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Cultivating a High-Performing Peer Network

 Even after retiring as Regional President at Fairview Health Services in Minnesota, Mark Dixon found utility in maintaining and growing his professional and social network. For Mark, networking was a means to satisfy his curiosity and learn new approaches to similar challenges; it helped him perform better as an executive and improve the capabilities of his teams. Now it helps him advise the next generation of health care leaders on succeeding in an everchanging environment. In his second career, Mark leads a small consulting practice that helps businesses grow—and helps build leaders.  

But the value of networking cannot be simplified to a single story; it must be defined by the user, and it must be undertaken with energy and positivity.  

As NCQA launches its Digital Measurement Community—which will include blogs, podcasts, videos and a live forum—we want to draw on its potential power. Learning from people across the country who have similar roles and responsibilities will come in the form of strategic approaches and performance metrics – all of which are outcomes attributed to real-time collaboration.  

Innovation doesn’t only come from conversations between peers, it also comes from cross-pollination of roles and organizations. Ann Pumpian, former CFO at Sharp HealthCare, a health system based in San Diego, helped build Sharp into a regional leader known for creating exceptional patient experience. Ann was a long-time member of The Health Management Academy, an organization that provides peer-based networks and leadership programs for health system executives. Although a member of the CFO Forum, Ann found value in engaging executives across the C-Suite. Whether you’re a CFO, COO or CMO, in health care the problems are the same, but the perspective and expertise varies. Ann found that by expanding the breadth of her knowledge, she could speak more effectively with other health system leaders, including clinical leaders, operators, and front-line staff.  

There are always opportunities to share knowledge and build relationships. The Digital Measurement Community is a conduit to a greater peer network. It starts by showing vulnerability and building trust, growing and adapting to establish links to greater innovation and creativity. Both Ann and Mark say the same thing: Be ready to teach and be ready to learn. 

As the community embarks on its journey, Mark Dixon reminds community members to go beyond “misery loves company.” Although it’s therapeutic to discuss similar challenges, this new network should also create innovative solutions—some that are ubiquitous to all stakeholders, some with regional or stakeholder-specific elements. 

What have you experienced with other peer networking organizations or forums? What will be the most significant benefit that results from engaging with NCQA's Digital Measurement Community? 

Share your thoughts in the community forum.  

Contributors:

Mark Dixon, President, The Mark Dixon Group, Executive in Residence, The Academy; Former Roles: Regional President, Fairview Health Services Organization; President/CEO of Community Hospitals, Indianapolis, Indiana; CEO, Abbott Northwestern Hospital 

Ann Pumpian, Executive in Residence, The Academy; Former Roles: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Sharp HealthCare