Pamela Saechow is an accomplished IT professional with over 20 years of experience in healthcare who has a track record of assisting healthcare organizations in developing/reshaping business models through technological innovation. Pamela is a strategic thinker and planner who balances short-term goals with long-term enterprise architectural visions to ensure that technology drives organisational value and provides a competitive edge. She is a valued C-suite partner with a great understanding of the numerous creative and digital solutions available, as well as the realities of the various downstream demands to ensure that the advantages are realised by patients, providers, and payors. Pamela currently serves as the CEO of Ellit Groups.
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Pamela Saechow:
Brief our audience about your journey as a visionary leader. What challenges did you have to face to get where you are today?
As a woman, it’s still difficult to break into the male-dominated healthcare industry. Women only account for ¼ of healthcare leadership roles despite accounting for 70% of the workforce. I can’t even count how many times I have been told that I should “stick to what I know” or “not rock the boat” or countless other cliches that were intended to keep me from reaching my goals. This is one of the main reasons why I founded Ellit Groups and work every day to ensure we are inclusive and equitable.
Describe the offerings from Ellit Groups that address the needs of your customers.
Our focus at Ellit Group is to ensure that “Your Success Is Our Success”. We aim to ensure that IT is the catalyst to achieve the goals and objectives that organisations strive for. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and insight in this industry, and we use that to work with leaders to solve their biggest challenges and turn them into results.
Our very name is based on fostering change and advancing solutions in the healthcare industry:
- Elle “She” IT (“Information Technology”) – We believe IT enables results by helping healthcare providers, payers, and life sciences realise tactical advantages.
- Groups “Bringing Together” – We are deliberate in our methodology and practises in aligning people, processes, and knowledge to enable customers .
- Elite “Superior talent and abilities” – We believe that quality relies on talent and culture to deliver a client’s needs.”
Ellit Groups helps lead organizations’ insights into actions. Our team has a demonstrated record of supporting client partners in the provider, payer, and life science sectors with strategies and tactical executions. Our services provide the best practises and lessons learned through industry experience that improve outcomes and success. We get to know our customers and understand their problems so we can turn those insights into action.
Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in this industry through your expertise in the industry.
I have been fortunate to work for some of the most prestigious healthcare organisations in this country. While serving as a healthcare provider, I was asked to join a new healthcare technology division at Sutter Health, a large California-based health system. Sutter’s willingness to embrace new technology and my hospital operational expertise quickly began to illuminate opportunities to improve the healthcare experience and outcomes across their vast network. Over the next 23 years, I held several leadership positions and helped a dedicated team transform Sutter’s digital health offerings. I was instrumental in completing a 5-year roadmap EHR roadmap across continuity of care and rationalised IT systems from “Best of Breed to Integrated.”
I then became the Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals for EHR Implementation, Optimization, and Support. I oversaw the strategy and budget of $1B+ and a staff of 400+. With their help, we collaborated with my colleagues and the city’s healthcare operational leaders across the State of New York’s City Health and Hospitals to transform care.
While serving the residents of New York City, the Cleveland Clinic, the world’s second-ranked hospital, offered the chance to expand my exposure to a global community of patients and clinicians. I joined them as an Associate Chief Information Officer and helped launch a digital transformation strategy to revolutionise patient care and caregiver experience. I led a team that reshaped the IT department, launched the Epic Refuel initiative and the M+A playbook on a global scale. Being able to drive this kind of change in the delivery of healthcare has been one of my greatest achievements.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
My biggest influence is my grandmother. I was born in Laos and raised by her. In a village that had no access to healthcare, I watched how she selflessly served the people in her community to live healthier lives. This upbringing served as a catalyst for me at a young age to have curiosity and compassion, which drove me to solve challenges that would promote happier, healthier lives.
Describe in detail the values and work culture that drive Ellit Groups.
At Ellit Groups, we pride ourselves on our diversity and differing perspectives. It is actually one of our strengths throughout the organization. We constantly seek top talent and empower our team to bring differing outlooks and opinions to help bring about the best possible results. The greater the diversity of opinions, the better the outcomes. Forward thinking and new solutions are what drive our organization. We strive for this to help elevate everyone to do their best.
Where do you envision yourself being in the long run and what are your future goals for Ellit Groups?
Our future goals with Ellit Groups are to continue to be innovative, provide unsurpassed healthcare IT services, and enhance global healthcare through linking people, technology, and knowledge. As a minority, woman owned business, I will ensure that we stay true to our motto “Get it done right”. It is essential for us to be inclusive and diverse to provide our clients with the best and brightest talents to deliver high quality, high value solutions.
What would be your advice to budding business leaders?
I want everyone to know that it is possible for anyone who has passion, drive, and an honest desire to make a difference in the world to achieve success. Continue to push yourself to learn as much as possible and never settle for the status quo. Channeling that passion that I had is what helped drive me, and I believe anyone with that passion will succeed in any industry they’re in.
