As Group Vice President of Research Services in Oracle’s Health and Life Sciences division, Chris Boone is a self-confessed ‘data hippie’ with a lifelong passion for patient care and unlocking good through technology. As a leader, he’s committed to creating a culture of inclusivity that empowers a new generation of professionals to realize their goals.
He knew from a young age that he wanted to make a difference having seen firsthand the impact that lack of healthcare can have on a community. “My passion was ignited by growing up in a place where there were no hospitals,” he explains. “If something were to happen, you would have to get an ambulance and go to the county hospital. It was a terrible situation for a large population—a medical desert is effectively what we had.”
Opening doors
It spurred him into building an extensive educational background, peaking with a doctorate in health services research and multiple degrees in related fields. You’d think that an achievement like this was meticulously planned from the start, but Chris is open about how much he needed to learn in the beginning. “I started down this path and didn’t really realize that there was an actual career that you could do as a doctor, but I had no desire to be a doctor. And someone said, ‘Have you thought about hospital administration?’. I never knew that the whole business side of running a hospital was an actual job,” he explains.
Looking back, he’s grateful for how far that piece of advice has taken him and what it’s empowered him to achieve. Health is a field that places a high value on technical knowledge and demonstrable experience. And for good reason—people’s well-being is at stake. This also means that without adequate qualifications, it can be difficult to influence culture and drive change. “Higher education has been the vehicle that has allowed me to attain my goals and reach people in a way that I want to,” he says. “It’s opened doors that would not have been open otherwise. I’ve been on both sides, and when they say ‘mister’ people can sort of disregard anything you say, but when you have ‘doctor’ in front of your name, it’s like the gospel!” Chris shares.
Clear purpose
After decades in hospital administration, Chris was drawn to Oracle because of its commitment to innovation and potential to transform health for the better. “I was impressed by the company’s emphasis on using data and analytics to improve patient care,” he says. “I knew that I wanted to be a part of an organization that was pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
Pushing boundaries is just what he got. One of the first things to strike Chris was the rate of change and how much it impacts everything, including leadership culture. He also admires how much Oracle’s employee resource groups (ERGs) empower every voice to be heard—not just technical experts. It’s been a refreshing change and has inspired him to get involved in their mission. “Sometimes ERGs in other organizations are just an opportunity for people to hang out with no clear agenda. ERGs here have a clear purpose as to why they exist. That’s why I volunteered myself to be the co-chair of culture and inclusion for healthcare life sciences.”
Embracing Black History Month
It’s part of his wider leadership commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity where all kinds of people feel comfortable being themselves and speaking up. Chris believes that everyone is multi-dimensional, and that people should be empowered to embrace all parts of themselves at work. It’s a philosophy that cuts both ways and comes into particular focus during Black History Month, which he calls “the ultimate moment of reflection, appreciation, and gratitude.” Without reflection, he believes, he wouldn’t be able to respond to the needs and challenges in front of him.
“Black History Month shows little boys like myself that grew up in the hood that there’s a life much bigger, and you can achieve so much more. It helps you recognize the sacrifices made to allow us to have an education, and that should never be lost on us.”
Leading without fear
This style of reflection comes across in an inclusive leadership style that emphasizes authenticity and transparency. “I don’t believe in leading through fear or intimidation,” he says. “I want to create an environment where people feel empowered to speak up and share their ideas.”
He also includes specializations in this and sees Oracle as an interdisciplinary workplace where academics are as appreciated as engineers. “We’re probably one of those few organizations where you have 20 different professional backgrounds at minimum across an organization. That’s how we’re able to do the work that we do.” Teambuilding, like professional progress, comes down to relationships in many ways. Whether a mentor, a mentee, or something in between, the networks you build define your career path. That’s why it’s vital to cultivate professional relationships that fit your goals. “Everyone doesn’t fit with everybody—sometimes relationships are easy, sometimes not. It helps to focus on progressing, but don’t focus solely on climbing the ladder. Be prepared to make lateral moves during your leadership journey,” he advises.
Growing a culture
Adaptability matters when it comes to finding effective team members. “I want people who will add to the culture, not just be a cultural fit,” Chris says. “I also look for leaders who share my leadership philosophy of creating psychological safety for team members.”
One of the hallmarks of a true leader is the ability to create the next wave of leaders. And while Chris appreciates those with a similar transformational leadership outlook to his own, he believes openness and opportunity matter most. “It’s about empowering voices, having everyone feeling comfortable with speaking out and speaking up. That starts with the leadership creating that environment. You also have to create development and growth opportunities for leaders, potential leaders, and other talented people because they’re not going to want to come into some static thing. They’re going to want to constantly be challenged. You must create that space and help them get to where they’re trying to go.”
Learning from life
Along with giving back to the people on his team, Chris is also committed to giving back to his own community. It’s why he coaches his daughter’s basketball team and his son’s flag football team, among other volunteering efforts. He sees professional and personal life as circular in many ways, and growth opportunities from one are often valuable to the other.
“I always urge people to pursue all those things that they are passionate about beyond their day jobs. This comes back and makes you better at your day job,” he adds. As Oracle continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare, Chris is excited about the potential for technology to improve patient care by being the ultimate leveler. “I think we have this opportunity to improve care coordination. I’ve known several people misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Had that been caught earlier, they probably would have had much better outcomes. Nurses and doctors can get completely burnt out. So, the question is, how can we make organizations smarter so that they can utilize their people better and not have them burn out?”
Healthcare access for all
Another key area where Chris sees technology making a significant impact is in health equity. He wants everyone to have access to high-quality care, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. “Technology is key to unlocking that. Healthcare, health equity. This matters for all those people who live in environments like I grew up in.”
He also remains passionate about the role of data analytics in improving patient care. “Data analytics can help us identify areas where we can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs,” he says. “By using data to inform our decisions, we can create a more efficient and effective healthcare system.” If the biggest challenge facing healthcare is the need to balance data-driven decision-making with high-quality patient care, then we need to make sure that we’re using data to inform our decisions while keeping sight of the human element.
Staying curious
The human element is what Chris keeps coming back to, and he’s keen to emphasize the common things we can all do to drive career success.
“Maintaining a growth mindset and never becoming complacent matters,” he says. “Being authentic and true to oneself is of utmost importance. Adopting a lifelong learning mindset and constantly seeking self-development are crucial. That’s why I read and study a diverse range of topics. It keeps me open-minded and curious, always aware that there’s so much more to learn.” For him, the keys to success are a growth mindset, authenticity, a passion for learning, and fostering meaningful relationships. He believes that if you can do all that you’ll be on the right path. Chris is also optimistic about the future of healthcare and Oracle solutions. “I believe that technology has the potential to revolutionize patient care and improve health outcomes,” he says. “I’m excited to be a part of an organization that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare.”
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