Reframing aging: What would it take for aging to be seen as an opportunity in healthcare?
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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.
You've talked about what you've done in terms of striving for more. You've talked about what you've done in terms of your development, but you've also made a very purposeful choice to do all of these things in the service of vulnerable populations. I'd love to just hear your reflections on what drew you to that.
I have throughout my career had the privilege to work with incredible people. My background for many years has been serving victims of crime, whether it was child abuse, sexual abuse, elder abuse, sadly, helping families who've had to deal with the loss due to a homicide. And what you learn in working with people who have experienced things that are unimaginable to most of us is that their resilience, and their desire to continue and to make things better, not just for their families, but those that come behind them is incredible. And so I don't believe that I have the luxury to do anything less than to operate with intention, with a sense of urgency, with constant purpose.
What has been your biggest professional learning in terms of health equity?
I think we heard a lot about health equity, in particular during the pandemic. There was a lot of emphasis on many of the disparities that were highlighted throughout the pandemic. I think it's really important for people to understand that each and every one of us has their own lived experiences. And there's value in that. And there's purpose in that. They are as unique as the fingerprints each one of us has on our hands. And so I don't make assumptions. I try to be very careful to not operate as if any one group is this monolithic static
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