23: Leadership is About Solving the Right Problems with Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic
Meet Ruth Williams-Brinkley:
Ruth Williams-Brinkley is Regional President, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic. In this role, Ruth oversees all of Kaiser Permanente’s care delivery and health plan operations in Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia. Previously, Ruth served as CEO for multiple health systems, including Kentucky’s largest integrated health system, KentuckyOne. She began her career as a nurse, earning a MS in Nursing Administration from DePaul University.
Key Insights:
Ruth’s experience spans from direct patient care, to operations management across four states and districts. She is well-versed in Kaiser Permanente’s unique patient care and payment model, and oversees the building of healthy ecosystems around the patient.
- Filling Gaps with Technology. Ruth discusses the platform developed by Unite Us and how it addresses social-determinants of health. (32:27)
- Leading People. Healthcare is full of promising technology, but at its core, patient care and leadership are about people. (10:10)
- Problem Solving. Ruth explains how her background influenced her career and developed her ability to problem-solve. (34:49)
- Mentorship. Mentors can provide powerful, early-career advice. And once you are established, you can return the favor to others. (37:58)
