It’s a truly refreshing moment when one of the biggest frustrations in an all-encompassing industry is being solved. Surprisingly, the change is coming from one woman, who’s inspiring others to do the same. Let’s see how Andi Sklar, healthcare visionary, is changing the rules one empathic step at a time.
Solving the People and Provider Gap
Sklar’s perspective differs from most healthcare models in that she prioritizes the community’s needs above all else. Every patient will have a unique case, and it’s up to the providers to connect with them and truly understand them. In addition, most hospitals and clinics wait for people to come to them, but she believes it should be the other way around.
Sklar’s Programs and Empathic Leadership
To start her vision of trust between people and their health providers, Sklar has initiated several programs. Open-house events were held so local families could get a tour of the hospital, and there were also sessions where the top pediatric specialists could explain complex matters and tailor them to the parents. Along with these initiatives, Sklar also organized interactive sessions with people and learned about what they wanted, such as preventive screenings and developmental delays, among others.
Building a Community-Centric Model
Instead of showing off hospital facilities and its offerings, Sklar listens to the community and learns what they need. Direct treatment is replaced with wellness education, and placed high importance in culturally sensitive care within underserved populations.
Sklar’s work has produced excellent results. Hospitals that worked with her have seen greater patient satisfaction and positive relationships with staff. There has been a significant uptick in people who have availed of family and pediatric services as well.
Her vision shows that trust is the initial phase when it comes to building health, followed by hearing the patient and offering real value.