FLIGHT PATH
Welcome to Flight Path — where career paths aren’t linear, leadership isn’t boring, and pivots are basically a superpower. I’m Rebecca Woods. Let’s take off.
FLIGHT PATH
Emily Branzell Varga & Heather Nelson
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Emily Branzell Varga picks up Heather Nelson on The Podcast Train
Welcome to Flight Path, the podcast where we explore the journeys behind bold leadership, innovation, and lasting impact. Each episode we sit down with leaders, innovators, and rule breakers who built their success by doing the work, learning the lessons, and sometimes ignoring the map altogether. Whether you're navigating leadership, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, or simply trying to figure out what's next without losing your mind, you're in the right place. Before we take flight, we'd like to thank our sponsor, EFAX. Helping businesses and professionals stay connected with secure activity document sharing. Facts online with EFAX. Now facts be built. Adjust your altitude. Get ready for stories, insights, and conversations that just might change your course. Welcome aboard. This is Flight Cut.
SPEAKER_01Good morning and hello, everybody. And welcome to today's Bluebird Summer Podcast. I have the distinct honor to join be joined today by Heather Nelson. Um, Heather, how's your summer going so far? It's going great, Emily.
SPEAKER_02I'm ready for it. It's just it's time. It's time to be summer.
SPEAKER_01It is, it is. And I know we're about midway through, I guess how we would kind of call summer, not by the actual season, but we're kind of almost in July, which somehow we're almost halfway through the year, which is amazing. I know before we officially started, we talked about how man, it's a little humid in a lot of places right now. Um, being in Georgia right now, it's kind of in the hundreds and humid, and our ACs are working hard, but man, it's I don't care. I love summer. I love the long light days and yes, yes, it's it's so nice, which is amazing. Um, what about you? Travel this summer? What is what is your summer?
SPEAKER_02You know, um, we have a lake house here in Michigan where I'm at right now for the next few weeks to work remote and I take advantage of that. And you know, it's my happy place. So uh I'm here and you know, I I live and work obviously in Boston for Boston Children's Hospital, but um I try to get back home here in Michigan where my husband is. He's retired, living his best life here on the lake. So it's always nice to come home and see everyone and just relax a little bit.
SPEAKER_01Definitely, definitely. Well, speaking about Boston, you're hosting some of the FIFA World Cup stuff. How has that been?
SPEAKER_02Is the city just oh my gosh, and I just tell you the Scots were amazing. Um, I'm sorry that they're out of the World Cup now, they lost two games. Um, but it was the vibe in Boston just has been amazing. Um, all of the all of the cities and countries that are that are here are just lovely and it's just awesome. I mean, Boston is already a melting pot, and you know, it's just always has good vibes. I mean, it's tons of tourists every single day, but the World Cup has just brought just more energy, I think, to the city. And it's just it's awesome walking around downtown and just being around and just feeling it. I mean, everyone is just excited and happy, and it's it's amazing. I just I can't explain it.
SPEAKER_01I think every like social media video for a good week was the Scots and Bostonians together.
SPEAKER_02Oh, they literally drank Boston Dry. Like within two days, they drank just about every bar drive. It's amazing. It's um these like these people are just amazing.
SPEAKER_01I love it. I think Boston, I mean, I do want to do more travel in the states, so I know there's some that that may surpass it one day potentially, but I think Boston is my favorite city. Anytime work travel or personal travel sends me there, I'm always I'll volunteer, send me to Boston. I'm happy to go. It's such a beautiful downtown. And then seeing the energy when the Scots were there, I was like, I really wish I was there. Oh, yeah. So fun.
SPEAKER_02Well, all the Bostonians, we all want to go to Edinburgh, and we all want to go to Scotland. I mean, you know, it's just and so our mayor did um uh reach out to to Scotland, and we are now sister cities between Boston and Edinburgh. So it's like official because like they just made such an impact.
SPEAKER_01So it was just the perfect blend. It was so fun. I love that. Well, you kind of already answered this question, but what's your summer personality? Beach, mountain, lake, city? It sounds like you have a good lake.
SPEAKER_02Definitely like I'm a lake girl, I've got my lake hair, don't care. Um, you know, growing up in Michigan, especially in western Michigan, I grew up super close to Lake Lake Michigan. So ever since, you know, I can remember, you know, going to the beach, going to Lake Michigan, um, was just a thing, you know, growing up in high school, you just pack a car full of people and hang out at the lake. Um, you know, boating, pontooning, like it's just it's just our it's just our gig here. And I just love it. It's just I'm a Pisces, so water, I have to be by water.
SPEAKER_01So I love that. I always say like I love lake activities and also a little peace of mind that most likely there's not a shark in there. Definitely no sharks. No sharks, weeds, yes, but no sharks. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I love that. Well, let's go down memory lane a little bit um with your career. What was your first job?
SPEAKER_02Well, you know, being a Gen XR, obviously babysitting, you know, comes to mind, you know, uh how they allowed a 12-year-old, you know, with an infant and you know, three kids under five for, you know, three bucks an hour. But um, my first like real job, I guess, would be at the local pizza hut. I was a waitress at the local pizza hut where they served beer and pitchers and you know, like all the things. And right. Um, but yeah, yeah, me and my friend Janine, we uh we were Pizza Hut waitresses together.
SPEAKER_01I love that. I feel like I have so many good Pizza Hut memories growing up. You know, after sporting games you go, it was when it was obviously like the actual shape of the restaurant, right? Absolutely. Like you could do summer reading club there and get extra. Yeah, get your personal pan pizza. Yes, yes. I love, I love that. So hopefully, I don't know, hopefully something like that exists one day when we have kids because I feel like that was fun, fun memory. I love that. Now, what advice would you give either your younger self or other young individuals going into the healthcare and technology industry?
SPEAKER_02You know, I am so fascinated with administrative fellows, that whole program. Um, many hospitals, especially um academic medical centers, have admin fellows who are, you know, either just wrapping up their MBAs or their MHAs, and they want to get into healthcare administration and they do a fellowship for a year. And most of them, you know, we had them at U Chicago Medicine when I was there. And um, obviously we have them here at Boston Children's. I wish when I was early in my career, like transitioning, you know, into IT, working on my master's, my MHA, that I had applied for that, just because you get so much insight into hospital operations and being a CIO or being in healthcare IT, understanding operations is so critical. And I wish I I wish I would have known about that. Um, because I think I would have done well in it. Um and also I always tell the fellows, please, at some point a fellow is gonna want to be in IT and not Ozzy, you know. So I I really would encourage, um would encourage folks to, you know, if you are an admin fellow, like take a look at healthcare IT. I mean, the role of the CIO and the role of IT in in health systems has definitely evolved and we're being seen more as a strategic partner, not just an order taker. So um I would love to see, you know, more folks working on their MBAs and MHAs to think about, you know, the the technology field and and what a difference that makes.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I love that. I I think that's so important and just kind of any sort of ability as a young individual to be surrounded by people who are in the roles that you're interested in. Um, and kind of when you're going through your college years, there's only so much exposure to certain roles that they even tell you about. Like you don't realize how much is out there until you kind of start putting your toe in the water, and then you're like, wait, I could go into this avenue or I could go down this path, and it's like, you know, the road just opens up and you have so much that you can explore, which is really cool. So I I do love that. And it kind of your to your point about the CIO role being kind of brought up as that more strategic thinker. One a little overdue, but we're getting there. We're getting there, yeah, yeah. But but that is good to hear, like our heads are better together when we're all in the room. We have a diverse set in the room, kind of all sharing and kind of working towards those problems. So exactly good to hear. So unfortunately, we know kind of in these roles that burnout does happen and kind of some days are just a lot and can be overwhelming. So, what are some of the ways that you try to handle and combat burnout and kind of that overwhelmed? How does Heather attempt to find peace in a day?
SPEAKER_02Well, if I'm not here at the lake, um I I'm a Peloton junkie. Um, yeah, I I have bike, I have a bike here, I have a bike in in Boston, but more importantly, I love the app. I mean, there's so many um opportunities to do all different kinds of workouts. And I have like over a thousand, over like 1100 day streak. I'm very proud of that um on Politan. Um, you know, so whether it's going for a run on the treadmill or doing a strength training class or doing a meditation or some yoga, um, I that's how I decompress, especially I'm I work out at night. So when I get home from work, I use that opportunity just to, I don't have a long commute, so I don't I don't get the opportunity to decompress in the car, but um coming home and just taking an hour for myself to work out, feel better, get get a little bit of those endorphins um is my way to decompress and be less stressed.
SPEAKER_01I love that. So I know within the Peloton community, I have some girlfriends who just absolutely love their bikes and love their program. Who is your favorite coach? Do you have a couple favorites or I have a couple favorites?
SPEAKER_02I would say on the bike is probably Tunde, just because she is so hard. And I usually do her intervals and arms classes on the bike. I mean, she's just it's so hard. Um, and I think a couple other I love Adrienne um for strength training, um, and Rad Lopez and Jermaine Johnson from the UK. Like I love their strength classes. So I'm I've been really intentional these last few years as a woman um in her mid to you know, getting into her mid to late 50s, it's really important for us as women to do strength training. So I've been doing that. Um, but yeah, I I I try to try them all, you know. I, you know, on on the tread, I would say Marcel. Um, I I love I love some really hardcore rap music when I work out. So I love I like the playlist.
SPEAKER_01I love it. Oh, that's so fun. Um, and I and I just love that you brought up movement in general. I had um kind of a mentor give me advice once like start with five minutes. If you're not even interested in working out, and after and after five minutes when kind of your endorphins start pumping, if you don't want to keep going, then you did five minutes. But I think 99% of the time, once I start, I'm like, okay, this is good. You know, it's like you just you got to get over sometimes the mental threshold of yes, man, but the couch looks comfy, or you know, especially after a hard day at work, you just want to couch rot and doom scroll.
SPEAKER_02I get it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, very good. All right, let's say you have some rapid fire questions. Coffee or tea? Iced tea. Oh, iced tea, sweet or unsweet? Oh, definitely unsweet. Okay, good answer. I know I'm a good answer. Um, are you more of a sunrise or sunset gal?
SPEAKER_02Oof, sunset. We have a great, great view of the sunset every night here at the lake.
SPEAKER_01Oh, I bet on the lake. Oh, I bet that's beautiful. What is your favorite summer snack?
SPEAKER_02Oh summer snack? I would say kettle chips, like super crispy and hella good French onion dip. Oh, so good.
SPEAKER_01So good. I said watermelon. I'm a savory gal. I said watermelon, and now I'm like, wait a second. No, I just went right for the chips and then great. That sounds amazing. Um, what is the last thing that you binge watched?
SPEAKER_02Ooh, um Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Oh first season, amazing cast. Yeah. Love me anything Bravo TV.
SPEAKER_01Oh, I love that. Um, are you a window seat aisle seat? I guess a middle is an option, but I don't think anyone would make it. No, I I'm definitely a window seat.
SPEAKER_02Me too. Me too. Because I don't get up during the flight, so and I don't want to be bothered. So if you want to get up, you sit on the aisle. I will stay comfortable on my window seat.
SPEAKER_01That's so funny. I am the exact same way. I don't love flying, and kind of my podcast before was with Janice. Her and I flew from an event back together, and she was the seat in front of me, and she was so kind to swab seats with who was next to me so she could hold my hand because I hate flying. But I picked an interesting career to Yeah, I would say like flying, but it's worth it. It's it's yeah, you know, it's good. But yes, window seat. I love looking outside. What is one word to describe your leadership style? I would say consistent. Hmm, good. I like that. I like that. And what is your favorite vacation that you've ever taken? Oof.
SPEAKER_02I would say our trip to South Africa, where we did safari for a week, which was amazing. Um, and then we went to Cape Town for a week, and it was just the people there were just so lovely and gracious, and it was just it was amazing. It was, I would I want to go back so bad.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Oh, that sounds so nice. Um, was that a recent trip? No, it's been a while. It's been a while. So fun. All right. A kind of bigger question, but what conversation or conversations do you think healthcare leaders need to be having right now?
SPEAKER_02I, you know, we talked, we touched on it earlier, Emily, about the role of the CIO. Um, I've seen a few more articles that have come out, like at Becker's interviewing some CIOs, about the CIO being seen as strategic versus the order taker, the implementer, the executor. And the rebranding that we need to we need to do for ourselves in partnership with, you know, whether we report to the CFO, the CEO, the COO, whomever, is how how do you impress upon them as much, you know, executive leaders to elevate the role of the CIO and and have them at the table early. And, you know, we we get pulled in a lot of directions. You know, we're expecting, you know, with AI, not only are we expected to keep the lights on and implement the workdays and the epics and optimize up, you know, all the things, but now we're also being asked to have a strategy for AI and and manage that and the security that comes along with that. So how do we, you know, get our most senior leaders to understand that the CIO has something to say and that we're more than just you know, bits and bytes and servers and you know, that that kind of stuff. So I I would hope that I hope, and we're and we're having it in our organization, which I I truly appreciate that again the role of the CIO is so much bigger than what it was even three to five years ago.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it is. Kind of in the last couple of years, I shifted from like the data management world to the cybersecurity world, which I thought had a lot more overlap, but man, they're both they're both a beast to tackle. Both, yeah. But even cybersecurity in a lot of organizations reports up to the CIO, if not the CIO also at smaller organizations being the CISO. Yes, yes, to this day still baffles me because that is they're two full-time jobs and critical jobs. So, yes, I would I'm I'm with you and I would love to continue to see that shift as well.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01So let's end with talking about Bluebird a little bit. So you've been involved in kind of like faculty and supported a few events. I actually met you at SOAR this month. Yes, yes, it was so incredible. Um, can you just talk a little bit about what Bluebirds meant to you and kind of as as somebody who you're at the CIO role now, but kind of looking at the way that Bluebird is growing, kind of what what does that mean? And kind of where do you see the future of it and the impact that this event is making?
SPEAKER_02Well, I just I think what Rebecca has done is she's curated a group of leaders, emerging leaders, thought leaders, just to come together in a safe place to talk about what's working, what's not working. Um, the fact that there's so many male allies at the table, uh, you know, it's not a she woman men hated a club. It's not what it's about, but it's it's really to empower your best self. And it it's just, it's just it fills my cup and it it allows me to learn from others, you know. Yes, I've you know, I'm always willing, you know. When Rebecca asks, can you sit on a panel? Can you I love it because it just feels like friends talking. Um, I might have just met that person, you know, that that day of the panel and it we come away, you know, as friends, as colleagues. And the the mentoring that just the organic mentoring that is happening is just amazing. Um, I get mentored, you know, when I talk to you or I talk to others. Um, it's just, it's just it's awesome. I I really am impressed and I like that it feels intimate. Even though there's a couple, you know, like SOAR last year was awesome. I can't wait for us, you know, I can't wait for this year for September. Um, it's gonna be awesome. Um, but it just it feels intimate, even though there's lots of people there. And that's I just think it's just a good vibe.
SPEAKER_01It does, it does. I love, I mean, there are hundreds, if not maybe thousands, of healthcare and kind of leadership style events that we get pulled to left and right, and and each has their place, but there's something about SOAR that you leave exhausted in the best way where you're that's a good way to say your brain is just going and you have all these thoughts and you have so many LinkedIn connections coming in and it just fuels. And I also think there's a beauty that you know there's some topics that maybe just naturally wouldn't fit into some other events kind of in the air. Yeah. Um, I even think about like my my husband and I are at a phase where we're thinking about kids, and I would love to continue to talk to people about what is it like maybe being more of the financial provider, but also balancing kids and what does all that look like? And and just sometimes that just wouldn't naturally fit into other events or kind of groupings. But with Bluebird, the door's wide open in the best way possible. It's like a screen thought, and and if not, let's connect you with the right people to have those conversations and people who are like, Well, I'm finally an empty nester, let me tell you all about it, and that kind of stuff. So yeah, it is it's yeah, it's just so refreshing. It's really, really nice. So I love it. It is, I love it. So we'll see you at Soar in Austin.
SPEAKER_02Yes, 100%. Yeah, yeah, I gotta think about my dress. Do I wear black or gold? So I gotta figure that out.
SPEAKER_01I know. I'm very, very excited. I also love how stylish people are at Soar. It's fun to get the best outfits. And yes, yes, I need to think of it ahead of time, which is fun. So well, excited to see you there. If you haven't signed up already, you'll at least meet both of us at Soar in Austin. I encourage you to sign up. We actually have like four or five people coming from our organization this year. Just everyone was jealous we went last year and wanted to join. So I'm very excited about that. Nice. And Heather, thank you so much for joining today.
SPEAKER_02Thank you, Emily. It's always a pleasure to talk with you. Um, I love your texts and um I can't wait to see you in person.
SPEAKER_01Yes, I'll see you in September. It'll be here before we know it, and we'll just try not to melt until then. That's right. Have a great summer, my friend. Awesome. Thank you. Thanks, everyone. Bye bye.