Craig Richardville

Always work hard and never turn down an opportunity to learn.

 

Craig Richardville has been a major force in the development of technological healthcare strategies throughout the United States. His career spans more than 30 years in healthcare and IT roles, where he has displayed exceptional project management and leadership skills. Now, as Founder and CEO of Richardville Consulting, Craig is working to form innovative relationships with international healthcare providers to bring a more efficient, client centered healthcare experience to all.

Craig began his journey into health and information systems in 1986 after earning his Bachelors of Business Administration in Computing Systems from the University of Toledo. He continued his education by pursuing a Masters in Business Administration in Finance which he obtained in 1988.

30 years of innovative work in the healthcare industry has earned Craig pristine recognition. To name a few: Craig was named the 2015 John E. Gall, Jr. CIO of the Year by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and HIMSS, and in 2017 was awarded the Leadership Award by InspireCIO and the Charlotte Business Journal. Under Craig’s leadership, the Carolinas HealthCare System (now called Atrium Health) earned the “Most Wired” designation for 14 consecutive years. In 2016 and 2017 it received the “Most Wired Advanced” distinction.

Not only has Craig developed an extremely impressive resume, along the way he has also mentored numerous professionals. With Craig’s ability to cultivate individual growth in coworkers and inspire them to hone their natural skills, it’s no wonder many of the professionals he has mentored have gone on to become CIOs.

Craig Richardville continues to pursue greatness for himself and the lives of the patients he supports through various means. As he continues to spread his reach to new start-up companies, he is enabling a generation of effective, informed medical care platforms. This development is paving the way for new approaches for medical providers and new opportunities for patients. Through his efforts, Craig Richardville is putting healthcare in the hands of those who are most at need.

Where did the idea for Richardville Consulting come from?

I founded Richardville Consulting in 2018 to find new technologies that could be implemented in healthcare settings. This involves researching startup companies and communicating with healthcare providers to determine areas that require improvement. A major goal of mine is to make healthcare services more accessible and client-centered, which includes making online medical records accessible by patients so they can receive care anywhere.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Everyday is different. I travel frequently to meet with providers and discuss areas of improvement, or as a keynote speaker for health and IT events. When I am not traveling, I wake early each morning, sneak in some exercise, catch up on the news and send notes to my family and friends over breakfast. By 8am I am at the office and begin following up with the different clients we’re working with, as well as coordinating assignments with various project managers. After lunch I focus on emails, returning phone calls, and following up where it is needed.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I work with some of the best minds in the industry. We collaborate on every task, and if it’s something worth investing our time and efforts into, we do it. By successfully pushing forward with a given project we find that success follows us.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Technology is taking a foothold in the healthcare industry in a big way. It is making it possible for doctors and therapists to reach patients in areas of the country they may not have been able to do so otherwise. It is now possible to get a consultation with some healthcare providers over skype. I’m looking forward to seeing that expand and grow.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I am extremely hard working and I never give up because I know I can make a better, healthier future for others. Knowing that I am making something for more than just myself is extremely rewarding and helps me keep my eye on the prize.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always work hard and never turn down an opportunity to learn.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

In my industry, there are always individuals who are wary about implementing technological procedures in healthcare, specifically making patient records electronically accessible. Typically it comes down to providers not liking change or being scared of making mistakes with technology. However, with proper training and implementation this caution often disappears. At the end of the day, these changes allow providers to better serve patients and give patients more control over their health. The implementation process can be frustrating but at the end of the day it is worth it.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Find something that you’re passionate about and learn as much as you can. The more you learn about the past and present environment of a subject, such as healthcare, the more qualified you will be to join the conversation, implement new ideas and design a better future. Read and get in touch with important players in the industry.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Listen to the needs of patients. This is key for anyone who wants to be a leader in the healthcare industry, or any industry for that matter. The patient/ consumer is the one you want to impress and serve. If we only implement systems for internal benefits, we will lose patients. In such a competitive industry as healthcare and technology, you cannot lose sight of the patient or other providers will swoop in and fulfill these needs.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

It was more of a learning experience, not so much a failure. At the beginning of my career, we were more focused on developing and implementing technology just for the sake of it. We knew it would make providers more efficient but we lost sight of the importance of making the patient in control of their care. Now, we want patients to have access to their medical records online, at all times, and have the freedom to choose different providers.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I would say learn to code applications for Android and Apple, and develop a communication program that can connect patients/ consumers to a service, whether it be healthcare, groceries, or entertainment. If you fulfill a consumer need, you will always be in demand.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best investment I recently made was in a dinner with some friends and family. We went out just to relax, and it was nice to do that just for the sake of enjoying a good meal together. I work a lot but I still make time for the people I love.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

My Google calendar keeps me on track, and the alerts keep me moving from one appointment to the next effectively. It is immensely helpful and has facilitated the most effective use of my time. Google has clearly designed many features with the consumer in mind.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

The first one that comes to mind is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. The information is invaluable for developing a solid mind for business.

What is your favorite quote?

“The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.”
―Napoleon Hill

Key Learnings:

● I am dedicated to making technological advancements in healthcare for the benefit of the patients, no matter their needs.

● My success is made possible by my constant hard work and dedication to learning.

● Working with good people always elevates you to greatness

● Developing solid goals and working for those goals is as satisfying as achieving them.

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