The ongoing transformation of health systems all across the nation – from population health management techniques to the expansion of outpatient facilities – is changing the way health care is delivered.
During the week of spring break in March, several Master of Health Administration students from the USC Price School of Public Policy had the opportunity to apply their academic lessons about health system changes at San Diego-based Scripps Health. Facilitated by the USC Student Health Council, the site visit enabled the group to learn about Scripps’ culture and administrative fellowship, and allow current students to connect with C-suite executives, mid-level managers and clinicians.
Students who went on the site tour had a chance to interact with Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder, a USC Price alumnus, who discussed in-depth the tools required to be a front-line leader. Van Gorder, who recently authored the book, The Front-Line Leader: Building a High-Performance Organization from the Ground Up, spoke extensively about the importance of connecting with fellow co-workers and understanding the patient population. These two skills are most important in addressing the information gap and are vital in retaining an efficient hospital system, he explained.
Students also had the opportunity to view the newly built Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, which included a tour of the state-of-the-art operating rooms and insight about product standardization to reduce costs.
Throughout the tour, students engaged in open discussions about today’s important healthcare values, leadership advice and emphasizing the need to put the patient’s interests first. By collaborating with Scripps Health, this site visit continued to accelerate the program’s geographical reach and reaffirm the school’s mission to train future healthcare leaders.