Student Spotlight: Patricia Brock, MD
The Value Institute for Health and Care is interviewing students of the Master of Science in Health Care Transformation Class of 2023 to learn about their experience and discover how the program can help health professionals #TransformHealthCare. The MSHCT Class of 2024 begins on August 15. Learn more about the program online and reach out to recruiting director Brendan Hardy with questions.
This interview spotlights Patricia Brock, MD, associate professor deputy chair of the department of emergency medicine and operations medical director at MD Anderson.
What is your job title and what are your responsibilities?
Associate Professor Deputy Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Operations Medical Director for the MD Anderson Cancer Center emergency department called the Acute Cancer Care Center. I will assume an Executive Operations Medical Director role over the Inpatient Operations.
If you had to pick one area, which aspect of your role gives you the greatest satisfaction?
I derive tremendous satisfaction from improving the processes our patients and providers encounter along the cancer care journey using sound data and metrics.
How has your experience in the MS Health Care Transformation program changed how you approach your work?
The phrase “what matters most to the patients” has reoriented my thinking to ensure that is where we start on any project.
What types of solutions do you hope to achieve or make progress towards through this program?
One of many solutions I hope to make progress towards is the improvement of the experience for patients as they encounter an acute health event and need additional services beyond the ambulatory setting. This has many facets from tele-triage before coming to the ACCC, better options for new patients seeking care who have a high burden of symptoms, improved boarding time for admitted patients, and designing an “at home” option as an alternative to an in-hospital admission placement.
Anything else you want us to know about you or your health care journey?
It is an honor and privilege to serve in the health care field for many years and in many different capacities. From my early days as a staff nurse through the switch to medical school residency, a decade as a surgeon, ending up as an oncologist emergency department doc, and now working primarily in an administrative capacity, I continue to learn and grow. I am excited to apply the concepts I am learning this year - it is never too late to learn about what matters most to patients and without good data and sound metrics it is hard to tell your story.
September 2022