Molly McCarthy, MBA, BSN, RN, RN-BC

As the COVID pandemic comes toward an end, nurse leaders are rapidly emerging into a “new normal” of leading health care delivery. One aspect that accelerated during and our new normal was greater adoption integration technology. Nurse uniquely positioned to influence, advocate for, lead future technology delivery models. Molly McCarthy, MBA, BSN, RN, RN-BC, National Director U.S. Health Providers Plans at Microsoft, shares how she influences this space as leader. JB: Molly, can you tell readers about your journey role for Microsoft Health, some examples influence on company care? MM: I have been in tech majority my career. began career working clinically bedside NICU pediatric Washington, DC area Northern California. always fascinated with bedside, mainly medical devices. transitioned from nursing device industry while finishing MBA San Francisco; worked Natua Medical, which developed manufactured devices neonates—which is where clinical experience was. saw hospital networks electronic records Affordable Care Act came play—as critical step understanding patient condition journey. Beyond digitizing record, all data information becoming more significant time. In 2013, when Patient Monitoring Clinical Informatics Phillips Healthcare, reached out me seized opportunity—I curious learn their At time, sought expand expertise help drive conversation develop relationships outside traditional [IT] leaders. decisions were historically made without input business line or teams, but advancement outcomes. joined June 2013 effort include decision-makers. During time growth commitment outstanding. here supporting sellers customers, historically, had physicians leadership roles. But VP Michael Robinson, valued perspective. Consequently, morphed changed based upon company's investment coupled desire continue champion nurses patients within big company. believe clinicians integral design, development, deployment solutions. The voice nurse, boardroom, solution product development process. Nursing inclusion something champion, early companies. myself facilitating dialogue between end users, clinicians, software hardware engineers ensure we creating solutions make sense. How practice represented like Microsoft? US team includes professionals than 504 years experience. We support providers, plans, life science technology/device companies by helping digital transformation journey, specifically, connecting IT department—to having operational conversations. also internal groups through education programs well advocating case, representing thier voices around challenges obstacles. Another component connect industry. Maintaining connection colleagues value—today throughout seek network different organizations, peer groups, better understand issues barriers face, innovations trajectory workforce. beginning 2020, Year Midwife campaign poised support. unfolded, quickly shifted accelerate nurses. A highlight creation NurseHack4Health. partnership Johnson Johnson, SONSIEL (Society Scientists Innovators Entrepreneurs & Leaders, nonprofit organization), Dev-Up (a developer nonprofit), held virtual hackathon initially May 13 15, goal bringing together world developers over weekend ideate create minimum viable products. hack examined 4 areas pandemic: remote monitoring hospital; home; handoff, transfer, huddle; resilience. This initial conducted Teams platform, continues now twice year topical changing each face. thrilled bring concert partners hope soon be back person. However, advantage it enables teams across globe—6 continents represented! What do thinking global level, other companies, policies I’ve opportunity speak many conferences both globally, certainly honor responsibility. also, because am asked sit various committees projects women For example, 2019, honored Academy Medicine’s (NAM) Future 2030 Town Hall Technology. able provide perspective technologist audience NAM panel. 2021, keynote speaker University Minnesota “Big Data Nursing” conference. typically never say “no” advance inform guest lecturer, once semester, schools. Sometimes, college students’ only exposure undergraduate program discussion (which needs change). encourage readers, regardless specific title; model—coach those you. You individual contributor still After first wave pandemic, organizations unable recover financially, amount spent meeting demands pandemic. larger Google, Amazon, financially going post-pandemic era seeking growth. does mean jobs, seeking, delivery, know it? shifts seen last couple Microsoft’s willingness partner collaborate. started internally evolved systems, I've past few systems collaborations, knowing problem would not solved one entity alone, stakeholders collectively solve. platform company, so work partners, EMRs, independent vendors (ISVs), system integrators, meet customers’ goals. see shift parties before today. think very proud did era. example Azure Bot. Bot serves front door patients, providing (at no cost period) consumers come website even Centers Disease Control, answer questions COVID-19 self-assessment checker. launched Providence Saint Joseph’s Seattle, they cared January 2020. Subsequently, CDC adopted Bot, then grew exponentially world. use bot, discussion, has 3,500 instances 1 billion messages sent. diligently health—specifically ensuring could transition in-person visit synchronous video Teams. visits enabled continue. go 0 800 day. Helping customers way rewarding employees challenging moves on, committed hospitals beyond truly accelerator adoption, realize pre-pandemic ways doing business. fact, own/license technology, it’s matter getting them its full capabilities. Remember, just technology; people process, too. we’ve initiative called AI Good Health. Our focus, accelerating research, increasing insights, addressing equity, building research addition these programs, broadband address divide. Airband Initiative aims close divide high-speed Internet connectivity unconnected communities It officially 2017 2 million July 2022. success, 3 US—and additional 40 globe—by same deadline. responsible educating developing designing. invested reskilling retraining corporate don't want put there technology’s sake; personally useful meaningful. October 2020,we American Hospital Association course artificial intelligence (AI) health. important educate key staff implications adopting setting, including risks opportunities accompany it. course, “AI Care: Leading Through Change,” free, 1-credit continuing administrators. Short term, what leadership? Can share thoughts current may positions already embedded, build model? nurses, profession role, adopt “learn all” mindset curious. From perspective, welcome inclusive When stakeholders, push customer meetings—not department. Now, own organization, made, correct table discussions decisions. most successful encounter view trust multi-stakeholder group. That’s why feel corporation, above tech, telling. Relationships success! being integrated model next 5 years? Improving equity closing There individuals who don’t access computers cell phones. Technology help, if infrastructure place users need vulnerable populations. you, experiences, leadership, vision obviously passionate intersection dedicated 27 it! reflecting recently, choose initially, tech. 16, mom diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia, watched (and lived) her years. complexities family’s interaction system. Unfortunately, passed away 1993 after junior college. Her inspired change major French Nursing. motivated mom’s story might themselves. That's drives every day keeps grounded—the improve families navigate system, clinicians. Thank sharing. touching hear calling us profession. really heart do. much allowing share. Photographer: Julian Thomas Name:Molly McCarthy.Education:BSN, Georgetown University, School Studies; MBS, Coach Certificate, Duke Integrative Medicine.Family:Husband, Paul Beilke, est 2000; son, Brendan high school senior (will Boston College Fall 2021); Sean freshman; dog, Churro Cockapoo, old.Current job:Microsoft Life Sciences. Title: Director, Plans.First-ever job:Babysitting neighborhood.First job nursing:Georgetown Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Unit Nurse.Being leader gives to:Be pioneer chart path technology.My best advice aspiring leaders:Be willing take risks; model, coach, currently career/life.My favorite book recommendation:Dare Lead, Brene Brown.Most I:Finished Ironman Triathlon 2017.One thing do:Live United States years.One word summarize me:Rebel cause. Name: McCarthy. Education: Medicine. Family: Husband, old. Current job: Plans. First-ever Babysitting neighborhood. First nursing: Nurse. Being to: Be My leaders: career/life. recommendation: Dare Brown. Most I: Finished 2017. do: Live me: Rebel John R. Bowles, PhD, CENP, Associate Vice President Chief Officer Services Virginia Commonwealth Center Richmond, Virginia. He [email protected] .