11 Books You Can’t Miss in 2019
Managed Healthcare Executive asked key opinion leaders “What is the one book healthcare executives should read this year?” Here are their selections.
Managed Healthcare Executive asked key opinion leaders “What is the one book healthcare executives should read this year?” Here are their selections.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
By Tom Franklin
“Set in Mississippi, the title refers to how children are taught to spell the state’s name. The story is about childhood friends who are reunited amid a murder investigation. It touches on themes of prejudice, acceptance of people who are different from us, and forgiveness.”
- Virginia Calega, MD, vice president, medical affairs, Facilitated Health Networks, Independence Blue Cross, and Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisor
The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care
By T.R. Reid
“I found it helpful to ensure we look at how other countries deal with costs and access.”
-Roy Beveridge, MD, chief medical officer, Humana, and Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisor
Voices of Innovation: Fulfilling the Promise of Information Technology in Healthcare, 1st Edition
By Edward W. Marx
“Some of the most important technology innovations for the world center around health and wellness. When people are well, they can work, learn, teach, achieve, take care of families, and contribute to society. Voices of Innovation steps up to the challenge, not only describing some amazing medical innovations, but providing a much needed ‘how-to’ guide for other technology and medical leaders to follow for future advancement."
-Sue B. Workman, vice president University Technology and CIO University Technology, Case Western Reserve University
By John Wooden
“I am fond of all the books by legendary basketball player and beloved coach John Wooden. This is among my favorites. Wooden’s approach is relevant in business today. Wooden taught his players to compete at a furious pace with no stalling, time-outs, or slowdowns. The media sometimes called it a ‘fire wagon’ style because the running never ceased. This is a result of preparation, practice, conditioning, and the will to win! These qualities transcend basketball. In business, laser focus on the task at hand, be fully prepared, and out-work your competitors.
- Alan B. Miller, chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services
By Jesmyn Ward
“The novel is set in present-day rural Louisiana, [presenting] a deep dive into the local culture built on race, poverty, and a wholly different take on ‘health.’
"The relevance to healthcare is the window into a brutally impoverished, barrier-ridden environment that most of us will never experience-and yet, these realities must guide our path as we develop accountable, value-based healthcare. As healthcare executives approach risk-based payment and improvement of outcomes and cost, they will need to innovate by understanding how to navigate barriers to good health, especially in high-risk populations.”
- Theresa Hush, CEO, Roji Health Intelligence
By Steven Brill
“Steven is the founder of Court TV and explores health policy through the lens of the Obama administration’s efforts to draft and implement the ACA. He provides a clearer understanding of where the ACA succeeded and where it failed.”
-Linda Bolland, PharmD MBA, senior advisor – Access Experience Team, Precision for Value
By Daniel Kahneman
“Kahneman’s book offers insights into how we make decisions as patients and healthcare professionals, and has implications for the development of patient engagement and population health models, leveraging System 1 (intuitive) thinking for engagement and System 2 (rational) thinking for change.”
- Maureen Hennessey, PhD, CPCC, CPHQ, senior vice president, director of Value Transformation, Precision for Value
By Jim Collins
“One book I read every few years and re-read this January was Jim Collins’ book “Built to Last.”
In our current VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) Healthcare Landscape, this timeless book focuses on fundamentals and principles to help leaders and companies stay grounded, endure, and be successful in spite of the turbulent environment. It focuses on what should remain constant and what should continuously change to stay relevant amidst change and transformation.
-Elizabeth Oyekan, PharmD, FCSHP, CPHQ, senior director – Access Experience Team, Precision for Value
By Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
“Thaler and Sunstein’s book thoughtfully examines ways that ‘choice architecture’ can be used to influence choices in many spheres of our lives, including those impacting our health.”
-Hennessey
Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks
By Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler
“Christakis and Fowler’s book studies human social networks and their influence on our health, emotions, and life choices; the book expands our appreciation for the power of social connections to potentially impact the health and happiness of populations and sub-populations.”
-Hennessey
By Mo Willems
“Why a children’s book? In addition to being the CEO of healthcare quality competencies leader, NAHQ, I am a mom to two young sons. I think a lot of parents will relate to my recommendation of Willems’ Pigeon series because their evenings are also spent reading this popular series to their kids as well. The author’s approach to life lessons is not only relatable and entertaining for children, but also provides valuable opportunities for teachable moments for adults too. Pigeon brings levity to daily tasks like taking a bath, which offers just the right amount of comic relief after a busy day in the office.”
- Stephanie Mercado, executive director and CEO, National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)