Andrea Driscoll

I attribute my success to consistently gathering as much information as possible and utilizing the resources that are all around. We tend to forget that there are credible online organizations that are instrumental to better understanding new developments in the health care field. Whether it's governmental sites such as OIG, Dept. Of Health, Medicare.gov, or Professional membership sites such as PAHCOM. Clients and staff developed a trust when you consistently provide information. Become the expert in your field.

Next, communicate with respect and confidence. This includes good listening habits as well. When you’re comfortable speaking to individuals or groups of people, small or large - having strong communication skills is a precursor to developing your leadership skills and puts others at ease.

1. Develop mentorship relationships. Mentors help to direct individuals starting in their careers and also navigate within the culture of an organization.
2. As stated over and over again, be the expert in your field. This requires diligence in continued learning opportunities.
3. Improve both listening and communication skills.
4. Encourage those around you.

I think it's important to gather as much information as you can and to utilize resources that are all around you. I think people tend to forget that there are organizations that are resources to you, and by making sure you tune in to those resources and stay consistently updating yourself, that's critical. When you enter into a field, whatever it may be, work every day to be the expert - not for any kind of glory or things of that nature, but to be able to win over the hearts and minds of the people you're working with so that they feel comfortable and can trust the information you're giving them. You definitely learn a great deal when you're in the field, but also take advantage of professional organizations where you can get certification. And don't underestimate the importance of developing your public speaking skills and your ability to communicate effectively - that ability to practice talking to groups or individuals is something we all will face at some point in life.

One of the biggest challenges in our healthcare market was the loss of specialty physicians. Covid created an atmosphere for physicians to retire earlier than originally planned. The exodus of primary care, internal medicine, and surgeons, led to long wait times for patients. There hasn’t been a full recovery to numbers of providers as of yet. Partially due to a downturn in enrollment in medical school. Ohio also went from 85% private practice medicine to being employed by major hospital networks. Completely new model of practicing medicine that required, staff, physicians, and patients to adjust to.

The Affordable Health Plan opened opportunities to more patients. This was a successful change in the medical environment.

Medicine is a complex industry governed not only by medical boards, but also by federal and state regulations. Include rules implemented by insurance, suppliers, advances in surgical, diagnostic, and care modalities, becomes more complex yearly. All of which requires all in the field to remain flexible to change and as stated before continually learning.

My top values are demonstrating integrity and understanding, and demonstrating leadership. When you're a consultant, you're not going to be actively working with an organization for a prolonged period of time - you go in and help establish what needs to be done, follow up with them, but then you're going on to your next project. So you want them to feel comfortable with you as quickly as possible, and I would do it in a way that would encourage them, always making sure that they felt they had strengths and information to offer. That's something that I do in my private life as well - I like to encourage people, I like to demonstrate leadership, and I want them to feel they have ownership in life or in their career. Personal integrity and being able to walk your talk are essential, and certainly keeping people feeling comfortable with what they're achieving is important to me.