McKinsey on Healthcare
Reframing aging: What would it take for aging to be seen as an opportunity in healthcare?
01 Apr 2022
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 26:14) > In this episode of the McKinsey on Healthcare podcast, McKinsey partner Dr. Pooja Kumar talks to Ursel J. McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, about a need to change the accepted narrative on aging, the challenges that women in leadership face, and her desire to ensure lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are used to benefit the future of older populations.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Full Episode
Welcome. You're listening to the McKinsey on Healthcare podcast. If you're looking for insights into the issues that matter most in healthcare right now, you're in the right place. Explore a wide range in conversations with leaders, problem solvers, innovators, and professionals who are at the heart of healthcare today. I'm Dr. Pooja Kumar, a partner at McKinsey & Company. Let's get started.
In today's episode of McKinsey on Healthcare, I speak with Ursel J. McElroy, Director of Ohio's Department of Aging. She and I will be looking at how we can change the narrative on aging to achieve positive healthcare outcomes and what it takes for women to thrive as leaders. We've got some new and interesting ideas lined up for you. So let's start the conversation. Welcome, Ursel.
Thank you for joining us today. Well, hi, Pooja. It's a pleasure to be here. You are the leader of one of the most critical human services agencies for your state. What drew you to your work today with the Department of Aging?
I accepted the appointment in January 2019. It was pretty exciting and natural. Prior to my current role, I served as deputy director within the Ohio Attorney General's office for a decade with our current governor. Prior to joining the Attorney General's office, I also had an opportunity to work in direct service with many older adults and their families.
And so this was a natural transition in my career. And what an exciting time to actually assume the helm of the Ohio Department of Aging.
Tell me about some of your experiences earlier in your career and how did your experiences prior shape your approach to your work today?
I make it a point to really understand who I want to be on this earth, what I want to contribute, and how I can help others. But it is the motivation, I would say, to help people to be their best selves that fuels me and my approach. I've been afforded so many opportunities, considering what many would be surprised by a pretty modest upbringing.
I approach each day without taking anything for granted. And since I've been a young person, I've always been in this constant pursuit of more. How can we do more, more for ourselves, more for others, more to make things better? And that is the approach I use as a leader as well with my staff, with the people I have an opportunity to work with.
I don't take the opportunities that I'm given for granted. I use each and every moment to try to make the change.
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