Sep 3, 2019
About the episode:
Michelle Hood is the president and CEO at Northern Light Health in Brewer, Maine. She came to Northern Light Health (formerly Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems) in April 2006 from Billings, MT, where she was president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, Montana Region, as well as president and CEO of its flagship hospital, St. Vincent Healthcare. As president and CEO of Northern Light Health, she focuses on health care policy and design models at the state and national levels, positioning the system to be successful in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Hood builds partnerships that work for Maine communities, strengthening the economic and educational climate of the state. She is an at-large American Hospital Association Board member. She is also past chair of the Maine Hospital Association Board and is on several community and national boards, including past chairs of both the University of Maine System Board of Trustees and the Vizient New England Board. She currently serves as chair of Health Insights, a national membership organization focused on education and dialogue between a group of health executives and companies that support the industry.
Hood received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and a Master of Health Care Administration degree from Georgia State University. She is the proud recipient of Purdue’s School of Biological Sciences 2015 Outstanding Alumna Award along with several other community recognitions. Hood is a seasoned executive dedicated to the transformation of the health care delivery and financing models. She brings her experience in academic, national faith-based and rural health care integrated systems to the challenges of today’s rapidly changing environment.
In the episode:
2:48 - Michelle shares how she thought she wanted to be a laboratory scientist before discovering hospital administration.
5:21 - Michelle talks about how she developed her leadership skills.
7:07 - Michelle talks about aspects of her career that she would have done differently, like moving on from her first job sooner in order to gain more diverse experiences.
9:23 - Michelle shares an important piece of advice for young people related to taking risks.
10:24 - Why Michelle is intrigued by how doors can be opened for you through social media.
13:31 - Nancy talks about the importance of messaging in public relation and why you have to show your audience what is in it for them.
15:52 – Michelle shares why politics can be an obstacle to success.
20:38 - Michelle talks about Northern Light’s “chart” that helps the organization grow.
26:30 - To measure success, Michelle shares that Northern Light monitors digital activity, sends out surveys and looks into patient satisfaction.
29:17 - Nancy and Michelle talk about the importance of a brand promise.
31:30 - Michelle shares how her family has helped to keep her grounded and provide support as well as how her board membership has helped to grow her network
36:40 – Find out the resource Michelle finds helpful are apps to help keep her organized.
39:04 - For someone starting out, Michelle suggests establishing a pattern of lifelong learning and an enthusiasm for the work.
40:07 - Michelle leaves on parting thought about the privilege of living in Maine.
Quote:
"Communication is the glue that holds it all together.” — Michelle Hood, CEO of Northern Light
Links:
Traction by Gino Wickman
Looking to connect:
Email: mhood@northernlight.org
Northern Light Health: https://northernlighthealth.org/