Jonathan Goldberg, CIO, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Chapter 3

When asked why they chose to pursue a new role, leaders often say they needed a challenge. Although sometimes it can be code for another reason, it certainly seems fitting in Jonathan Goldberg’s case. A year and a half ago, he left St. Peter’s Health Partners in upstate New York to serve as CIO at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the only facility of its kind in a state that ranks 49th overall in children’s health. While that might have some people running for the hills, Goldberg views it as a “huge opportunity to make a difference.” In this interview, he talks about the learning curve in transitioning to pediatric care, the challenge in juggling multiple big projects at the same time, the innovative work his team is doing with telemedicine, and how they’re leveraging technology to stay lean.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3



* An “accidental CIO”

* Getting his start in nursing home administration

* The “huge opportunity” to improve care in Arkansas

* School-based telemedicine & a clinically integrated network

* Moving to Arkansas: “It wasn’t as big a shock as one would think.”

* The “learning curve” with pediatric hospitals

* Reflecting on his career: “I’ve never regretted anything.”



LISTEN NOW USING THE PLAYER BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR iTUNES PODCAST FEED

Bold Statements

I like to call myself an accidental CIO. I did not start my career in technology — I didn’t even know what a CIO was when I started my career.

It’s really exciting to be able to see that change. And so much of it is technology-oriented, so to be part of implementing a lot of the technologies and developing that strategy that can have such a lasting impact is amazing.

In terms of how we think about what’s needed in terms of medications and the types of medication, the dosing, the staffing needed, the different types of tool sets that need to be available, and the skills, it certainly has been a learning curve.

I’ve never regretted anything I’ve done in my career. I’ve been very blessed to have had such a great career at great places with great people. I look back with fondness on every role that I’ve ever had, but each one really was a springboard to the next opportunity, and I don’t think I would change much if I could turn back the clock.

Gamble:  You’ve been with the organization for about a year? When did you first get there?

Goldberg:  It’s been about a year and half. It was December of 2015.

Gamble:  Okay, and before that you had been with St. Peter’s in New York?

Goldberg:  Yes, almost 13 years with St. Peter’s Health Partners in Upstate New York. My whole career has been in the northeast — this is my first foray into the south.

Gamble:  I imagine that was an adjustment. What made you interested in going to Arkansas Children’s?

Goldberg:  It’s a great question, and it’s a pretty easy one to answer. I like to call myself an accidental CIO. I did not start my career in technology — I didn’t even know what a CIO was when I started my career. I started in nursing home administration. That was something that interest me for a couple of reasons. My whole family has always been in health care, whether it was doctors, dentists or in healthcare equipment sales. So I’ve always been in the healthcare environment through my family.

Also, I wanted to run something.