Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Ben Fiechtner, Americas President, UiPath and Jason Bui, Healthcare Industry Practice Lead, UiPath, discuss how AI and automation are transforming complex healthcare workflows, from revenue cycle to patient triage. They share real-world examples of how organizations are driving efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and turning operational challenges into measurable impact.

This episode is sponsored by UiPath.

In this episode, Gretchen Wagner, Associate Vice President - Risk Management, Humana, discusses how health plans are navigating cost pressures, workforce challenges, and rapid change by strengthening value-based partnerships and operational efficiency. She highlights the critical role of data interoperability, digital innovation, and analytics in improving member experience and long-term sustainability.

In this episode, Qualenta Kivett, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Talent Officer at Tampa General Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss removing barriers for clinicians and staff through tools like ambient listening. She also shares how the organization is expanding research efforts and strengthening partnerships to support workforce development and long-term growth.

In this episode, Dr. William Scharf, Executive Clinical Director of Quality and Safety at AdventHealth, shares how patient safety science, leadership behaviors, and system-wide training initiatives are shaping a high-reliability culture. He highlights the importance of psychological safety, frontline engagement, and cross-functional collaboration to drive continuous improvement.

What if medication access wasn’t fragmented? In this episode, we introduce Interra Health, formed by the merger of DoseSpot and Arrive Health, with a mission to unify the end-to-end medication journey—from medical and pharmacy benefits through prescription fulfillment.

We explore how a new era of medication access is taking shape—driven by regulatory change, advancing interoperability, and real-time data at the point of care. By aligning policy, provider workflows, and patient-centered transparency, healthcare can begin to close the persistent gaps between prescribing and medication in hand—and ultimately improve outcomes across the journey.

This episode is sponsored by Interra Health.

In this episode, Marion Spears Karr, FACHE, Managing Partner and Founder of In-FLOW Executives, shares how embedded executive search, authentic gratitude, and flow theory can transform growing healthcare organizations. He discusses building leadership cultures rooted in intentional communication, aligning talent with strengths, and helping emerging leaders thrive by focusing on the skills that put them in flow.

In this episode, Frankie Hamilton, Vice President of Nursing Operations at Maimonides Medical Center, shares how he is strengthening night shift engagement, launching safety huddles, and preparing the organization for Magnet designation. He also discusses strategies to improve throughput, elevate quality metrics, and support frontline staff amid rising emergency department demand and growing uninsured populations.

In this episode, Josh Lumbley, MD, Chief Quality Officer and Senior Vice President of Physician Operations at NorthStar Anesthesia, discusses the critical factors health system leaders should evaluate before transitioning anesthesia partners. He shares practical guidance on transition planning, staffing strategy, transparency, and how strong clinical partnerships ensure operating room stability and long term success.

This episode is sponsored by NorthStar Anesthesia.

In this episode, Joseph Pazona, MD, Urologist and CEO of VirtuCare, discusses the growing physician shortage in rural America and how innovative care models can expand specialty access. He shares how VirtuCare partners with hospitals to build outpatient urology programs while helping physicians practice at the top of their license and reconnect with the purpose of patient care.

In this episode, James Murray, Managing Director of the BDO Center for Healthcare Excellence and Innovation, shares how health systems are shifting from digital experimentation to disciplined execution. He explores governance, data driven decision making, and high ROI use cases in automation and AI that reduce clinician burden, modernize legacy systems, and translate technology investments into measurable value.

In this episode, Robin Roberts, Director of Health IT Regulatory Affairs, PointClickCare & Novella Thompson, Hospital Administrator, Population Health, UVA Health, explore how health systems are transforming care coordination from hospital to post-acute settings through interoperability, real-time data, and AI. They share practical challenges, including discharge handoffs and medication accuracy, and highlight how predictive tools and stronger partnerships are improving outcomes across the continuum of care.

This episode is sponsored by PointClickCare.

In this episode, FJ Campbell, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Ardent Health, discusses how virtual nursing, virtual physicians, and AI powered documentation tools are reducing clinician burnout while improving patient care and operational efficiency. He also shares how these technologies are expanding specialist access, strengthening rural hospitals, and helping health systems build a more sustainable workforce.

In this episode, Alex Laskey, Founder and CEO of CareCubes, discusses how deployable negative pressure units are helping hospitals reduce infections, expand capacity, and protect clinicians without relying solely on PPE. He shares his vision for making isolation as common and accessible as defibrillators, reshaping how health systems prepare for everyday infectious disease and future outbreaks.

In this episode, Scott Edelman, Executive Director of Burke Rehabilitation, discusses how inpatient rehab is helping ease hospital capacity challenges while improving patient outcomes and independence. He shares insights on culture-driven leadership, strategic investments, and building a continuum of care that supports patients long after discharge.

In this episode, Dr. Nasim Afsar discusses her book “Intelligent Health: The Movement to Unify Data, Harness AI, and Empower People to Thrive” and the shift toward person centered, data driven care. She shares how unifying data, applying AI, and empowering individuals can transform health outcomes while preserving the human connection in medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Sameer Amin of L.A. Care Health Plan discusses how building durable community infrastructure, rather than short-term programs, supports continuity of care amid Medicaid enrollment shifts. He explains how investments in housing, food access, and care coordination can deliver measurable ROI while improving outcomes and reducing administrative burden.

In this episode, Marcy Ainslie, EdD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, UNH Nursing & Dr. Tracey Chan PhD, ANP-BC, FAANP, Assistant Professor, Interim Nurse Practitioner Program Director, Oakland University School of Nursing, Rochester, MI, discuss reducing variability in NP education and improving workforce alignment through clearer population-based preparation models. They share practical strategies to enhance hiring, onboarding, and patient safety across health systems.

Ainslie, M., Chan, T., & Bigley, M. B. (2025). Defining Population-Specific Nurse Practitioner Educational Parameters. Nurse educator, 50(5), 242–246. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001884

"For questions or comments, feel free to contact: Marcy Ainslie (marcy.ainslie@unh.edu), Tracey Chan (techan@oakland.edu), or Mary Beth Bigley (mbbigley@nonpf.org).

In this episode, Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO, AltaMed Health Services Corporation, shares how a single clinic grew into the nation’s largest federally qualified community health center by prioritizing dignity, access, and trust. He discusses value-based care, financial stability as a driver of health, and how culturally rooted, community-based models can improve outcomes while lowering costs.

In this episode, Simon Nazarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer & Nasim Eftekhari, Chief AI and Analytics Officer, City of Hope, discuss building the infrastructure, governance, and culture needed to scale AI responsibly across a complex health system. They explore AI literacy, agent orchestration, and how technology can expand patient access while supporting clinicians and improving care delivery.

In this episode, Brian Cheney, Division SVP of Sales Operations and Commercial Markets Growth at Health Care Service Corporation, discusses the launch of Unity Health Hub and how it helps employers navigate the growing number of digital health solutions. He explains how the platform integrates vetted vendors, improves member engagement, and delivers clearer data on outcomes and impact.

In this episode, Adriana L. Herrera, Vice President, Finance, Jackson Health System, shares how a multidisciplinary approach reduced premium labor costs while strengthening workforce strategy. She also discusses navigating reimbursement pressures, expanding outpatient access, and aligning financial discipline with mission-driven care.

In this episode, Dr. Chirag Choudhary, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Cleveland Clinic Martin Health in Florida, discusses his priorities in the first year leading clinical operations across three hospitals. He shares how the system is using data, physician recruitment, and coordinated care models to deliver consistent quality, expand specialty services, and strengthen patient safety.

In this episode, Diane L. Martin, MBA, CSSGB, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and Managing Partner at Macan & Company and author of Women in Health, discusses the launch of her new platform and book highlighting 22 women leaders shaping the future of healthcare. She shares insights on leadership, equity driven innovation, and how mentorship, sponsorship, and governance can turn ideas into measurable change.

Join the Women In Health Leadership Panel & Book Launch at 6pm on March 26th 2026 at the USC Health Sciences Campus. Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-health-leadership-panel-official-book-launch-tickets-1978852600397?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode, Scott Ragland, Director of Centralized Staffing and Vendor Contracting at Henry Ford Health, discusses how his team transformed a decentralized staffing model into a strategic, governance driven workforce program. He shares the key pillars of effective contingent labor management, including data transparency, vendor partnerships, compliance, and integrating external labor into a broader workforce strategy.

This episode is sponsored by RightSourcing by Magnit Global.

In this episode, Callie Miller, MHA, Hospital Chief Executive of Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center, discusses strengthening workforce engagement, developing frontline leaders, and leveraging AI to reduce administrative burden for clinicians. She also shares how the organization is building a strong culture while advancing quality initiatives and expanding services to better meet community needs.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down surging employer healthcare costs and the competing strategies emerging from insurers and disruptors like Mark Cuban. He also explores new data on how AI driven hospital billing may be impacting costs, highlighting the growing tension between payers and providers.

In this episode, Munjal Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Hippocratic AI, shares his journey from Silicon Valley entrepreneur to healthcare innovator and explains why safety, voice technology, and an abundance mindset are redefining patient engagement. He discusses designing AI that operates within clinical guardrails, prioritizes patients first, and scales empathetic outreach without compromising trust. 

In this episode, AJ Rivosecchi, Product Director at Bluesight, explores how health systems are rethinking pharmacy procurement as a strategic function amid rising complexity, drug shortages, and 340B uncertainty. He shares how integrating data across supply chain, finance, and compliance can improve resilience, protect margins, and support better decision making.

This episode is sponsored by Bluesight.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, discusses Sutter Health’s proposed multi-state merger with Allina Health and what it signals for non-contiguous health system growth. He also breaks down AdventHealth’s strong financial performance and the strategies driving its expansion in high-growth markets.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down the latest developments around hospital safety grades and the broader implications for health systems. She also shares insights on how organizations are moving beyond AI pilots to scale technology in meaningful, sustainable ways.

In this episode, Ramin Davidoff, MD, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the The Permanente Federation, reflects on leadership lessons from the pandemic, the power of courage and empathy in healthcare leadership, and why value based care must take center stage in the future of the industry. He also shares insights on workplace safety, technology, and the transition from clinical practice to executive leadership.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights 10 key healthcare stories including Leapfrog Group’s survey ruling, Fitch Ratings downgrade concerns,rising cyberattack risks, and industry consolidation trends.

In this episode, Mark Whalen, Executive Vice President and Enterprise Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Health, discusses integrating Lehigh Valley Health Network and building a unified culture across a growing system. He also shares Jefferson’s dual transformation strategy focused on improving access, strengthening operations, and positioning the organization for long term growth.

In this episode, Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, Senior Vice President of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Enterprise, discusses the ongoing nursing workforce challenges, including maldistribution, specialty gaps, and rural shortages. She also shares her perspective on leadership, equity in healthcare, and how technology and AI could help reduce administrative burden and improve patient care.

In this episode, Vic Schmerbeck, Chief Executive Officer of Emerus, discusses the rapid growth of neighborhood hospitals and how partnering with health systems can bring care closer to communities. He shares insights on improving access, lowering costs, leveraging technology, and building strong teams to support the future of care delivery.

In this episode, Nida Shekhani, Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy COO at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, discusses Project Redwood, a major effort to redesign care delivery and support long term growth. She also shares perspectives on expanding patient access, navigating research funding uncertainty, and leveraging data and AI to shape the future of cancer care.

In this episode, David Fessel, MD, former University of Michigan radiologist turned author, coach, and speaker, shares how emotional intelligence drives better leadership, resilience, and relationships in healthcare. He explores practical micro practices, the power of feedback, and how awareness and positive emotions can help clinicians and executives thrive.

In this episode, Michelle McMacken, MD, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses expanding a systemwide lifestyle medicine program focused on preventing and improving chronic disease through nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and community support. She also shares how interdisciplinary care teams and group medical visits are helping patients achieve lasting health improvements.

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.