How One Veteran Is Leading the Evolution of Healthcare
Interviews
Veterans are invaluable members of the Oracle community. They not only know what it means to make an impact but also have the passion and experience to do so. That’s why many former service members, like Dr. James Ellzy, prove to be strong leaders in their civilian careers. From serving in the Navy for 22 years to shaping the future of military healthcare, James has dedicated his career to making a difference. We caught up with him to hear more about his life’s work and why he came to Oracle to complete it.
A military standout
Healthcare and technology are long-held passions for James, who earned his BA in computer studies before pursuing medicine. After he completed his MD, he joined the US Navy as an intern and went on to become the senior medical officer on USS Comstock, marking the start of a long and impressive military career. Much of James’ work explored the intersection of medicine and technology, particularly healthcare IT and electronic health records (EHR). His service culminated in a final duty assignment at the US Department of Defense (DoD), where he provided expertise on integrating EHR into the military.
Evolving healthcare
Since he retired from the Navy in 2018, James has reaffirmed his commitment to evolving military healthcare. He transitioned to a civilian position advising the Defense Health Agency on MHS GENESIS, the DoD’s new electronic health record designed to unite beneficiaries and providers across the Military Health System. Once deployed to all military hospitals and clinics, MHS GENESIS will improve healthcare for 9.6 million people in active military and veteran families—marking the largest health IT transformation in US history. Stepping up as a leader on the project was a no-brainer for James, who has dedicated his life to advancing healthcare for service members. He was determined to maximize his impact so when he saw an opportunity to leverage his experience at Oracle, he took it. “I’ve been on the federal government EHR deployment for ten years and want to see it through to the finish line,” he tells us. “I felt that at this point, I could do more working at Oracle than continuing to work from within the government.”
Oracle Health is leading the evolution of global healthcare with technologies that empower patients, support clinicians, inspire innovation, and save lives. We also manage Cerner Millennium, the EHR platform that MHS GENESIS is built on. Our mission to create human-centric healthcare experiences deeply resonates with James. Here, he has the resources and support to fulfill his vision. “The power of a well-established EHR coupled with the cloud power and data maturity of Oracle will enable us to achieve this,” he explains.
Celebration of diversity
The transition to Oracle was not without its surprises, and James was especially struck by our commitment to diversity and inclusion. “I was asked to represent Oracle at Out & Equal’s Executive Forum within weeks of being here,” he recalls. Oracle's celebration of diverse leaders inspired him to get involved right away. “I started by joining the Oracle Pride Employee Network employee resource group and making myself known.” he tells us. “I also include my pronouns in my signature block and online personae—which is a great indicator that I’m open to talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Given his position and background, James knows firsthand the importance of championing diverse perspectives and strives to foster inclusion. He notes that there are many steps that leaders can take to be better allies and create more diverse teams. “Leaders can do things as simple as joining the Belonging Campaign, including pronouns, participating in diversity day events, and being thoughtful to interview a diverse group of people for each new hire.”
Building a strong team
As the lead clinician for the federal market, James provides strategic clinical direction for Oracle’s federal clients, including the VA, DoD, Coast Guard, CDC and others. Though he is new to the company, decades of experience have prepared him to excel as a leader. “I consider myself a covenant leader who leads from the front,” he shares. Covenantal leadership is built on a steadfast commitment to value each employee’s unique perspective and help them become their best self. The approach emphasizes learning, respect, community, and service—values that James has exemplified throughout his life. “Most credit for my leadership style goes back to the Boy Scouts, but my years in the military validated my style.”
When it comes to putting together a strong team, James looks for people who are knowledgeable, kind, dependable, and thoughtful. He notes that great teams trust and respect one another while sharing belief in the agreed-upon mission. In addition, leaders have a responsibility to pay it forward to their team members. “Early in my military career, I served as the senior medical officer for a clinic of a dozen providers,” he says. “My mentor helped me to understand the business of medicine, which you don’t really learn in medical school. Ever since, I have taken the time to share my knowledge with anyone who needs or wants it.”
Whether he’s guiding team members, connecting with diverse peers, or making breakthroughs in medical tech, James goes above and beyond to help others. We’re proud to empower diverse veteran leaders like him as we create a brighter future for all.
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