The Catalyst Issue 27 | May 2017 | Page 20

Presbyterian, Mr. Hinton gained experience in healthcare leadership on a national level, as chairman of the board of the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 2014, which represents nearly 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems and other providers of care through advocacy and public policy. “I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and have been exposed to many other healthcare systems,” he says of his experiences with the AHA. “I have witnessed hundreds of variations—systems serving healthcare needs in rural, inner-city/urban, and suburban communities. I have seen different models of how physicians are organized. I have seen differences in the effectiveness and influence of health insurance plans on citizens in various populations. I think all of those things help me view the Baylor Scott & White Health system through a broad and informed lens.” Community and a commitment to Central Texas Mr. Hinton relocates to Texas with his family including his wife, Kristen, daughter Nora, 11, and son Ethan, 13. Two older children have followed their father into healthcare careers and live in other parts of the country. His son Robert, 26, works for a health system in New York City and daughter Rebecca, 30, is a registered nurse in Albuquerque, working for Presbyterian Health. “I wasn’t looking for a job when this opportunity came along, but the reputation of Baylor Scott & White, its strong mission and excellence in care delivery, was too good to pass up. Also, the opportunity to live in a great community like Dallas, and to work in some of the most dynamic, growing communities in Texas was very exciting,” Mr. Hinton says. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to build upon the best of two legacy brands to create an integrated system that will set a standard for the future of healthcare in clinical excellence and patient experience.” On a personal level, the non-profit, faith-based mission of Baylor Scott & White was essential to Mr. Hinton. “I really am most comfortable in a system that has a broader context for a healing mission and purpose than just what you earn every month. That is very important to me”. Since joining the system, Mr. Baylor Scott & White Health Priorities n Technology and the Patient Experience Mr. Hinton looks forward to building on a strong history of caring for patients in the communities we serve. One area of focus is the use of health information technology to improve the patient experience. “I don’t think any of us would have a relationship with a bank that didn’t have electronic banking. Today, that is just a basic requirement for the institution and the consumer—having quick access to financial information,” Mr. Hinton says. “Consumers come to health care with those same expectations. I think that the goal of a system like Baylor Scott & White should be to connect as much of the care process, the financial responsibility process, and the registration and 20 THE CATALYST Spring 17 | sw.org scheduling processes, as can be connected through a common and easily navigable platform.” He noted that in many parts of the country now, face- to-face doctor visits are being supplemented with video visits, and other “asynchronous interactions,” such as the use of email for doctors and patients to communicate with each another. “The system has made big investments in that area. There’s a few more to be made. Each year, we have to be more convenient than we were the previous year,” Mr. Hinton says. (See p. 4 and p. 22 for more information about BSWH efforts.) n Population Health Working with system leaders and clinicians, another of Mr. Hinton’s priorities will be to help Baylor Scott