Jeff Brown, CIO, Martin’s Point Health Care, Chapter 3

The word ‘progressive’ can mean different things to different people, particularly when used to describe a health system. To Jeff Brown, it means an organization that breaks free from traditional boundaries, both when it comes to patient care and its guiding philosophies. It’s precisely what he sought when he arrived at Martin’s Point earlier this year, and he hasn’t been disappointed. In this interview, Brown talks about the non-hospital-centric model that he believes is the future of healthcare, why his timing was perfect in terms of strategic planning, and how his team is working to create a seamless care experience. He also talks about partnering with vendors, the dire need to focus on senior care, and his passion for teaching.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3



* Patient engagement — “We can’t underestimate how technologically savvy many seniors are.”

* MPHC’s “high-touch, interactive care delivery model”

* Balancing technology with the human touch

* Pros of working for a “progressive, nimble” organization

* From New England to Seattle, and back

* His passion for teaching — “It keeps me on my toes.”



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Bold Statements

There’s a net effect where we have to take into consideration the technology component, but at the same time, what’s really unique with Martin’s Point is we’re local. We’re embedded in the community, and we embrace a high-touch interactive care delivery model.

We’re not the size and scale as many acute large academic medical centers. But for a CIO, that’s actually the exciting part; we’re very progressive. We’re nimble.

As opposed to being hospital-centric with a really large team and a large budget, it allows me to focus on really what the next generation and curve of healthcare is going to be. In many ways, I feel like I’m more at the forefront of the innovative curve being at Martin’s Point than I have been with any other organization I’ve worked at.

For me, it’s very synergistic. I find it keeps me on my toes, and it really is my way of giving back to the local community. To be honest, at every program I’ve taught in, I’ve usually ended up hiring some tremendous talent.

Gamble:  When people look at the senior population, I think we’re finally starting to see less of the misconception that they’re hesitant to use things like social media and apps. At least I hope so, because in many cases they are frequent users of these technologies and are embracing them, especially when it comes to their health.

Brown:  Yes, you’re so right. I don’t think we can underestimate how technologically savvy many seniors are. Equally important, I think about the patients and families and the social support structure that surrounds our senior and elderly populations, and not underestimating that they’re all connected. And so there’s a net effect where we have to take into consideration the technology component, but at the same time, what’s really unique with Martin’s Point is we’re local. We’re embedded in the community, and we embrace a high-touch interactive care delivery model. We’re very supportive of people needing to call us, especially since we have some very sick patients, very complex patients. We have patients with very specific social determinant needs.

I believe one of the unique parts of Martin’s Point is that on the health plan side, our Generations Advantage program can be a real value-add to many patients and families.