Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1337263
42 CLINICAL LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 'We needed to think differently': Northwell Health's Dr. Annabella Salvador-Kelly on sharpening leadership skills during the pandemic By Kelly Gooch W hen the pandemic first surged in New York in spring 2020, Northwell Health was hit especially hard, treat- ing more than 41,000 COVID-19 patients between March and May. Annabella Salvador-Kelly, MD, who serves as senior vice president of medical affairs and associate CMO at the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based health system, had a front row view of this initial surge and has since played a critical role in North- well Health's pandemic response. Dr. Salvador-Kelly co-chairs Northwell's clinical advisory com- mittee, which oversees clinical decisions and equipment usage related to the virus, as well as patient testing and visitation, and the approach to employees exposed to COVID-19. She told Becker's she is proud of how her organization has respond- ed to the pandemic, and that being part of this response allowed her to sharpen/strengthen her skills in team-building, communi- cation and decision-making. She shared her greatest challenge as a female leader, discussed how she stays inspired on hard days and revealed what she's learned during this unprecedented time. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity. Question: Who had the biggest influence on your decision to go into healthcare? Dr. Annabella Salvador-Kelly: My family. I was the first person in my family to go to college and medical school. My parents grew up in Portugal, went to school until the fourth grade and then decided to move to the United States in search of a better life. I am first-generation American. During my childhood, I watched my parents struggle to make a better life for themselves and their family. They often faced challenges obtaining healthcare. Many times, when ill, we were forced to wait and not seek care. In Portugal, my grandparents struggled with lack of access and appropriate healthcare. My grandmother suffered from poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and its complications. Both her legs were amputated due to gan- grene, and eventually, she succumbed to sepsis. My grandfather died of an acute myocardial infarction. When he complained of chest pain, the local physician came to the house, but there was nothing he could do. There were no ambulances to take him to a hospital, so he died at home with no treatment. These family events were very personal and influenced my desire to become a physician. I didn't want others to suffer the way my family did. I wanted to be able to guide and care for my family, my patients and my community. It is important to help those in need, and making an impact on a patient's life, however small, is the most rewarding thing I can think of. Q: What do you enjoy most about being in the industry? AS: I enjoy the impact that being in this field has on patients, team members and the community that we serve. Every moment matters and makes a difference. I am passionate about delivering the best healthcare and helping people feel better. I have worked at Northwell Health in New York since 1999 and have seen our health system grow. It is exciting to be part of a journey to expand, create, innovate and deliver optimal healthcare. I enjoy creating a culture that builds strong relationships and delivers patient/customer-centric care. Being in this industry, we em- brace the diversity of our patients, teams and communities. We are all unique, and I learn so much from others' uniqueness. I also enjoy the innovation and challenges of working in health- care. Healthcare is always exciting and changing. I love being part of a team that seeks opportunities to enhance our perfor- mance and make things better for patients. It's our mission to bring wellness and hope to all. Q: What is the greatest challenge you face as a female leader? AS: As a female leader, my greatest challenge is trying not to mi- cromanage or becoming paralyzed by perfectionist tendencies. During times like these with COVID, I find myself working long hours. As a female leader, I feel the extra pressure of performing well at work and at home. It is important for me to be available to my family, especially my son Dylan, yet be very involved with my work and career. Q: How do you relax outside of the C-suite? AS: Spending time with my family is sacred. In order to relax, I love to travel and be outdoors. COVID-19 has made traveling very difficult, and I definitely miss it. Under normal circum- stances, we would be traveling to various locations and exploring new sights. For extreme relaxation, you might find me on a small island in the Bahamas … like Spanish Cay, Elbow Cay, Guana Cay or Green Turtle Cay. Our family loves the beach, boat- ing, fishing and swimming. Likewise, I enjoy doing things like exercising, hiking, snowboarding, cooking, gardening, spending time with friends and family and community service. All these activities are therapeutic for me and help to clear my mind. Q: How do you stay inspired on hard days? AS: My faith and my family revitalize and relax me. When times are tough, I try to stay focused and take it one day at a time. "The risks of delaying decision-making and wasting vital time during a crisis can be dangerous and may lead to even greater devastation."