Macon Magazine

President / CEO Central Georgia Health System As the new President/CEO of Central Georgia Health System, what are the unique challenges you have faced since you started in the fall? During the onboarding process, my goal was to immerse myself in the organization. Doing so expedited knowledge transfer, particularly of the organization's intangible nature: culture, tradition, differentiating characteristics, mission, and vision. It was equally important that I engage the organization to articulate and assimilate a three-part approach to moving forward that centered on strategy, process and people. The integration of the organization's long- standing reputation for excellence with a focus on the sustainability of such a legacy continues to be a priority. What has impressed you most in your new job and the community? I am most impressed by the passion for and commitment to excellence demonstrated by physicians and employees. It is always encouraging to round the hospital and observe the best of care delivered by the best clinicians and support staff. Equally compelling is the degree of community engagement. How do you see Central Georgia Health System growing or changing over the next few years? The system will focus on population health management while continuing clinical excellence in the disease management arena. Our guiding framework will reflect how we can best provide the right access, for the right care, at the right time and for the right cost. I anticipate we will seek partnership with other health care providers in the region to best accomplish these imperatives. What are your most important goals for the next year? First, we must continue our commitment to our people! We have engaged our organization on the importance of three key elements necessary to run an effective organization—strategy, process and people. The most important of these three is people. An organization can have the best strategy and process possible, but without the people nothing happens. The core work of our organization over the next year will include a strong alignment with our physicians and a focus on employees through talent mining, coaching, development and management. Second, we will grow and partner beyond our traditional service areas. Scale in scope, structure and economies will be defining components of our growth strategy. Third, we will emphasize value through clinical and service excellence. You have a strong commitment to women's health and health education. Has that always been an important focus for you? Why? Women's health has always been important to me. My awareness was further heightened after serving as the inaugural chair of Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association's initiative to promote heart health in women. Most women are the "CEO of their Household". In that role, women tend to take care of everyone else and neglect their own wellbeing. The prevalence of heart disease among women is alarming yet rarely discussed. It is the number one killer of women in our country with one out of three women dying of heart disease every year. JUNE/JULY 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 71 A D V E R T I S E M E N T DR. NINFA M. SAUNDERS, FACHE 777 Hemlock Street I Macon GA 31201 I Phone 478-633-1000 I www.mccg.org

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