In this insightful conversation, Jesse Longoria, VP of Strategy at OhioHealth, shares his organization’s remarkable journey of growth and innovation with Todd Gottula, President of Clarify Health.  

OhioHealth, a healthcare system that has expanded significantly over the past decade, is redefining what it means to deliver high-quality, equitable care across urban and rural communities. Longoria delves into how data-driven strategies and a commitment to health equity shape the organization’s vision and offers practical advice for health systems navigating similar challenges.  

A journey of transformational growth 

OhioHealth has experienced unprecedented growth over the past 13 years, expanding from 7 hospitals to 19 and operating over 200 clinics across nearly half of Ohio. This rapid expansion underscores OhioHealth’s mission to serve more than 4 million individuals across diverse geographies, from bustling urban centers to remote rural areas. 

Longoria credits this growth to the organization’s distributed care model, which emphasizes delivering care close to home while retaining patients within the network. This approach ensures the right services are provided at the right time and place, fostering trust and accessibility across all communities. 

Harnessing the power of data and analytics 

Data is at the heart of OhioHealth’s success. Longoria describes the organization as “metric-driven,” emphasizing that “what gets measured gets done.” OhioHealth uses data to identify problems, set targets, and measure progress.  

However, Longoria stresses that the real magic happens when disparate data sources are connected, creating a holistic view that enables proactive and informed decision-making. 

By understanding patient needs and behaviors at a granular level, OhioHealth leverages data to design differentiated experiences.  

This strategy not only improves care delivery but also strengthens patient loyalty, a critical factor in sustaining growth and building long-term trust. 

OhioHealth’s vision: Exceptional care for all 

In 2022, OhioHealth introduced a new vision statement that encapsulates its commitment to delivering “exceptional care for all through experiences that earn a lifetime of trust.” This vision is built on four pillars: 

1. High-quality, safe care: Ensuring every patient receives reliable, top-tier care is foundational to the organization’s mission. 
2. Health equity: OhioHealth aims to improve the health of all populations within its service areas, regardless of socioeconomic or payer status. 
3. Differentiated experiences: Leveraging advanced data insights, the organization strives to offer personalized, meaningful patient interactions that stand out in a competitive healthcare landscape. 
4. Building loyalty: Exceptional care and tailored experiences foster enduring relationships with patients, creating a loyal customer base that supports sustainable growth. 

Advice for emerging health systems 

For smaller health systems embarking on their data analytics journey, Longoria offers pragmatic advice: “Don’t treat breakthrough strategy any different than you do operational excellence.” He emphasizes the importance of balancing bold innovation with clear, measurable targets. Identifying the right metrics and finding strategic partners to “supercharge” capabilities are essential steps toward achieving long-term goals. 

Longoria also advises leaders to cut through the overwhelming noise of potential solutions by focusing on initiatives that align with their organizational priorities and address the most pressing challenges. 

 Looking ahead: opportunities and collaboration 

Longoria is optimistic about the future of OhioHealth and the broader healthcare ecosystem. He sees disruption in the healthcare marketplace as an opportunity to innovate and adapt. Expanding OhioHealth’s capabilities to serve its diverse population more effectively will require new partnerships, skills, and approaches. 

At the same time, Longoria highlights a growing sense of collaboration across the healthcare landscape. As relationships between providers and payers evolve, there is a shared focus on making healthcare simpler, safer, and more accessible. Longoria emphasizes that data is the key to unlocking these possibilities: “The truth is in the data.” 

OhioHealth’s story is one of bold growth, a deep commitment to equity, and strategic innovation. The organization continues to push boundaries, proving that data-driven strategies and a clear vision can transform not only a healthcare system but also the communities it serves.  

For health systems navigating similar challenges, OhioHealth offers a roadmap for achieving sustainable success while delivering exceptional care for all.