Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Prioritizing Quality and Growth at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
Jan 27, 2026
Emily C. Jakacki, President of Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, leads quality, patient safety, equity, and operational growth. She talks about steering a smooth leadership transition. She highlights maintaining top-decile quality scores and keeping teams focused on safety. She discusses ED throughput challenges, using data to guide capital choices, and expanding imaging, surgery, and ambulatory services.
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Joining A Community-Focused Hospital
- Emily C. Jakacki describes joining Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in 2024 and highlights its community role and services.
- She emphasizes Delnor's small size with big capabilities, including a cancer center and family medicine residency.
Smooth Leadership Transition And Internal Promotions
- Emily recounts leading a smooth leadership transition after joining in August 2024 and promoting from within.
- She shares pride in Delnor's preexisting high quality performance and team development efforts.
Target The Max To Sustain Top Decile Results
- Delnor ranks number three out of 211 in its Vizient cohort by targeting max performance on quality metrics.
- Maintaining top-decile results becomes the next, ongoing challenge after achieving high scores.