From Client to Consultant: An Interview with Susan Greenwood-Clark

Germane Solutions is excited to welcome Susan Greenwood-Clark, BSN, RN, MBA, FACHE, as a Senior Specialist to our team. Susan brings over 25 years of experience in Graduate Medical Education (GME), having served as a Director of Medical Education and a Designated Institutional Officer (DIO) in various teaching hospitals. Susan possesses a deep understanding of GME accreditation, program development, and leadership in creating new teaching hospitals. Now, as a consultant, Susan is poised to bring her invaluable insights and experience to help other institutions navigate the complexities of GME.

In this interview, we explore Susan’s journey from being a former client of Germane Solutions to becoming a consultant with us and how her extensive background continues to shape her approach to GME consulting.

Can you describe your journey from being a client of Germane Solutions to becoming a consultant with the organization? What inspired you to make this transition? 

My journey with Graduate Medical Education spans 25 years, culminating recently in a challenging role: establishing a new teaching hospital. This project, governed by the CMS 3-year rule, was a comprehensive endeavor requiring collaboration across various levels of the organization. My responsibilities ranged from initial planning and development to managing the operational aspects of the hospital post-establishment.

Throughout this process, I forged invaluable relationships with senior leadership, board members, and educators. These interactions were instrumental in understanding the nuanced dynamics of GME environments and the critical importance of "people development" to foster educational excellence.

The decision to transition from a client to a consultant at Germane Solutions was inspired by my desire to leverage this extensive "real-world" experience. I aim to contribute meaningfully to training exceptional future physicians by advising on GME development and supporting the growth of educational leaders within the field.

What were the key challenges you faced while transitioning from a Director of Medical Education at a teaching hospital to a consultant role? How did you overcome them?

Transitioning from a Director of Medical Education at a teaching hospital to a consulting role at Germane Solutions has presented several unique challenges. While working within a hospital environment, my only priority was the hospital. Projects were isolated and typically had longer timelines. In my new role, I am collaborating with multiple clients simultaneously which requires me to adjust both my focus and pace.

To manage these changes effectively, I've had to develop new strategies for time management and project prioritization. Thankfully, I’ve been able to leverage the deep expertise of the Germane Solutions staff during this transition. The team’s understanding of not only GME management but also general project management has complemented my background, allowing for a synergistic approach to meeting our clients' needs. Overall, these adjustments have been facilitated by focusing on the application of my existing skills in new ways and adapting quickly to the dynamic environment at Germane Solutions.

How has your experience as a DIO and Director of Medical Education shaped your approach to consulting in GME?

My experience as a DIO and Director of Medical Education has given me deep insights into managing GME structures and understanding the complexities involved in running successful programs.

This background has shaped my approach to consulting by emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making and adaptability. I’ve learned to support teams effectively by aligning their efforts with the evolving needs of both the organization and individual programs, ensuring we meet GME goals efficiently and collaboratively.

How did Germane Solutions support you during your time as a client, and how do you plan to bring that experience into this consulting role?

As a client, Germane Solutions provided a clear and focused roadmap to help us launch our GME footprint. They played a huge role in aiding us in developing our first programs, and we could not have started GME without their support. Following our initial engagement, we actually acquired their assistance twice more to evaluate our progress toward our goals and to identify new areas for program development. These collaborations confirmed we were on the right path and offered us actionable "next steps" for future growth.

This experience provided me with years of experience maintaining accredited programs and supporting the sponsoring institution, and I have developed a strong understanding of even the most complex accreditation standards.

Now a consultant, I can direct clients on how to navigate these challenges more efficiently and help them focus on future priorities. As both an experienced GME expert and an innovative problem solver, this process is so exciting to me. I recognize that there are several ways to support my clients in achieving their goals. By working directly with these clients, I aim to understand their unique environments and provide tailored solutions that address both program and institutional needs effectively.

What unique insights or skills have you brought to Germane Solutions based on your prior experience in creating and managing teaching hospitals?

As a board-certified healthcare manager with extensive experience in GME, I’ve honed the ability to excel in roles like DIO and Director of Medical Education. Additionally, my leadership experience as a past President of both regional and national organizations has given me a broader perspective on common challenges in the GME community.

Through these roles, I’ve learned that thriving in the ever-evolving landscape of medical education and healthcare delivery requires innovative problem-solving. Facing complex dilemmas has taught me to think beyond traditional approaches and develop creative solutions, rather than relying on outdated strategies that may not provide long-term success. These insights help me guide others in finding new paths forward in today’s dynamic environment.

How does working as a consultant compare to your previous roles in terms of impact, challenges, and rewards?

As a consultant, I have the opportunity to support a wide variety of clients in shaping their learning environments, allowing me to have a broader impact than any of my previous roles. With the ability to support many different clients simultaneously, I find myself having to constantly evaluate how I manage my time. Balancing multiple clients and priorities can be demanding, but I am continually refining my approach and improving my workflow.

Despite these minor challenges, this role presents many rewards, one of which is watching the newfound success of several institutions. It is reassuring to know that my contributions have helped them grow, and these frequent achievements inspire me to continuously provide greater insights and support to the GME community.

This role also offers the unique experience of working with different types of sponsoring institutions, beyond just hospitals. Creating innovative learning environments with a variety of stakeholders is so exciting. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with passionate leaders focused on bringing physicians to underserved, rural areas through community partnerships, which has been particularly rewarding.

Lastly and most importantly, I have loved my ability to build strong, lasting relationships with clients and witness their progress. I look forward to continuing this work with new institutions and programs.

In your experience, what are the key factors for successfully transitioning to a consulting position?

There are three key factors I have found to be necessary during this transition. The first is the ability to actively listen. Understanding the needs of the client is crucial, and the most effective consultants are extremely attentive, aiming to identify the specific challenges and goals of the organization.

The second skill is the ability to be a team player and collaborate. Gone are the days of consultants bringing a “ready-made” solution to a program, and I work closely with my teammates and clients to foster a partnership that enhances the implementation of planning initiatives.

Lastly, the most important skill is the ability to anticipate needs. My previous experience has granted me with knowledge to anticipate potential barriers and issues during our solution implementation. By leveraging these insights, I can proactively address challenges, rather than being reactionary.

What are your thoughts on the future of GME, and how do you see your role at Germane Solutions contributing to that future?

GME and the learning environment will continually evolve. I anticipate a growing emphasis on producing more primary care physicians to address the pressing healthcare needs of our country. Achieving this goal will be challenging, particularly as many residents currently train in large, complex hospital settings. This situation necessitates that hospitals rethink their training environments and consider “outside the walls” alternatives for residency training.

I also expect the future of GME to be impacted by the overall well-being of residents and faculty. Acknowledging the stress that comes from long hours and the burden of care is vital. The challenge will be finding ways to meet patient needs while maintaining continuity of care, all while exploring new models for care teams. Integrating Allied Health providers into this equation may offer viable solutions.

At Germane Solutions, my role will focus on addressing these evolving challenges by promoting innovative training environments and advocating for strategies that support both healthcare providers and the communities they serve. Through collaboration with stakeholders, I aim to contribute to a future where GME adapts effectively to the needs of the healthcare system.