Becky Kentzel is Driven by Purpose
Unexpected Beginnings
When Becky began working as a pharmacy technician at OSF HealthCare shortly after high school, she never imagined she would one day help lead some of the largest transformation initiatives in the organization’s history. She certainly didn’t envision becoming the Chief Process Officer of Pointcore.
In many ways, Becky’s career path wasn’t something she meticulously planned. It was something she grew into through passion, perseverance and a willingness to embrace opportunities as they came.
“I didn’t have the traditional start,” Becky shared. “I didn’t have the money for college right away, so I went directly into the workforce.”
But what she lacked in resources, she made up for with curiosity and determination.
While working in pharmacy operations, Becky quickly developed a passion for learning and a deep appreciation for the servant Mission of OSF. Some of her earliest and most formative experiences came from working alongside the Sisters at OSF and supporting patient care behind the scenes.
“That time really shaped who I am. I learned so much about service, about caring for people and about working with purpose.”
Her enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed. Becky recalls working closely with a pharmacist on special projects, often volunteering extra time simply because she loved the work and wanted to learn more. One Christmas, that pharmacist gifted her college classes at Illinois Central College after recognizing her potential, a gesture that still means so much to Becky decades later.
While continuing to work full time and going to school to earn her degree, the experience she gained reinforced a mindset that continues to guide her today: growth comes through consistency, hard work and a willingness to keep learning.
Saying Yes to Opportunity
That mindset opened doors Becky never expected.
As OSF began implementing new technologies and enterprise systems, Becky transitioned into IT as a project manager, bringing both operational knowledge and a strong understanding of clinical workflows to the job. What started as a temporary move soon evolved into a career helping guide major organizational initiatives, including the earliest electronic health record (EHR) implementations and every large-scale Epic deployment that followed.
Through hard work and strong relationships, Becky was presented with many opportunities to grow, as leaders recognized and rewarded her passion for people, learning and moving important initiatives forward.
“I truly believe God guided my journey and placed people in my life at the right moments,”
Over the years, Becky became known not only for her attention to detail and ability to organize complex initiatives, but also for her ability to bring people together around a shared goal.
Building Something Bigger
In 2014, another opportunity came knocking when leadership began laying the foundation for what would eventually become Pointcore. The vision was simple, but powerful: take the expertise and capabilities developed within OSF and extend them to other healthcare organizations that could benefit from them.
“The whole purpose was to take what we do well and bring it to organizations that need it. It’s a great privilege to serve others in need, and it gives me purpose.”
Becky worked alongside leadership to help support the business planning efforts that would eventually bring the Pointcore organization to life. She transitioned into Pointcore as the Vice President of the Program Support Office. Today, she serves as the company’s first Chief Process Officer, helping support strategic planning, governance, project implementation and operational coordination across Pointcore and its client engagements.
One project in particular continues to stand out in her mind: supporting a safety-net hospital in a challenging area of Chicago through a major EHR transformation.
“It was a very difficult project,” she recalled. “But when you saw what those caregivers and patients would now have access to, something they may never have otherwise had, you realize the impact is so much bigger than simple technology.”
Learning to Lead Through Trust
Even with the success and growth she’s personally had, she’s the first to admit leadership has been a learning journey. “I started out as a bit of a micromanager because I cared so deeply about the details. But I learned over time that leadership is really about trust.”
That evolution shaped the way she leads today. Becky believes strong teams are built by surrounding yourself with talented people who bring different strengths, perspectives and expertise to the table.
She also believes great leadership starts with creating an environment where people feel supported, trusted and safe. For Becky, that includes accountability, transparency and having a culture where people feel comfortable learning from mistakes to move forward together.
“You don’t want people to feel micromanaged, but you also don’t want them to feel like they’re on an island by themselves,” she explained. “There’s a balance there, and that’s where my purpose lies as a leader to support my team.”
That philosophy of hiring talented people, trusting them and fostering a supportive environment has helped build long-standing relationships with her team. Becky’s three direct reports have each worked alongside and for her for 15 years or more – a testament to the trust, growth and support they’ve built together over time.
Looking Toward the Future
After decades of helping guide transformation efforts across healthcare, Becky remains excited by what lies ahead for her team, and for Pointcore as a whole.
She’s especially looking forward to the continued growth of areas like data intelligence, strategic planning and innovation, where her team plays key roles in helping build new programs and capabilities from the ground up.
“I love being part of creating something,” Becky said. “Building the foundation, developing it and then seeing it become useful for others, that’s what excites me.”
That impact of the work her team supports continues to motivate Becky today, especially the opportunity to help organizations improve healthcare operations, implement new capabilities and build stronger foundations for the future.
“The potential we have to help the care being given in so many different communities is almost limitless. There’s so much opportunity to continue learning from others and share what we know as healthcare experts.”
It’s a future Becky approaches the same way she has approached every opportunity throughout her career so far – with passion, purpose and a willingness to keep growing.
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