Tim Stettheimer, SVP & Regional CIO, Ascension Information Services, Chapter 1

We’ve all heard talk about the evolving role of the CIO, but just how big of a role does relationship development and management play? If you ask Tim Stettheimer, it’s as much as 80 to 90 percent. Whether it’s being able to talk about the business on a deeper level with fellow executives or knowing your people well enough to identify the high performers, CIOs will not thrive unless they are willing to get personal, says Stettheimer, who is regional CIO for Ascension Information Services. In this interview, he discusses staff engagement and the waterfall effect, the question he asks to get to know people better, and how he works to maintain a strong presence despite being at a large organization. He also offers advice for introverted CIOs, and talks about what it takes to create a sense of trust.

Chapter 1



* AIS’ unique governance structure

* His role as regional CIO

* The value of face time — “We create a sense of trust within our organization.”

* IT breakfasts

* Staying “plugged in” through formal meetings & chats

* Having a presence: “The most important focus for any leader.”

* Conversation ice-breakers



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Bold Statements

Travel — in terms of a relational presence at our locations where we actually deliver services, where we work with patients, their families, clinicians, and the others we serve — is really important because we create a sense of trust between within our organization where people are quick to ask for help and quick to volunteer to help.

I was able to have some small breakfast settings, where actually just anyone who wanted to come and visit from IT staff could sit down and I could have some time to chat with them. It was fantastic to get to plug in that way.

One of the most important things for any leader is to make sure they have a presence; that they really do create relationships with all levels throughout their organization, and that they’re focused on the people, because that’s really what we’re about.

I was able to have some small breakfast settings, where actually just anyone who wanted to come and visit from IT staff could sit down and I could have some time to chat with them. It was fantastic to get to plug in that way.

Gamble:  Hi Tim, thank you so much for taking some time to speak with us today.

Stettheimer:  Absolutely, I’m always happy to. It’s a pleasure to speak with you Gamble, anytime we get the chance.

Gamble:  Great. Just to get a little bit of background information, you are regional CIO for Ascension Information Services.

Stettheimer:  That’s correct. You know what that means?

Gamble:  Sure.

Stettheimer:  Ascension Information Services is the IT organization which services, primarily Ascension. But for operational purposes, we divide our ministries into two regions — the north and west region, and then the south and central regions. I am the Regional CIO for the south and central region of Ascension Information Services.

Gamble:  And so you cover a few states down in that area?

Stettheimer:  Yes. I actually get to frequent Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma, as well as some other locations where we have clinics that we serve in states like Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and a few other places. In total, it’s about 55 hospitals within those geographic areas and I won’t even attempt to list the number of clinics or other locations. Needless to say, it’s quite a few.

Gamble:  Right. And so from a governance point of view, who do you report to?

Stettheimer:  I report to the CEO for Ascension Information Services, that’s Mark Barner. He also serves as the Chief Information Officer for Ascension. And so because we have a large and complex organization,