Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Kathleen Hickman, RN, BSN, MS, CASC, Administrator and Clinical Director of Dutchess Ambulatory Surgical Center, shares insights on ASC growth through higher acuity cases, the impact of new CMS codes, and how innovation and culture are shaping the future of surgical care.

In this episode, Eric Huckins discusses trends shaping specialty pharmacy, from managing high-cost infusions and direct-to-consumer models to preparing for the Inflation Reduction Act. He shares how Lumicera is partnering with health systems to enhance efficiency, integration, and patient care.This episode is sponsored by Lumicera Health Services.

Recorded live at Abridge's Executive Summit at the Becker's 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference, this panel features Chris Carmody of UPMC, Misti Foust-Cofield of Reid Health, and Justin Brueck of Endeavor discussing how AI and ambient technology are reducing burnout, improving clinician satisfaction, and reshaping the future of patient care.This episode is sponsored by Abridge.

In this episode, Roberta Schwartz, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Houston Methodist, and Nikhil Buduma, Co-Founder and CEO of Ambience Healthcare, discuss how ambient AI is transforming clinical workflows, reducing documentation burden, and giving time back to clinicians. They share lessons from large-scale implementation and explore what the future holds as AI expands into inpatient and nursing settings.This episide is sponsored by Ambience Healthcare.

In this episode, Chinomnso Nnodum, MHA, Executive Director of Access at Stamford Health, discusses optimizing patient access through technology, virtual care, and systemwide collaboration. She also shares insights on leveraging Epic, promoting telehealth, and the importance of lifelong learning in healthcare leadership.

On this episode, Dr. Jun Zhang, Vice President of Oncology Research at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, joins the podcast to discuss expanding cancer research programs, the importance of instilling a patient-centric mission, breakthroughs in cancer research, and his advice for emerging leaders in healthcare.

In this episode, Diane Constantine, MBA, MSN, NI-BC, NEA-BC, Senior Director of Informatics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses using informatics to enhance clinician efficiency, promote well-being, and integrate AI responsibly to strengthen both patient outcomes and the human side of care.

 In this episode, Dr. Mario Göessl, Director of Interventional Cardiology Fellowships and Transcatheter Valve Therapies at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, discusses the growth of structural heart disease interventions, the integration of AI in clinical practice, and the shift toward value-based, patient-centered care.

This episode recorded live at Becker's 31st Annual The Business and Operations of ASCs features Greg Schooler, Chief Operating Officer, Cincinnati GI, CGI Anesthesia Associates, Anderson Endoscopy Center, LLC. He shares insights on maintaining ASC independence, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and care quality, and the importance of strong teams in driving long-term success.

This episode features Adam Hornback, BSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer of Hinkapin Health and Administrator of North Texas Team Care Surgery Center. He discusses transparent pricing, direct care models, and how ASCs can prepare for growth as more procedures shift from hospitals to outpatient settings.

In this episode, Melissa Rice, Administrator at Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center and part of Trinity Health, shares insights on higher-acuity cases, workforce resilience, data-driven decisions, and how strategic growth can strengthen care delivery.

In this episode, Myra Ray, MSN, RN, Manager of Surgical Services at Franciscan Healthcare, discusses rapid growth in surgical volumes, innovative recruitment and scholarship strategies to address staffing challenges, and how community support drives success in rural healthcare settings.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Sean Gipson, CEO of Remedy Surgery Centers. He shares insights on payer market disruption, workforce recruitment strategies, ASC growth in orthopedics, and the transformative role of AI in operations and billing.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Ginny Torno, Senior Director, Innovation & IT Clinical Systems at Houston Methodist, sharing how Houston Methodist leverages AI to improve patient outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and support clinicians while emphasizing strong governance, ROI, and change management in technology adoption.

In this episode, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer at HaloMD, joins the podcast to discuss how recent legal challenges are reshaping the No Surprises Act. He shares what hospital and finance leaders need to know about arbitration opportunities, payer compliance, and preparing for upcoming regulatory changes.This episode is sponsored by HaloMD.

In this episode, Lindsay Myers, MBA, MPH, Vice President of Revenue Cycle and HIM at Chapters Health System, discusses how her organization is scaling operations, leveraging automation, and investing in people to support rapid growth and long-term financial stability across its nationwide hospice and value-based care network.

In this episode, Jason Keeler, President of ReloShare Medical Respite and former COO at UCMC, discusses how early lung nodule detection and collaborative leadership between clinical and administrative teams can improve patient outcomes, streamline care pathways, and strengthen the financial health of healthcare organizations.This episode is sponsored by Noah Medical.

In this episode, John P. Donohue, Vice President of Data and Technology Solutions at Penn Medicine, shares insights on navigating healthcare complexity, implementing AI and extended reality tools, and balancing intentional technology adoption with emerging opportunities. He also discusses the importance of lifelong learning, mentorship, and servant leadership in driving organizational success.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable features Dan Liljenquist, JD, Chief Strategy Officer, Intermountain Health. He discusses how Intermountain is advancing more than 300 AI projects to streamline operations, reduce costs, and reshape care delivery for both patients and providers.In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Doug King, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Northwestern Medicine, shares how his team leverages technology and AI to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and create sustainable growth. He discusses the importance of thoughtful investment, collaboration, and leadership in shaping the future of digital health.

On this episode, EJ Ledesma, Chief Executive Officer of 360 Orthopedics, joins the podcast to discuss AI advancements and growing the revenue base in specialty practice, the value of partnerships, and his approach to driving growth.

This episode features Dr. Carla Goulart Peron, Chief Medical Officer at Philips, and Dr. Sheila Martins, Immediate Past President of the World Stroke Organization, discussing how technology, education, and cross-sector collaboration are transforming stroke prevention and treatment worldwide. They explore the critical role of AI, telemedicine, and global partnerships in improving access, speeding diagnosis, and advancing equitable care for stroke patients.This episode is sponsored by Philips EI.

In this episode, Scott Becker speaks with Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, about how health systems are managing ambiguity amid federal policy shifts, building resilient leadership pipelines, and using AI to drive operational efficiency and improve patient care.

In this episode, Scott Becker speaks with Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, about key healthcare developments including updates on the ACA subsidy extension, the federal spending package, and Ascension's $3.9 billion acquisition of AMSURG that could reshape the outpatient surgery landscape.

This episode—recorded live at Becker's 31st Annual The Business and Operations of ASCs event—features Dr. Ken Grubbs, Executive Vice President, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Officer, Joint Commission. He discusses how Accreditation 360 is shaping the future of healthcare quality, reducing administrative burden, and promoting collaboration to improve patient outcomes. This episode is sponsored by Joint Commission.

Garrett Olin, MBA, Chief Information Officer at Shasta Community Health Center, discusses the center's expansion efforts, addressing cybersecurity concerns, and the ethical implementation of AI into workflow to enhance operational efficiency and patient care.

In this episode, Dr. Shlomit Schaal, Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive at Houston Methodist, shares how the health system focuses on unparalleled care, improving patient access, and supporting physician well-being through innovative technology and culture-driven initiatives. She discusses strategies for growth, leveraging AI, and creating a thriving environment for both patients and providers.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down how major health insurers are seeing significant stock declines as a government deal may alter affordable care subsidies.

In this episode, Shari Johnson, Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at Alameda Health System, discusses how the health system leverages AI, automation, and data-driven strategies to streamline revenue cycle operations while empowering staff and improving patient care. She shares insights on overcoming industry challenges, fostering employee engagement, and leading organizational change.

In this episode, Steven Ringel, CEO of the Kazuna Foundation and Nome Therapeutics, joins the podcast to discuss how his team is using artificial intelligence to make personalized medicine accessible for rare disease patients. He shares emerging trends in AI and healthcare, the growing potential of individualized therapies, and his advice for passionate leaders driving innovation in the field.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Kathleen Fear, Senior Director, Digital Health & AI at University of Rochester Medical Center discussing how her team uses AI to improve patient access, streamline operations, and balance innovation with responsibility amid an evolving regulatory landscape.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses Surgery Partners' quarterly results, highlighting its slight revenue shortfall, a 31% earnings decline, and the resulting 24% drop in the company's stock.

On this episode, Cynthia Salisbury, MSN, RN, System Executive Director of Nursing Operations at Providence, joins the podcast to discuss removing burden from nurses, the importance of transparency with patients, embracing technology, and standardizing and optimizing the system through preparation and financial investment.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Bonis, Chief Medical Officer at Wolters Kluwer Health, discusses the opportunities and risks of using AI in clinical care. He highlights the importance of accuracy, governance, and frontline engagement to ensure technology supports safe and effective decision-making for patients and providers.This episode is sponsored by Wolters Kluwer.

On this episode, Cynthia Salisbury, MSN, RN, System Executive Director of Nursing Operations at Providence, joins the podcast to discuss removing burden from nurses, the importance of transparency with patients, embracing technology, and standardizing and optimizing the system through preparation and financial investment.

On this episode, Prasana Ruxmohan, MHA, Ambulatory Operations Transformation Specialist at UCI Health, joins the podcast to discuss educating staff on new technology, the best opportunities for growth in the future including virtual access and proactive outreach, and responsibly integrating technology.

In this episode, Keisha Downes, MBA-HM, RN, CCDS, CCS, Vice President of Mid-Revenue Cycle at Beth Israel Lahey Health, discusses the rapid evolution of AI and automation in revenue cycle management, the shift toward proactive claim processing, and how technology and teamwork are helping streamline operations and strengthen financial performance across the system.

This episode recorded live at Becker's 31st Annual The Business and Operations of ASCs features Megan Friedman, DO, Chair and Medical Director at Pacific Coast Anesthesia. She shares insights on how technology, data-driven scheduling, and closer collaboration between anesthesia teams and ASC leadership are transforming efficiency, staffing, and patient care in today's rapidly growing ASC market.

On this episode, Richard Zane, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at UCHealth, joins the podcast to discuss responsibly deploying technology to innovate care, including the use of generative AI, automating human tasks and virtualizing care, and the opportunities for growth in the future.

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.

This episode recorded live at the 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features George Cybulski, MD MBA, AI clinical leader and Chief of Neurosurgery at Humboldt Park Health. He discusses the growth of outpatient spine surgery, the role of AI in connecting care teams and streamlining workflows, and the importance of collaboration between providers and vendors to enhance patient care and ASC efficiency.

In this episode, Dr. Earl Kilbride, orthopedic surgeon at Austin Orthopedic Institute, discusses major trends shaping healthcare and ASCs, including consolidation, reimbursement challenges, and the role of AI. He also shares insights on the growing shift toward outpatient procedures and how independent practices can thrive in a changing landscape.