Susan Douglass

Susan Douglass has more than 20 years experience in working with healthcare organizations to overcome a myriad of workforce issues to help clients meet the challenges of keeping the workforces productive and focused. The speculation and concern around healthcare reform has Susan working with clients to develop strategies focused on critical aspects of future success. The need for focused talent management strategies and action plans backed by top management is higher than ever given several issues but principally two key healthcare reform realities driving talent management:

The onset of bundled payments and team -oriented reimbursement mechanisms

This requires the C-suite and Physicians to effectively relate to each other and build the layers of physician managers required to meet the demands of the future or suffer the financial consequences. The ingrained mindsets of both parties need to be refocused and physicians need to be willing to gain the leadership competencies and people skills not taught in medical school and residency.

The reversal of the traditional hierarchical importance of medical providers

The answer to this issue could transform the traditional clinical workforce immeasurably as more and more physician extender roles emerge (i.e. physician assistants, nurse practitioners and midwives) and the traditional clinical paradigm shifts. Many are beginning this journey with a poorly trained, disengaged workforce with a "me" vs. "we" mentality.

In addition, Ms. Douglass speaks extensively, author's articles, leads workshops/webinars and consults on these topics:

  • Creating Physician Leaders...Proven Strategies For Success
  • Recruiting And Retaining Talent In Unprecedented Times
  • The Power of Linking HR Business Processes (i.e. compensation, learning, work/life issues and performance management) To Create Desired Workforce Behaviors.
  • A Seven Step Approach For Effective Physician Compensation Plans
  • Becoming The Physicians' Organization of Choice
  • Successful Physician Recruiting And Retention...Getting It Right The First Time.

Susan is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the founder of the HR leading practices awards within the American Society of Healthcare Human Resource Administration (ASHHRA). Prior to starting her own firm, Susan spent 15 years as a senior executive at Towers Perrin and Ernst & Young. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Rollins College

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