Dignity Health

With a rich background that includes roles such as Patient Care Director at NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Director of Nursing at New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Patricia Punzalan has demonstrated a sincere commitment to advancing healthcare practices. Her extensive experience spans clinical work, academia and quality improvement, showcasing her versatility and deep understanding of the healthcare sector. Punzalan currently serves as the Sr. Director for Patient Care Services at Dignity Health, bringing over a year of dedicated service to the organization. Her primary focus is on realigning clinical practices with evidence-based guidelines, along with redesigning workflows to eliminate redundancy and enhance efficiency. Her current projects aim at laying the groundwork for achieving excellence in patient care services.

Through this article, Punzalan discusses how she navigated her transition from the Philippines to the U.S. healthcare system, her ascent through various leadership roles and her insights on the current challenges and trends in the U.S. healthcare.

How has your journey been in the patient care services industry?

My journey in the healthcare industry began when I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2004. At the start of my career in Brooklyn, New York, I took on the role of a nurse manager, despite arriving from a foreign country with limited knowledge of the U.S. healthcare regulatory requirements like Joint Commission standards. I embarked on a steep learning journey, educating myself from scratch through online resources and with the support of a few trusted colleagues. Fast forward to today, that rigorous learning curve and the support I received have been instrumental in shaping my career and bringing me to where I stand now.

  ​Despite the advancements AI brings, the irreplaceable value of human touch and empathy in healthcare remains paramount, underscoring that technology cannot replace the humanity healthcare workers provide.   

I started with two community hospitals in Brooklyn before advancing to a major healthcare system on the East Coast as a patient care director. Returning to Brooklyn at New York Presbyterian's Methodist Hospital, I served as a director, overseeing acute care services, including emergency, critical care and other units. Throughout my career, I have held various leadership roles with expertise in process improvement, which I believe, is an essential skill in leadership.

Currently, as a Senior Director of Nursing, my primary focus is to ensure the nursing departments I manage align with the organization's strategic goals, providing direction and support to ensure a cohesive effort toward our objectives.

Where do you expect the healthcare industry moving forward in the next 12 to 18 months?

Globally, the healthcare industry has made significant strides but continues to face challenges from regulatory changes, evolving reimbursement models and the recent healthcare plans discussed in the State of the Union address, including medication costs and copay reductions. These developments in a complex geopolitical landscape will undoubtedly influence future healthcare directions. Besides, the sector struggles with hiring and retaining healthcare workers, with a notable shift of professionals to other industries. International recruitment is being revisited as a solution, although it raises concerns about its impact on the source countries, potentially leading to a brain drain.

In the contemporary climate, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) represents a major technological evolution, offering improvements in efficiency, efficacy and patient safety. However, despite the advancements AI brings, the irreplaceable value of human touch and empathy in healthcare remains paramount, underscoring that technology cannot replace the humanity healthcare workers provide.