Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Jan Grigsby, CFO at AnMed

Date: September 10, 2025
Guest: Jan Grigsby, Chief Financial Officer, AnMed
Host: Andrew Kass

Overview

In this episode, Andrew Kass interviews Jan Grigsby, the newly appointed CFO at AnMed, a prominent 501(c)(3) health system in upstate South Carolina. Grigsby discusses his transition into AnMed, leadership philosophy, the impact of his clinical background, and shares insights on pressing industry trends, organizational challenges, and opportunities for strategic growth.

Jan Grigsby’s Background & First Impressions of AnMed

[00:10–01:13]

• Grigsby has over 20 years of experience as a CFO and previously worked on the clinical side for about 10 years.

• He has had a diverse career across non-profit, for-profit, large, and small hospitals, as well as independent and large health systems.

• Jan speaks highly of AnMed’s culture and community connection, expressing enthusiasm about joining the organization.

• Quote:

  “The culture here at AnMed has been such a large part of its success, and it's infectious all across the landscape.”
  — Jan Grigsby [01:15]

• He’s especially proud of the dedication, loyalty, and talent he’s found at AnMed, emphasizing its authentic community representation.

Onboarding Approach & Leadership Philosophy

[02:01–05:24]

• Grigsby highlights the importance of listening and understanding the unique culture, processes, and personnel at each new organization.

• Emphasizes that “all organizations are unique,” especially physician groups and community needs.

• Quick immersion into financial operations (KPIs, revenue cycles) is a priority, but cultural attunement comes first.

• He avoids being a distant or siloed executive and stresses visibility and regular engagement across teams.

• Quote:

  “The most important thing I can do as a new CFO...is very simple. Listen.”
  — Jan Grigsby [02:13]

• Attends physician meetings and sets frequent touchpoints with direct reports and colleagues.

• His first months are dedicated to listening and full immersion in all aspects of finance and operations.

Clinical Background & Its Impact

[05:24–06:38]

• Grigsby’s early clinical roles: telemetry technician, unit secretary, open heart team member, and auto transfusionist.
• This background helps bridge the gap between administration and clinical teams.
• He wants team members to see that he is not just “a bean counter,” but truly understands and values frontline challenges.
• Quote:

  “If I'm not making the job easier for my reports and making it life easier for the patient and the patient's family, I'm not doing my job.”
  — Jan Grigsby [06:15]

Career Path: From Clinical to Financial

[06:38–08:17]

• Grigsby almost pursued medicine, but changing industry dynamics led him to health administration.
• Describes an early crossroads between dreams of being a surgeon or a professional baseball player, before discovering his true path in healthcare finance.
• Felt a strong alignment and passion soon after entering the MHA program.
• Quote:

  “How lucky is that, that you're able to fall into a job that you're passionate about and you like it as much as you love it.”
  — Jan Grigsby [07:41]

Current Healthcare Trends to Watch

[08:17–12:26]

Grigsby shares three pressing trends:

1. Migration from Inpatient to Outpatient

   • CMS proposals to eliminate the inpatient-only list, shifting 250+ musculoskeletal procedures to outpatient.
   • Competitive urgency due to proliferation of ASCs (Ambulatory Surgery Centers).
   • Quote:

     “We have to be nimble as a system to join in that migration and make sure our outpatient facilities...are easily as competitive, if not more so.”
     — Jan Grigsby [09:15]

2. Financial Pressures: Medicaid Reductions & The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

   • Concern over upcoming cuts to Medicaid payments and state-directed payments.
   • Possibility of 5–10% hits to operating margins.
   • Need to enhance efficiency and compensate for payment cuts.
   • “Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”

3. Population Growth & Competition in Upstate South Carolina

   • Rapid demographic growth in key regional cities leads to increased competition from several regional health systems.
   • Focus on efficient use of resources to sustain mission and preserve local market leadership.

Main Headwinds & Strategies

[12:26–14:52]

• The dominant challenge is adapting to the shift toward outpatient care and loss of state-directed payment assistance.
• Grigsby’s strategy focuses on:
  • Intentional growth: Strategic use of a strong balance sheet developed over years.
  • Expanding access in their core region, leveraging technology (notably Epic and AI tools).
    • Quote:

      “If you are smart about [AI]...you go at it at a pace you can control...it can save time and make things easier for the patient, the patient’s family, and...increase the quality of care.”
      — Jan Grigsby [13:54]

  • Enhancing revenue cycle performance and operational efficiency.
  • Investing in and promoting a robust culture of quality, patient satisfaction, and regional brand recognition.

What Excites Jan Grigsby Most About Healthcare?

[14:52–15:44]

• Opportunities to invest in patient care, employees’ well-being, and the AnMed system’s growth.
• Excited by being part of an organization positioned for high-impact, intentional expansion.
• Sees current phase at AnMed as a “dream come true.”
• Quote:

  “All of this...is really a dream come true for me.... This is a wonderful place to continue challenges until I face the end of my career.”
  — Jan Grigsby [15:20]

Vision for AnMed’s Growth (Next 12–24 Months)

[15:44–16:42]

• Focused on “making smart, determined decisions” leveraging the organization’s financial strengths.
• Commitment to prioritizing quality as the driver for financial performance:
  • “It’s not ‘no margin, no mission’, but ‘no mission, no margin.’”
• Openness to continual personal learning and embracing the journey at AnMed.

Memorable Moments & Philosophy

• Baseball ambitions, humor about being on the “back nine” of his career (“maybe on hole number 11”) [15:36]
• Candid, down-to-earth storytelling blends humor and gravitas—a leadership style rooted in service, transparency, and connection.
• Closing sentiment: Emphasizes gratitude and excitement for the path ahead at AnMed.

Notable Quotes

• “The most important thing I can do as a new CFO...is very simple. Listen.” — Jan Grigsby [02:13]
• “If I'm not making the job easier for my reports and making it life easier for the patient and the patient's family, I'm not doing my job.” — Jan Grigsby [06:15]
• “We have to be nimble as a system to join in that migration and make sure our outpatient facilities...are easily as competitive, if not more so.” — Jan Grigsby [09:15]
• “It’s not ‘no margin, no mission,’ but ‘no mission, no margin.’” — Jan Grigsby [16:28]

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Jan’s Background & AnMed Impressions: [00:10–01:13]
• Leadership Approach & Onboarding: [02:01–05:24]
• Clinical Experience & Its Influence: [05:24–06:38]
• Career Journey: [06:38–08:17]
• Top Healthcare Trends: [08:17–12:26]
• Biggest Headwinds & Response: [12:26–14:52]
• Excitement for Healthcare’s Future: [14:52–15:44]
• Vision for Growth: [15:44–16:42]

Summary by PodcastGPT