Holly Zajic (pronounced Zeitz) loves helping people be the best they can be every day. When you first meet her, it’s the exuberance and energy she conveys that you notice first. Zajic is the new Chief Ambulatory Officer for Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) and is excited about her new role and new home.
But you may be asking yourself, ‘What is a Chief Ambulatory Officer?’ Zajic acknowledges that ambulatory is a new term that can be used interchangeably to describe outpatient healthcare services.
“I have been asked that question numerous times,” Zajic explains, “And my goal is to partner with our ambulatory (outpatient) teams to advance the care model for our patients and ensure that we continue to provide excellent, safe, timely and reliable care. I truly believe the future of healthcare is in ambulatory services and driving value for our patients through these services is essential to the health of our community.”
Mike McCafferty, SMH Chief Executive Officer, had this to say when addressing employees at a recent forum for all SMH employees, “The goals we have in front of us as a healthcare system will require exceptional leadership. We have outstanding leaders in our ranks and, going forward, we want to make sure we have the best leaders possible; leaders who will respect and support the work being done every day. We believe Holly fits this mold and will be a great addition to our organization.”
When talking about the opportunity she has in front of her at SMH, Zajic is very impressed with the level of care and expertise SMH has in place within its ambulatory clinics.
“Not many communities the size of Sheridan has the depth of healthcare services and expertise SMH provides,” she said. “Streamlining and coordinating these services for our patients, is exciting, and I look forward to working with our providers, staff and patients to develop them.”
The ambulatory clinics Zajic will have in her purview include: Women’s Clinic, Internal Medicine, Urgent Care, Occupational Health, Cardiology, ENT, Audiology, Big Horn Surgical, Rheumatology, Geriatric Medicine, Addiction Medicine and Wound Care.
Hailing from the small western Nebraska community of Hemingford, Zajic received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Chadron State College. She had spent the majority of her professional career as Chief Operating Officer at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie.
So why make the move to Sheridan?
“My two boys are in college now and I couldn’t pass up this remarkable opportunity with SMH. Sheridan is absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t pick a better place that fits my interests and hobbies,” Zajic says. “Plus, my twin sister lives here with her family.”
I love everything outdoors and Sheridan has that in abundance. I enjoy mountain biking, paddle boarding, downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If I’m not working and you need to find me, I’ll be outdoors.”
Her driving passion of service seems to be what will help Zajic be successful at SMH.
“I am passionate about service to others and creating an environment in which people are able to thrive,” Zajic states. “In healthcare, we have the opportunity to impact lives every day. That really drives me.”