Beyond the Build: A Conversation with Senior Consultant Jesus Gonzalez

Nov 3

A Q&A Series to Showcase the People behind the Projects

Welcome to Beyond the Build, a Q&A series from Incisive Consultants where Cara Hodgson, VP of Talent, sits down with members of our consultant team to talk shop, swap stories, and share lessons from the field. These conversations highlight the people behind the projects, offering a closer look at what drives great consultants and why culture and connection can matter just as much as credentials.

The following transcript has been edited for concision and clarity.

Recent Projects That Inspire

Cara Hodgson: To start, tell us about a recent project that’s stood out to you as especially fun or innovative.

Jesus Gonzalez: I’ve been with my current client, a major cancer center, since joining Incisive almost four years ago, and it’s been incredible. They’re purpose-driven, and everyone from leadership to clinical staff values the importance of the work we do.

One of the most exciting initiatives I’ve worked on is the Synoptic Operative Notes project. The goal was to standardize surgical documentation across all specialties using smart forms that collect data discreetly. An extension of that goal was the development of tools to extract and create meaningful reports from that data.

Early on, the process was a bit tedious (but important) in refining the smart forms with the surgeons. But now, seeing those forms in use and the resulting dashboards come to life is rewarding. They’re able to analyze outcomes, techniques, and even supplies that lead to better surgical results. Knowing our work directly supports patient outcomes keeps me motivated.

CH: We always try to keep the patient in mind, but day-in, day-out, it's sometimes difficult to connect our work to clinical decision making. So it's really cool that here you're getting to see how the work that you're doing is helping to improve clinical decision making and innovate clinical decision making with an organization that’s known for research and innovative clinical patient care.

JG: I'm just so blessed that I've been able to stay with this client for as long as I have. Because if the project would have just been two years, for example, I wouldn’t see these results.

Now [the cancer center] is extending to other organizations and working with Epic to see if what we did here can be used and migrated through Epic's turbocharger functionality directly to other clients.

And that's cool to see, to be a part of something that's pioneering.

What Makes a Great Consultant

CH: We’ve tapped you for a lot of roles at Incisive, tackling both innovative projects (like we’ve been discussing) and also mentoring other internal consultants (because you stand out as such a fantastic consultant!)

What do you think separates a good Epic consultant from a great one?

JG: I think making an effort (and for some it comes more natural than for others) to get to know the people that you're working , not just on a working level, but also a personal one. Finding areas to connect with someone, and typically it’s family. I love to know which people have kids, their ages, what they’re into.

That connection make it easier for colleagues to ask for help, share challenges, and depend on each other. Over time, you become a true part of the team.

And that trust, that reliability, that passion, is contagious. Being able to extend yourself beyond what's asked of you and willingness to help out (even if it's not part of your contract or part of the work that you're doing), it matters big time.

CH: Yeah, I think one of the things you're saying is that it’s important to step in, pick up the ball, and run with it. Even if it's not part of your day-to-day, that's how you build trust and garner respect of those folks around you. It shows that you're invested in the success of the team and the project overall.

Why Incisive

CH: What originally drew you to Incisive? And what’s kept you here?

JG: I came to Incisive because of relationships. I’d worked at Sagacious with Chris and John and others (yes, you too, Cara!) So jumping on board with people you knew and trusted was a no-brainer, right?

But I think the more telling thing is I've stuck around. I don't want to go anywhere else. I don't want to be anywhere else. And it's because I connect on so many different levels

We're minority owned, and I'm a minority. That matters to me.

We are small. We're growing very quickly, which is awesome to see, but we're keeping a lot of the culture intact, which is transparency, which is a culture that embraces diversity. And all of that has been sustained, if not expounded on since I've joined.

Another thing I appreciate is how leadership recognizes consultants as subject matter experts. I’ll be asked to help pitch new ideas with existing or prospective clients. And it just adds to the feeling of being desired.

CH: I think one of the things that we keep coming back to this in this conversation is relationships. That's the value of consultants. It's a people-based business, and I think that's sometimes lost in the industry. That's really been super important to us as a leadership team: to continue to foster and grow relationships and help people grow their careers.

Culture and Connection

CH: You’ve touched on culture a few times. For somebody who’s thinking about joining Incisive, how would you describe Incisive’s culture in just a few word?

JG: The one that immediately jumps to mind is cool. I don’t mean it in a flaunty way, but it's become really cool to work at Incisive for a number of reasons.

There's such a strong focus on people. The project we work on. The clients we work for. The swag. The domestic retreats, where we meet in each in person and collaborate.

It's become really cool to work here.

CH: That’s the perfect word. One word is good enough when it's cool!