Photo: McBoat Photography
Cole: What inspired you to pursue a career in the healthcare field, and how did you get started? Patterson: I started as a seventh-grade English teacher on the north side of Houston, Texas. I never planned to be in this or any other position I have had the great honor to hold. The position at Connect for Health Colorado didn’t even exist until 2011, and I had no dream of serving in this capacity. At the time, I was working as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor John Hickenlooper. When the position came open, the Chief of Staff suggested I talk to the board about the job, and I agreed to serve in this role. It wasn’t because I was an insurance expert. In my career, I have been a health insurance customer for over two decades, and that was the view that the organization needed to address: the consumer experience. The customer experience continues to drive the
work at Connect for Health Colorado, and we are making improvements leading the nation in the programs we implement for our residents.
Cole: What do you believe to be the most important piece of advice for a leader to follow? Patterson: My great-grandmother had a saying, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” Leaders should listen more than they talk. They need to hear varied perspectives from their team and stakeholders. Decisions are more informed with perspectives you didn’t think of or share because they represent voices you have not heard. Otherwise, decisions become narrow, poorly thought out, and misinformed, leading to unintended consequences. So, I try to get input early in the process to eliminate the pitchforks and torches, coming with the frustration people build because they were not consulted. That
21 The Acumen
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