Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Novella W. Thompson, MBA, MA, ALM-C, FACHE, Hospital Administrator for Population Health, Post-Acute Care, and Continuum Home Health at UVA Health University Medical Center
Host: Scott Becker
Date: November 5, 2025
Episode Focus: Trends in population health, innovation in care delivery, leadership, and lessons from a decade of transforming care at UVA Health.

Episode Overview

This episode features Novella W. Thompson, a long-standing leader at UVA Health, discussing the evolution of population health, the drive for integrated care beyond hospital walls, and her leadership philosophy. The conversation highlights how UVA Health has implemented innovative care models, weathered systemic challenges, and realized operational visions once considered aspirational.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Novella Thompson’s Background and UVA Health Overview

• [00:30] Novella describes her 15+ years at UVA Health, highlighting its four-hospital system anchored by a leading academic medical center.

  • UVA Health distinctions: Level One Trauma Center, Virginia's first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, only comprehensive adult/pediatric transplant center in Virginia, and top-ranked pediatric hospital.
  • Her department's scope: Population health programming (adult & pediatric), post-acute and transitions of care, palliative and hospice care, and community-based integration.
  • Mission: Delivering coordinated, patient-centered care across all settings in Virginia.

  Notable Quote:

  “The focus for us has been extending beyond hospital walls to deliver coordinated patient centered care across the continuum throughout the Commonwealth.” - Novella Thompson [00:55]

Remote Patient Monitoring and Hospital-at-Home Programs

• [02:07] Discussion around the sustainability and long-term vision for remote patient monitoring (RPM) and "hospital at home" programs amid federal regulatory uncertainty.

  • UVA has offered RPM since October 2017, maintaining continuity of care for patients despite challenges at the federal level.
  • Ongoing emphasis on systemic readiness and collaboration with revenue cycle teams to avoid service disruptions.

  Notable Quote:

  “There’s been no pause in the care that we’re providing while we manage or mitigate what’s happening on the federal level.” - Novella Thompson [02:46]

Evolving Trends in Population Health

• [02:58] Novella shares four major areas of focus driving population health at UVA Health:

  • Behavioral health integration
  • Care beyond hospital walls
  • Digital transformation
  • Advanced data and predictive analytics

• These efforts are shaped by ongoing workforce shortages and shifting community health needs.

• Emphasis on addressing both persistent and emerging care gaps.

  Notable Quote:

  “All of those areas are integral—not only what’s happening at the federal and state level, but what is best for the communities we serve...” - Novella Thompson [03:37]

Realizing a Vision for Integrated, Accessible Care

• [04:09] Novella reflects on nearly a decade of building UVA’s Population Health Department and seeing its vision realized.

  • Expansion from aspirations to operations: e.g., street medicine, home-based monitoring, and behavioral health integration are now fully functional.
  • During the pandemic, infrastructure allowed UVA Health to prevent 1,800+ hospital admissions when beds were critically scarce.
  • Recent achievements:
    • Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening now embedded in operational workflows.
    • Streamlined referral processes across pediatrics and adult care in collaboration with EMR teams.
    • Improved provider and patient experiences, expanding timely access to care.

  Notable Quotes:

  “Care beyond hospital walls isn’t an aspiration at UVA Health. It’s operational.” - Novella Thompson [04:29]
  “…Our infrastructure allowed us to prevent more than 1800 hospital admissions. When beds were scarce and needs were changing hour to hour, we were able to demonstrate the true value of innovation and readiness.” - Novella Thompson [04:48]
  “The services that we provide are operational, not aspirational.” - Novella Thompson [05:29]

Personal Touch: Cavalier Pride

• [06:35] Scott humorously asks whether Novella supports the West Virginia Mountaineers or the Virginia Cavaliers.

  • Novella reaffirms her loyalty to the Cavaliers, expressing pride in their progress this year.

  Memorable Moment:

  “I love my Cavaliers in good times and in challenging times…” - Novella Thompson [06:47]

Leadership Insights and Advice for Emerging Leaders

• [07:20] Novella shares her philosophy for healthcare leadership:

  • Build people and make them integral to your strategy.
  • Stay committed to your mission, lead through challenges and skepticism, and focus on innovation.
  • Remove barriers, ensure patient-centeredness, and create comprehensive, timely solutions.
  • Surround yourself with passionate collaborators, empower your team, and celebrate collective strengths.
  • Trust and elevate others for shared success.

  Notable Quote:

  “When you build partnerships, you trust people and you elevate others. The collective success will succeed what you could have ever imagined possible.” - Novella Thompson [08:28]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “The focus for us has been extending beyond hospital walls to deliver coordinated patient centered care across the continuum throughout the Commonwealth.”
  [Novella Thompson, 00:55]
• “There’s been no pause in the care that we’re providing while we manage or mitigate what’s happening on the federal level.”
  [Novella Thompson, 02:46]
• “All of those areas are integral—not only what’s happening at the federal and state level, but what is best for the communities we serve...”
  [Novella Thompson, 03:37]
• “Care beyond hospital walls isn’t an aspiration at UVA Health. It’s operational.”
  [Novella Thompson, 04:29]
• “Our infrastructure allowed us to prevent more than 1800 hospital admissions...”
  [Novella Thompson, 04:48]
• “When you build partnerships, you trust people and you elevate others. The collective success will succeed what you could have ever imagined possible.”
  [Novella Thompson, 08:28]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30: Novella’s background & UVA Health overview
• 02:07: Discussion on hospital at home and remote patient monitoring
• 02:58: Major trends in population health care
• 04:09: Vision realized—integrated care, operational accomplishments
• 06:35: Cavalier team loyalty, personal insight
• 07:20: Leadership advice for future healthcare leaders

Episode Tone

Novella speaks with passion, humility, and deep commitment to innovation and her team. The tone is optimistic and inclusive, with a focus on real-world impact and collaboration.