Building a Culture of Continuous Learning and Improvement

Erica Gregonis, Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health System KY & IN

Erica Gregonis, Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health System KY & IN

Erica Gregonis is a dedicated Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician with a passion for quality improvement in the health sector. From 2012 to 2019, she served at Clark Regional Medical Center, where she progressed from quality committee member to chief of staff. Her leadership journey led her to pursue an MBA, which she completed in 2018. In 2020, she stepped into her first chief medical officer (CMO) role, facing the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. Through resilience and strategic decision-making, she navigated the crisis, reinforcing her commitment to patient care, operational excellence and clinical leadership in healthcare.

Through this article, Gregonis emphasizes the importance of bringing in new initiatives for continuous learning and understanding organizational culture to effectively mobilize employees and foster change agility to improve quality and care delivery in hospitals.

Strengthening Operational Efficiency Through Strategic Leadership

I co-lead the inpatient throughput project alongside the chief nursing officer (CNO). We have collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to enhance hospital efficiency. We streamlined the emergency department (ED) admission process, reducing the time to assign beds while improving radiology efficiency. We also have redesigned the hospitalist and case management multidisciplinary huddle to strengthen discharge planning. These strategic improvements decreased the length of stay (LOS) for both inpatient and observation patients, ultimately optimizing patient flow and hospital resource utilization.

“Beyond patient care, we have revamped the peer review process for physicians, shifting the focus from evaluation to collaboration and education. This new approach encourages open dialogue, shared learning and continuous professional development, ensuring that physicians receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment.”

Recognizing Talents for Better Clinical Quality

Our organization prioritizes recognition and continuous improvement to enhance quality and patient experience. The Yellow Jersey is awarded to the hospital in our system with the best in patient safety, quality, and patient experience. Winners are recognized widely and team members proudly display pins on their badges as a symbol of their success. Each quarter, we honor the departments that demonstrate the highest standards in quality and patient experience, fostering a spirit of healthy competition and continuous growth.

To maintain high performance, the senior team conducts daily management board rounding with each department, ensuring alignment with key objectives and addressing challenges proactively. And daily safety huddle brings teams together to discuss immediate concerns, reinforcing a culture of safety and responsiveness.

On a broader scale, the executive quality council plays a significant role in long-term improvements. This council provides a comprehensive monthly report to the senior team, where all quality metrics are reviewed in detail. Based on these insights, actionable strategies are developed to drive sustained enhancements, ensuring that we continue delivering exceptional patient care and operational excellence.

Building a Culture of Transparency and Continuous Improvement

We prioritize communication and collaboration to enhance patient safety and operational efficiency. As mentioned previously, our daily safety huddle serves as a platform for identifying and addressing critical issues, ensuring that each department remains informed and can schedule collaborative meetings as needed. Our multi-disciplinary huddle brings together key stakeholders to align priorities and enhance coordination across teams. In emergencies, code blue meetings play a crucial role in reviewing responses to critical events, identifying areas for improvement and reinforcing best practices. These structured touchpoints foster a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, ultimately strengthening patient care and hospital-wide efficiency.

Enhancing Outcomes with Proactive Monitoring and Patient-Centered Care

We have implemented targeted initiatives to enhance patient care and foster a culture of continuous learning among physicians. Our COPD clinic integrates remote patient monitoring, allowing for proactive management of patients and early intervention, significantly reducing readmissions. Similarly, our CHF clinic is dedicated to improving patient outcomes by providing specialized care and support, leading to better disease management and fewer hospital visits.

Beyond patient care, we have revamped the peer review process for physicians, shifting the focus from evaluation to collaboration and education. This new approach encourages open dialogue, shared learning and continuous professional development, ensuring that physicians receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment. These initiatives improve clinical outcomes and also enhance the overall experience for both patients and healthcare providers, reinforcing our commitment to quality care and professional excellence.

Mobile Approach to Equitable Healthcare

Our hospital is committed to expanding access to care and fostering community engagement. Through our rural health clinic (RHC), we launched a mobile clinic to reach underserved communities, ensuring patients receive essential healthcare services closer to home. In addition, we actively engage local communities in our patient, family and advisory Council (PFAC), creating a platform for meaningful input that shapes patient-centered care initiatives. To further strengthen our commitment to inclusivity and representation, we prioritize maintaining a diverse board of directors, ensuring that leadership reflects the communities we serve. These efforts reinforce our mission to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare for all.

Key Advice to Aspiring Leaders

Being open to learning is key to growth and success. Always remain open to new ideas, continuously expanding your knowledge and skills. Challenge yourself by tackling difficult problems, even when they seem insurmountable—these experiences offer invaluable lessons that build resilience and insight. Approach old challenges with a fresh perspective, as new ways of thinking often lead to innovative solutions. By staying curious, stepping outside your comfort zone and reimagining problems, you cultivate adaptability and drive meaningful progress in both personal and professional life.