FRONT LINE REFLECTIONS INTERVIEW WITH JEFF SOLLIS, CEO
So far, what is your impression of working with St. John’s Health Foundation? It’s very much a team environment. While the foundation is a different organization, it’s intertwined with St. John’s Health. They’re essentially my business partner in a lot of ways. When I meet people and they find out what my role is, they want to talk about it and share their positive experiences at St. John’s Health and St. John’s Health Foundation with me. It’s a privilege to be in a role where I’m representing two great organizations. I feel blessed. What has it been like getting to know the Jackson Hole community? I’ve known Jackson from a short distance, having lived in Idaho Falls for almost ten years, but I didn’t truly know Jackson until I took this job. People here are very engaged in their community — more so than any other place that I’ve lived. People that live here know this place is special, and they know the hospital is special, as well. The same mentality that is committed to preserving and protecting this land applies to the hospital: a real sense of ownership. It’s been awesome to observe.
Jeff Sollis with wife Rachel, and their children, Anna, Isaac, Ben, and Sam.
In terms of your strategic plan, what are the key elements? We need to continue to focus on driving quality; making sure that systems are efficient and patients have good access to services. St. John’s is always going to have to lean on its greatest asset: its people. We need to make sure we’re strengthening and supporting our workforce. That includes things like housing, but also making sure we have appropriate educational and professional development resources for them to thrive in their positions and careers. On the physician front, we need to do all we can to prevent burnout, which is a common scenario these days in medicine. Lastly, taking what we do well and doing it even better, while broadening the scope of services that we have — specifically in the outpatient specialty care arena.
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Jeff Sollis and Oncologist Dr. Melissa Cohen.
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