Leading in Healthcare IT: Emerson Health CDO Renee Fosberg on Mentorship, Visibility, and Saying Yes
Renee Fosberg considers herself a healthcare professional before a technologist. But every time her organization needed someone to step up, she raised her hand. That instinct shaped her career and led to her current role as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Emerson Health.
On The CereCore Podcast, Renee joined us to talk about leading in healthcare IT, the mentors who changed her path, and the advice she gives to the next generation.
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• 25 min
What the Next Generation of Healthcare IT Leaders Needs to Hear: Emerson Health CDO Renee Fosberg
The CereCore Podcast
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How women in healthcare IT are advancing into leadership
When Renee entered healthcare technology, the CIO title barely existed. Today, IT leaders sit at the senior leadership table and are pivotal to strategy. That shift has created real opportunity for women, especially in healthcare where female representation is already strong and collaborative, relationship-driven skills are increasingly valued at the executive level.
The mentor who changed everything
One of the most pivotal moments in Renee's career came during a performance review when a CFO told her he believed she had what it takes to be a CIO. She had never considered it a possibility. Months later, she came back and said she wanted the opportunity. Together with her CEO, they built a development plan that led to where she is today. Now she pays it forward by promoting from within her own team.
How to advance your career in healthcare IT
Renee offered three strategies: seek out cross-functional projects, know your organization's strategy and how your work maps to it, and be visible. For anyone who finds that last one uncomfortable, her advice is simple.
"Don't wait to be perfect. Say yes and figure it out."
What healthcare IT leaders need in the age of AI
With the rapid advancement of digital and AI, Renee believes curiosity, creativity, and the ability to challenge the status quo are becoming just as important as technical expertise. Senior executives should be looking for those qualities in their next generation of leaders.
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