Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

Building a Culture of Innovation in Healthcare with Sandra Powell-Elliott of Hackensack Meridian Health

Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

Show Notes

Sandra Powell-Elliott, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, joins David Wright to discuss the intersection of innovation, AI, and commercialization in healthcare. With a background spanning administration, business strategy, and technology adoption, she shares insights on how health systems can embrace automation, foster an innovation-driven culture, and transform care delivery.

Key Takeaways:

(03:33) Diving into a problem makes finding solutions easier. (06:32) Connecting over key problems can help break down silos. (10:32) Importance of distinctions between managing and leading. (13:14) Cutting costs alone won’t drive success — growth and innovation are key. (16:42) AI should be leveraged as an assistive tool, not just a buzzword. (20:09) Learning to say “no” is a crucial skill in leadership and innovation. (27:55) Driving transformation by pulling together research and innovation. (30:42) Creating an innovative culture starts with engaging all employees as problem solvers. (36:44) Nurses’ workarounds often reveal scalable innovations that can improve efficiency. (39:03) Healthcare’s future lies in personalized, in-home diagnostics and treatment. (40:55) Business models must evolve for health systems to sustain preventive care.

Resources Mentioned:

Sandra Powell-Elliott https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-powell-elliott-999a609/

Hackensack Meridian Health | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackensackmeridianhealth/

Hackensack Meridian Health | Website https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/

“The Heat Will Kill You First” by Jeff Goodell https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Will-Kill-You-First/dp/0316497576

“Freedom” by Sebastian Junger https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1982153415

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