Shawn Sheffield
Chief Strategy Officer
Keck Medicine of USC
In just under a decade, USC’s hospital portfolio has become a top-ranked health system in one of the most highly competitive and fragmented markets in the country. Shawn Sheffield had much to do with that growth trajectory, with the annual health system revenue now approaching $2.5 billion and consecutive years of recognition as one of the nation’s top-ranked honor roll hospitals. In fact, 2020 was on course to be one of the best years yet for Keck Medicine of USC. When the pandemic hit hard in March, Sheffield, who oversees Strategy, Planning and Marketing for Keck Medicine, quickly pivoted strategies in ways that helped enormously with the system’s COVID-19 response.
At the pandemic’s start, Sheffield’s team worked to provide real-time dashboards to monitor cases, ICU capacity and mortality for internal and external audiences. Within one week, Keck Medicine was providing best-in-class reporting to promote awareness for patients and employees.
Sheffield was also responsible for planning efforts related to surge capacity, as well as shifting a significant portion of Keck Medicine’s 6,000 employee workforce to remote/telecommuting. Sheffield ensured that patient communications clearly explained operational changes due to the pandemic while remaining responsive to the needs of very sick patients who were now facing additional uncertainty. Under Sheffield’s leadership, Keck Medicine participated in national public awareness campaigns to encourage safety during the pandemic, including the importance of wearing masks and of seeking emergency care when necessary. Despite the abrupt and unprecedented challenges this year, Sheffield’s contributions allowed Keck Medicine to largely achieve health system financial and operating targets while continuing to provide outstanding care.
