Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Joe Benardello, Chief Growth Officer and co-founder of IKS Health, discusses how accountable partnerships and agentic AI are transforming healthcare delivery. He explores how technology, human collaboration, and shared accountability can drive better patient outcomes, reduce clinician burden, and create sustainable value for health systems.

This episode is sponsored by IKS Health.

In this episode, Kristie Spencer, Vice President of Provider Partnerships at Elevance Health, shares how the company is aligning incentives, leveraging digital tools, and using AI to simplify workflows. She explains how effective partnerships and actionable data are driving better outcomes, affordability, and sustainability in value-based care.

In this episode, Darrell Bodnar, Chief Information Officer of North Country Healthcare, discusses leading technology strategy across three independent critical access hospitals amid regulatory uncertainty and payer shifts. He shares how responsible AI adoption, from ambient documentation to workflow automation, is improving provider satisfaction while helping rural systems plan for an unpredictable future.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Dave Newman discusses how Sanford Health is expanding access by innovating virtual care—meeting patients where they are, including by phone. He shares insight into preventive strategies for chronic kidney disease and emphasizes how collaboration across teams and technologies serves as a powerful catalyst for progress in modern care delivery.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews 6 key developments, including Providence Mission Hospital’s plan to phase out acute care, growing tension between health systems and Medicare Advantage plans, multiple hospital leadership changes, and more.

In this episode, Dr. Josh Geleris, Physician, Co-Founder, and Head of Product at Smarter Technologies, discusses how AI paired with human expertise can improve revenue capture, reduce administrative burden, and make revenue cycle processes more accurate, scalable, and sustainable for health systems. 

This episode is sponsored by Smarter Technologies.

Dr. Edward Kim, Vice Physician-in-Chief at City of Hope National Medical Center and Physician-in-Chief at City of Hope Orange County, joins the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast to discuss the expansion of City of Hope’s footprint, the importance of inclusive clinical trials, and the evolving landscape of cancer screening.

In this episode, Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Attending Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, joins the Becker’s Spine and Orthopedics Podcast to discuss how AI, virtual care, and remote monitoring are reshaping orthopedic practice. He also shares insights on emerging innovations in sports medicine, wearable technology, and the evolving role of biologics in patient care.

In this episode, Dr. Andy Anderson, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, shares how the system is improving mortality outcomes and patient experience through rapid response teams, standardized best practices, and a strong culture of accountability. He discusses strategies for scaling success, coordinating care, and fostering growth across the health system.

In this episode, Peter D. Banko, President and CEO of Baystate Health, discusses stabilizing financial performance, expanding access to care, and integrating the health plan with providers to improve population health. He shares strategies for addressing structural challenges, enhancing patient access, and preparing for future health care headwinds.

In this episode, Sharon Williams, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Michigan Health Plan, discusses how health plans can navigate rising utilization, workforce shortages, and cost pressures while improving relationships with providers. She shares perspectives on simplifying payer operations, the role of AI, and policy changes needed to improve affordability and access.

In this episode, Raaj Kurapati, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, University of Tennessee Health Science Center shares how the organization has navigated difficult financial decisions, including workforce adjustments, to strengthen its foundation. He also discusses priorities for 2026, with a focus on rural healthcare access, workforce development, and evolving as a collaborative leader.

In this episode, Catherine Chang, Chief Quality Officer at Prisma Health, joins the podcast to discuss expanding urgent care as a strategy to improve access, how ambient listening technologies are supporting clinicians, and the tools health systems can adopt to enhance efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

In this episode, Howard Brill, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Monroe Plan for Medical Care, shares insights on value based contracting, rising cost pressures, and the persistent gap between strategy and execution in population health. He also discusses the role of data integration, AI, and regulatory practices in shaping affordability, access, and health plan performance in 2026.

In this episode, Stuart Levine, MD, FACP, President of MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and Senior Vice President at MedStar Health, joins the podcast to discuss integrating ambulatory care with value-based care models across a large health system. He shares how leaders are improving operational efficiency, addressing some of the most difficult challenges heading into the new year, and managing rising healthcare anxiety among patients and teams as systems continue to evolve.

In this episode, Tim Plante, Region Chief Nursing Officer at CommonSpirit Health, discusses how virtual nursing and structured nurse residency programs are improving patient care, reducing burnout, and boosting retention. He also shares strategies for supporting underinsured patients and driving operational efficiency across the central region.

In this episode, Helen Margellos-Anast, President of the Sinai Urban Health Institute at Sinai Chicago, shares how data-driven research and community partnerships are tackling health inequities in urban settings. She discusses initiatives supporting adolescent girls’ mental health, integrating community health workers, and expanding access to clinical trials for underserved populations.

In this episode, Dr. Ria Paul, Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan discusses how the organization has strengthened Medicaid and Medicare Advantage quality scores through closer collaboration with providers, targeted incentives, and better data flow. She also shares priorities for 2026, including regulatory readiness, member retention, and using AI to enhance engagement and care coordination.

In this episode, Alan H. Daniels, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics and Chief of Spine Surgery at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, discusses balancing private practice autonomy with academic medicine, navigating reimbursement pressures, and growing complex spine programs. He also shares insights on innovations in spinal deformity care, including data driven decision making, specialized teams, and alignment focused technologies.

In this episode, Rob Hitchcock, President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Health, discusses how payer provider collaboration, cultural change, and proactive care models are reshaping health plan strategy amid rising cost pressures. He shares perspectives on regulatory headwinds, Medicaid and Medicare reform, and more.

In this episode, Faraz Edalatpajouh, DDS, CEO of Clark St. Dental Partners, shares how his organization is adapting to rising costs, regulatory changes in California, and shifting payer mixes while continuing to grow. He also discusses the role of AI in dentistry, DSO challenges in a high interest rate environment, and the leadership skills needed for long term success.

In this episode, Molly Moran, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Nursing at Rush University Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss the destabilization of insurance coverage and affordability, the growing role of nurse-led telephone triage, and how health systems can better meet patient needs across the ambulatory setting. She also shares insights on intentional leadership and what it takes to support nurses while delivering accessible, patient-centered care.

In this episode, Sahil Sheth, PharmD, BCCCP, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services at Luminis Health, discusses restructuring pharmacy leadership, expanding ambulatory and clinical pharmacy services, and strengthening operations across the system.

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Lorio shares why declining reimbursement, policy driven efficiency measures, and consolidation are reshaping spine surgery and threatening physician autonomy. He discusses his analysis The Price of Silence, the impact on surgeons and patients, and what meaningful reform must address next.

In this episode, Andrew B. Wallach, Ambulatory Care Chief at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and Ambulatory Care Chief Medical Officer for NYC Health + Hospitals, joins the podcast to discuss how health systems can better support and sustain the workforce. He shares lessons learned from the pandemic, the role of internal float pools in managing patient surges, and strategies for building resilience and preparedness across ambulatory care teams.

In this episode, Dr. Kelly Sandberg, Chief Medical Quality Officer and Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Dayton Children’s, and Dr. Katherine Winner, Division Chief of Psychiatry at Dayton Children’s, discuss the quality improvement initiatives driving lower mental health readmissions. They share how individualized programming, follow up calls, standardized processes, and collaboration are strengthening care across inpatient and crisis settings.

In this episode, John Pastor, PharmD, President of Fairview Pharmacy Services, discusses the system’s major shared services expansion, investments in advanced pharmacy technology, and efforts to improve patient access amid widespread pharmacy closures. He also shares how Fairview is planning for growth while navigating workforce, supply chain, and policy headwinds.

In this episode, Joe Caristi, CFO of Speare Memorial Hospital, discusses strategies for sustaining and growing an independent critical access hospital amid reimbursement pressure, workforce constraints, and rising costs. He also shares insights on process improvement, AI adoption, and the importance of systems thinking and relationships in healthcare leadership.

In this episode, Vimal Ramjee, MD, FACHE, Physician Executive, CommonSpirit Health, Division Board President-Elect, American Heart Association, discusses delivering high quality cardiovascular care at scale, advancing clinically led efficiency, and using responsible innovation including AI enabled imaging to improve outcomes while sustaining access in high need communities.

In this episode, Jordan Frey, MD, Founder of the Prudent Plastic Surgeon, shares his journey from burnout and six figure debt to financial stability through intentional spending, disciplined saving, and simple investing. He discusses how financial well being can improve physician resilience, career satisfaction, and long term freedom.

In this episode, Nick Olson, Executive Vice President and CFO of Sanford Health, shares how the integrated nonprofit system is advancing value based care, investing in rural health transformation, and pursuing smart growth through integration and partnerships. He discusses balancing financial stewardship with long term sustainability while expanding access and affordability across rural communities.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Michael Mutterer discusses leading growth in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape and the strategies Silver Cross Hospital is using to elevate patient satisfaction. He also highlights how technology is helping strengthen payment and revenue cycle performance, creating a more sustainable and efficient operational model.

In collaboration with R1.

Health systems continue to wrestle with fragmented procurement and distribution models across non-acute sites. In this episode, we explore how leaders can shift from siloed operations to integrated logistics by using forecasting and analytics to reduce variation, strengthen supply reliability and cut waste across the enterprise.

This episode is sponsored by McKesson Medical-Surgical.

In this episode, Michael Stern, President and CEO of Tower Health, reflects on lessons from the system’s operational and cultural turnaround and why tighter leadership alignment has been critical to restoring stability. He also shares his perspective on partnerships, consolidation, and preparing Tower Health for long term sustainability in a challenging healthcare environment.

In this episode, Dr. Sachin Jain, President and CEO of SCAN Group, discusses his Forbes op-ed outlining 10 leadership resolutions and argues that healthcare’s biggest challenge is a lack of resolve, not innovation. He shares why speaking plainly, rejecting performative change, and focusing on real patient impact are essential to rebuilding trust in the industry.

In this episode, Monica N. Wharton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s Path Forward initiative and Vision 2030 strategy. She shares how Methodist Le Bonheur is prioritizing growth and access, aligning operations around long-term goals, and launching new initiatives to meet the needs of patients and communities in the year ahead.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable Michael Charlton discusses the importance of serving underserved communities while supporting caregiver satisfaction. He shares how AtlantiCare is investing in technology across both the payer and provider landscape, and how these advancements are shaping the future workforce. He also explores the evolving role of AI and its potential impact on staffing and care delivery.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Patrick R. Young, President of Population Health at Hackensack Meridian Health, shares how population health has evolved over the past decade through strong payer contracts, home based care, social determinants initiatives, and disciplined focus on fundamentals.

In this episode, Anna Flattau, Alumni Professor and Chair of Family and Community Medicine and Enterprise Chief of Primary Care Services at Jefferson Health, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of virtual primary care, expanding telehealth to better connect people to care, and how changes to Medicaid are shaping access and delivery across primary care services.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Dr. Mike Guertin discusses how AI is creating new opportunities to advance patient care, particularly in perioperative settings. He highlights how emerging technologies are improving surgical efficiency by streamlining information gathering, reporting, and clinical decision support.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Erin Henderson Moore, President and CEO of Fidelis Care of New Jersey, shares how the plan is navigating Medicaid uncertainty through integration, member engagement, and upstream investment in behavioral health, housing, and LTSS. She discusses why data sharing, outcome based accountability, and enabling people to age at home will shape the next decade of government sponsored care.

In this episode, Andy Mueller, MD, Chief Executive Officer of MaineHealth, shares how the system is rethinking primary care through capitated models, improving access and affordability, and guiding care teams through change while balancing growth, quality, and financial sustainability.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Dr. Shondra Williams, President & Chief Executive Officer at InclusivCare, as she shares how her organization is navigating Medicaid uncertainty, financial pressure, and patient access challenges. Dr. Williams also discusses leadership, culture, and the role of technology and AI in strengthening community health centers heading into 2026.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to break down a brutal week for payers, marked by plunging stocks, Medicare Advantage rate pressure, and intense congressional scrutiny.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down UnitedHealthcare’s sharp stock drop, strong recent earnings, and troubling signals including projected revenue decline, rising medical loss ratios, and shrinking Medicare and Medicaid enrollment.

As technology continues to redefine healthcare delivery, the role of the CMIO is expanding beyond data and systems, and into the heart of change management. From overseeing new rollouts and system upgrades to preparing clinicians for continual transformation, CMIOs and their teams are now tasked with orchestrating how organizations learn, adapt, and thrive in a digital-first environment. Increasingly, success depends not just on implementation, but on how well clinicians are supported before, during, and long after technology goes live.

In this episode, Dr. Bryan Jarabek, Chief Medical Information Officer at M Health Fairview, joins Dr. Stephanie Lahr, Chief Medical Officer at uPerform, to explore how health systems can better navigate this era of rapid change. Together, they’ll discuss how innovation, AI, and well-structured education programs are helping organizations move beyond reactive education to proactive, scalable change enablement. 

Hear how leading health systems are redefining their approach to health IT education – creating structured training teams, unifying education across mission-critical applications, and leveraging just-in-time learning to empower their people to keep pace with technology.

As healthcare organizations look ahead to the next phase of digital transformation, this conversation will inspireIT leaders, CMIOs, and educators to rethink how they structure their training organizations to deliver lasting impact.

Views expressed are those of the speakers and do not constitute product endorsements.

This episode is sponsored by uPerform.

In this episode, Linda Hines, Virginia’s Medicaid Market President at Humana, shares how school based partnerships are improving access to youth behavioral health services, especially in rural communities. She discusses workforce development, measurable outcomes, and why listening to families, providers, and youth is critical to long term success.

In this episode, Timothy Seay-Morrison, Senior Vice President of Service Lines and Chief of Ambulatory Care Operations at Stanford Health Care, joins the podcast to discuss expanding care delivery and identifying new growth opportunities across ambulatory services. He shares insights on building physician workforce resilience, navigating system-wide scale, and where healthcare organizations should focus in 2026 to drive sustainable, patient-centered growth.

In this episode, K. Nadeem Ahmed, MD, FACHDM, Chief Medical Information Officer at The Valley Health System, joins the podcast to discuss modernizing clinical technology governance and the importance of safely adopting AI in healthcare. He shares insights on balancing innovation with responsibility, addressing clinician burnout, and building systems that support both providers and patients as digital transformation accelerates.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to discuss major health system earnings, including HCA’s strong financial performance, along with ongoing divestitures and turnaround strategies at Community Health Systems, CommonSpirit, Providence, and other large systems.