Laurie McGraw is speaking with Inspiring Woman Carla Smith, a health sector strategist and Founder of Carla Smith Health.  Over Carla’s storied career working with countless organizations, health systems, providers, payers, technology companies, and non-profits, she has seen enormous change and opportunity that has come with the adoption of technology in healthcare.  For Carla, healthcare matters.  Profound change has come now that the majority of the workforce are digital natives.  Yet enormous waste and cost are found in the gaps, whether that is the lack of affordable broadband or the concerning brain drain from the exodus of burnt out clinicians and CEOs.  She is excited about the potential with AI (it’s real and it’s here) but she wants to see more focus on implicit bias and attention to the diversity of the learning data sets.

As it relates to women in healthcare tech, through her own lived experience of many years and countless meetings being “the only” woman in the room, she has relied on her NEVER and ALWAYS principles.  She NEVER considered herself anything other than equal and she was ALWAYS prepared.  But as it relates to the state of play for women in healthcare, Carla is dismayed.  Women are not making the progress that Carla expected (and championed) and in fact, she supplies evidence showing we are in fact going backwards.

Carla has hope and important advice for women.  She outlines a clear plan for networking.  Consciously seek out professional organizations and get involved, volunteer!  As you gain experience, be more strategic in choosing where you volunteer and apply your energy but stay active.  And then, seek champions.  Beyond mentors, those people who can unlock key opportunities and make important connections for you.

Carla closes by advising women to never give up, always keep trying.  Because it matters. Healthcare matters. 

Carla Smith is a health sector strategic growth consultant, serving her clients as a thought leader and truth teller. With exceptional knowledge, industry contacts, & passion, Carla Smith Health creates meaningful change in the health sector. The firm’s engagements with C-level executives, boards, and policymakers equip leaders to positively transform the health ecosystem:

• Strategic planning and market positioning;

• Corporate governance assessment and evolution;

• Due diligence on potential acquisitions and market expansion;

• Practical & usable analysis of stability, opportunities, risks and vulnerabilities in the face of change; and,

• Strategic collaborations and alliances between health organizations that drive mission and business success.

Carla Smith is a health sector strategic growth consultant, serving her clients as a thought leader and truth teller. With exceptional knowledge, industry contacts, & passion, Carla Smith Health creates meaningful change in the health sector. The firm’s engagements with C-level executives, boards, and policymakers equip leaders to positively transform the health ecosystem: • Strategic planning and market positioning; • Corporate governance assessment and evolution; • Due diligence on potential acquisitions and market expansion; • Practical & usable analysis of stability, opportunities, risks and vulnerabilities in the face of change; and, • Strategic collaborations and alliances between health organizations that drive mission and business success.

You can follow Carla on LinkedIn.