It’s a bonus!
In this special edition episode , Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health.
They start with a note about the first podcast Anne ever hosted – a 2020 conversation with Thomas that reminds us all of how much has changed even as the principles of authentic leadership haven’t.
From there, Thomas traces his path from a disciplined, outdoorsy childhood in Vermont to pumping gas, plowing snow, and later studying accounting and computer information systems. Like many guests, Thomas hadn’t planned on a healthcare career. He instead started with an eye towards investment banking, training at Ernst & Young before making the leap and heading to. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. There, an early mentor shaped his leadership perspective and professional experience.
Later on, Thomas spent 24 years at Ochsner Health, rising to CEO leading major growth and innovation and learning to center strategy on patients and purpose through initiatives like “Power of One,” while prioritizing people during Katrina and COVID. Joining Sutter four years ago, he became the system’s first outsider CEO in 40 years. He began his tenure with a deep and thoughtful talent assessment, then built a rapid growth strategy including ambulatory expansion. Throughout it all, Thomas has emphasized communication, trust and the key leadership traits of being humble, hungry, smart and curious.
Episode Highlights
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2:18 Life in California
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3:53 Vermont Roots
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6:13 First Jobs
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10:24 Mentors and Leadership Style
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14:29 Learning Mindset and Strategy
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17:19 Ochsner Growth Lessons
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21:20 Purpose and Culture
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25:22 Joining Sutter
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31:56 Leadership Traits
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34:15 Lightning Round
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