Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

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, Dr. Luis Garcia President, Rush Medical Group, Rush University Medical Center discusses how the organization is integrating clinical and nonclinical operations to deliver consistent, high quality care while improving efficiency and clinician support. He also shares key headwinds facing health systems, including declining reimbursement, rising costs, workforce shortages, and how innovation and partnerships will shape the future.

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, James Burroughs, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children's Minnesota, joins the podcast to discuss advancing equity and inclusion in pediatric care. He shares how his organization is working to improve care delivery and patient experience for children and families, strengthen community relationships, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth while keeping equity at the center of healthcare strategy.

In this episode, Tilak Mandadi, Executive Vice President of Ventures and Chief Experience and Technology Officer at CVS Health, shares how the company is investing in and building technology to simplify healthcare and drive better consumer engagement. He discusses CVS Health Ventures, interoperability, AI strategy, and the vision behind creating an open, consumer-centric platform that connects payers, providers, pharmacies, and patients.

In this episode, Dr. Tom Shanley, President and CEO of Lurie Children's, discusses the organization's evolution into a pediatric health system through suburban expansion, community investment, and academic research growth. He shares how Lurie Children's is addressing access gaps, Medicaid pressures, and workforce challenges while staying anchored to its mission of improving child health and well being across Illinois.

In this episode, Seth Turnoff, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Custom Medical Marketing, shares the trends he is watching in healthcare marketing, what strategies are driving real patient growth, and where practices often get it wrong. He discusses compliant, data-driven marketing, specialty-specific insights, and why aligning marketing with operational readiness is critical for sustainable success.

In this episode, Beth Graefe of ECG Management Consultants and Dr. Andy Anderson of RWJBarnabas Health discuss how health systems can strengthen physician engagement, improve performance, and build deeper leadership pipelines through transparency, collaboration, and a more holistic approach to clinical and financial goals. 

In this episode, Sam McCrimmon, J.D., Vice President of Development at Regional One Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing role of philanthropy in safety net hospitals, from supporting patient access to funding major capital projects. He also shares insights on 340B, AI, federal funding shifts, and Regional One's vision for a new hospital and future academic medical center.

In this episode, Faimy Vanleeuwen, Regional Director, Quality, Baptist Health South Florida, North Region, discusses the shift toward real time, frontline driven quality and safety. She shares how standardization, psychological safety, and leader ownership are helping embed quality across hospital and outpatient settings.

In this episode, Matt Brown, President of the South Region at CommonSpirit Health, shares how the system is rethinking market strategy, service line differentiation, and ambulatory growth across multiple states. He discusses why access, consumer expectations, and focused centers of excellence are central to staying competitive today.

In this episode, Theresa McDonnell, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Executive at Duke University Health System, discusses the workforce math problem facing healthcare and how nursing roles are evolving. She shares how team-based care, virtual nursing, and innovation units are reshaping care delivery and supporting nurse well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Professor and Academic Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Drexel University School of Medicine, discusses closing gaps in maternal and child health, strengthening academic and healthcare partnerships, and addressing workforce shortages.

In this episode, Ryan Cameron, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Children's Nebraska, discusses how AI driven tools, digital therapeutics, and virtual care are expanding access, improving Medicaid navigation, and shaping the future of pediatric care across urban and rural communities.

In this episode, Brett Bingham, Chief Network Development Officer at Banner Plans and Networks, discusses how payers and providers are shifting toward collaboration amid cost pressures and workforce shortages. He shares where strategy is outpacing execution, why data and payment models matter for value based care, and how Banner is staying disciplined in its long term investments.

In this episode, Stephanie Everett, Administrator of Mountrail Bethel Home and Chief Executive Officer of Mountrail County Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss building and sustaining a fully funded nursing home in a complex healthcare environment. She shares leadership lessons centered on listening to employees and acting on their concerns, the challenges of staying focused amid constant change, and the opportunities for organizational growth in the year ahead.

In this episode, Wendy Fielding, Chief Financial Officer at Dartmouth Health, joins the podcast to discuss the role of successful partnerships in driving organizational stability and growth. She shares how supporting the individual development of team members strengthens finance teams, and reflects on how the CFO role continues to evolve amid shifting financial, operational, and strategic demands in healthcare.

In this episode, Giovanni Piedimonte, MD, FAAP, FCCP, Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology at Tulane University School of Medicine, discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming research, clinical care, and academic medicine. He also discusses the risks, ethical challenges, and workforce implications health systems must prepare for as AI adoption accelerates.

In this episode, J.R. Greene, Founder and Chairman of Psychiatric Medical Care, shares how his organization is expanding access to behavioral health services across rural and urban communities through innovative care models, telehealth, and hospital partnerships. He also discusses workforce alignment, sustainable program design, and the leadership principles needed to scale behavioral health without relying solely on grant funding.

In this episode, Scott Knoer, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Regional Chief Pharmacy Officer, shares how he is transforming pharmacy at MercyOne by building ambulatory and specialty infrastructure, strengthening leadership teams, and driving improvement in both outcomes and the system's bottom line.

In this episode, Craig Kurtzweil, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for UnitedHealthcare's commercial business, shares insights from UnitedHealthcare's latest employer health trends report, including rising costs among younger workers, more frequent catastrophic claims, and growing metabolic risks. He discusses how data driven strategies can help employers better target engagement, prevention, and affordability.

In this episode, Rory KJ Murphy, MD, neurosurgical, orthopedic, and minimally invasive spine surgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute, discusses evolving debates around multilevel cervical disc replacement versus fusion, emerging research in spinal cord injury care, and the growing role of neuroprosthetics.

In this episode, Amy Gutman, MD, Emergency Physician and Founder, ToughLoveMD shares how understanding stress physiology and metabolic health can improve decision making, resilience, and leadership. She offers practical guidance for physicians and leaders looking to perform better without burning out.

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, Alexander Rakul, MHA, PhD, Chief Administration Officer for Kaiser Permanente's Central Valley Service Area, joins the podcast to discuss post-pandemic challenges facing health systems and key priorities for the year ahead. He shares how understanding patient needs, helping patients navigate complex systems, and optimizing care for older populations are shaping strategy, along with the importance of supporting primary care physicians and identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth.

In this episode, Wright Lassiter III, Chief Executive Officer at CommonSpirit Health, shares how lessons from athletics, Lean thinking, and personal reflection have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses perseverance, courage, self care, and why CommonSpirit is positioned to lead through healthcare's most complex challenges.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable features Peter D. Banko,  President & CEO of Baystate Health. Here, he discusses how Baystate Health is strengthening its commitment to people-centric care while navigating the realities of cost management and the evolving landscape of AI governance. He shares insights into building resilient, future-ready health systems that balance innovation with operational discipline.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Nicole Stallings, President and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, joins Igor Belokrinitsky and Ran Strul, Partners at Oliver Wyman, to discuss a new report warning that up to 14 Pennsylvania hospitals could close without policy intervention. They explore Medicaid reimbursement gaps, workforce and technology challenges, and the state policy actions needed to preserve access to care and regional economies.

In this episode, Hasan B. Alam, Surgeon-in-Chief at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, joins the podcast to discuss building a strong workplace culture, securing partnerships and funding without compromising research quality, and improving the discharge process to enhance patient outcomes and operational flow.

In this episode, Julie Holt, CNO/ VP of Patient Care Services & Paula Campbell, RN, MHI, Chief Nursing Information Officer at The Christ Hospital share how organization is using virtual nursing and care model innovation to address workforce challenges, improve safety, and support nurses at the bedside. They discuss results so far, plans to scale the model, and what it means for the future of nursing and patient care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable features John Mallia, Interim Chief Financial Officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Here, he discusses how Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is navigating revenue cycle and payer dynamics while adapting financial strategies to meet evolving challenges. He shares insights into managing patient expectations and addressing concerns around data usage to create a more transparent and effective healthcare experience.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Dr. Zeshan Anwar, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Pennsylvania hospitals and System Chief of Hospital Medicine at The Guthrie Clinic, discusses the pressures and possibilities facing rural healthcare today. He shares how his team is navigating workforce challenges, federal policy shifts, telehealth uncertainty, and digital transformation to improve patient flow, safety, and reliability.

In this episode, Wright Lassiter III, Chief Executive Officer at CommonSpirit Health, shares how lessons from athletics, Lean thinking, and personal reflection have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses perseverance, courage, self care, and why CommonSpirit is positioned to lead through healthcare's most complex challenges.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief at Becker's Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to break down major revenue cycle developments, including Tenet regaining full control of Conifer Health Solutions and new RCM platforms targeting rural providers.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down Kaiser Permanente's entry into Nevada, growing tensions between hospitals and Medicare Advantage plans, and how federal payment changes are squeezing major insurers while smaller, specialized plans gain ground.

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, Sham Firdausi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer of County of Santa Clara Health System, shares how a mission driven finance and revenue cycle strategy is helping one of the nation's largest public health systems navigate historic funding headwinds. He discusses payer provider collaboration, responsible AI adoption, and building operationally integrated finance teams to protect access to care.

In this episode, Robert Corona, DO, MBA, FCAP, FASCP, John B. Henry Professor of Pathology and Chief Executive Officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss reducing workplace violence, easing administrative burden through new technologies, and improving pathology operations with innovations such as drone-based transportation. He also shares where he sees opportunities for organizational growth as healthcare systems adapt to new operational and workforce challenges.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Becker's Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to discuss how Community Health Systems and CommonSpirit Health are pruning portfolios and simplifying operations to strengthen performance. She also shares insights on Oracle's expansion of clinical AI to reduce clinician burden and improve care delivery.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Abha Agrawal discusses how NorthStar Hospitals is reshaping rural healthcare by advancing the technology agenda and elevating the patient experience. She shares insights into building sustainable, tech-forward systems that improve access and outcomes for communities often left behind.In collaboration with R1.

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.