The Joseph A. Levi 64th Annual Institute C-Suite Panel brought together industry leaders to explore critical aspects of healthcare, with a focus on patient access, health equity, quality, reimbursement, and patient satisfaction. Moderated by Victor DeStefano, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the panelists shared profound insights and innovative strategies to address these crucial issues.
Elevating Equity and Understanding Marginalization
Pamela Abner, VP/Chief Diversity Officer/Operations Officer at Mount Sinai Health System, emphasized the imperative of equity, especially in addressing the needs of marginalized communities. She highlighted the significance of educating senior teams on the meaning of marginalization, emphasizing socio-economic factors that hinder access to care. Abner stressed the importance of leveraging data to identify disparities and understand the reasons some groups succeed with their healthcare while others don’t. Moreover, she passionately advocated for community-driven decision-making and eliminating race correction factors in healthcare interventions.
Engaging Community and Building Trust
Joseph Conte, Executive Director of Staten Island Provider System, emphasized the pivotal role of leadership and community engagement in fostering trust and addressing diverse healthcare needs. Conte stressed the necessity for tailored solutions, particularly when engaging with underserved communities. He illustrated proactive initiatives, including partnering with barbershops and faith-based organizations to provide health education and screenings. Conte’s approach focused on reaching out to communities rather than waiting for them to seek care, fostering a culture of prevention and proactive healthcare management.
Harnessing Technology for Equitable Care Delivery
Sophy Lu, SVP/CIO of Northwell Health, highlighted the role of technology in driving equitable care delivery. Lu described establishing health equity task forces and utilizing of data to identify community needs and drive outcomes. She stressed the importance of actively listening to community feedback and diversifying leadership to better understand and address healthcare disparities. Lu also underlined the significance of preventive measures and leveraging technology to support workforce mental health and access to care.
Strategic Approaches to Access and Quality Care
Burak Malatyali, SVP of Enterprise Growth Strategy at New York Presbyterian Hospital, reviewed their strategic approach to improving access and quality care. He stressed the need for academic medical centers to create seamless access and to understand the challenges patients face in accessing healthcare. Malatyali also highlighted innovative approaches, including patient educators and post-discharge follow-up to ensure continuity of care, particularly for underserved populations.
The Importance of Equity in Healthcare
In conclusion, the insights shared by the C-Suite panelists underscore the importance of equity, community engagement, technology, and strategic approaches in addressing healthcare disparities and improving patient outcomes. By leveraging data, fostering trust, and adopting innovative solutions, healthcare organizations can drive meaningful change and ensure equitable access to quality care for all individuals.
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