Len's Friends: Amy Stowers -

Len's Friends: Amy Stowers

June 2, 2015 Emily Newhook

Dr. Leonard Friedman, director of the Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) and online Executive Master of Health Administration (MHA @ GW ) programs offered by the School Milken Institute of public health, is a firm believer in the idea that "health care is. a business based on the relationship "" friends of Len "aims to develop this concept by profiling some of the closest personal and professional industry contacts Dr. Friedman. - and sharing their comments and ideas with industry expert you

Amy Stowers is the founder and CEO of OptimizeIT consulting, a consulting firm and full-service solutions based in San Diego, California. great experience Stowers industry - a critical care nurse to director of clinical information director of information and finally consultant - covers clinical, administrative areas and advisory Mrs. Stowers is an accomplished senior executive in the management and strategy systems. information. She has extensive knowledge in strategic management functions of information systems, including design, development, system selection, implementation needs assessment, implementation and contract.

"I originally met Amy through my work with the American College of Healthcare Executives and theNational Capital Healthcare Executives chapter in his role as president of the section," says Dr. Friedman. "I came to the known as one of the most talented consultants in the health information technology and capable people I know. "

How did you decide to pursue a career in health administration? and what attracted you to consult specifically?

during several years after my BSN, I became an expert in intensive care and moved into administration. It was about seven years my career as head of the very progressive nursing took me under her wing. she had a strategy to move the organization of a shared governance system, and she needed change agents who were willing to think and collaborate in a new way. I was chosen by her for president and co-chair a number of shared governance councils. My most advanced leadership style to include an internal desire to maximize the talents of each, develop strong teams and serve as a strategic change agent.

A motion to the council was right for many reasons. I touched my career goals and fulfill my inner passion to make a difference in a staff position. After working with a coach, the consultant is the way it has been decided that the best for me. So I started OptimizeIT, and since then, I am able to thrive on the challenges that a diverse range of customer commitments brings. Just think, I founded a company on a value system that was my own and had to lift many comfort zones. I love the organized chaos and extreme challenges, so I thrive in situations where leadership roles that require a lot of creative thinking, critical resulting in the transformed operations. It was such a wonderful inspiring journey.

I work for about 20 years in the healthcare IT field, having obtained a Master of Science in nursing informatics. My administration and portfolio positions healthcare technology has been extended. I have now added a specialization in telemedicine.

How to prioritize tasks when you are faced with a stressful situation?

My ability to effectively prioritize tasks in stressful situations is both learned and innate determination. I seem to have the ability to filter the noise - or information that is not necessary at some point. This quality is very useful when working on teams that must work together to accomplish complex integrated activities for an effective result. Practice also helps. One of my favorite books is "Performers peak performers: The new heroes of American Business" by Charles Garfield. Garfield does a great job of describing the common characteristics of high achievers. He says the peak performers and sort things not only take action but a deliberate action for results. I also applied to solve problem in stressful situations.

Strategically, my approach to work effectively in stressful situations is to be forthcoming and trustworthy. I lay the foundation by telling people up front what I will do, how I will do and what is expected of them, then I do. I encourage you all to be part of the solution, and I really explores the strengths and capabilities of each. My goal is to maximize the contribution of each.

I love the organized chaos and extreme challenges, so I thrive in situations where leadership roles that require a lot of creative thinking, critical resulting in the transformed operations. It was such a wonderful inspiring journey.

In most business situations, I serve as a catalyst for change and I am committed to assess the organizational culture and implement a plan to move the organization towards new goals. This can be stressful for people within organizations.

In the book "Good to Great," Jim Collins made two critical points that I religiously use in my work. The first is the importance of getting people to face the situation as it is today. Collins says that we must "maintain unwavering faith that you can and avail you, whatever the difficulties, and at the same time have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of our current reality." Sometimes we tend to look at things with rose -colored glasses or we do not disclose fully. Facing the brutal facts is so important. the use of this early in my commitments paves the way for the opening and transformation. It tells the individuals, "Your organization is good; now go to large. "

Another point Collins fact is that leader will not come with all the answers, and then motivate everyone to follow your messianic vision. This means having the humility to grasp the fact that you do not understand not enough to have all the answers, then ask questions that will allow the best possible ideas I use all the time. it helps people to understand that even if we face the facts of brutul I will listen first and they can, if they choose, a part of the solution.

But make no mistake, in my work I leave no effort when it comes to achieving the required goals and objectives.

What are some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities for professionals who travel in these areas? What would you recommend for future professionals of the health administration?

the challenges and most pressing opportunities are, frankly, the vast change that is underway. I encourage aspiring leaders in health care to use the talent around them. There are so many hidden talents in our organizations because of silos, because of politics, because of territoriality and because people do not understand how to articulate their skills and passions. As they build relationships and help those around them, they also learn and grow. We need to be lifelong learners.

I encourage IT professionals in health care to be open minded and not get trapped in a situation where there are no opportunities for growth. The work on multidisciplinary projects and very comfortable with change. Today, more than ever, no job is guaranteed. People watch what you do and listen to what you say, so be careful and be sure to always remain credible. Your brand and your values ​​must never be compromised.

I encourage IT professionals in health care to be open minded and not get trapped in a situation where there are no opportunities for growth. The work on multidisciplinary projects and very comfortable with change. Today, more than ever, no job is guaranteed.

I encourage future professional network health care as they never put forward network. This is something I started too late. We are so busy in our jobs, but there is a whole world out there, talented, positive intelligent individuals who will help us achieve our dreams.

You recently helped to define the term "population health." Your definition included the assertion that "all human beings as a member of the global population deserves the right to necessary fundamentals to be in good health." can you clarify what you mean by "fundamentals" and how our health care system can better prioritize?

I am a champion of IT healthcare. I think this is part of the solution to fix the US health care system. However, as I developed a definition of health of the population, I thought of all the effort and money spent on "population health" and predictive analytics. What came to mind is: how this issue if we can not provide the basic elements of basic health? We miss the boat on psychosocial fundamental elements necessary for a healthy life.

I was raised in West Virginia, in an extremely rural area that has great poverty, smoking and other factors that lead to poor health. It is discouraging, and yet I am hopeful that, with a renewed focus on welfare, this population will reap the benefits of being healthy.

Maybe it's time to take a breath and ask, "What are the problems that we really need to solve, and in what order? "

Have you seen cases where a community has effectively harnessed their resources to improve the health of the community rather than invest those resources in hospitals and health care systems to take care of people who are already sick?

in my most current position, I work with amazing people, the best and brightest, to implement telehealth programs state-of-the-art. as I started this role, my initial task was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of civil telemedicine. during the evaluation process, I found several States and organizations that have implemented exemplary telehealth programs. These programs have a significant positive impact on individuals, communities and populations. Telehealth has great potential to improve the welfare and health care in underserved areas.

Telehealth will definitely be a catalyst for the true health of the population, as long as we confront the brutal facts of our current situation and listen, listen, listen. Let's be sure to close the loop, be transparent and provide a review without bias.

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