Nashville Medical News: After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, the Council Fellows program is back. How has the program been fine-tuned?
Marc: We are thrilled to reinstate the Council Fellows program and introduce a new chapter in this top program's evolution. First, we have established an advisory board made up of nationally ranked experts to support our new, cutting-edge curriculum, as well as recruitment and facilitation. We've also created a brand-new position, classroom facilitator, to support and guide dialogue in the classes. A frequent Council Fellows faculty member, Michael Burcham, will serve in this role. As a signal of the program's next iteration, the Council Fellows will also take on a fresh look and feel with a newly designed logo. Lastly, the coming year's class schedule will be a hybrid of half in-person and half virtual sessions, recognizing the changes the world has experienced over the past year. Council leadership took advantage of the program's pause by listening and evaluating the initiative and how we can further drive our industry forward.
NMN: How did the pandemic change the Council Fellows' world view? Has the all-consuming nature of the pandemic impacted coursework or increased emphasis in areas like change management and supply chain logistics?
Marc: Through a customized curriculum, Council Fellows have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to share their unique industry experiences and learn from peers leading top healthcare organizations. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly provided extraordinary experiences, showcasing just how fast healthcare can change. Innovators across industries came together to fight the virus, there has been a rise in healthcare transactions and society has rightfully demanded actions that tackle our communities' health disparities, just to name a few. With the upcoming class, Council Fellows will address innovation from inside and outside healthcare, social determinants of health, transactions in the industry, digital health and the new normal post-pandemic.
NMN: Who is the ideal candidate to be a Council Fellow?
Marc: The ideal candidate is a healthcare executive or senior leader from organizations of all sizes and industry sectors including health IT and data, government, service delivery, managed care, life sciences and more. Council Fellows are passionate about healthcare, have a vision and drive to make it better and believe they can move beyond the complexity and challenges of the industry to create meaningful change in their organizations and beyond. And, of course, they are able to make the class sessions, which are listed at HealthCareCouncilFellows.com.
NMN: What is the general procedure to apply for the Council Fellows Class of 2022?
Marc: Interested candidates can apply at HealthCareCouncilFellows.com/Apply. We ask that applicants include information and statements of interest and a professional bio and resume, in addition to letters of recommendation from their CEO and an industry leader. Applications open Sept. 8, 2021, and will be accepted through Oct. 29, 2021. The 2022 class will then be selected by the Council and announced in early December.
NMN: What should the designation of 'Nashville Health Care Council Fellow' signify to those outside the program?
Marc: The Nashville Health Care Council Fellows is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for healthcare's brightest leaders that you can't access anywhere else in the U.S.
Nashville has deep roots as the nation's healthcare capital. With an unmatched legacy as an incubator of healthcare providers, health services start-ups and professional service firms, Nashville provides Council Fellows with exposure both to the leaders who created the biggest healthcare organizations in the world and to those who are introducing new models and innovations to the market.
For leaders across the nation, being a Council Fellow is an unmatched designation.
NMN: Share a bit about the alumni programming and why that is important.
Marc: One of the biggest benefits to Council Fellows is immediate entry to an exclusive and diverse network of healthcare leaders shaping the industry. For in-demand leaders, every minute matters. The Council Fellows program offers a fast track to form powerful bonds with the nation's brightest healthcare leaders, and our Alumni Association ensures those bonds are kept. From continued strong connections to new business opportunities and innovative partnerships, the Council Fellows Alumni Association ensures members continue the momentum of collaboration and innovation long after graduation.
NMN: You are new to the Health Care Council but certainly not new to the healthcare industry. Please tell our readers a bit about yourself, your background and what you hope to bring to the table in this new role.
Marc: After having worked in healthcare for over a decade, I've fostered passions for public health and furthering diversity in the industry. I'm originally from Boston and have worked all over the country, learning more about the landscape in different geographies. I received my Master of Public Health in Health Services Policy and Management from the University of South Carolina, bachelor's in Community Health from Georgia Southern University, and certificate in Project Management from Georgia State University.
Prior to joining the Council, I served as a performance improvement coach at the American Hospital Association. There, I developed and provided strategic support for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives to hospitals and health systems across the nation. It helped me understand the various key markets that impact healthcare most, like Nashville and Chicago, and helped polish my skills as a leader. As the director of Council Fellows, I hope to bring my energy and positive attitude that served me well in previous roles. These traits, along with my experience, allow me to foster relationships and identify opportunities to support the advancements in health care and the Council Fellows initiative.
NMN: All work/no play is no fun! What do you like to do outside of transforming healthcare, and how are you enjoying the move to Nashville?
Marc: Outside of healthcare, you can find me painting. I have always enjoyed painting and find it as a creative way to express myself. This passion was ignited by my 6th grade art teacher who encouraged me to enter a schoolwide art contest, which I won and had my art displayed in Boston City Hall.
I am truly enjoying my move to Nashville. I especially love how friendly everyone is and the rich history in this great city. I love being able to call Nashville home!
NMN: Any final thoughts to share?
Marc: In my years of healthcare experience, I have always been in awe of the caliber of the Council Fellows program. With the program, classmates are fueled with the energy and inspiration that first attracted them to healthcare. They gain relationships with an unmatched network of peers, a deep understanding of the challenges facing the U.S. healthcare system and proven strategies to drive meaningful change. With the state of our healthcare industry, the time to invest in your career is now. I encourage healthcare executives from across the country and from all healthcare industry sectors to apply. Again, the application is at HealthCareCouncilFellows.com/Apply.
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