Transformative Vision for Patient-Centered Care

At WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, leadership is more than a title, it’s a calling. And few embody that calling more fully than Jyothy Punnoose, Do, whose compassionate leadership and advocacy have reshaped the hospital’s culture and elevated the standard of care across the region.

“I believe my calling in medicine is to be a leader that facilitates a safe health care setting for providers by aligning resources and processes needed for optimal patient outcomes,” she said. “It has been my joy to understand that patient-centered process optimization inherently lead to physician satisfaction in their respective specialties.”

As Director of Hospital Medicine, Dr. Punnoose leads with a rare blend of clinical excellence, operational insight, and human-centered vision.

Under her leadership, WellSpan Ephrata has dramatically reduced thousands of excess hospital days, improving both patient outcomes and the overall care experience. Her efforts in physician communication have earned the hospital accolades, while her stewardship of the human experience and length-of-stay initiatives has created a ripple effect of efficiency and empathy throughout the system.

But Dr. Punnoose’s impact extends far beyond metrics. She is a tireless advocate for health equity, partnering with WellSpan’s Health Equity and Community Engagement department to improve care for the Amish community. Her deep understanding of cultural nuances and her commitment to underserved populations have led to innovative financial packages and tailored outreach programs that bridge gaps in access and understanding.

She said, “Reducing health care disparities has been a passion for me. I have advocated for increasing health care access to the plain community during my time near New Wilmington, PA and since my transition to Lancaster.”

Given the disparities in health care literacy, she also enjoyed presenting medical topics for the senior citizen forum for the American Diocese of the Indian Christian Orthodox Church.

“I aspire to continue advocating for underrepresented communities,” she said.

Mentorship is another cornerstone of her leadership. Whether guiding a nurse through career growth without compromising family time or mentoring hospital employees outside her department, Dr. Punnoose is a beacon for those navigating the complexities of health care careers, especially women facing underappreciated barriers. Her passion for mentorship also reaches into the community, where she volunteers with local high schools, technical trade schools, and the Lancaster Chamber’s Discovering Paths Mentoring Program.

Her dedication to service is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Inspired by her mother, a nurse and later a cancer patient, Dr. Punnoose’s childhood was shaped by mission trips to Asia and summers spent at the Sisters of St. Joseph convent in Kansas.

“I witnessed firsthand the power of presence and compassion in healing. These formative experiences ignited a lifelong commitment to medicine, advocacy, and leadership.”

Dr. Punnoose’s academic path reflects her multifaceted approach to health care. With a doctorate in medicine, a health care-focused MBA, and a master’s in operations, she brings a systems-level perspective to clinical practice. She is currently pursuing her Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), further solidifying her role as a strategic leader in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Her community involvement is equally inspiring. A former adult ESL teacher and current Sunday school educator in the Indian Orthodox Christian Church, Dr. Punnoose has led youth programs focused on outreach and service. She is also seeking training through the Bridge Out of Poverty Program and helped launch a landscaping company to support high school graduates facing financial and psychosocial challenges.

Whether on a clinical shift or in an administrative role, Dr. Punnoose remains steadfast in her mission. “My goal has always been to be our patients' trusted partner as they navigate through what may be one of the most vulnerable phases of their lives,” she said. “Today, I get to do precisely that and it is certainly a start to what I dreamt I would get to do!”