by Austin Reed and Leighton Fuqua

Question: Tell us about Centennial Heart and the current environment that outpatient groups are experiencing, particularly in terms of staffing, burnout, and recruitment.

Response: Centennial Heart is proud to be part of the HCA family, and we remain confident in the environment and opportunities we offer our staff. It is no secret that there are staffing challenges across the healthcare system, but we are fortunate to have the very best staff, and we uphold a standard that we do not deviate from. Specifically, in EP device management, finding highly specialized clinicians has always been a challenge, even before I joined this team. This is a common theme across the country, as confirmed by many administrators I have spoken to. Despite these challenges, we continue to provide excellent patient care, supported by our dedicated and talented team.

Question: Given the various opportunities and challenges in your leadership role, how did our expertise and successful partnership provide you with a sense of confidence?

Response: Centennial Heart is the largest cardiac group at HCA. As mentioned earlier, we have the best physicians and maintain the highest standards for all our team members because our patients, both local and those who travel to us, expect and deserve it. When I started, having a group like CV Remote Solutions already established helped me feel confident that our patients were receiving the same level of expertise we have always provided. As I continued to learn more about the cardiovascular service line, having them as a resource for one small niche of it helped me build an understanding and a strong foundation as we strategized the future of our group. Outsourcing isn’t the long-term goal, but having confidence in the team you are outsourcing to allows you to tackle other priorities that may need your attention sooner.

Question: How do you ensure that the partnership between Centennial Heart and CV Remote Solutions remains successful, both from a financial perspective and in terms of maintaining high-quality patient care?

Response: Ensuring the success of our partnership involves great communication, understanding the opportunity cost, and validating the return on investment on a monthly basis. This partnership requires a balanced approach, keeping a good pulse on operations, and fulfilling commitments on both sides. We have identified that partnering with CV Remote Solutions is beneficial for our growth. It allows us to provide the highest level of cardiac device management while remaining financially viable. This partnership has enabled us to maintain high-quality patient care and focus on growth and scalability, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our patients effectively.

Question: What is your favorite accomplishment to date in your professional career, and why does it stand out to you?

Response: My favorite accomplishment to date in my career has been helping managers under me grow in their leadership journey while fostering an environment where allied health professionals and physicians can thrive. This ultimately helps our patients receive amazing care. There are so many incredible stories of lives being saved and clinicians or physicians going above and beyond, which reminds me why I entered this profession in the first place. Centennial Heart and HCA is an amazing place to work and receive care, and I am proud to lead this team.