Jay Dennard of Northside Hospital on Access to Care, Prevention, Healthcare Costs, and Employee Wellness (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 115)
Jay Dennard, Northside Hospital, joins host Kali Boatright on the GNFCC 400 Insider to discuss healthcare issues that affect every business owner, executive, employee, and family in North Fulton.
Jay explains why prevention starts with everyday choices like healthier eating and regular movement but depends heavily on annual wellness visits, recommended screenings, and a trusted relationship with a primary care physician. He also discusses how individuals and families should think about the difference between primary care, urgent care, and emergency care, including when calling 911 is the right decision.
The conversation also covers the rising cost of healthcare, the impact of chronic conditions and more complex care needs, the importance of price transparency, and the role employers can play in supporting employee health. Jay shares how Northside Hospital is working to expand access to care across the region while continuing to recruit and retain the physicians, nurses, clinicians, and staff who care for patients every day.
The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Preventive care starts with everyday habits like eating well and staying active, but it also requires annual wellness visits and recommended screenings.
- A trusted relationship with a primary care physician helps patients understand their family history, manage chronic conditions, and know when they need specialist care.
- Knowing when to use primary care, urgent care, or the emergency room can improve outcomes and help you avoid unnecessary healthcare costs.
- For life-threatening symptoms such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, patients should call 911 and should not drive themselves to the hospital.
- Longer life expectancy, more complex care needs, increased utilization, and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease drive up healthcare costs.
- Price transparency, financial counseling, and conversations with physicians and insurance providers can help patients better understand planned procedures and expected costs.
- Employers can support healthier teams by encouraging annual visits, screenings, physical activity, wellness initiatives, and mental health support.
- Northside Hospital is focused on expanding access to care across the region while continuing to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, clinicians, and staff who serve local communities.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00: Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider and guest Jay Dennard
01:02: Jay’s background, role at Northside Hospital, and focus on a healthier Georgia
02:05: What preventive health looks like for busy professionals
03:56: Why annual wellness visits and physician relationships matter
05:21: Key screenings, including mammograms, prostate checks, and colorectal screenings
08:39: How to think about primary care, urgent care, and emergency care
09:37: When to call 911 and why patients should not drive themselves
11:13: When urgent care may be the right choice
11:58: The role of primary care in prevention and chronic disease management
13:00: Primary care access challenges and Northside’s investments in the region
16:43: Healthcare costs and the concerns facing employers and employees
18:08: How longer lives and more complex care affect healthcare costs
19:59: Prevention, wellness, mental health, and the role of employers
22:07: Price transparency and planning for healthcare expenses
25:42: Why cost uncertainty should not prevent people from seeking care
26:25: Northside Hospital’s role in North Fulton’s economy and quality of life
27:26: Recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals
30:21: Jay’s message to employers about investing in employee health
32:14: Closing remarks and how to connect with Jay Dennard
Jay Dennard, Northside Hospital
Jay Dennard, FACHE, FHFMA, CPXP, is President of the Gwinnett Hospital Foundation and Vice President for Governmental and Community Affairs for Northside Hospital System. A native of Middle Georgia, Jay has held senior executive roles across several health systems, with increasing authority and responsibility. He earned his BBA in Management from Georgia Southwestern State University, his MSA in Public Administration from Columbus State University, and both his MHA and MBA from Georgia State University.
Jay is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and a Certified Patient Experience Professional. He has served in numerous civic, community, and professional leadership roles and has spoken regionally and nationally on healthcare reform, Medicare and Medicaid, workforce retention, leadership development, and organizational culture. A native of Perry, Georgia, Jay and his wife, Margaret, live in Duluth with their two sons, Trey and Will.
Northside Hospital
Northside Hospital is one of Georgia’s leading healthcare systems, serving patients across metro Atlanta, North Georgia, and communities throughout the state. For more than 50 years, Northside has grown with the region, expanding across 25 counties with five acute-care hospitals, nearly 500 outpatient facilities, more than 4,000 providers, and 36,000 employees. The system provides a broad continuum of care, including primary care, specialty care, emergency services, imaging, surgery, cancer care, maternity care, wellness, prevention, and community health programs.
Northside is committed to the health and wellness of the communities it serves, with a mission focused on high-quality healthcare, compassionate support, personal guidance, and high standards for patients. Through clinical care, research, education, outreach, and access to specialized medical services, Northside works to support healthier individuals, families, employers, and communities across Georgia.
Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
GNFCC promotes the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.
