Ascension is becoming more nimble, with more empowered leaders, President and CEO Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA, recently told trade publication Modern Healthcare.
In a question-and-answer session, Joe talks about how Ascension’s Mission-inspired Transformation is propelling its Advanced Strategic Direction forward.
“This work is very integrated,” he says. “Each team has an executive sponsor from among our senior leaders, and the teams that have been assembled include associates from across our ministries. It’s a group of about 150 highly engaged associates from across the country.
“There’s a lot of excitement and energy around this work,” he says. “We’re trying to create an end-to-end experience that will create greater access to our system and meet consumers where they are.”
He also addresses how Ascension has responded to ongoing national discussions about immigrant rights and their impact on healthcare access.
“We’re very committed to 100% coverage, 100% access,” he says. “… our Mission remains unchanged. We will continue to care for the poor and underserved. That’s who we are, and we will always do that.”
Asked about the industry’s transition to value-based care, Joe says it’s an important change for the country. “I think that we ought to be rewarded for high quality and low cost,” he says. “As a country we need to get healthcare costs under control. And I think that’s probably the best way to do that.”
He also discusses Ascension’s move to a unified brand and identity across its sites of care.
“Having one Ascension brand has allowed us to speak with one voice when it comes to advocating for the poor and vulnerable,” he says. “It has also made the consumer journey much easier – it connects all 2,700 of our sites of care, both in the physical world and online. … It has really accelerated our One Ascension journey as we become a truly integrated healthcare system.”
Joe also discusses how more care is being provided outside of hospital walls, price transparency, gun violence, Ascension’s connection to the Vatican, and how Ascension is committed to strengthening Catholic healthcare.
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