Send us Fan Mail

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Kevin Gordon, VP of Supply Chain, Grady Health System

Episode Highlights

• Leadership Mindset:
  Kevin shares his guiding principles: “To whom much is given, much is required,” and never asking his team to do what he wouldn’t do himself.
• Career Journey & Supply Chain
  Kevin describes transitioning from roles in food & beverage and retail to healthcare supply chain at Grady. He discusses the wide-ranging scope of supply chain, including equipment, procurement, contracts, and social impact.
• Pivot to Healthcare:
  The move into healthcare was inspired by the desire for a steadier schedule, leading to a fellowship that revealed the 24/7 nature of healthcare—but ultimately proved to be a worthwhile decision.
• Defining Excellence:
  Building a results-driven, best-in-class supply chain team has been central to Grady’s recent recognition. Kevin credits success to assembling a strong team and focusing on best practices, rather than external accolades.
• Technology & AI in Healthcare:
  Discussing current trends, Kevin points to technology and AI as game changers, especially for supply chain processes like contract management and procurement, emphasizing that AI should enhance—not replace—human roles . He gives practical examples of how AI can save costs and minimize errors.
• Leadership Lessons:
  Two pivotal stories:
  • Choosing staff safety over operational loss when facing a hazardous situation in a previous job
  • Learning from a micromanager what not to do as a leader, building a leadership “bucket list” of do’s and don’ts.
• Influences & Mentors:
  Kevin Gordon emphasizes the importance of a strong leadership network and calls out multiple mentors from each stage of his career who provided key opportunities and guidance.
• Opportunities & Challenges:
  • Opportunity: Leveraging technology and improving supply chain processes remain critical for healthcare’s future.
  • Challenge: Political instability, changing regulations, and moving financial targets make strategic planning difficult, especially in supply chain (e.g., tariffs, government funding).
• Developing Future Leaders:
  Kevin Gordon describes creating an undergraduate internship program at Grady for exposure to non-clinical business roles in healthcare.
• Personal Why:
  His commitment to improving healthcare was galvanized by negative experiences his father faced as a patient, inspiring Kevin Gordon to do his part to improve patient care, even in non-clinical roles.

Connect with the Guest

• LinkedIn: Kevin D. Gordon
• Grady Health System: Visit their website or follow on LinkedIn.

Internship Program at Grady

• Paid, 9–10 weeks summer internships in finance, IT, supply chain, HR, facilities, and other non-clinical areas.
• Applications open between Thanksgiving and winter break; final project presentation to health system leaders.
• For more information, check Grady’s career page or contact Kevin Gordon on LinkedIn.

Is your healthcare organization ready to excel with Lean Six Sigma? Take our quick Readiness Assessment to uncover strengths and improvement opportunities for quality, safety, and efficiency

• Start Now: Lean Six Sigma Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

Send us Fan Mail

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Mark Moore, Chief Security Officer, Dayton Children's Hospital

Episode Summary

In this episode, Jarvis welcomes Mark Moore, Chief Security Officer at Dayton Children's Hospital. Together, they explore the critical topic of workplace violence in healthcare, the intersection of physical and digital security for leaders, and personal lessons in leadership shaped by experiences from the Marine Corps to executive protection. Mark shares invaluable perspectives on building safer hospitals and highlights actionable insights for healthcare leaders navigating today's rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Topics & Insights

• Leadership Mindset:
  Mark discusses the "1% better every day" mindset, drawn from his endurance athlete training, and how compounding small improvements positively impact his professional and personal life.
• Career Journey:
  From serving in the Marine Corps and executive protection for high-profile clients (including Dr. Henry Kissinger and Bill & Melinda Gates), to leading security at Dayton Children's Hospital, Mark’s career path is filled with dynamic transitions and valuable lessons.
• Workplace Violence in Healthcare:
  The episode dives deep into the increasing threats faced by healthcare executives and staff, especially following high-profile incidents. Mark outlines how the integration of physical and digital executive protection is rapidly becoming essential and how organizations can better support and protect their teams.
• Executive Protection Trends:
  The convergence of physical and cyber threats is a growing concern. Mark shares strategies—including the use of organizations like the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety—to help leaders anticipate, manage, and mitigate risks.
• Memorable Leadership Lessons:
  Mark candidly reflects on early career challenges, including the impact of negative leadership examples, and how they shaped his management philosophy. He emphasizes learning from both good and bad role models and the importance of handling crucial conversations.
• Community Partnerships:
  Mark and Jarvis T. Gray highlight the vital role of hospital consortia and collaborations with law enforcement, emergency services, and community leaders to ensure safety and respond to public health challenges together.
• Rapid-Fire Q&A:
  Mark shares his inspirations (the Marine Corps and his family’s influence), his best leadership advice, favorite resources including “Crucial Conversations,” and his commitment to continuous improvement both in security and on the endurance race course.

Notable Quotes

• “If you get 1% better every day, that improvement compounds.” – Mark
• “There are lots of things we can do to make our leaders a harder target, that don’t interfere in their daily lives.” – Mark
• “Bad news, unlike fine women and good scotch, does not get better with time.” – Mark

Resources & Mentions

• Book: “Crucial Conversations”
• Organization: International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS)
• Community: Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDHA)

Connect with Mark

• LinkedIn:

Is your healthcare organization ready to excel with Lean Six Sigma? Take our quick Readiness Assessment to uncover strengths and improvement opportunities for quality, safety, and efficiency

• Start Now: Lean Six Sigma Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

Send us Fan Mail

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guests: Dana Lujan, CEO, Wellthlinks

In this episode of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast, Jarvis T. Gray spotlights small business entrepreneurship in the healthcare and wellness space. He welcomes Dana Lujan, CEO of Wellthlinks, to discuss her journey from military service to healthcare leadership and eventually entrepreneurship. The conversation dives deep into building lasting values in a new consulting business, strategies for transitioning healthcare providers to concierge and direct primary care models, and the importance of integrity, stewardship, and excellence.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Dana's Background:
  Dana shares her career journey, starting with the military, moving into healthcare leadership roles, and ultimately launching her own consulting business. Her focus has shifted from operations and contracting to financial strategy, resulting in a well-rounded expertise.
• Entrepreneurship & Business Building:
  The discussion explores what inspired Dana to move from corporate roles to launching and selling her first consulting group, and now Wealth Lynx. She talks candidly about burnout, learning to say no, and leveraging her lived experience to better serve providers and employers.
• Wellthlinks Services:
  Dana explains how Wellthlinks consulting arm helps providers transition into concierge or direct primary care models, and educates employer groups about direct contracting to reduce healthcare costs and improve service.
• Personal Values & Business Alignment:
  The importance of integrity, stewardship, and excellence in business is explored, and Dana shares how these values shape Wealth Lynx’s approach to clients.
• Major Business Goals:
  The next big goal for Wealth Lynx is launching a SaaS platform, with Dana learning fundraising and connecting with accelerator groups. The episode also covers strategies for pilot programs in Las Vegas and Dallas, networking, event marketing, targeting rural healthcare needs, and leveraging legislation.

Takeaways

• Lead Generation: Networking and event marketing are powerful for building a community and driving leads.
• Content Creation: Publishing and podcasting amplify brand credibility and open doors for partnerships.
• Strategic Growth: Pilot programs and complying with current legislation (especially for rural healthcare) can provide new opportunities.
• Values Matter: Integrity, stewardship, and excellence are not just buzzwords—they’re differentiators in healthcare consulting.

Connect with the Guest

• Website: https://wellthlinks.com/
• LinkedIn: Connect with Dana

Is your healthcare organization ready to excel with Lean Six Sigma? Take our quick Readiness Assessment to uncover strengths and improvement opportunities for quality, safety, and efficiency

• Start Now: Lean Six Sigma Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.