New leader seeks collaboration with physicians
“It’s Day 59 here, but who’s counting?” laughed Jelden Arcilla, MBA, RNC, NEA-BC, Saint Joseph Hospital’s new CNO, when asked how long he’d been in his new position. “It’s been 59 days of a great experience in a special place, and I’m excited about my opportunity to serve.”
Arcilla most recently served as field vice president at LifePoint Health and VP-CNO at Conemaugh Health System-Duke LifePoint Healthcare in Johnstown, Penn. He brings with him more than 30 years of clinical and operational experience across the continuum of healthcare settings, from rural and critical access hospitals to large quaternary hospitals and health systems.
Now at Saint Joseph, among his top priorities, he is looking to further develop the collaboration between nurses, physicians and the entire interdisciplinary care team, particularly since the hospital is currently onboarding new nursing staff and clinicians. More than half are considered ‘novice,’ with less than three years of experience, while “our main body of knowledge continues to age out of the workforce.
“In meeting with our physicians and interacting with medical staff, I find them to be very collegial and welcoming, clinically outstanding and impressive in how they work and collaborate in delivering high-quality care,” said Jelden. “I would ask for their continued engagement and patience, looking for opportunities to coach and mentor our new nurses, same as our residents, which helps them realize their fullest potential and aligns with our vision to exceed expectations for health.”
When asked about his primary objective in his new role as CNO, he laughs again. “Just don’t mess it up! We already lead in performance. Our patient experience and quality outcomes are exceptional, and we are widely regarded as the premier healthcare destination in the region. My mission is to help us go from ‘very good’ to ‘great,’ raise the bar, then exceed it.”
To achieve that, he wants to hear from physicians who have suggestions for improvements or who encounter barriers preventing them from providing their best for patients, families and our community. Physicians can reach Jelden anytime at jelden.arcilla@imail.org.