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APRIL/MAY 2016 83 Dr. Ninfa Saunde President & CEO - Navicent Health 777 Hemlock Street | 478.633.1000 How is Navicent Health meeting today's healthcare challenges? Healthcare reform continues to challenge Navicent Health and those in our industry, particularly declining reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid. Although the Affordable Care Act has allowed many more people to become insured, Georgia's decision to not expand Medicaid has left many in our region uninsured or underinsured. Although Navicent Health has been challenged by this situation, many rural and critical access hospitals in our state have been forced to discontinue various services or even close. Navicent Health will continue to modify our business model and work with our partners to ensure that patients retain access to the right care at the right cost and in the right place – close to home! What are the accomplishments you feel proud of over the last year? Navicent Health has continued to expand in many ways. We were pleased to work with community partners to launch Autism Center, Navicent Health in the Fall of 2015. This new center provides testing, diagnoses, therapy and resources for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. We also partnered with Mercer University to launch the Center for Disruption and Innovation last Fall. Through research at this center, we hope to optimize healthcare delivery, develop new products, and apply research that leads to disruptive innovation industry wide. We also expanded our diagnostic services to Monroe County, and announced the development of the Lofts at Navicent, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2017. Throughout this time period, Navicent Health has had a $1.5 billion impact on our local and state economy, sustaining almost 12,000 full time jobs. What are unique challenges of a woman in business? Women constitute a great portion of the workforce, but in many instances, they are the worker bees. They are often not the head of the organization. I am someone who rose through the ranks from a nurse to become a CEO. I hope that inspires other women, younger women in our community. I would advise younger workers to be brave and persistent as they seek new opportunities. I also believe it is difficult for a woman in any business to find a perfect work-life balance. Women are not only valuable contributors to the workforce, but also the CEOs of their homes, the leaders of their families. It is important to place value on the things that truly matter –family, friends, faith and community – but often difficult to juggle these as well as a strong career. Where do you envision Navicent Health in 5 years? We will continue to impact our community and our industry locally, regionally and nationally by delivering excellent health and wellness services along the continuum of care with kindness, and by innovatively refining the healthcare business model to meet the challenges of a shifting industry with techniques that may be replicated throughout our industry. *** SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Women In Business