The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you by HME Business, a WTWH Media health care brand. The program is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the next decade of home medical equipment. To see this year’s Future Leaders across our health care brands, visit https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
Morgan Parker Howton, director of IT analytics for Med-South Inc., has been named a 2024 Future Leader by HME Business.
To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40-years-old or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for the HME industry and the individuals HME professionals serve.
Parker Howton sat down with HME Business to talk about using data to drive operational efficiency and outcomes, being adaptable as an organizational leader, and more. Highlights from our conversation are below, edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to this industry?
The DME industry, with its combination of health care and technology, encompasses a unique space to apply data-driven insights in efforts to improve operational efficiency and enhance patient outcomes. That’s what drew me to this industry.
What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in this industry?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned, in my current role, is that data drives both operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Understanding how to analyze data to make informed decisions is essential in this industry, where regulatory demands and patient needs are constantly changing.
If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the DME/HME space, what would it be and why?
I would prioritize the development of unified data standards and interoperability across the industry. This would enhance data sharing between providers and payers while ultimately improving patient outcomes.
What do you foresee as being different about the DME/HME industry looking ahead to 2025?
By 2025, I foresee a deeper dependence on data-driven decision-making. Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, machine learning and real-time data monitoring will become essential for improving patient outcomes and optimizing supply chain management, leading to more proactive care and operational efficiency.
In a word, how would you describe the future of DME/HME in the U.S.?
Innovative.
What quality must all Future Leaders possess?
Future Leaders must possess the ability to be both adaptable and data driven. Leaders need to stay ahead of industry changes while also leveraging data to make informed, strategic decisions that drive growth and patient outcomes.
If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?
I would tell myself to have an open mind and be curious about all aspects of the business. It’s important to understand the challenges faced within the industry and how data can help solve them. This broader perspective will promote deliverable insights that truly make a difference and drive collaboration across the organization.
To learn more about the Future Leaders program, visit: https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
