Chief Application Officer

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a mission-based health system based in Gainesville, Georgia with five hospitals and a multispecialty network of over 500 providers at more than 70 locations. NGHS serves more than 1 million people throughout 19 counties in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest. Led by volunteer boards made up of community leaders, NGHS is a not-for-profit health system; all of its revenue beyond operating costs is returned to the community through improved services and innovative programs.

NGHS includes:

• Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville
• NGMC Braselton
• NGMC Barrow
• NGMC Lumpkin
• NGMC Habersham
• Northeast Georgia Physicians Group
• Georgia Heart Institute
• Imaging centers
• Rehabilitation services
• Long term care centers
• A mental health and substance abuse treatment center
• Cancer services

NGHS Mission Statement:

We are committed to improving the health of our community in all we do.

NGHS Vision:

We will be the preferred and indispensable healthcare resource for the communities we serve.

NGHS is recognized as a great place to work.

Newsweek:

• America’s Greatest Workplaces (2024)
• America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women (2024)
• America’s Greatest Workplace for Mental Wellbeing (2024)
• America’s Greatest Workplace for Diversity (2024)

Forbes:

• Best-in-state Employer (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)

Position Overview

Reporting to the CIO, the Chief Application Officer (CAO) will be responsible for clinical and administrative applications, technical education, change management, and Community Connect affiliates. The CAO will lead three direct reports and a total team of 194.

The CAO will oversee:

• Maintenance, optimization, upgrades, and enhancements of 480 applications
• Key platforms such as the Epic suite, Workday, and 3rd party integrated systems
• Device integration, credentialing systems, and other critical applications

Working collaboratively with service line leaders and using the “now, near, far” methodology, the CAO will be responsible for the strategic roadmap for each domain, including:

• Clinician experience
• Revenue integrity
• Care coordination
• Research experience

The CAO will also define long-term enterprise application system needs and standards. They will oversee the full application life cycle management while advancing training and change management opportunities that support business objectives.

This role will be a key member of the strategy cabinet, working alongside the CNIO, CMIO, CTO, Chief of Analytics & Data Management, and the Chief of Enterprise Implementation.

In this highly collaborative environment, relationships are foundational to success. The CAO must develop and grow strong relationships in IT and across the entire organization, including the CTO, marketing, and service line leaders.

Formerly, the CAO oversaw both enterprise applications and the ePMO. With an increasing number of large, complex projects, the two functions have been separated. The incumbent now holds the title of Chief of Enterprise Implementation.

The successful candidate will adopt NGHS’ core values for informatics and information technology, including:

• “Work together”
• “Grow”
• “Deliver”

The CAO will also be expected to model and advance NGHS’ technology guiding principles, which include:

• Valuing platform technology and stability
• Driving extraordinary outcomes
• Prioritizing strong change management

Current projects on the strategic roadmap include:

• Significant work around organizational growth, construction, expansion, and acquisition
• Management of 480 clinical and business applications including optimization and upgrades
• Testing and quality assurance for on-prem data center’s move to AWS
• Supporting a large, multi-specialty, 200-physician community connect customer

This position is an incredible opportunity to work with a forward-thinking CIO, an organization that values and invests in Information Technology, and a growing company with strong margins. NGHS is just one of 26 designated CHIME Most Wired Level 10 organizations, reflecting its ongoing investment in digital health innovation.

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of healthcare information technology experience
• 5+ years at a senior level in a health system of comparable size and complexity
• Success in the development and implementation of a strategic IT plan
• Experience with system design, implementation, and process redesign in clinical environments and financial environments
• Experience managing in a complex acute and ambulatory environment
• Experience in customer and vendor relationship management

Preferred:

• Experience implementing, managing, and supporting Epic applications

Location

Relocation or residency within a commutable distance from Gainesville, GA is required. Relocation assistance will be available.

About Gainesville, Georgia

Photo Credit (bottom left): Explore Gainesville/@dfranksworld

Small town charm
Gainesville is located between the shores of picturesque Lake Lanier and the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Known as the “Hospitality Capital of the World,” Gainesville prides itself on its friendly culture and tight-knit community. Downtown offers year-round outdoor concerts and seasonal festivals and has a unique blend of locally-owned shops, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful green spaces.

Lakeside recreation

Lake Lanier, is the state’s largest lake and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking and water skiing. There are several golf courses and restaurants overlooking the lake’s scenic beauty. A scaled walking model of the solar system, one of only 13 in the world, starts in downtown Gainesville and features planet monuments along a 1.8-mile trail and ends on the shores of Lake Lanier.

Great quality of life

With a mild climate, a low cost of living, and many family-friendly neighborhoods and housing developments with great amenities close to the heart of the city, Gainesville offers abundant living. Its close proximity to Atlanta, (within an hour’s drive), adds to the town’s appeal.

Procedure for Candidacy

Final candidates should expect two interviews with Kirby Partners recruiters (including a video conference interview). You may be asked to complete our “Executive Profile” and submit references to be considered for presentation to the search committee.