About Us

The Healthcare Innovation Lab, founded in June 2017, is run by a group of clinicians, data scientists, program managers, and healthcare administrators working together to identify innovations in clinical care delivery and evaluate their usefulness in all aspects of care at BJC HealthCare (BJC) and Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM).

  • Our Mission

    In service of BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine, the Healthcare Innovation Lab catalyzes care delivery innovation through research and development. We define innovation as a new idea that, when implemented, creates value.

  • Our Vision

    As leaders in care delivery innovation, we fundamentally change care delivery for our patients and communities based on user need and rigorous testing.

  • Our Values

    • We champion change and foster a spirit of curiosity.
    • We create a positive environment where we collaborate, encourage, and support one another.
    • In the pursuit of understanding, we listen openly and ensure all voices are valued.
    • We hold ourselves accountable to our mission.
    Our Impact

Healthcare Innovation Lab Team

The Healthcare Innovation Lab is a team comprised of clinicians, operators, analysts, scientists, researchers and program managers who have experience in medicine, business development, informatics, operations management, design-thinking, and computer science.

  • Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc

    Vice President, Digital Products and Innovation

    Dr. Maddox is Vice President, Digital Products and Innovation, at BJC HealthCare (BJC) and a Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM). In this role, he provides strategic oversight and direction for the BJC digital team and the BJC/WUSM Healthcare Innovation Lab.

    He is also a practicing cardiologist and a health services researcher. His research interests have focused on healthcare delivery innovation, learning healthcare systems, and quality-of-care in cardiovascular disease. He has authored over 230 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple grants exploring optimal care delivery. He has also translated his quality of care research to clinical practice by designing and directing a national cardiology quality and safety program (CART) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

    Additionally, Dr. Maddox is currently a trustee of the American College of Cardiology and has held multiple national leadership positions at the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

    See Bio

  • Ali Kosydor, MHA

    Director

    As director of the Healthcare Innovation Lab, Ali provides oversight for operations efforts, engages key partners across the health system, and supports teams to accelerate and test high-value projects. Before joining the Innovation Lab, Ali spent several years in consulting and clinical operations focused on advancing clinical care models through performance improvement best practices.

    Ali has a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Webster University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the University of Missouri, with a focus in healthcare administration and a minor in business.

    Outside of the Lab, Ali enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

    See Bio

  • Kayla Paynter

    Program Manager

    Kayla manages projects within our Strategic Innovation Program, which focuses on improving and enhancing clinical operations. Kayla comes to BJC from Saint Louis University, where she was the relationship manager between the IT department and SLUCare Physician group. She has worked on a range of projects — from leading fundraising events at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the APA Adoption Center at the start of her career, to leading corporate campaigns, and finally, diving into healthcare as part of a transformational team at SLUCare.

    Kayla and her husband Patrick live in South City with their two dogs. When they aren’t walking the dogs, fixing up their old city house, or finding the next best restaurant, they enjoy traveling and exploring new cities.

    See Bio

  • Julie Lenhardt

    Program Manager

    Julie oversees various projects within the Lab and manages the Innovation Trainee Program. She comes to the Lab after working in several healthcare systems, both in project and program management roles.

    See Bio

  • Lindsay Lay, MBA, MSFS

    Program Manager

    Lindsay manages the Big Ideas Program, Epic Predictive Analytics Program, and several Strategic Innovation Program projects. Her background in operations, including facility management and high-complexity clinical laboratory management, helps her successfully manage projects that require a large amount of planning, that implement new procedures, and that greatly benefit the Innovation Lab.

    In her free time, Lindsay enjoys reading, teaching herself embroidery, and learning Spanish.

    See Bio

  • Elise Elden

    Medical Informaticist

    With a background in computer science, Elise assists the Lab with data analytics, helping to develop and implement predictive models to improve clinical outcomes. She previously worked at Washington University’s Institute for Informatics as a Senior Statistical Data Analyst.

    Elise enjoys skateboarding, surfing, and playing guitar outside of work.

    See Bio

  • Owen Phelps

    Epic Analyst

    Owen Phelps is the Innovation Lab’s Epic analyst and the primary analyst for the Cognitive Computing Platform. He has worked on Epic since 2010 in roles ranging from trainer to programmer.

    After moving to St. Louis 20 years ago, Owen has become an avid fan of local sports teams. However, his sports heart is in Wisconsin, as he is a part owner of the Green Bay Packers.

    See Bio

  • Megan Nelson

    Administrative Coordinator

    As the Lab’s Administrative Coordinator, Megan manages the Lab’s website updates, monthly newsletter, and social media, as well as the day-to-day administrative and scheduling needs of the Lab.

    Born and raised in Colorado, Megan came to St. Louis with her husband, son, and daughter in 2018. Outside of work, she enjoys getting to know the Metro East area, live musical theater, cooking, and creative writing.

    See Bio

Lab Governance Groups

The Healthcare Innovation Lab governance is comprised of a Board of Managers, Steering Committee, and Internal Advisory Board. The individuals in these various governance groups include clinicians, operational administration, and information and data technology experts.

  • Board of Managers
  • Steering Committee
  • Internal Advisory

  • The Board of Managers is composed of seven BJC members and seven WUSM members. They serve two-year renewable terms. The board reviews, advises, and champions the strategic focus of the Lab. The board is co-chaired by the CEO of BJC HealthCare and the Dean of WUSM. The remaining members are selected based on their ability to provide substantive input into the Lab strategy and portfolio. All board membership decisions are made by the co-chairs, with input from Lab leadership staff and the Steering Committee.

    • Rich Liekweg

      President and CEO, BJC HealthCare

    • David Perlmutter

      MD, Dean, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Bill Powderly

      MD, Larry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public Health

    • Bob Cannon

      Group President, BJC HealthCare

    • Bruce Hall

      MD, VP and Chief Quality Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Clay Dunagan

      MD, Sr. VP and Chief Clinical Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Dineo Khabele

      MD, Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Jerry Fox

      Sr. VP and Chief Information Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Michael Avidan

      MBBCh, Chief, Division of Clinical and Translational Research, Washington University

    • Nick Barto

      Sr. VP and Chief Financial Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Paul Scheel

      MD, Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, CEO, Washington University Physicians

    • Philip Payne

      PhD, Director, Institute for Informatics (I²), Associate Dean for Health Information and Data Science, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Rachel Bardowell

      MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine-Division of Hospital Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Vicky Fraser

      MD, Chair, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

  • The Steering Committee is composed of members from the Board of Managers. It provides operational oversight for the Lab, delegated by the board. The committee also has fiduciary oversight, in conjunction with the Lab's executive director, for Lab expenditures and resource allocation. It is chaired by Clay Dunagan, BJC Chief Clinical Officer, who has primary oversight of the Lab. Traditionally, the committee members' offices represent the founding entities of the Lab (CCE, ICTS, Institute for Public Health, and Center for Biomedical Informatics, now the Institute for Informatics). Over time, other members may be selected based on their ability to strategically advise and oversee the Lab portfolio.

    • Clay Dunagan

      MD, Sr. VP and Chief Clinical Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Bill Powderly

      MD, Larry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public Health

    • Jerry Fox

      Sr. VP and Chief Information Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Philip Payne

      PhD, Director, Institute for Informatics (I²), Associate Dean for Health Information and Data Science, Washington University School of Medicine

  • The Internal Advisory board is composed of members from BJC and WUSM who provide advice and a sounding board for the Lab activities. They serve two-year renewable terms. Terms are selected by the Lab leadership staff and Steering Committee based on their ability to provide substantive input into the Lab strategy and portfolio.

    • Dedric Carter

      Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University

    • Eva Aagaard

      MD, Carol & Jerome T. Loeb Professor of Medical Education, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Jason Purnell

      PhD, VP, Community Health Improvement, BJC HealthCare

    • Doug Pogue

      MD, President, BJC Medical Group

    • Elvin Geng

      MD, Director, Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Washington University

    • Barbara Warner

      MD, Director, Division of Newborn Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Dick Taylor

      MD, Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, Washington University

    • Rob Poirier

      MD, Chief Clinical Operations, Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Chris Watts

      President, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals

    • Trish Lollo

      President, St Louis Children’s Hospital

    • Mark Williams

      MD, Chief, Hospital Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

    • Opeolu Adeoye

      MD, Chief, Emergency Department, BJC HealthCare

    • Michele Thomas

      MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, BJC HealthCare

    • Angelleen Peters-Lewis

      COO, Chief Nursing Executive, Barnes-Jewish Hospital