 00:09:41,475 So we don't get to the open much, 281 00:09:41,554 --> 00:09:43,875 but we did have an adaptive tennis program 282 00:09:43,875 --> 00:09:45,235 come in with then they're gonna come back 283 00:09:45,235 --> 00:09:47,154 next year so that some of our kids 284 00:09:47,154 --> 00:09:49,154 who are in wheelchairs were able to simulate 285 00:09:49,154 --> 00:09:51,014 the US Open, which is really cool. 286 00:09:51,634 --> 00:09:53,714 That's fantastic. And it's okay to be a 287 00:09:53,714 --> 00:09:55,970 Mets fan. I'm a Chicago sports fan. I 288 00:09:55,970 --> 00:09:57,669 feel your pain. I understand. 289 00:09:58,129 --> 00:10:01,429 The the the Cubs' greatest falling apart ever 290 00:10:01,809 --> 00:10:03,169 was in 1969 291 00:10:03,169 --> 00:10:05,250 when the amazing Mets took over and took 292 00:10:05,250 --> 00:10:07,464 them out. So we we have some sort 293 00:10:07,464 --> 00:10:09,144 of love for the Mets as well. So 294 00:10:09,144 --> 00:10:10,424 it is what it is, and we're long 295 00:10:10,424 --> 00:10:12,824 suffering Chicago sports fans. So we We're united 296 00:10:12,824 --> 00:10:14,845 in Missouri then, Scott. Yeah. Yeah. We we 297 00:10:15,625 --> 00:10:18,184 really are. Sean, what a great pleasure to 298 00:10:18,184 --> 00:10:20,024 to visit with you. Amazing the work that 299 00:10:20,024 --> 00:10:22,320 Saint Mary's Hospital for Children is doing. Thank 300 00:10:22,399 --> 00:10:24,080 Thank you so much for joining us, and 301 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:25,840 and and thank you, Sophie, for allowing us 302 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:27,840 to visit with Sean. Thank you very, very 303 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:29,759 much. Thank you. Yeah. And, Scott, thanks for 304 00:10:29,759 --> 00:10:31,379 all you do. Keep up the great work.