Gen Z: What Healthcare Leaders Can Learn from Them

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The healthcare industry has been slow to change the way they approach healthcare. It is currently undergoing a digital transformation from treating the sick to embracing wellness and it is being fueled by Gen Z.  

Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z are digital natives and make up about 20% of the US and 25% of the global population. Not only are they younger and healthier but they take a more holistic view when it comes to healthcare – one that centers on wellness and focuses on prevention, outcomes, and overall health. In addition, Gen Z are the most tech-savvy generation yet and are already using digital tools to manage their health and fitness. 

What does this mean for healthcare leaders?  

It is time to adjust their approach from treating specific maladies to focusing on wellness, with a focus on prevention, outcomes, and overall health. What does this mean as GenZ starts to fill healthcare positions? Good question. Recently three hospital and health system leaders sat down and shared their thoughts about Gen Z. 

  • Gen Z can be flexible and expect change, David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Health Care System, told Becker’s. Other generations can learn from their technology skills and ability to find answers quickly, so it’s important to include Gen Z in different committees and group conversations, he said. 

Sarah Sherer, chief human resources officer of Columbus, Ohio-based Wexner Medical Center, told Becker’s that Gen Z’s ability to learn new technologies allows them to “help champion change and help others in the workforce embrace it as well.” 

  • Gen Z values not only their own wellness but also that of patients, Heather Harris-Keliiheleua, assistant vice president of talent strategy at Orlando (Fla.) Health, told Becker’s. The value of connection has also been heard “loud and clear,” she said. 

“They want to be connected to our organization, they want to be connected to our community,” Ms. Harris-Keliiheleua said. “And then they paved the way on learning new ways to connect with our patients and families as well.” 

  • Gen Z is often focused on work-life balance, Ms. Sherer said. It is not about not working hard or being less committed, she said. Rather, it is about speaking up and helping us think, “Why do we do things this way?” 

Gen Z is a small portion of Sarasota Memorial’s staff, Mr. Verinder said. However, as more enter the workforce in the coming years, it is important to think about how to accommodate work-life balance while still maintaining values and service to patients, he said. 

Transformations like these might seem jarring but they will soon be commonplace, as the healthcare industry shifts to appeal to Gen Z. Older generations will appreciate and benefit from many of these changes. 

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