How digital transformation can improve hospital operations and patient flow

Author's Biography

Lisa Padgett serves as the System Director of Capacity Management at Bronson Healthcare Group, contributing 30 years of exemplary leadership in healthcare operations. Renowned for her ability to achieve results in complex healthcare settings, Lisa led the design and launch of Bronson’s enterprisewide Capacity Command Centre, an initiative dedicated to optimising patient throughput, expediting discharges and facilitating real-time coordination of care. In addition to this strategic initiative, Lisa has directed multiple projects that have elevated clinical quality, enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened collaboration across inpatient, outpatient and procedural settings. One of her most notable accomplishments is the establishment of the United States’ first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program, a pioneering approach across two independent hospitals that has since become a national model. Lisa continues to drive initiatives that improve patient outcomes and advance operational excellence. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Michigan and an MBA from American Sentinel University. Currently, she is completing the 2025 Executive Program with the American College of Healthcare Executives and is pursuing Fellowship (FACHE) certification, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation and leadership in health care.

Ash Goel Dr Ash Goel, MD, serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Bronson Health, a US$2bn integrated health system in West Michigan. With over 18 years of leadership experience in healthcare, Dr Goel spearheads Bronson’s enterprise digital and technology strategy functions, empowering growth through innovation, consumer engagement and clinical excellence across a five-hospital health system serving over 2 million people. Dr Goel has achieved significant impact throughout his career by delivering technology-enabled solutions that enhance clinical care experiences, drive revenue growth and foster consumer engagement via digital care delivery programmes, advanced analytics, comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives and cyber resiliency. His expertise encompasses clinical platform deployment and optimisation, population health analytics, clinical and research analytics, infrastructure transformation and cybersecurity. A recipient of multiple Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) awards and technology accolades, Dr Goel was honoured as the ‘Michigan CIO of the Year’ for his leadership and innovation. He is passionate about mentoring technology teams and driving innovation by collaborating with start-ups and technology companies. As a professor at the Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Dr Goel advances medical technologies through teaching and mentorship. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Information Technology from Northwestern University, completed his medical residency at West Virginia University and earned his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr Goel is the Founder and Director of Primus Ventures, where he invests in early-stage healthcare technology companies and serves as an adviser to multiple organisations.

Kimberly Hatchel Dr Kimberly Hatchel is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Bronson Healthcare Group, and leverages her 30-plus years of experience to demonstrate a remarkable ability to implement innovative strategies and lead transformative initiatives. Her strategic vision and leadership are reflected in the significant operational improvements she has championed within the organisation. She recently established a System Capacity Management Centre to enhance hospital throughput and lower the Emergency Department’s Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) rate. She also devised an actionable/ comprehensive labour management plan to reduce dependence on contract labour. These efforts show her dedication to operational efficiency and patient care. Prior to Bronson, Kim worked at Hospital Corporation of America across many states as a senior executive, earning multiple awards for her contributions to the field. Her extensive background highlights her versatility and dedication to improving healthcare delivery. Dr Hatchel is also an assistant professor in the Graduate Nursing Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. She has served on the Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing and authored chapters in textbooks related to nursing management and leadership. Dr Hatchel holds an undergraduate degree in nursing from Austin Peay State University, Tennessee, a master’s degree in nursing and healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from Vanderbilt University.