Jessica Mountjoy, BSN, RN, administrator of the newly opened Northern Virginia Heart and Vascular Center, joined Becker’s to discuss the sense of excitement and responsibility that comes with being on the front lines of a new care model.
With nearly two decades of cardiology experience in the hospital setting, Ms. Mountjoy is now helping shape a future where patients receive timely cardiovascular care in more efficient, outpatient-focused environments.
Editor’s note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length.
Question: What are you most excited about regarding the new ASC—either the center itself or your role?
Jessica Mountjoy: I’ve been in healthcare for 20 years, 17 of them in cardiology. I was always in the hospital setting. The ASC world is very different. It’s exciting to be a pioneer because I truly believe cardiovascular ASCs will become the norm.
It’s where patients will go for diagnostic or quick interventions, like EP procedures or pacemaker insertions. They’ll come here instead of the hospital. I’m excited to be paving that road, learning what works, what doesn’t, and helping others learn as well.
I moved just 30 minutes north from where I worked for 16 years, so I know the vendors and the community. It’s exciting to see vendors also adapting and thinking differently from the hospital environment. I’ve grown a fantastic staff — experienced, but looking for better work-life balance. They can still provide great care without the demands of nights, weekends and holidays.
It’s rewarding to be part of something so new. Only a handful of cardiovascular ASCs exist in the U.S., but more are popping up. I’m proud to be helping create a model that improves access, lowers cost, and reduces stress for patients.
I’ve had family and friends on the other side — waiting all day in hospitals due to emergencies bumping them. That won’t happen here. There are no emergencies to bump scheduled patients. They come in, get care and go home. That’s rewarding for staff too.
Q: How has the physician response been? Are they also excited about this opportunity?
JM: Yes, they are. What’s been a challenge is adjusting to the fact that this isn’t a hospital. They have to be more cost-conscious. They’re re-evaluating how they operate, asking whether they need three wires or if one will do the job just as well.
Also, the patients here aren’t as acute. That means a physician can get six cases done in a day and still have energy left, unlike in the hospital. They can see more patients and deliver care without that level of intensity.
They’ve told me they’re excited on the days they come here. They know the schedule, know how long it will take, and can plan to be home for dinner. In the hospital, there’s always uncertainty. Here, they can do great work and still enjoy a bit more predictability and balance.
