- Jessica Combs’ 27-year career in healthcare IT has been defined by strategic leadership, innovation, and transforming operations to support healthcare organizations.
- As COO of Valify, she focuses on optimizing operational processes, business intelligence, and data analytics to drive cost savings for healthcare providers.
- Valify helps healthcare organizations tackle one of their biggest challenges—managing non-labor costs efficiently.
Jessica Combs’ journey in healthcare IT began over two decades ago at HCA Healthcare, where she developed a deep understanding of how technology can shape healthcare delivery. Over the years, she has held strategic roles, including leading information security programs, managing disaster recovery and infrastructure management processes, and executing hospital acquisitions. In her prior role before joining Valify, Jessica managed 300-plus consultants who supported HCA’s vast Information Technology portfolio. Her experience at HCA has been pivotal in shaping her passion for utilizing technology to enhance the healthcare ecosystem.
Today, as Chief Operating Officer at Valify, Jessica focuses on streamlining operational processes, leveraging data analytics, and enhancing business intelligence to reduce non-labor costs for healthcare organizations. Jessica ensures that data-driven strategies are effectively implemented to provide healthcare leaders with insights that optimize their purchasing decisions. Her work is not just about managing costs; it’s about driving an efficient healthcare ecosystem that allows providers to focus on patient care.
GHM: How did your journey in healthcare technology begin, and what has kept you motivated over the past 27 years?
Jessica: My career spans 27 years, with 24 of those dedicated to HCA Healthcare. From the start, my goal has been to leverage technology to improve patient care. I’ve always been passionate about making a difference, and technology has been a powerful tool to do that.
Currently, I serve as the Chief Operating Officer at Valify, a company focused on cost management for healthcare providers. Before this role, I was the AVP of Client Relations and Professional Services at CereCore, another HCA company. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing efficiency and innovation to healthcare organizations, which is what drives me.
GHM: Can you share a bit about your educational background and how it has contributed to your leadership roles?
Jessica: Certainly. I hold a BA in Management & Human Relations and an MBA. Additionally, I’m currently enrolled in the MIT COO Development Program, which has been incredibly insightful. I’ve also earned certifications as a Healthcare CIO (CHCIO) and a Certified Digital Health Executive (CDH-E) through CHIME, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. Each step of my education has given me a broader perspective on how to use technology strategically in healthcare.
GHM: Briefly share the origin story of Valify. What was the initial vision behind the company, and how has it evolved over time?
Jessica: Valify was founded in 2014 to help healthcare organizations manage non-labor costs more effectively. Our mission is clear: “To connect healthcare leaders to clear insights that optimize the patient experience.” From the start, we aimed to simplify the process of identifying cost-saving opportunities, always ensuring that patient care remains a priority.
Our values—credibility, responsiveness, insight, transformation, consultation, and intuition—guide us in everything we do. By equipping healthcare leaders with the right tools and insights, we believe we can make a meaningful impact on healthcare costs.
We’ve been honored by recognition along the way. In 2019, CIO Review recognized Valify as one of the most promising healthcare solution providers. And in 2022, we earned CIO Review Company of the Year.
GHM: Can you explain how Valify’s offerings stand out in the healthcare cost management space, and what benefits they provide to organizations?
Jessica: Valify specializes in expense management technology, data analytics, and strategic services. Our platform provides comprehensive visibility into non-labor costs, helping organizations pinpoint inefficiencies, negotiate better contracts, and make data-driven decisions.
We help healthcare organizations analyze spending patterns, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and ensure data accuracy by leveraging AI and data-driven market intelligence. This approach enables them to reduce unnecessary expenses and allocate more resources toward patient care.
Through the Valify Solutions Group, members can choose from a range of contracts without committing to an entire Group Purchasing Organization (GPO). This flexibility allows them to better manage their expenditures.
Importantly, Valify is unique in being the only healthcare cost management company solely focused on managing purchased services expenses.
GHM: In working with a diverse range of healthcare organizations, what are some common misconceptions you encounter regarding cost management?
Jessica: One common misconception is the assumption that purchased services are already optimized and don’t require further scrutiny. Many organizations believe that once contracts are negotiated, they’re getting the best possible deal. However, without ongoing analysis and benchmarking against industry standards, these contracts can quickly become outdated or misaligned with the organization’s needs.
Another surprising fact is that, on average, 50% of a healthcare organization’s spending is on purchased services. Many clients are unaware of this, and as a result, they often overlook potential savings in this area. Our goal is to help them recognize these opportunities and ensure their contracts remain aligned with their current needs.
GHM: As Chief Operating Officer at Valify, how do you balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operations to drive success?
Jessica: In my role as COO, I focus on optimizing company operations and executing our strategic business plans while ensuring we deliver exceptional service to our clients. This means managing both the strategic and operational aspects of the business by aligning our objectives with operational excellence and client success.
A key part of my role involves refining processes for scalability and using business intelligence to make data-driven decisions. I work closely with the executive team to ensure our strategies are aligned, foster a culture of innovation, and enhance operational efficiency. By integrating a strong strategic vision with hands-on management, I ensure our teams are aligned, our goals are clear, and our execution is seamless. This alignment is critical to achieving success for both our clients and Valify.
GHM: How does Valify measure success, both in terms of service quality and overall impact?
Jessica: At Valify, service quality is one of our most important metrics. We rely on Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and quality metrics to ensure the accuracy of our data and the effectiveness of our solutions. Beyond that, we closely monitor the execution of strategic plans and roadmaps to make sure we’re achieving our goals.
However, the true measure of our success comes from client feedback and testimonials. Seeing the positive impact we have on their operations is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, watching our employees grow and develop within the company is another key indicator that we’re doing things right.
GHM: What challenges did you face in your career journey? How did you tackle them?
Jessica: Working in a predominantly male industry and dealing with imposter syndrome were significant challenges for me. Early on, I often felt uncertain, especially when working alongside some of the most brilliant IT healthcare professionals. To overcome these feelings, I focused on my strengths—what I brought to the table and why I was needed.
I took on leadership roles, fostered collaboration, and made a conscious effort to move around within the company. Over time, I became known as someone who could bring great minds together to solve complex problems.
GHM: What are your short-term and long-term goals, both personally and for Valify?
Jessica: In the short term, my personal goal is to complete the MIT COO Development Program. This program is equipping me with advanced skills in leadership, technology management, and strategic thinking, which I plan to use to bring innovative strategies to Valify’s operational processes. In the long term, I aim to leverage this knowledge to drive sustainable growth at Valify, ensuring we continue to be a leader in healthcare cost management. The insights gained from the program will support our focus on delivering greater value to our clients while navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
As for Valify’s short-term and long-term goals, we are focused on supporting the integration of AI into our operations. Automating processes and driving efficiencies through AI will enhance our client delivery, allowing us to provide more accurate and actionable insights. Additionally, we are committed to upskilling our team to ensure we remain competitive and adapt to the ever-evolving technology landscape. This commitment to innovation and team development will help us maintain our leadership in healthcare cost management.
GHM: With a busy professional life, how do you manage to strike a balance between your career and personal life?
Jessica: I once learned from an instructor the importance of writing down what matters most to me and what matters most to those I love. This exercise helped me prioritize and manage my time effectively while ensuring that my family’s needs were met. There are times when work demands more of my attention, but I make sure to compensate in other areas later. By being intentional with my schedule and understanding where my presence is truly needed, I can maintain a balance that works for both my career and my personal life.
Spending quality time with my granddaughters brings so much joy and energy into my life. I also find peace in the outdoors—whether it’s hiking, exploring new trails, or simply enjoying nature. Additionally, I cherish moments spent with friends and loved ones, sharing experiences that strengthen our bonds. These activities keep me active, refresh my mind, and allow me to focus on the people who matter most to me.
GHM: Jessica, what leadership principles have shaped your career, and how do you apply them in the healthcare industry?
Jessica: Early in my career, I learned the importance of being “confident yet humble,” a phrase that has guided me throughout my journey. This advice was reinforced by a compliment I received from my VP, who later became the CIO of HCA. After one of our first meetings, he told me I had come across as confident but also humble, and that feedback has stuck with me ever since.
In healthcare, I believe that good leaders must be servant leaders. It’s crucial to not only challenge others to grow their industry knowledge but also to strengthen their emotional intelligence. By fostering empathy, respect, and collaboration, we can create a more supportive and effective healthcare environment. I always encourage leaders to lead with both humility and confidence, continually developing their teams and empowering them to succeed.
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