Doug Nowak
VP Enterprise Data Analytics
Sanford Health
Doug Nowak is responsible for reporting, analytics and advanced analytics for Sanford Health as vice president of enterprise data analytics.
Nowak joined Sanford Health in 2000 as a cost accountant before assuming leadership roles in data analytics. Prior to Sanford Health, he was Southeast Technical Institute’s chief financial officer and Apex Medical Corporation’s vice president of finance and management information systems. Nowak was also an adjunct professor at the University of Sioux Falls in its master of business administration program for 14 years.
A graduate of Black Hills State University with a degree in business administration, Nowak also holds an MBA from the University of South Dakota.
Doug and his wife of 41 years have two daughters that also work in healthcare as a pharmacist and a respiratory therapist, as well as three grandchildren. Doug also loves to fly fish.
Learn more about the Minneapolis CDAO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
My bio above indicates that I was hired as a cost accountant for Sanford Health 24 years ago. There were two of us in what was known as decision support. Through mergers and centralization of data reporting and analytics functions, we grew to around 75 FTEs. As we grew, my responsibilities grew to the point where I am at now.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
My guiding leadership principle is to trust and support your team. Give them credit for the work they do and take the hit when things don't go right.
What is the greatest challengeyour particular C-level role is facing today, and how are you addressing it?
There are tremendous challenges yet opportunities in the growth of AI in healthcare. We are addressing this need by creating a strong infrastructure, including both expertise and technology. This will allow us to continue enhancing and growing the tremendous work we are currently doing in this area.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out in your C-level role?
Build a strong team and then listen to them and trust them. Do your best to meet the needs of today and prepare for the future, while building relationships.
How do you measure success as a leader?
When leaders throughout the organization value, respect and trust the work that your team does, that’s how I measure success. When you make a difference in the lives of patients, members, residents, employees and your team, that’s another metric of success.
What is the value of being a member of the Evanta community?
I feel there is tremendous value in being a member of the Evanta community to learn and share from experiences and to collaborate in growing areas and opportunities utilizing data.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
by CDAOs, for CDAOs
Join the conversation with peers in your local CDAO community.