How Automation, Data, and Mentorship Are Transforming Healthcare Operations

In a recent episode of The Interconnectedness of Things podcast, we sat down with Michelle McClay—Chief Strategic Integration Officer at Ascension to discuss how healthcare systems can work smarter without losing their human touch.

Drawing on Michelle’s decade of experience in strategic project management, the conversation ranged from the role of data in healthcare decision making to the importance of mentorship for emerging leaders. The narrative that unfolded offers a compelling look at modern healthcare: a high-tech industry that still relies on human insight, healthcare knowledge sharing, and teamwork to thrive.

The Role of Data in Healthcare Decision Making: From Overload to Insight

More data doesn’t automatically mean better decisions. Clinicians today face an information overload from electronic health records, patient portals, and streams of clinical data, which can actually make it harder to spot what’s relevant for each patient. In fact, 70% of physicians feel they’re dealing with more data than they can manage. Michelle and the hosts acknowledge this challenge of data overload vs. actionable insights, emphasizing that healthcare leaders must find ways to cut through the noise.

One remedy is investing in better healthcare data management and analytics tools. For example, platforms like Microsoft Power BI allow teams to embed interactive dashboards into their everyday apps, giving care teams easy access to the data they need. Standardizing data using clinical vocabularies such as SNOMED CT also helps by ensuring that information is consistent and computer-readable across systems. This standardization unlocks increased opportunities for real-time decision support and more accurate reporting for research and management.

In short, the role of data in healthcare decision making only yields value when organizations transform raw data into clear, usable insights.

So, how can leaders  foster a data-driven culture without drowning clinicians in metrics?

By focusing on healthcare data analysis that drives healthcare process improvement and better patient outcomes.

How Automation is Changing Healthcare Operations (and Why Humans Still Matter)

Where there is promise, there are also limitations of healthcare automation. McClay notes that automation can streamline workflows and support clinicians by taking over routine tasks—but it’s meant to empower roles, not replace them. This aligns with industry sentiment: over 80% of healthcare professionals say automation is key to success in their organizations.

Hospitals are deploying “intelligent automation”—a mix of AI, digital tools, and robotics—to reduce administrative burdens and free up staff time for patient care. For example, AI can assist with scheduling staff or predicting patient admissions, and robots can haul supplies or assist with pharmacy inventory.

At the same time, the conversation underscores a critical point: automation can support, but not replace, healthcare professionals.

No matter how advanced, AI lacks the empathy, ethical judgment, and nuanced understanding that human clinicians provide. As NEJM Catalyst argues, AI in medicine is a powerful supplement, not a substitute. Michelle echoes this view, warning against over-reliance on tech. The goal is to let machines do what they do well (speed, data crunching) in order to support healthcare decision making, while clinicians do what they do best (critical thinking, compassion).

Collaboration, Institutional Knowledge, and The Power of Teams

Beyond tech, Michelle McClay stresses that the future of healthcare hinges on collaboration and interdependence between teams. No single clinician or department can provide optimal care in isolation; healthcare is a team sport. Working in effective teams has been shown to improve clinical outcomes, increase professional satisfaction, and provide peer support.

This is why building effective healthcare project teams and breaking down silos is a top priority for leaders like Michelle. In the podcast, she describes how strategic integration involves aligning different specialists and departments to work toward common goals. A related issue is the value of healthcare institutional knowledge—the hard-won expertise that experienced staff carry. As veteran clinicians retire or move on, they often take decades of know-how with them.

“Experienced physicians are retiring at unprecedented rates,” notes Debra Albert at NYU Langone, and healthcare organizations must preserve this collective wisdom. Michelle and the hosts touch on this need to capture and share institutional knowledge. Healthcare team development depends on seniors passing their insights to the next generation.

Onboarding and Knowledge Sharing in Healthcare Organizations

Effective onboarding and knowledge-transfer strategies emerged as practical themes in the discussion. Bringing new employees up to speed in a complex environment like a hospital requires more than manuals. Michelle advocates for creating a culture of continuous learning and healthcare knowledge sharing. This can include formal mentorship, but also systems to document and exchange know-how.

Some organizations use knowledge graphs, peer shadowing, or regular debriefs to help socialize newcomers into the organization’s way of working. The American College of Healthcare Executives encourages structured onboarding, aiming to get individuals to effectiveness faster. Michelle highlights that successful onboarding goes hand-in-hand with retention: when people feel supported in learning their role, they are more likely to stay and contribute.

Mentorship and Early Career Development in Healthcare

A highlight of the conversation was the focus on mentorship and career advice for healthcare management professionals just starting out. Michelle reflected on what she wishes she had known at the start of her career, and what she now tells young professionals entering healthcare. Her advice? Seek mentors, embrace feedback, and cultivate a habit of lifelong learning.

Mentorship is more than friendly advice—it's a strategic tool for workforce resilience. Studies show mentoring can reduce burnout, improve retention, and develop future leaders in healthcare settings. Institutions like Mayo Clinic and the American Nurses Association report increased engagement and retention with mentoring programs.

Michelle encourages early-career individuals to ask questions, solicit feedback, and stretch their skills. For healthcare organizations, the takeaway is clear: fostering mentorship and knowledge sharing is essential for healthcare workforce development. As one expert put it, “mentoring is no longer optional in healthcare”—it's essential.

Keeping the Human Touch in a Data-Driven World

Throughout the podcast episode, Michelle McClay’s stories and strategies paint an optimistic picture of healthcare’s future. Yes, there are challenges with data overwhelm and implementing automation wisely, but there are also enormous opportunities to improve care by harnessing technology and human capital together. From healthcare data management practices to strategic project management in healthcare, success comes from balancing the tech and the touch.

If you found these insights intriguing, you’ll gain even more by hearing them directly from Michelle McClay. The full conversation dives deeper into how automation is changing healthcare operations, how data can be made actionable, and personal lessons on leadership and growth.

Tune in to the latest episode of The Interconnectedness of Things to explore these topics in depth with Michelle McClay.