Novant Health is not just a healthcare provider. It is an integrated network of more than 850 locations to provide joined up care over a range of specialisms and needs, including 19 hospitals and over 700 physician clinics.
“It is physician clinics, urgent care centres, outpatient facilities and other facilities that provide remarkable care to the communities in North and South Carolina,” says Onyeka Nchege, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer of Novant Health. “Novant Health and its 40,000 team members are widely recognized and awarded for our commitment to safety, innovation and the highest quality of care for our patients.”
What sets Novant Health apart are the standards it holds itself to and its ability to do this at the scale of a nationally recognised care operator. It is a widely adopted and fully integrated health system guided by compassionate expertise, and committed to safety, quality, health equity and above all, the patient experience.
“We are about creating healthier futures,” Nchege says simply. “Our consumers’ expectations are constantly evolving, and as an organisation, we must lean into developing solutions that meet their needs.”
Technology Empowered Care
This is where Nchege’s position as Novant Health’s Chief Digital and Information Officer comes into play.
“Consumers are increasingly able to access anything they need or want from the palm of their hand. We know they expect the same service from healthcare,” Nchege points out. “That means on-demand, accessible and affordable.”
Nchege’s job is not just about creating a technological portal for patients to access care, it is also about empowering those who deliver that healthcare.
“In some ways, the digital world has increased the responsibilities of clinicians,” Nchege acknowledges. “To tackle this, we are using technology like virtual scribes to help clinicians focus on spending face-to-face time with patients, reducing administrative tasks to improve quality of life.”
It is not just about reducing work for clinicians, but also about giving them the freedom to focus on the work that only a human can do.
“It enables clinicians to observe patient mannerisms that might be a sign of additional concerns,” Nchege says. “Technology can help clinicians give their full attention to the patient. The result is better care and a more personalised patient experience.”
Sharing the Knowledge
Of course, as well as empowering the medical practitioners, Novant Health also needs to ensure that it has the right people to fill those positions.
“We start by making Novant Health a remarkable place to work, with a culture that values team members and cares deeply about the role each team member plays in caring for our patients,” says Nchege. “At our core, we make sure Novant Health is the type of place that people feel comfortable coming to and want to be part of this culture and organisation.”
From that foundation, Novant Health also offers competitive pay, benefits, and robust career development opportunities. The organisation’s recruitment team continuously seeks candidates with a diversity of thought and experience.
“While technology may constantly change at a rapid rate, traits like being agile, flexible and curious will always be successful here and across the healthcare industry,” Nchege attests. “We are also focused on helping to build the workforce pipeline. We have a student team member program for college students who work on gig internship projects for various IT teams, as well as on-the-job training in various sectors.”
Student team members receive training in interview techniques and networking. But, one of the most important parts of the program is the mentorship opportunities it provides.
“Mentorship is crucial to maintaining culture,” Nchege shares. “I have been fortunate to have many incredible mentors in my career and I seek to be a mentor for others on my team. I want to ensure they have a sounding board and the resources they need to grow.”
Of course, with the technological tools that Novant Health is using, it is also essential to make sure that its people are kept up to date on how to use those tools.
“As an organisation, we provide opportunities for team members to go to seminars and conferences and participate in industry forums and roundtables to contribute to the conversations that are happening in their peer network,” Nchege tells us. “But it is also an opportunity to learn what is going on in the industry and develop their skill sets. They can learn about new technologies and bring that knowledge back and educate our organisation about the possibilities out there.”
This is how Novant Health’s staff are able to stay abreast of the evolution of technology. It is also a way for them to meet other team members and share knowledge and solutions.
“We make sure our team members stay engaged in the industry and with the solutions that are out there, both established and emergent,” Nchege says. “If there is new technology coming out, we need to be ready for it when it is time to operationalise.”
The Evolution of Healthcare
It is more essential than ever that Novant Health keep up to date with the latest developments in the field, as the sector is evolving faster than ever. Talking with Nchege, he is passionate that the organisation will continue to grow and innovate where it serves the needs of its patients.
“As a transformation leader, Novant Health prioritises access to care and we are always open to new opportunities,” Nchege says.
There will always be a need for new clinic and hospital locations, but at the same time, Novant Health is looking at blending in-person and personal care with novel partnerships that allow it to share its expertise beyond the walls of Novant Health’s facilities.
“Gone are the days when the only care was in patient or in person care,” Nchege says. “We are blending that with solutions where you don’t need to leave your home to see the doctor. We are striving to offer access to care anywhere, at any time. We are always examining ways to integrate more digital solutions that can ease pressures on our patients and staff. It is laser focused on the needs of our patients and meeting them where they are.”
