Michael D. Peterson, FACHE, President of Androscoggin Valley Hospital

Today’s guest is the Michael Peterson, the President of Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, New Hampshire. Androscoggin Valley Hospital is part of North Country Healthcare, a system of four critical access hospitals in the North Country of New Hampshire.

In this podcast, I talk with Mike about his career, which included 28 years of service to the Eastern Maine Health System, where he worked his way up from part time work while in college, through being a licensed social worker, moving into information systems, and then back to operations, to ultimately being the chief operating officer at Sebastacook Valley Health before coming to Androscoggin in 2015.

I really enjoyed talking with Mike and I think you will especially enjoy his insights about leadership and the experience of being a new hospital president. I have produced an extended version of the interview that covers Mike’s career leading up to and including his work at Androscoggin. An abridged version of the interview begins with his work at Androscoggin.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: 

Extended Version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/michael-peterson-president-of-androscoggin-valley-hospital

Abridged Version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/abridged-michael-peterson-president-of-androscoggin-valley-hospital

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/I-tgf-g1ZVQ

Interview transcript is available here.


Podcast Outline

Time       Topic
0:01:57 education background - deciding on healthcare
0:06:48 early experience in healthcare
0:07:48 1st full time job in healthcare - Aspen Ledge and Acadia Hospital
0:09:09 moving into project management through information management
0:11:54 Y2K project manager for Eastern Maine Healthcare (predecessor of Eastern Maine Health)
0:14:55 what was Y2K --> disaster drills
0:18:47 learning large scale project management
0:20:17 the origin of the Eastern Maine Health System
0:22:07 moving to Eastern Maine Medical Center - director of surgical and imaging systems
0:26:52 cultural conflicts between administrative and clinical 
0:28:49 Director of e-Business of EMHS
0:33:15 Corporate Director for Information Systems, EMHS
0:35:10 Chief Administrative Officer of Sebastacook Valley Hospital
0:39:34 learning to ask the right questions
0:41:03 detecting problems when you are not the expert
0:43:01 responsibilities of being part of the senior executive team
0:44:00 Lean management
0:48:41 promotion to COO of Sebastacook
0:49:55 Androscoggin Valley Hospital and Berlin, NH
0:55:08 the North Country Healthcare - a unique affiliated system of four critical access hospitals
1:01:42 governance and the Board of Androscoggin Valley Hospital
1:06:17 the work of the Board of Trustees
1:07:19 strategic planning at Androscoggin Valley Hospital
1:08:47 how does the Board evaluate the President
1:10:31 challenges of running a hospital in a rural environment?
1:12:42 payer mix
1:14:38 what are the skills required to be president of a critical access hospital
1:16:15 how did COO experience prepare for the President role?
1:17:41 what was surprising about becoming the President of a hospital?
1:20:59 what keeps you up at night?
1:22:05 leadership philosophy
1:22:41 what are the characteristics of a good leader
1:24:32 leadership lesson - letting people make mistakes
1:27:57 where do junior leaders make mistakes?
1:29:05 leadership advice to junior leaders
1:30:08 mentors and mentorship
1:32:04 being a mentor
1:33:21 role of professional organizations in development
1:35:10 book recommendations
1:36:42 advice for early careerists

Topics Discussed:

Androscoggin Valley Hospital

North Country Healthcare

Eastern Maine Health System

Sebastacook Valley Health

Eastern Maine Medical Center

Acadia Hospital

Lincoln on Leadership

The Servant

If Disney Ran Your Hospital

American College of Healthcare Executives

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Susanna Fier, Esq., VP of Public Affairs and Marketing, Elliot Health System

Today’s guest is Susanna Fier, the Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing for the Elliot Health System in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Susanna made a mid-career transition from law to healthcare. Prior to coming to the Elliot, she worked as an attorney specializing in civil litigation, arguing cases all the way to the state supreme court. In this podcast we talk about how she became a lawyer, what it was like to be represent clients in court, and then how her prior experience helps her do her job today as a member of the senior leadership team in the Elliot Health System. Susanna explains how she manages communications, both internally and externally, her relationship with the press, and how she prepares members of her organization to interact with the press themselves.

Susanna and I had a lengthy conversation, and I think I probably laughed more in this interview than any other, so I have produced two versions of this podcast, an abridged version and an extended version.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud 

                   Extended version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/susanna-fier-vp-of-public-affairs-and-marketing-the-elliot-health-system

                   Abridged version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/abridged-susanna-fier-vp-of-public-affairs-and-market-elliot-health-system

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/qZ0yh4Ae-6U

Link to transcript here.

Links to Selected Topics Discussed

The Elliot Health System

Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation

University of New Hampshire School of Law

University of Vermont

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Policy Special: Hodder on Current Health Policy Issues

Today’s podcast is a break from the usual format. I have my colleague Lucy Hodder, Director of Health Law Programs and Professor of Law at the University of New Hampshire School of Law back to the program to discuss the current state of health policy and some of President-Elect Donald Trump’s health policy proposals. 

For those of you who know Lucy or have listened to my interview with her, you know she has an extensive background in health law and policy. It was fun to talk with her and discuss the current state of health policy, especially in light of recent presidential election.

Our discussion starts with a review of the current state of health policy, both nationally and in particular in the state of New Hampshire. We then talk about some of the trends and possibilities going forward, and conclude with a discussion of Mr. Trump's health policy platform.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/policy-podcast-with-lucy-hodder

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: 

Christopher M. Callahan, VP of HR, Exeter Health Resources

Today’s guest is Christopher Callahan, the Vice President of Human Resources for Exeter Health Systems in Exeter, New Hampshire. Exeter Health Resources is a healthcare system that includes the Exeter Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, Core Physicians, a multispecialty physician group, and Rockingham VNA. 

Chris has over 35 years of experience in human resource management in the healthcare industry, having served in a number of hospitals and health systems prior to coming to Exeter Health Resources. Human resources is a critical support function in any organization, and it has evolved dramatically, as Chris explains in the interview, from a tactical, routine paper work driven service to a strategic asset that can have a powerful impact on an organization’s success.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud 

                   Extended version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/christopher-m-callahan-vp-of-hr-for-exeter-health-resources

                   Abridged version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/abridged-christopher-m-callahan-vp-of-hr-for-exeter-health-resources

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/VP3jib_wx30

Transcript: A transcript of the interview is available here.

Podcast Outline

Time      Topic

0:02:02 undergraduate work, deciding on healthcare
0:06:12 MHA at George Washington University
0:12:52 staying on with first job at Mercy
0:13:52 becoming assistant administrator for HR
0:16:45 HR as truth teller to power
0:18:31 leaving Mercy for Methodist
0:21:09 the effect of managed care on reimbursement
0:22:10 downsizing and layoffs in the late '80's
0:23:15 religious hospitals and employment as mission
0:27:44 the personal impact of doing lay offs
0:31:49 evolving from "personnel" to HR
0:40:24 VP of Patient Care Division for Northeast Health
0:43:12 St. Joseph Healthcare Services
0:46:56 Coming to Exeter Health Resources
0:50:34 the appeal of HR work
0:50:34 Exeter Health Resources 
0:54:13 organization of the HR department
0:55:28 organizational development and executive coaching
0:57:52 HR Partners
1:00:43 What makes an effective evaluation system
1:03:04 compensation and benefits
1:06:05 talent acquisition
1:10:06 leader development
1:14:28 identifying upcoming talent
1:16:01 boomerang employees
1:17:51 the most challenging part of the job
1:21:26 role as a member of the senior executive team
1:24:06 Chris's leadership philosophy
1:25:24 how has Chris's leadership style evolved
1:25:51 making the transition from tactical to strategic
1:26:50 leadership lessons learned the hard way
1:28:05 where do leaders fail?
1:29:33 where do early careerists fail?
1:31:16 how has HR in healthcare changed?
1:33:13 book recommendations
1:34:47 why a career in healthcare HR?

Links to Selected Topics Discussed

Exeter Health Resources

Kings College

George Washington University MHA Program

Book Recommendations

      Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin

      Into the Storm: A Study in Command, Tom Clancy and GEN Frederick Franks

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Patrick Jordan, COO, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Today’s guest is Patrick Jordan, the Chief Operating Officer for the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, located in Burlington, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. It encompasses an ambulatory care center serving more than 3,000 patients each day and a 317-bed hospital. It is a level II trauma center, and features several centers including the Cerebrovascular Disease Center and the Landsman Heart and Vascular Center. The first liver transplant in New England using an adult living donor was performed at Lahey and the system continues to support teaching and research in collaboration with Tufts University School of Medicine.

In this podcast we explore Patrick’s career, a journey that begins with service as a ranger-qualified Army officer in the renowned 82nd Airborne Division and Special Operations Command Atlantic. We talk about how he transitioned from military service to hospital administration, starting as the manager of linen services for Massachusetts General Hospital, working his way up through logistics jobs, then transitioning to clinical operations, eventually holding the position of interim president for Newton-Wellesley Hospital before coming to present position at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. 

Patrick has a great story, and he tells it with a lot of candor about his own successes and challenges. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/patrick-jordan-coo-of-lahey-hospital-medical-center

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/health-leader-forge/the-health-leader-forge/e/patrick-jordan-coo-of-lahey-hospital-medical-center-48109847?autoplay=true

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/eMv_kXHdTuo

Transcript: A transcript of the interview is available here.

Links to Topics Discussed

Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Newton-Welesley Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital

82nd Airborne Division

Suffolk University

Fitchburg State University

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Shaping the Future: Leadership and Public Policy in Healthcare

This is a special edition of the Health Leader Forge. On October 7th the College of Health and Human Services and the Northern New England Association of Healthcare Executives hosted a special event at the University of New Hampshire, Shaping the Future: Leadership and Public Policy in Healthcare. We had two panels and a keynote speaker and it was a terrific event. 

The first panel was titled, Talent Management for Bench Strength Development. This panel included: Samantha O’Neill, the Vice President for Human Resources at the Elliot Health System in Manchester, New Hampshire; Kevin Callahan, the President and CEO of Exeter Health Resources; and Warren West, the CEO of Littleton Regional Healthcare and CEO of the North Country Healthcare. I had the privilege of moderating the panel.

The second panel was titled, The Healthcare Organization’s Role in Formulating Public Policy. This panel included: Katie Fullam Harris, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Accountable Care Strategy, MaineHealth; Richard Silveria, Chief Financial Officer, Boston Medical Center; Matthew Houde, Director, Government Relations, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The panel was moderated by my colleague Lucy Hodder, Director, Health Law and Policy, Professor of Law, University of New Hampshire.

The keynote talk was by Dr. Louis Josephson, CEO of Brattleboro Retreat. The talk was titled, From Broken System to Accountable Care: Improving Mental Health and Addictions Services by Putting Patients First. (slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_i6n1cpkLYwVGEwUEtfUVlBVG8/view?usp=sharing )

Each of the panels has been uploaded separately. Links are below:

Soundcloud:

Talent Management for Bench Strength Development

https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/talent-management-for-bench-strength-development 

The Healthcare Organization’s Role in Formulating Public Policy

https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/the-healthcare-organizations-role-in-formulating-public-policy 

From Broken System to Accountable Care: Improving Mental Health and Addictions Services by Putting Patients First

https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/from-broken-system-to-accountable-care 

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

Bios of the speakers and moderators by event:

Talent Management for Bench Strength Development

Kevin Callahan has served as President and CEO of Exeter Health Resources, Inc. and Exeter Hospital, Inc. since 1985. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of Exeter Health Resources, Inc. and Exeter Hospital, Inc. from 1981 to 1985. Mr. Callahan graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts and received his Master in Health Service Administration at George Washington University. (see Kevin's interview on the Health Leader Forge here.)

Samantha O’Neill is the Vice President of Human Resources at Elliot Health System where she leads a team supporting over 3,500 employees and oversees all compensation, benefits, employee relations, recruiting, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Human Resources Administration. Prior to joining Elliot, Samantha served as Vice President of Human Resources of the Americas at Velcro USA, Vice President of Human Resources of the Americas at TomTom, and Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Ajilon Consulting. She is affiliated with Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Westfield State College.

Warren West served as CEO of Littleton Regional Healthcare for the past nine years and is now the CEO of the North Country Healthcare. North Country Healthcare is a recently formed affiliation of four critical access hospitals operating in the North Country (Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Littleton Regional Healthcare in Littleton, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, and Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster).  The affiliation was formed with the belief that we are stronger together and will focus on developing a clinically integrated network, while improving quality and reducing costs, to meet the healthcare needs of patients in the North Country.

Mark Bonica is an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Health Management and Policy. He joined the faculty in January of 2015 after serving in the Army Medical Department as a Medical Service Corps officer for 23 years. He holds a PhD in economics, as well as an MBA in organizational behavior and an MS in finance. He teaches management and finance, and is conducting research on talent management practices in healthcare organizations. He is also the host of the podcast, The Health Leader Forge.

The Healthcare Organization’s Role in Formulating Public Policy

Katie Fullam Harris serves as Senior Vice President of Government & Relations and Accountable Care Strategy for MaineHealth, Maine’s largest health care system. She works with policymakers and employers to shape and respond to public policy and market changes, and she leads efforts to develop new system initiatives that support MaineHealth’s accountable care goals. Prior to joining MaineHealth, Katie was the Director of Government Relations for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine.  She has also served as a program director for the Maine Development Foundation and as Assistant to the Commissioner for the Maine Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. (See Katie's interview on the Health Leader Forge here.)

Matthew Houde joined Dartmouth-Hitchcock as the Senior Community Communications Specialist in 2011 and is now the Director of Government Relations. Matthew served in the NH legislature from 2007 to 2012, one term in the House and two in the Senate. Matthew received his BA from Dartmouth College and JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Matthew lives in Cornish with his wife Sarah and daughter Haddie. Matthew serves on the Board of Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health System.

Richard Silveria is currently the Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO of Boston Medical Center, where he has corporate responsibilities for finance functions including treasury.  Boston Medical Center is $2.3 B health system primarily comprised of a 496 bed Academic Medical Center, the Boston Medical Center HealthNet Health Plan, the Faculty Practice Foundation and an insurance captive.

Lucy Hodder is the director of health law and policy programs at the University of New Hampshire, a professor of law at UNH School of Law, and a member of the leadership team at the Institute for Health Policy and Practice. She most recently served as Legal Counsel to New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan and senior health care policy director, working with the Governor on initiatives to expand access to health, mental health and substance use disorder services for New Hampshire citizens.  Previously a shareholder in the firm of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C, and Chair of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group, Lucy assisted providers and businesses navigate the changing health care environment. (see Lucy's interview on the Health Leader Forge here.)

From Broken System to Accountable Care: Improving Mental Health and Addictions Services by Putting Patients First

Louis Josephson joined the Brattleboro Retreat as President and CEO in January 2016. He came to the Brattleboro Retreat from Los Angeles, Cal., where he had served as president and chief executive officer of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services since July of 2013. From 2005 to 2013, Dr. Josephson served as president and CEO of Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc., in Concord, NH. While there he successfully stabilized the organization’s finances, launched several innovative new clinical programs and established a new strategic alliance with the community health system. During the same period of time Dr. Josephson also served as vice president of behavioral health for Concord Hospital.

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Lucy C. Hodder, J.D., Director of Health Law Programs and Professor of Law

Today’s guest is Lucy Hodder, Director of Health Law Programs and Professor of Law at the University of New Hampshire School of Law, and a member of the Institute for Health Policy and Practice in the College of Health and Human Services also at the University of New Hampshire. With her dual appointment, she both helps train the next generation of attorneys in the state in the application of legal principles to health care, and works with the Institute on some of the most challenging health care problems facing the state today.

In this podcast we explore Lucy’s career, a journey that took her back and forth between public service and private practice in several states and regions of the country, including working in the office of the New Hampshire Attorney General, being a senior shareholder in the firm of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, and finally before joining the faculty at the University of New Hampshire, serving as the Legal Counsel to the Governor as well as senior health policy advisor.

I think the thing that struck me most about my interview with Lucy was her commitment to service throughout her career. From the time she was in law school to through her time in a high powered private practice, she made time to provide public service. When the governor asked her to serve as her legal counsel, Lucy’s career was in full bloom. She shares the advice she received from Tom Rath, one of the principals in her firm, and he told her: “You practice in the New Hampshire Bar, when a governor asks you to serve, you have to be hard pressed to say no… that’s what we’re here for, that’s what we do in New Hampshire… when the governor asks you to serve you should say yes.” I think that says a lot about not only Lucy and her firm, but the legal community in New Hampshire.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/lucy-c-hodder-jd-director-of-health-law-programs-and-professor-of-law

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ICh20AACTE0?list=PLWAR9LUGZi4mT4d01Lo_VqU4TxJKoW0Fu

Transcript: A transcript of the interview is available here.


Podcast Outline

Time         Topic

0:02:30 educational background, interning with a Federal Judge

0:06:15 Georgetown Law; teaching "street law", domestic violence clinic

0:10:25 clerking for a federal judge in New Orleans (and where to eat)

0:13:50 first job in private practice at Brobeck, Phleger, & Harrison in San Francisco

0:19:17 Assistant Attorney General, Civil Bureau, New Hampshire Department of Justice

0:25:44 leaving government service to go back to private practice

0:26:54 private practice with Rath, Young & Pignatelli

0:28:27 becoming chair of the Healthcare Practice Group

0:30:22 being a successful healthcare attorney

0:31:45 what is a "shareholder", governnance of a law firm

0:34:08 developing a client base as an attorney

0:35:50 the effect of the PPACA on her practice

0:36:57 legal counsel to the Governor, back to government service

0:41:15 issues the legal counsel to the Governor advised on

0:43:54 coming to UNH, establishing the health law program

0:46:25 dual appointment with Law School and CHHS

0:48:40 teaching health law

0:49:20 working with the Institute for Health Policy and Practice

0:50:48 critical health policy issues today

0:52:02 teaching health law as part of health management education

0:53:23 leadership and influence

0:54:44 leadership without authority

0:56:30 mentorship, finding a mentor

1:01:00 organizational culture

1:02:12 professional reading on health policy

1:03:44 advice to early careerists

Links to Selected Topics Discussed

Health Law & Policy, University of New Hampshire School of Law

Health Law & Policy Certificate, University of New Hampshire School of Law

Institute for Health Policy and Practice

Previous interview with Director of Institute of Health Policy and Practice

Faculty Profile - Lucy Hodder

The Honorable Rya Zobel

Georgetown Law

United States District Court,  Eastern District of Louisiana

The Honorable Martin Feldman, Judge, US District Court

New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General

Rath,Young and Pignatelli 

Health Affairs

The Bitter Pill

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