Our “Meet Me” series includes interviews introducing some of the people working to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone, everywhere.

As Chief People Officer, Jim leads our company’s growth and development strategies for the bedrock foundation of our company: our people. As the leader of the Talent and Organization Team, he’s committed to creating a workplace environment that will be the most positively impactful point in any team member’s career. Learn more about Jim in the Q&A below.

What inspired you to join the company?

Two things — the people and the merger. 

I was intentional not just about seeking an opportunity in digital health, but finding a team focused on using technology to improve healthcare delivery and eliminate the inequities in the current model. At our company, the team unity around this mission was clear from the start, in every conversation. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. 

Then, late in our interviewing process, the merger between Grand Rounds and Doctor On Demand became apparent. Our combined entity presented an even bigger inspiration and opportunity, from a business perspective and a human resources perspective. 

I’ve always been drawn to places where technology is used to make a huge impact on people’s lives. So it was obvious to me that joining this organization at this moment — as we are building an industry-first offering — was the right move. Our mission, to improve healthcare delivery for everyone, everywhere requires a diverse, cross-disciplinary, high performing team to be successful. I couldn’t resist the chance to help foster and coach this team.  

What are you most excited about in your new role?

Right now, with the merger, my team has a unique opportunity to take a step back, evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and free ourselves from legacy thinking. It’s an opportune time for us to innovate. 

I’m also excited for the “new normal.” Businesses around the globe are going to redefine where “work” happens for employees and embrace new models. Our team is developing programs to support the new ways we find ourselves working across a distributed and virtual environment. 

Five years from now, what do you hope our new company will be known for as a best place to work?

We’ll be known as the innovators, not just in healthcare delivery but in people programs as well. We’ll be the destination for top talent. And, maybe best, working here will be the most positively impactful point in your career, whether you’re an engineer, data scientist, clinician or actuary. 

Shameless plug: we’re hiring!  If you’re looking to join a talented and unrelenting team of passionate individuals who want to make healthcare better today, please check out our career pages on Included Health.

If you could change one thing in healthcare today, what would it be?

Make quality healthcare more accessible and equitable to all. Eliminate the broad disparity between the “haves” and “have nots.”

How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader, outside of work? What are you reading now?

I just re-read The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins. I read it every time I take on a new role.  This book lays out, in a very practical way, how to map a successful transition into a new role. I highly recommend it. 

What activities do you do outside of work to wind down and relax?

Now with California starting to open up more, I’m getting back into my hot yoga practice. I really missed doing it during the pandemic. For me, hot yoga is an amazing stress reliever with so many benefits.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Time travel. Our great equalizer is that every one of us gets just 24 hours in a day. I try to make the most of them. But I’d like more! I’d like to go back in time to remind myself how far we’ve come, and also forward in time to look around corners and eliminate some of the counter-productive challenges we may face ahead of us.