Becker’s Healthcare - Clinical Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Tesa Anewishki, CEO and President of Loretto Hospital, shares how her team is preparing for Medicaid cuts and rising uncompensated care while doubling down on access, partnerships, and workforce investment. She discusses launching a hospital based free grocery store, strengthening community collaborations, and advocating for sustainable funding to close health equity gaps on Chicago's West Side.

In this episode, Robert A. Figlin, MD, FACP, Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology Oncology and Interim Director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, discusses aligning cancer strategy with system priorities, embedding research into clinical care, and building innovative, patient centered models to improve access and outcomes across the continuum.

In this episode, Mara Nitu, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children, IU Health, joins the podcast to discuss improving care quality and access across pediatric and academic settings. She shares insights on hospital-acquired condition reduction efforts, optimizing access and care coordination, building partnerships for long-term sustainability, and identifying growth opportunities focused on expanding access to care.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Mabus, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Parkview Health, shares how his team rapidly scaled generative AI across clinical and revenue cycle operations, driving efficiency, reducing burnout, and strengthening ROI. He also discusses governance, provider adoption, and expanding equitable access to AI tools across rural communities.

In this episode, James E. Moore, President of Connecticut Children's Specialty Group and System Chief Medical Officer at Connecticut Children's, discusses boosting clinic and OR efficiency to grow volume, strengthening culture to retain workforce talent, and expanding regional centers of excellence including advanced cellular and gene therapy and fetal care to ensure long term sustainability.

In this episode, Dr. Geralda Xavier, Regional Chief Medical Officer at Atlantic Health System, shares how her team reduced length of stay and improved throughput through multidisciplinary collaboration, while navigating workforce fatigue, financial pressures, and a continued focus on quality, safety, and equity in 2026.

In this episode, Dr. Mayank K. Shah, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Advocate Condell Medical Center, part of Advocate Aurora Health, shares how his team elevated safety and quality to top Leapfrog grades, advanced AI adoption, and is building agility to navigate regulatory uncertainty and expand community focused care.

In this episode, Dr. Joshua Moskovitz, System Medical Director of Utilization Management at NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses how centralizing emergency department utilization reviews improved care quality and reimbursement. He also explores using technology and AI to streamline workflows, reduce unnecessary tasks, and enhance staff efficiency across the health system.

In this episode, Stacey-Ann Okoth, Chief Nursing Executive Officer at CommonSpirit Health Mountain Division, discusses strengthening workplace safety, enhancing patient experience, and addressing economic and workforce challenges. She shares strategies for nurse retention, rural care access, and innovative programs that prepare the system for future growth.

In this episode, Douglas A. Ross, MD, CPE, FACS, Chief Medical Officer at AdventHealth Carrollwood, discusses rising pressures from age related neurological conditions, the shift toward team based and community anchored care models, and how biomarkers, functional imaging, and AI supported screening are reshaping early detection and treatment across the AdventHealth network.

In this episode, Nancy Beran, MD, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer of ambulatory care at Northwell Health, shares how her team screened more than 700,000 patients for depression, redesigned ambulatory quality oversight across 1,000 sites, and is leading integration and Epic implementation to drive safer, more standardized care.

In this episode, Matt Boles, MD, MHA, MSc, Chief Medical Officer at Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics, joins the podcast to reflect on the early stages of his executive journey in medicine. He discusses procedural capacity challenges, key priorities for 2026 including physician shortages, and areas for organizational growth, with a focus on the evolving role of the medical executive committee.

In this episode, Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG, Chief Physician and Operations Executive at Lee Physician Group, joins the podcast to discuss extending life expectancy through improved diabetes care and chronic disease management. He outlines priorities for 2026, the importance of supporting work-life balance for clinicians, and strategies to expand access to care across the community.

In this episode, Ije Akunyili, MD, MBA, MPA, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer at Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, joins the podcast to discuss building a mortality and safety council, advancing women's health initiatives, and expanding partnerships to strengthen care delivery. She also shares how health systems can manage rising patient volumes while maintaining quality and safety.

In this episode, Perry M. Gee, Enterprise Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Nurse Scientist, and Associate Professor of Research at Intermountain Health, joins the podcast to discuss efforts to grow nursing locally and standardize care delivery. He shares how streamlining practices can lead to better long-term patient outcomes and outlines 2026 initiatives focused on measurable results, stronger workplace culture, and improved communication across care teams.

In this episode, Sadie Durham, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension St. Vincent's Clay County in Middleburg, Fla., shares how refocusing on bedside shift reporting and hourly rounding led to a 40 point increase in net promoter score. She discusses sustaining frontline accountability, standardizing nursing practices, and why getting back to basics can drive meaningful gains in patient experience.

In this episode, Amit Garg, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Presbyterian in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico, discusses key innovations in precision radiotherapy, shifting perceptions around radiation treatment, and how community based health systems can deliver high quality cancer care while improving access and efficiency for underserved populations.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Fort, Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer at Ochsner Health, discusses how her team is using virtual care to reduce emergency department overcrowding and streamline patient care. She shares insights on integrating technology, improving care transitions, and creating a patient-centric approach across the health system.

In this episode, Dr. Sidney H. Raymond, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner Health Network, discusses leading population health across more than 600,000 lives and advancing value based care beyond contract boundaries. He shares how care model redesign, prevention focused strategies, digital health, and patient centered culture are driving measurable gains in quality, cost, and care coordination across diverse communities.

In this episode, Sowmya Viswanathan, Chief Physician Executive at BayCare Health System, joins the podcast to discuss building strong academic programs through research and teaching, managing rapid population growth, and supporting value-based care models. She also shares her priorities for 2026, including moving care upstream while continuing to deliver high-end, specialized care across the system.

In this episode, Scott Jessie, Chief Nursing Officer at SUNY Upstate University Hospital, shares how his team earned Magnet redesignation, launched a high tech throughput operations center, and built a virtual nursing program that improves efficiency, quality, and staff satisfaction.

In this episode, Tiffany Love, Associate Vice President of Nursing at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, discusses tackling the primary care shortage through triage innovation, telehealth expansion, and nursing leadership. She also shares how federally qualified health centers are preparing for potential Medicaid and 340B changes while continuing to serve vulnerable communities.

In this episode, Regina Foley, President of Specialty Hospitals and Clinical Services and Chief Nurse Executive at Hackensack Meridian Health, discusses stabilizing and supporting the nursing workforce, leveraging technology like virtual nursing and AI, and expanding ambulatory care. She also shares how the health system is preparing to provide care during the FIFA World Cup and other community-focused initiatives.

In this episode, Dr. David Marcozzi, Chief Clinical Officer at University of Maryland Medical Center and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at the School of Medicine, discusses implementing high reliability practices, expanding access to specialized care, and preparing for the upcoming AHEAD model. He also explores leveraging automation and AI to reduce administrative burden, support the workforce, and improve patient outcomes.

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, Waleed Javaid, MD, Chief Quality Officer at WVU Hospitals, joins the podcast to discuss the continued push toward outpatient care and what it means for quality and patient experience. He shares how health systems can balance high standards of care with evolving patient needs, and highlights quality improvement initiatives designed to support safer, more efficient care delivery in a changing healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Colleen Mallozzi, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Jefferson Health, discusses how her team is using technology and process improvements to reduce documentation burden, give nurses more time at the bedside, and prepare for an innovative ambient listening rollout that transforms patient care.

In this episode, Nathan A. Merriman, MD, MSCE, Interim Senior Medical Director of Surgical Specialties for the Digestive Health Clinical Program at Intermountain Medical Center, discusses how a patient-centered, team-based approach can improve access to care while enhancing the overall human experience. He shares insights on driving operational efficiency across surgical services and aligning clinical teams to deliver high-quality, coordinated care that meets patients where they are.

In this episode, Gena Lawday, RN, BSN, Chief Quality Officer at UVA Community Health, shares how standardizing care delivery helps improve patient outcomes while driving greater operational efficiency. She discusses the critical role of patient education and outlines how quality and safety monitoring are evolving as more care moves into the outpatient setting.

In this episode, Dr. Allyson Brooks, the Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair of the Hoag Women's Health Institute, discusses how Hoag is transforming menopause care through multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and community engagement. She shares how the FDA's recent hormone therapy update and women's growing advocacy are reshaping the future of midlife health.

On this episode, Dr. James Wyant, Program Director of Sentara and Eastern Virginia Medical School's newly established neurology residency program, joins the podcast to discuss where residents can add value and improve quality of care, improving access to care, and the importance of collaboration across teams and disciplines.

In this episode, Jaimie Weber, System Director of Nursing for Perioperative Services at Alameda Health System, discusses how her team is using AI, predictive modeling, and technology-driven workflow improvements to enhance efficiency, staff satisfaction, and patient care. She also shares insights on investing in IT infrastructure to support telehealth, cybersecurity, and the future of connected healthcare.

In this episode, Jessie Scapinello of Elsevier and Allison Ouzts of UT Health San Antonio, share strategies for empowering novice nurses through strong communication, supportive culture, and intentional leadership to build confidence, retention, and long-term success in nursing.This episode is sponsored by Elsevier.

On this episode, Todd Smith, MD, Chief Physician Executive at Sutter Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss ambulatory growth strategies and clinical standardization. He shares insights on improving access to care and the importance of effective orientation programs for staff to ensure high-quality patient experiences.

In this episode, Dr. Gregg Furie and Dr. Wynne Armand share how Mass General Brigham is leading the way in sustainable healthcare through renewable energy investments, emissions reduction, clinician engagement, and education. They discuss the system's progress toward net zero, the connection between climate and health, and practical steps for hospitals beginning their sustainability journey.

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Mazzotti, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Education and Science at Sutter Health, discusses the system's bold plan to expand residency and fellowship programs, the role of education in addressing physician shortages, and how Sutter is preparing future doctors to thrive in a rapidly evolving care environment.

In this episode, Mary Grace Cox, Senior Director of Clinical Programs at UAB Medicine, shares how her team is driving improvements in sepsis outcomes through process design, culture change, and the use of technology like the DART tool. She highlights lessons in supporting clinicians while advancing patient safety and quality.This episode is sponsored by Ambient Clinical Analytics & Zebra Technologies.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Thomas, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, shares how his team dramatically reduced sepsis mortality through novel diagnostics, frontline staff engagement, and a patient-centered, data-driven triage model. He highlights the critical role of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in transforming sepsis care across the system.

In this episode, Renee Rafferty and Sabrina Schalley of Children's Nebraska discuss their innovative Caring Contacts program, a handwritten card initiative that has supported over 1,200 pediatric patients and achieved zero deaths by suicide. They share insights into its origins, emotional impact, and expansion across behavioral health services, along with a preview of their upcoming Behavioral Health and Wellness Center opening in 2026.

This episode features Ashley Hunsucker and Jan Capps of Connexall as they explore how to transform clinical data into actionable insights. They discuss bridging the gap between technology and bedside care, the power of clinician-IT collaboration, and strategies for continuous improvement in healthcare workflows.This episode is sponsored by Connexall.

In this episode, Dr. Katherine A. Hinderer, Senior Nurse Scientist at Connecticut Children's, shares insights into the development of the Emergency Behavioral Health Assessment Tool and its impact on pediatric mental health care. She discusses how evidence-based nursing practices are improving outcomes, reducing restraint use, and supporting frontline teams in addressing the growing mental health needs of children.

This episode features Lou Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children's in New Orleans, as he shares how his journey to complete the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon has become a powerful tribute to the resilience of his patients. Lou dedicates each mile of the 100-mile race to a child treated at the hospital, using their stories of perseverance as inspiration to never give up.