Episodes

In this episode, Salim S. Hayek, MD, Chair for the Department of Internal Medicine and Chief Transformation Officer, UTMB, discusses how AI driven referral triage and operational redesign can reduce administrative burden and improve patient access. He also shares how health systems can build strong foundations for growth amid financial pressure and regulatory uncertainty.

In this episode, Bashir Agboola, DBA, MBA, MSc, CHCIO, CDH-E, Managing Partner at Interdym and former executive at Hospital for Special Surgery, discusses moving from AI experimentation to sustainable execution in healthcare. He shares insights on ambient documentation, predictive analytics, structured governance, and how disciplined strategy turns digital investments into measurable clinical and financial impact.

In this episode, Ravi K. Bashyal, MD, Vice Chairman of Patient and Provider Experience at Endeavor Health and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, shares how patient centered culture, standardized pathways, and surgical specialization have built the busiest orthopedic hospital in Illinois. He discusses outpatient joint replacement, system wide growth, and why humility and human connection remain at the core of high performance care.

In this episode, Grant Zarzour, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Founder and CEO of Sperity Health, shares how a personal family journey inspired him to build a data driven, proactive approach to reducing cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia risk.

In this episode, Rob Heiser, CEO of UGen Health, and Dr. James Voos of University Hospitals discuss how wearable movement technology and standardized data are transforming recovery, improving outcomes, and reducing administrative burden. From caring for the Cleveland Browns to leading innovation in orthopedics, they explore how objective data and research-driven rigor are reshaping the future of care.

In this episode, Daniel J. Elliott, MD, MSCE, FACP, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer of Provider Experience at Centene Corporation, discusses how payers and providers can work together to address cost pressures, workforce challenges, and care coordination. He also shares perspectives on using AI, improving data sharing, and reducing friction in processes like prior authorization to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem.

In this episode, Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Chief Medical Officer for Aetna Medicaid, discusses a new collaboration with National Association of Community Health Centers to improve hypertension control in underserved communities. She shares how data, community partnerships, and addressing social drivers of health can help reduce disparities, prevent chronic disease complications, and improve outcomes for Medicaid members.

In this episode, Karen J. McConnell, PharmD, MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Michigan Medicine, discusses building a unified pharmacy strategy across multiple campuses, launching a systemwide pharmacy and therapeutics committee, and expanding specialty and ambulatory pharmacy services. She also shares how pharmacy leaders are preparing for rapid industry changes, drug pricing policy shifts, and the growing pipeline of complex therapies.

Harpreet Pall, MD, MBA, CPE, Chief Medical Officer at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, discusses efforts to reduce clinical variation and strengthen multidisciplinary care coordination. He also shares leadership strategies for improving patient flow, quality, and team engagement across complex health systems.

In this episode, William Scott Hurst, MBA, FACHE, CEO and President of PPNHCo Patient Physician Network Holding Co., L.L.C., shares how his 600 provider IPA is confronting payer disparities, scaling operations, and launching a multiple employer welfare arrangement to lower costs for practices and employers. He discusses the future of independent medicine, the need for operational alignment, and why thoughtful leadership must guide AI adoption in healthcare.

In this episode, JohnRich Levine, CNO of Reeves Regional Health, shares how Reeves Regional is strengthening rural nursing through leadership visibility, cross-training, and structured onboarding. He discusses the importance of culture, operational efficiency, and flexible staffing to retain talent and provide high-quality care in a small hospital setting.

In this episode, T.Y. Alvin Liu, MD, Inaugural Director of the James P. Gills Jr. MD and Heather Gills Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explores the next waves of healthcare AI from voice enabled patient access to AI centric workflows and artificial medical general intelligence. He shares how oculomics, implementation strategy, and physician education will shape the future of medicine and redefine what it means to be a doctor.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Catena, emergency physician and 4th generation vintner, discusses the evolving research on moderate alcohol consumption, cardiovascular health, and cancer risk. She shares insights on the Mediterranean diet, a major ongoing study at the University of Navarra, and how physicians can thoughtfully navigate complex lifestyle conversations with patients.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights 8 key healthcare stories including a $900 million hospital project in Tennessee, leadership changes at TriHealth, a ratings upgrade for UCHealth, a Leapfrog grading dispute, and more.

Medication access has long been a pain point for care teams and patients alike. We’re sitting down with experts from CoverMyMeds and Ontada to discuss the launch of the Specialty Access and Affordability Solutions, an industry-first solution designed to accelerate therapy starts by embedding multiple workflows directly into EHR systems. We’ll explore how automation and AI-driven insights are helping to reduce administrative work, improve predictability and shape the future of integrated care. Pl...

In this episode, Kate FitzPatrick, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive at Jefferson Health, discusses integrating nursing teams across a newly expanded 33-hospital system, strengthening community partnerships, and scaling flexible workforce models. She also shares how nurse leaders can improve care transitions, support a growing number of early-career nurses, and redesign care delivery for the future workforce.

In this episode, Jay L. Robinson III, PsyD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Area Manager at Kaiser Permanente, discusses leading a 10,000 person operation serving more than half a million members in Northern California. He shares his focus on workforce culture, AI driven innovation, patient experience as an operating model, and building new care pathways that reduce hospitalizations while strengthening community health.

In this episode, Krista Nelson, CEO of Optum Health, shares her vision for strengthening value based care through a more focused care delivery model, stronger clinician support, and expanded technology capabilities. She also discusses Medicare Advantage policy stability, the role of AI in reducing administrative burden, and how partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem can improve outcomes and patient experience.

In this episode, Megan Eubanks, MBA, Senior Director of Business Operations for Perioperative and Procedural Services at The University of Kansas Health System, discusses how her team is using AI and advanced analytics to improve operating room utilization, increase surgical volume, and expand patient access to care. She also shares lessons on building resilient perioperative operations through transparency, governance, and data driven decision making.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, discusses the latest hospital divestitures, strategic transactions, and emerging acquisitions shaping the healthcare landscape. She also explores what these moves signal about health system financial pressures and the growing push to expand behavioral health access.

In this episode, Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA, founding dean and CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, shares how the school integrates clinical training, the arts, and whole health principles. She discusses strategies to address rural physician shortages, foster student well-being, and prepare the next generation of doctors for the evolving healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Jose Azar, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Quality and Clinical Service Line Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health and Professor of Medicine at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, discusses launching the Agile Institute to rapidly implement evidence based care and drive systemwide culture change. He shares how physician led collaboratives, CMS five star performance, and AI enabled access strategies are advancing quality, safety, and equitable access across the network...

In this episode, Dustin M. Riccio, MD, MBA, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health System, shares how he is leading strategic growth, strengthening culture, and amplifying the organization's voice across Northern New Jersey. He discusses balancing rapid change with operational excellence and investing in both community care and team engagement.

In this episode, Ada Demir, Vice President of Supply Chain at Dartmouth Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing challenge of remaining within budget in today’s healthcare environment. She shares how C-suite alignment is critical to managing supply chain costs, the importance of vendor diversification, and offers practical advice for supply chain leaders navigating ongoing financial and operational pressures.