Salute to Young Leaders: Andwele Jolly

Andwele Jolly

Business Director      

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Birmingham, AL

The Altamont, Birmingham, AL

What inspired your shift from practicing physical therapy to the business/administration side of medicine?

After 3 years of practicing physical therapy, I was first introduced to the business side of healthcare when I became a clinical director over an orthopedic physical therapy practice. Through that experience, I grew a strong interest for how policy, finance, and operations influence care delivery and health outcomes. I also became more acutely aware of our fragmented, financially unsustainable and non-patient centric healthcare system. Therefore, I decided to shift my focus to learning more about the business of healthcare with the hopes of shaping our system to be more collaborative, evidence based, and patient-centered, where the needs of all patients are met regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. In my new role as an administrator, with a clinical background, I have the privilege of serving as a translator between business leaders and clinicians to drive policy and processes to optimize patient care in a financially responsible and sustainable way.

You were instrumental in re-establishing the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Health Service Executives. What value does the organization bring to its members and affiliated institutions?

Unique to NAHSE is the level of access to senior black and under-represented minority leaders in the healthcare industry, who are genuinely interested paying forward their knowledge, experiences, and resources to guarantee your success. I was first introduced to the organization as a graduate student when Kevin E. Lofton, CEO of Catholic Health Initiatives, sponsored me to compete in NAHSE’s national student business case competition. Since that moment, through NAHSE, I’ve been able to cultivate a diverse network of mentors and sponsors, who’ve helped me achieve great success in my career.

Moreover, NAHSE offers a space and platform to advocate for our most vulnerable patient populations, who experience disparities in health outcomes. Our affiliates and members benefit from having access to a professional network that’s diverse, talented, and cognizant of the health challenges impacting all populations, particularly those who are under-represented and underserved in our communities.

You previously lived in Atlanta. As a city trying to attract more young professionals, what advantages does St. Louis have?

St. Louis has the amenities of a big city without the hassle. Those who’ve lived or travel through Atlanta know that traffic in St. Louis is non-existent… even on the worst of days. Moreover, St. Louis is affordable and provides access to a wide array of activities: sporting events, concerts, the arts, exhibits and cultural performances, dining experiences, and outdoor parks and adventures. Whether you’re single or have a family, there’s always something to do. Moreover, business community in St. Louis is eager to attract, develop, and retain young talent within their organizations.