Staff Spotlight Interview with Sarah Matousek

Below is a staff spotlight interview with Sarah Matousek, PhD, MPH so you can learn a little more about her.

How does your career journey so far impact the way you approach your work today?

I was fairly young when I started a doctorate program in neuroscience, but learned very quickly that an academic career path was not going to be my path. That said, those five years in grad school (plus three as a post-doctoral fellow) were extremely valuable, and once I entered grad school for the second time, I was a much better writer and thinker, which allowed me to have a truly incredible experience in the Master’s in Public Health program at Boston University. I use skills and knowledge from that program on the job every single day. Truly understanding the health care system is essential for helping our clients navigate the complexities of this industry.

What kind of work do you do now at Day Health Strategies?

Most of what I do is related to population health and care delivery transformation efforts, largely related to the paradigm shift from volume-based to value-based care and the introduction of care management into health systems.  I also do a fair bit of board and executive-level strategic planning that requires internal organizational assessments and external market analyses.  We typically tell people that we can do strategy, planning, and execution.  I like to be involved in all three.

Is there anything you are particularly proud of that you have been a part of during your time at Day Health Strategies?

So many things, but if I have to choose one, it could be our podcast. Last summer, the team launched a podcast called, Unlocking Accountable Care to educate listeners about population health and accountable care using our new Medicaid model in Massachusetts as an initial topic area.  This effort has been very well received and also fun to do. We are looking forward to producing more episodes over the next few months that could take us outside of Massachusetts to explore other world-class efforts (teaser!).

What’s your life like outside of work?

I spend most of my time managing a very vibrant and chaotic household with three kids and a physician husband. We love to travel and be outside together, especially if it involves mountains, backpacking, and lots and lots of hiking. I also help run a program in rural Haiti where we help patients navigate the hospital system to get surgery and then make sure they get the follow-up care they need.

What’s your take on health care in the US?

Health care has become such a big part of the economy that attempting to lower costs or make things more efficient requires turning a barge stuck in a current. There is a shrinking pot of money and people’s livelihoods depend on it. We are all trying to figure out how to simultaneously keep people healthy and provide quality health care, but with fewer resources in an overly complicated system. In short, we have no end of challenges to help with as consultants. 

What is one item on your bucket list?

One of the many items on my bucket list is to visit all 7 continents, including Antarctica!  Three down, four to go.