Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Susan Barrett, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Monte Nido, discusses the organization's mission to expand access to comprehensive eating disorder treatment across the U.S. She shares insights on leadership, compliance in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, and key trends shaping behavioral health, including regulation, technology, and AI.

What if better training could directly translate to measurable ROI? At Access Community Health Network (ACCESS), it does. With a training team of just four, ACCESS is doing exactly that by following three guiding principles: collaborating early, keeping feedback flowing, and always designing training around the why.By leveraging uPerform to build immersive, simulation-based training for Epic's MyChart, Care Everywhere, and Compass Rose, the team has achieved remarkable results: 15–25% reduction in claim denials, 30% drop in help desk requests,15–20 minutes saved per prior authorization, totaling over 130 hours saved each month.Join Reece from uPerform as she talks with ACCESS's training innovators about how they cracked the efficiency equation -- turning limited resources into measurable time and cost savings, empowering clinicians with confidence, and redefining how training drives performance and patient satisfaction.This episode is sponsored by uPerform.

In this episode, Rebecca Napier, Vice President of Finance and Administration at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, shares how the institution is addressing healthcare worker shortages and expanding access across the state. She discusses innovative planning for a new medical school facility and strategies to align internal and external stakeholders for long-term impact.

In this episode, Jeremy Stephens, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President at Tidelands Health, shares how the organization is reducing reliance on travelers, developing a robust student pipeline, and preparing for growth through new facilities and expanded partnerships. He discusses strategies for talent development, workforce engagement, and community-focused healthcare.

In this episode, Cheryl Reinking, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, DipACLM, Chief Nursing Officer at El Camino Health, discusses how strategic investment in nurse education, career pathways, and workforce development is improving retention, safety, and patient care outcomes.

In this episode, Scott Becker outlines 12 key forces reshaping healthcare, including physician shortages, rising costs, payer dominance, widening gaps between health systems, and more.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Druker of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute along with Elizabeth Liebow and Jim Donohue of ECG Management Consultants, discuss the rising demand for cancer care, the human experience of diagnosis, and the need for smarter collaborations between providers, payers, and policymakers to expand access, improve early detection, and align care delivery with what patients need most.This episode is sponsored by ECG Management Consultants.

In this episode, Daniel Goldberg, SVP of Sales and Growth at United Musculoskeletal Partners, shares how reducing friction across the patient journey and improving access can accelerate new patient growth. He also discusses the growing role of AI, market specific strategies, and measuring marketing ROI to support sustainable practice expansion.

In this episode, Andrew Chang, Chief Marketing Officer at UChicago Medicine, shares how digital transformation, AI, and data driven marketing are reshaping the end to end patient experience. He discusses proving marketing ROI, building omnichannel access, and leading change through cross functional collaboration.

In this episode, Nilesh Desai, MBA, BS, RPh, CPEL, CPPS, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health System, discusses how pharmacy is driving medication access, specialty and outpatient growth, and financial sustainability. He also shares how technology, interoperability, and responsible AI adoption are shaping pharmacy strategy amid staffing and drug shortages.

In this episode, Kenneth Waller, Chief Executive Officer of Norwalk Community Health Center, discusses advancing access to primary care for uninsured and underinsured populations through community partnerships and embedded services. He also shares how the organization is navigating reimbursement pressures, workforce challenges, and new care models to support long term sustainability.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Trudy Sullivan Stoudamire, MBA Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Duke University Health System, as she outlines Duke Health's growth strategy centered on expanding access across North Carolina. She discusses aligning marketing and communications with system growth, building partnerships, strengthening brand trust, and leading with purpose and hope during industry change.

In this episode, Rachel Bratescu, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon and member of the GW Spine and Pain Center at George Washington University Hospital, discusses her goals for expanding endoscopic spine surgery and building a comprehensive, multidisciplinary spine center. She also shares perspectives on emerging spine technologies, mentorship, and navigating payer challenges while improving patient outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Peggy Duggan, Executive Vice President Chief Physician Executive Chief Medical Officer, Tampa General Hospital, discusses how Tampa General is improving quality and patient safety through standardized care, data driven decision making, and team alignment. She also shares priorities for scaling hospital at home, expanding ambulatory care, and navigating uncertainty while keeping patients at the center.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Julia Dellitt, Vice President, Marketing Communications, UnityPoint Health, as she discusses her expanded role overseeing all marketing functions. She shares insights on driving mission-focused communications, engaging communities, and leading with purpose in a complex health system.

In this episode, Joshua Weber, PharmD, MBA-HCM, CSP, BCMTMS, 340B ACE, Senior Director, St. Luke's Health System, highlights the organization's future-ready pharmacy transformation, including paperless workflows, AI-enabled prior authorizations, EHR-integrated benefits investigations, and expanded specialty drug access for 5,000 more patients.

In this episode, Airica Powell-Steed, Ed.D, MBA, RN, CSSMBB, FACHE, FAAN, IASSC - Interim Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Loretto Hospital Network, shares hard-earned lessons leading safety net hospitals through financial distress and workforce exhaustion, emphasizing people-centered change management and community-driven transformation.

This episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast features Scott Sagehorn, Vice President and General Manager of the Smart Care Business Unit at Stryker Medical, discussing how interoperability at scale is enabling smarter, more connected care. He shares his perspective on the evolution of digital health problem-solving, the real-world impact of ambient intelligence and automation, and what it takes to build interoperable ecosystems that reduce complexity, help enhance safety and support data-driven decision-making across health systems.This epsiode is sponsored by Stryker.

In this episode, Dr. Prathibha Varkey, President of Mayo Clinic Health System, shares why culture and people are central to successful transformation and turnaround efforts. She discusses practical leadership behaviors, signs of cultural strain, and how intentional, patient centered alignment drives sustainable performance and resilience.

In this episode, John Meier, CEO of Aurora Charter Oak Behavioral Health Hospital, discusses his career path, key trends shaping behavioral health, and the impact of new California nursing staffing ratios. He also shares leadership lessons, optimism for expanded access to care, and what it takes to lead through rapid change.

In this episode, Thomas Carey, PharmD, Senior Director, Pharmacy Services, UW Northern Illinois, shares how the organization elevated its Med to Bed discharge program using multidisciplinary coordination, driving a nearly 30% reduction in 30-day readmissions. He also discusses agility in 340B compliance, leveraging learners, and the future of pharmacy growth through technology, automation, and workforce investment.

In this episode,Caswell Samms III, Executive Vice President and CFO of Nemours Children's Health, discusses financial priorities for 2026, including purposeful growth, Medicaid reimbursement pressures, and strategic investments in maternal care and virtual health. He also shares how CFOs must lead with agility, clinical insight, and mission focus in an uncertain healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down the latest trends in the payer landscape, including pharmacy benefit management, health system cost pressures, and Anthem's new 10% penalty on out-of-network claims. He also highlights the recent debate between Mark Cuban and PBM leaders on industry transparency and rising pharmaceutical costs.

In this episode,  Scott Becker outlines the eight biggest issues shaping U.S. healthcare as the industry heads into 2026, including physician shortages, rising costs, payer power, and more.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Nabile M. Safdar, Chief AI Officer, Emory Healthcare. He discusses how Emory is leveraging AI across clinical, operational, and patient-facing applications, and shares strategies for governance, adoption, and safely integrating advanced AI tools into healthcare workflows.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Amy Lee, MJ, MBA, MBHA, FACMPE, President and COO of Nantucket Cottage Hospital/Mass General Brigham. She discusses the unique challenges of delivering care on an island, from workforce housing to telehealth partnerships, and how innovation and community support sustain high-quality care in a remote setting.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief, and Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor in Chief at Becker's Healthcare, discuss major healthcare stories shaping 2026, including hospital mergers and acquisitions, competitive market dynamics, and policy developments impacting rural and independent hospitals.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features James Heilsberg, CFO, Tri State Health. He discusses how his organization is using AI, automation, and strategic growth to strengthen care delivery, support clinicians, and sustain financial health in a rural community setting.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, C.J. Marbley, Chief Nursing Officer at University Medical Center New Orleans and Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer at New Orleans East Hospital within LCMC Health, joins the podcast to reflect on how his organization responded to the New Year's Eve terrorist attack at the start of 2025. He discusses efforts to expand access to care, initiatives focused on ensuring cancer patients receive the highest-quality treatment, and why staying grounded in the “why” of nursing is essential for resilience, leadership, and patient-centered care.

In this episode, Dr. Wael Barsoum, Professor of Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and President and Chief Transformation Officer at HopCo, shares insights from his career leading Cleveland Clinic Florida and growing HopCo into the largest musculoskeletal specialty group in the U.S., offering lessons on strategic leadership, innovation, and improving health care outcomes.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features David Dunkle, CEO, Johnson Memorial Health. He discusses the financial challenges facing community hospitals, the struggle for fair reimbursement, and how strong culture and patient focus help sustain independent organizations in a difficult healthcare landscape.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Dr. Daniel del Portal, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Temple Health, explains the vital role long-term acute care hospitals play in improving patient flow, supporting medically complex recoveries, and stabilizing hospital operations. He highlights how strong LTACH partnerships enhance outcomes, preserve inpatient capacity, and create smoother transitions across the continuum of care.This episode is sponsored by ScionHealth.

In this episode, Christopher Newman, President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare, discusses stepping into the CEO role, driving cultural transformation, and strengthening workforce pipelines amid rapid regional growth. He also shares priorities around academic partnerships, financial headwinds, and expanding access to higher level care in the community.

In this episode, Laurie McGraw, Chief Commercial Officer at Transcarent and host of the Inspiring Women podcast, shares lessons from her 30+ year career in healthcare and technology, offering practical advice for emerging women leaders and insights on how innovation and mentorship can accelerate professional growth.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Dr. Michael Han, Chief Medical Information Officer, MultiCare Health System. He discusses real world AI use cases including stroke detection and ambient clinical documentation, and shares why close partnership between IT and clinical leadership is critical to successful adoption and provider satisfaction.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Lisa Tank, President and Chief Hospital Executive, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Health. She discusses how her team is using AI, governance, and culture to enhance clinical outcomes, streamline operations, and strengthen patient trust.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Scott Polenz, Principal Consultant at CHG Healthcare Advisory Services, shares a practical roadmap for healthcare leaders to improve physician alignment, engagement, and retention. He discusses creating structured onboarding, fostering trust and communication, and establishing an Office of Physicians and APP Relations to support long-term success.This episode is sponsored by CHG Healthcare.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Afroz Hafeez, MD, MBA, Manager of Telemedicine at RUSH University System for Health, as he discusses expanding virtual care and telemedicine services. He shares strategies for improving health equity, scaling hybrid care models, and partnering with communities to increase access and reduce hospital burdens.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Dr. Mohammed Abdelaziz, Medical Director of Hospital Medicine, Kings Mill Hospital, Bon Secours Mercy Health. He shares how his organization is exploring AI tools like ambient scribe solutions and predictive models, and offers guidance on integrating virtual care and technology while maintaining high-quality patient care.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Jigar Thakkar, Former Chief Administrative Officer (SVP Growth Integration), OU Health, as he discusses reducing fragmentation in pharmacy care and addressing financial toxicity for patients. He shares insights on bringing specialty pharmacy services back into health systems through end to end technology, analytics, and payer integration.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Josephine Wilton, Chief Business Development Officer, CHCB, as she discusses growth through improved access to care, contract strategy, and community expansion. She shares perspectives on strengthening infrastructure, operational execution, and addressing behavioral health, dental, and maternal health needs in underserved communities.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features John Benko, Director Healthcare Coordination, Bellefaire JCB, as he discusses expanding behavioral health and special needs services across community based settings. He shares how innovative care models and breaking traditional Medicaid payer structures are helping improve access to physical, dental, and behavioral care for underserved populations.