Habitual Excellence, Presented by Value Capture

Robert Mandel MD, is the President of Clinical Excellence and Chief Medical Officer for Carelon Health, a subsidiary of the huge payer-provider platform Elevance Health. He is also a physician leader steeped in the principles of Habitual Excellence who has been associated with some of the building block breakthroughs in delivering better healthcare quality and outcomes for patients, from individuals to huge populations, through his career across the payer-provider interface. In this episode, hear why he is encouraged by what we’ve been able to learn and apply to improve care from the emerging large datasets so far, and how he and Carelon hope to support further improvement across healthcare by making clinical evidence even more front and central for members and providers and payers experiences with each other, and for members during the 95% of the time they aren’t directly interacting with the healthcare system as well. Robert also shares 5 ways he leads with the principles of Habitual Excellence to help everyone in the organization show up in the best way they can, every day, to advance the mission.

In this episode of Habitual Excellence, Value Capture is celebrating 20 years of supporting visionary healthcare leaders by introducing its own next generation CEO, Shana Padgett, who looks forward energetically to helping leaders advance health and healthcare without harm, wait or waste for the next 20 years. Shana shares why as a proven executive and executive advisor she chose to come to Value Capture 9 years ago, what she’s learning from leaders in today’s turbulent environment and how she and the firm are helping them to outperform. She is the first non-founder CEO of Value Capture, and turns the tables on Ken Segel, her predecessor, who is staying with the company as Chief Relationship Officer, to ask about the philosophy of continuous improvement that underpins Value Capture’s uncommon succession plan. Hear Shana and Ken share reflections on how some of the most thoughtful of today’s c-suite leaders are planting a flag despite the turbulence in the environment, to simultaneously drive results and improve culture, using some timeless principles and ideas adapted to the moment.

In this discussion, Dr. CJ Kunnappilly, CEO of San Mateo County Health, emphasizes the critical importance of leadership clarity and strategic focus in public health. He reflects on his journey from a physician prioritizing patient care to a CEO recognizing the need to delegate operational tasks and fully embrace his role as a strategic leader. Kunnappilly highlights the balance required at all organizational levels, where operational excellence supports, but does not overshadow, the broader goal of developing forward-thinking strategies. Dr. Kunnappilly highlights the need for a long-term vision and the integration of strategy with daily operations to achieve meaningful improvements in patient care and organizational efficiency. He also discusses the shift from being a provider of last resort to focusing on equity and addressing societal barriers like food insecurity and language access.

In this episode of the Habitual Excellence Podcast, Ken Segel interviews Dr. Richard Shannon, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Duke University Health System, about the evolution of healthcare quality and safety over the past 25 years. Dr. Shannon discusses his journey, which shifted focus after encountering Paul O'Neill and the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative, emphasizing that the current healthcare environment has fallen into a "tyranny of measurement" that often overlooks real improvements. He highlights how Duke has implemented a management system that emphasizes people development, standard operating procedures, and continuous improvement to reduce variability in care, leading to improved patient and staff outcomes. They explore the importance of servant leadership, lean management, and addressing social determinants of health. Dr. Shannon calls for a shift at the national level—from focusing solely on metrics to embracing comprehensive improvement methods, incentivized by organizations like CMS. He also expresses concerns about the upcoming generational shift in healthcare leadership and the importance of developing new leaders who can continue advancing these quality initiatives. Dr. Shannon ends by discussing his legacy, emphasizing that true transformation requires spending all political capital and leaving an organization better than when one arrived. He provides an example of addressing racial disparities at Duke, where maternal morbidity for African American women was significantly reduced through improvements in patient access and care coordination. This case illustrates how a robust quality system can lead to impactful and equitable healthcare outcomes, reinforcing that healthcare transformation is both achievable and necessary.

In this podcast episode, Katie Anderson and Gerald Harris discuss the concept of serious leadership in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. Katie shares insights from her experiences, including lessons from Japanese leadership practices, highlighting how leaders can break the habit of simply telling their teams what to do and instead engage them in collaborative problem-solving. Gerald underscores the challenges healthcare leaders face, such as time constraints and regulatory pressures, and the need to manage these complexities to create conditions for success. The episode also promotes the upcoming 2024 Lean Solutions Summit, where both Katie and Gerald will be actively participating, offering healthcare leaders an opportunity to reflect, learn, and gain new perspectives to enhance their leadership practices.

Congratulations to former Value Capture client, WellSpan Health, for being honored with the American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize! Our guest is Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, the President and Chief Executive Officer of WellSpan Health, in Pennsylvania. She has been in that role since January 2019. Dr. Gapstur has extensive experience in strategic planning, business development and operational leadership in both ambulatory and hospital settings. She has served in multiple executive roles including chief operating officer, chief nursing officer and as a senior executive accountable for population health. Dr. Gapstur obtained her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn., and her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Minnesota. In today's episode, host Mark Graban asks her about these questions and topics: You’re leading the creation and adoption of a comprehensive lean management system — what does that mean and what do you aim to achieve? As part of that management system, what is Real Time Problem Solving and what are your keystone goals? How will you follow through on the promise of having 20,000 problem solvers? How do you engage with your leaders and teams? Tell us about the importance of you, as CEO, getting alignment, focusing on culture, and leading the transformation…

In this special episode of the "Habitual Excellence" podcast, Ken Segel, CEO of Value Capture, discusses the leadership principles of the late Paul O'Neill Sr., former CEO of Alcoa and U.S. Treasury Secretary. Joined by Bill O'Rourke, Kevin McKnight, and Paul O'Neill Jr., they share personal stories highlighting O'Neill's unwavering respect for everyone, his emphasis on safety, integrity, and his down-to-earth nature. The episode commemorates the fourth anniversary of O'Neill's passing, underscoring the relevance of his leadership lessons in today's challenging times, particularly for healthcare leaders.

In this podcast episode, Ken Segel, the CEO of Value Capture, meets with Mayor Ed Gainey, City of Pittsburgh, to discuss the city's journey toward habitual excellence and Mayor Gainey's leadership learnings. We will explore the principles of habitual excellence as exemplified by Mayor Ed Gainey of Pittsburgh. The episode delves into Gainey's leadership style, focusing on his commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. It highlights Gainey's background and how his experiences have shaped his approach to leadership. Additionally, the post discusses specific initiatives and strategies implemented by Gainey to foster positive change and improvement within the Pittsburgh community. Through anecdotes and insights, the episode provides valuable lessons and inspiration for individuals and organizations striving for excellence in their respective fields.