Robert Slepin, the chief digital officer and senior vice president at SE Health in Markham, Ontario, is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in health IT. He has worked with prominent organizations such as Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Stanford Children’s, Sutter Health, and many others, providing expertise in digital transformation and healthcare IT.
At SE Health, Slepin is currently leading a major digital transformation project known as Project Acorn. This initiative aims to revitalize the organization through a people-focused transformation of technology, processes, and collaboration. The project covers a wide range of areas including health records, patient relationship management, finance, human resources, and cybersecurity.
The scope of Project Acorn is ambitious, with a focus on enhancing the overall experience for clients and team members across the organization. The project is in its early stages, with vendor selections and contracting completed, and is set to officially kick off this month. SE Health has established a clear vision for the future, developed a transformation plan and roadmap, and formed governance structures and project teams to ensure the success of the initiative.
One of the key aspects of digital transformation emphasized by Slepin is the importance of strong leadership from the top. The active involvement of the board of directors, CEO, and senior leadership team is crucial for driving the transformation forward. Additionally, collaboration between technology and business leaders, along with input from key stakeholders such as clinical and nursing staff, is essential for the success of such a comprehensive effort.
The technologies involved in digital transformation at SE Health include enterprise applications like EHR and CRM software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet of things, mobile devices, and automation. Leadership for each technology area is determined based on the organization’s structure and objectives, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration and executive sponsorship.
In organizing a wide-ranging digital transformation effort like Project Acorn, Slepin emphasizes the need for establishing cross-functional teams with a clear vision and mission. These teams should be representative of the groups affected by the change and engage key stakeholders to ensure buy-in and participation. A transformation management office is also essential for keeping the initiative organized and synchronized.
Overall, the digital transformation journey at SE Health is a collaborative and forward-thinking effort aimed at reimagining care delivery, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving the overall experience for clients and team members. With a strong foundation in place and a dedicated team driving the initiative, SE Health is well-positioned to achieve its goals and make a positive impact on the healthcare landscape in Canada and beyond.
