Three questions with Kim Aiello: Guided by purpose

I sat down with Kimberlee Aiello, vice president of federal market solutions, grouper applications and medical necessity at Solventum, to talk about how defining a purpose paves the path for everything from cybersecurity to care accessibility to early morning workouts. 

There has been a lot of news this year related to data and security in the healthcare industry. Can you tell us a bit about Solventum’s approach?

The issue of cybersecurity is near and dear to my heart and Solventum leadership. Our Health Information Systems business president, Garri Garrison, established cybersecurity as the number one priority for our business. We have invested significant resources and people with the right expertise behind our commitment to keep our customers and their data safe. 

Why are cybersecurity initiatives so important? In 2023, 46 health systems representing 141 hospitals were directly impacted by ransomware. These attacks take a significant toll on morale and bottom lines. Healthcare data breaches cost about $11 million on average in 2023, up 8% from 2022 and 53% from 2020. The effects go beyond money – cyberattacks impact quality and accessibility of care. They can prevent patients from making appointments, disrupt medical staff’s access to the electronic health record (EHR), hinder lab requests and even cause hospitals to divert patients to a different location. Read up on how one of our customers overcame a cyberattack by establishing a strong partnership. 

Knowing these are the stakes, Solventum has a responsibility to protect our customers and the patients they serve. We have decided to obtain certification from StateRAMP™, an outside agency that regularly evaluates cybersecurity practices for vulnerabilities. Many organizations use System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) for security standards, but we chose StateRAMP because it has higher standards in terms of the number of controls that are evaluated. Currently Solventum™ Grouper Plus Content Services (GPCS) has StateRAMP Authorization, and we plan to pursue certification for our platforms.

What are some trends you expect to see for federal customers going into next year? 

Improving access to care is a major focus for our customers at the Defense Health Agency (DHA), which provides healthcare to U.S. service members, their families and retirees, and Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides healthcare to veterans. Both agencies have launched impactful initiatives that will continue in 2025.

A lot of things can prevent people from receiving the care they need – transportation issues, timing, distance or a busy work schedule. This year, the DHA has been testing a virtual healthcare tool called My Military Health at five facilities. This puts care in the hands of patients in the form of their phone. Wherever they may be, patients can quickly and conveniently communicate their care needs to their provider.

The VA is improving access through a different approach. In addition to VA facilities, veterans can now receive care at other community healthcare locations. Personally, I’m already benefitting from this initiative as a retired veteran of the U.S. Army. I live in a small mountain town in Colorado, 17 miles from a VA clinic. That might not sound far, but when you're driving through the pass in snow or bad weather, it can take 40 minutes. That might be enough to keep me from going. Now, I can make an appointment in town just a mile away – meaning I can get the care I need when I need it. 

I feel truly honored and blessed to have access to care because I know not everybody does. I applaud the DHA and VA for making care easier to receive and building long-term relationships with the people they serve. I look forward to seeing these endeavors continue in 2025.  

Veterans Day is coming up next Monday, Nov. 11. How do you plan to honor the day?

Let’s start by talking about the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day because people often interchange the two. Memorial Day honors those who died serving our country or due to an injury in combat. Veterans Day celebrates those who have honorably served or are currently serving in the military during both war and peacetime. It is an opportunity to thank them for their contributions.  

How do I plan to spend Veterans Day? I will be working with the fantastic federal market team here at Solventum. Many of my colleagues are also fellow comrades, and I’m grateful to work with them to support the military through our roles at Solventum. 

I will also begin the day with reflection and gratitude. My early morning workouts are my Zen time, and I always start by setting a purpose to celebrate or thank someone. Doing this allows me to push myself and give it my all because I’m doing it to honor someone else. 

On Veterans Day, I will think about how the military has changed over time for women. At first, women couldn't join the military. Then, they had to leave if they were pregnant. Then, they couldn’t be in combat arms – that changed during the latter part of my career. Today, women can serve in combat roles and have done so successfully. That’s quite the journey, and I appreciate those who made change possible. 

With all that in mind, I will dedicate my 2024 Veterans Day workout to celebrating those I served with, thanking those who mentored me and honoring those who paved the path for me to serve.

Kimberlee Aiello is the vice president of federal market solutions, grouper applications and medical necessity, Health Information Systems, Solventum.

Angela Haile-Selassie is a marketing communications specialist at Solventum.