A healthcare professional plays a crucial role in ensuring positive patient outcomes, but a leader in the healthcare industry strategizes and shapes the entire sector. These leaders employ a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex public health problems, equipped with excellent medical expertise and smart business strategies.
Dr. Ntombifikile Mtshali, the CEO at Shout-It-Now, effortlessly embodies these qualities. As a healthcare innovator, she possesses a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic thinking. She built this strong foundation through her experience in medicine and management in both private and public healthcare settings.
With over a decade of experience in private and public healthcare, Dr. Mtshali has served in leadership roles for various healthcare organizations. Notable among these are her roles as a CEO at Bertha Gxowa Hospital and Medical officer at Dept. of Health, Gauteng.
In recent years, she has focused her efforts on improving South Africa’s HIV/AIDS response. Before taking the lead at Shout-It-Now, she managed a multimillion-dollar grant for The Aurum Institute that advanced the HIV/TB response in South Africa. Additionally, as the Chairperson of the CHABAHIVA Trust Board and a hospital member at Edenvale Hospital, she contributes to community development and healthcare governance.
As the CEO of Shout-It-Now, Dr. Mtshali has established a highly effective power team with a versatile senior leadership, supported by the diverse expertise of the board. She has taken Shout-It-Now to new heights and advanced the client delivery model. As a passionate leader, she is always motivated by the commitment to designing and delivering accessible, high-quality healthcare.
Our recent interaction with Dr. Ntombifikile offers a glimpse into her inspiring work in shaping South Africa’s healthcare.
Briefly describe your organization’s mission and its unique positioning within the healthcare landscape.
At Shout-It-Now, we believe in a world where youth are empowered to make the best choices for their own health and well-being. To achieve that goal, our mission is to deliver information, support and services to youth in safe and engaging spaces, so they are encouraged to make informed choices. What sets Shout apart from other health services providers is that we equally value culturally competent care, client centric services, and results-focused accountability. We meet the youth we serve where they are, engage them to help us co-create services, and then continually evaluate and refine our services to meet the ever-changing goals of public health and the ever-changing needs and preferences of our clients.
Shout-It-Now offers a range of health services and support, currently focused on sexual and reproductive health as well as support for survivors of gender-based violence. We provide these services through a variety of channels, including mobile clinics and virtual engagement platforms. Our client-centered, youth-focused approach ensures youth are heard, engaged and represented throughout our work.
What core values guide your leadership philosophy, and how do they align with the mission of your organization?
The core values that guide my leadership philosophy align closely with Shout-It-Now’s mission. Compassion, empathy, and respect are essential qualities that inform my decision-making and interactions with our team and stakeholders. Transparency and accountability are important values that foster trust and maintain credibility within our organization and among our funders and supporters. Lastly, adaptability and resilience are key attributes that enable us to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
What key principles do you believe are essential for effective leadership in this dynamic field?
Effective leadership in South Africa’s highly challenged healthcare sector requires a combination of key principles. Firstly, a commitment to collaboration and partnership is crucial. Recognizing that no single organization can tackle complex healthcare challenges alone, I strongly believe in building alliances with other stakeholders to maximize our impact so that collectively, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Secondly, leading by example and fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior is vital. Lastly, continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest research and best practices help ensure that our decisions are evidence-based and built on what has already been established as effective.
How do you promote a culture of innovation and excellence within your organization to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry?
Fortunately, Shout-It-Now has always prioritized innovation and excellence as core organizational values. To keep the flames of innovation and excellence burning bright, I encourage our team members to think creatively and explore novel approaches to address the challenges we face. Investing in our staff’s professional development exposes them to innovative ideas and techniques, so we provide them with opportunities for training and send them to key industry conferences. Additionally, we foster an environment that values open communication, idea sharing, and learning from both successes and failures.
What are the key challenges you’ve encountered as a leader in the healthcare sector, and how have you navigated them?
As a leader in the healthcare sector, I have encountered various challenges. One of the primary difficulties is ensuring the sustainability of our programs and initiatives as all funding has a cycle. We do great work at Shout-It-Now, always challenging ourselves to meet public health objectives while remaining client centric. To amplify our value proposition and ensure our sustainability, my personal mission is to continuously engage partner organizations, government, and private sector entities who share our vision and are passionate about investing in healthcare. Navigating through regulatory changes and policy shifts has also been a challenge, and adapting our strategies accordingly has been crucial to ensuring our programs remain relevant and effective.
What advice would you offer to emerging leaders aspiring to make a significant impact in the healthcare field?
To the aspiring leaders emerging in the healthcare field, let me extend a heartfelt piece of advice: Take the time and true interest to dive deep into the community or communities where you will work, so you truly understand the unique challenges and needs of those you aspire to serve. Let this respect, engagement and awareness be the compass guiding any interventions you deliver, to ensure they resonate and make a profound impact. Foster connections like a gardener tends to delicate blooms; with an emphasis on forming alliances with like-minded individuals and organizations. In the realm of healthcare, collaboration is the bedrock upon which transformative solutions are built. Keep your knowledge sharpened by staying abreast of the latest research and best practices, as your knowledge is your best sword against the ever-evolving challenges of medicine. Embrace a perpetual student mentality. Yet, amid the relentless pursuit of excellence, remember the fragility of your own well-being. Leading in healthcare is not just a professional journey; it is a deeply personal one. Prioritize self-care with the same dedication you allocate to your professional pursuits. The demands are formidable, and the emotional toll can be heavy. Nurturing your own resilience will not only fortify you but will also empower you to be a steadfast pillar of support for your team. In this noble endeavor, may your passion be your compass, your alliances be your strength, and your well-being be your sanctuary.
Shining in South-African healthcare landscape
As the former CEO of Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Dr. Mtshali initiated the provision of Choice of Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP), making it the first hospital in Ekurhuleni to offer this service. Her efforts to improve women’s and girls’ access to care were recognized, earning her a spot on the list of “Top 200 Young South Africans” by the Mail and Guardian in 2017.
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