Nishant Anand, MD, FACEP, serves as President at BayCare Physician Partners and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at BayCare Health System.
Dr. Anand will participate in the keynote panel "Leadership Advice- Key Thoughts on Leadership" at Becker's Hospital Review 11th Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place virtually from May 10-27th.
To learn more about the conference and Dr. Anand's session, click here.
Question: Share one change brought on by the coronavirus pandemic that you’d like to see stick, especially in healthcare?
Nishant Anand: A silver lining of the global pandemic has been the partnerships between health systems, community organizations and local, state, and federal agencies. While there have been tragic deaths and untold mental health effects due to the pandemic, one insight that has emerged is that we cannot tackle large societal health problems alone. Issues such as improving health disparities, social determinants of health, and public health initiatives can and should be tackled with a multi-facetedand coordinated approach that puts the needs of the community at the center of everything we do.
Q: What is one essential trait leaders need to lead effectively in healthcare today?
NA: Adaptability. The days of a common set of challenges year in, year out may be behind us. We as leaders must grow in our roles, adapting to the challenges and dynamic market forces we are confronting, while always demonstrating empathy and compassion in our actions.
Q: What would you like to see as the defining theme of 2021 for your industry?
NA: Value. 2020 was a reactionary year. Executives had to react to ever-changing circumstances, some in our control and others not. Going into 2021, I would like to see all stakeholders in the health care industry accelerate the move to VALUE. Value, using Michael Porter's definition, is outcomes delivered per dollar spent. There is waste in the health care industry that does not improve health outcomes. Through a focus on upstream risk factors (population health and social determinants of health) and reducing clinical variation, we can achieve the quadruple aim (improve outcomes, affordability, extraordinary patient experience, and improved provider experience). This will lead to healthy communities, financially viable Medicare and employer financing programs, and the creation of the workforce of the future.