Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Shawn Shuman, Director, Medical Management, Peak Health. Shawn discusses how Peak Health is tackling healthcare access barriers, boosting member satisfaction, and addressing health equity through innovative care management strategies.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Ramis Gheith, Chief Medical Officer, DxTx Pain and Spine. Dr. Gheith shares how physician-owned ASCs are reshaping care delivery, highlights the transformative role of AI in spinal therapies and informed consent, and emphasizes the power of mission-driven culture in attracting top healthcare talent.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Christopher Nanson, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Oregon Surgical Institute. Dr. Nanson discusses the rapid growth of outpatient joint replacements, the importance of clinical autonomy amid consolidation, and how creative bundled payment strategies are improving care access, staff satisfaction, and employer partnerships.

In this episode, Kevin Barron, Deputy VP of Payer Relations at University Health, shares how his team is navigating increasingly aggressive payer tactics, implementing smarter contract oversight, and championing a mission-first approach to revenue cycle operations. He also explains why aligning contracting within RevCycle has delivered measurable results for patient care and financial performance.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Michael Bottros, Clinical Operations Chief and Medical Director for Pain Services, Department of Anesthesiology, Keck School of Medicine of USC. He shares key trends in non-opioid pain management, the shift toward curative procedures, and how innovation, workforce investment, and care path efficiency are shaping the future of outpatient spine and orthopedic care.

In this episode, Dr. Shirin Towfigh, Hernia and Laparoscopic Surgery Specialist at Beverly Hills Hernia Center, shares insights on advancing robotic surgery in ASCs, partnering with hospitals to scale care, and what it takes to build and sustain a top-ranked surgical center. She also offers advice for physicians considering ASC ownership and leadership.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Raymond Hino, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Coos Hospital. Ray shares how implementing the Epic EHR system transformed operations, how the hospital is addressing reimbursement challenges through service diversification, and why creating a strong culture and leadership presence is key to workforce retention in rural healthcare.

This episode features Dan Collard, Co-Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group, discussing the critical need for individualized leadership development in today's evolving healthcare environment. He shares insights on precision leader development, navigating generational differences, and how to better equip new and existing leaders to meet healthcare's challenges head-on.This episode is sponsored by Healthcare Plus Solutions Group.

In this episode, Andrew DeVoe, Executive Vice President and CFO of Tufts Medicine, shares how the organization reversed a $300 million loss run rate to profitability in just over a year. He outlines key cost-saving strategies, revenue cycle improvements, and his vision for transforming care delivery to strengthen Tufts' position in a competitive healthcare landscape.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Vidhya Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Virginia. Vidhya shares insights on structured leadership rounding to elevate patient satisfaction, workforce development programs to combat staffing shortages, and how leveraging data and analytics drives both clinical and operational excellence.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to break down key developments in the payer world including a deepening DOJ investigation into UnitedHealth Group's Medicare Advantage billing and the far-reaching implications of the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill.

This episode features Paige Twenter, Assistant Editor at Becker's Hospital Review, sharing insights on two major developments in healthcare. She discusses the Joint Commission's sweeping reduction of hospital standards and the recent court rulings that reinstated billions in NIH research grant funding, signaling significant changes for academic medicine.

This episode features Michelle Silva, Strategic Advisor of Consumer Experience at NRC Health, discussing her research on the unmet needs of women at midlife and how trust, personalization, and access are key to improving perimenopause care and loyalty.This episode is sponsored by NRC Health.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, shares key insights on the early impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including financial concerns for hospitals and rural health systems. She also explores the potential ripple effects of site neutral payment policies on physician employment, surgery centers, and healthcare supply chains.

This episode features Peter D. Banko, President and CEO of Baystate Health, sharing how the system is advancing financial resilience, culture and engagement, and access to care. He also discusses the integration of Health New England, value-based care initiatives, and the strategic vision to grow services and remain a vital community anchor in Western Massachusetts.

This episode features Sumit Sharma, author of The Visionary Edge, as he shares insights on why clarity and alignment are more powerful than innovation alone in transforming healthcare. He discusses how leadership, system resilience, and workforce engagement are critical to building a sustainable future in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Jason Spigner, Chief Human Resources Officer, Sinai Chicago. He shares strategies for supporting and retaining new nurses, addresses the unique challenges of leading in a safety net organization, and offers insight on building mission-aligned leadership that drives equity and innovation.

This episode features Dr. Courtney Bolton, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Imagine Pediatrics, as she shares how the organization is reshaping behavioral health access for children and families through a holistic, tech-supported care model. Dr. Bolton highlights the importance of crisis support, community engagement, and outcomes-driven strategies that prioritize stability, prevention, and long-term well-being.This episode is sponsored by Imagine Pediatrics.

In this episode, Tracy D. Chu, Corporate VP of Population Health and Chief Executive of the ACO at Scripps Health, shares how integrated leadership across operations and strategy enables better execution in ambulatory care and value-based models. She discusses managing capacity, recognizing early warning signs in teams, and the importance of intentional leadership in supporting high-performing healthcare organizations.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights eight major stories in healthcare, including layoffs at Tower Health, the rise in measles cases, maternity service closures, and financial struggles among insurers.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares seven major stories shaping the healthcare landscape, including billion-dollar expansion efforts at Sutter Health and Arkansas Children's, hospital closures, margin challenges, and more.

This episode features Dr. James Lu, CEO and Co-founder of Helix, discussing how precision medicine is evolving from specialty use to becoming a foundational element of mainstream healthcare. He explores the infrastructure, partnerships, and mindset shifts needed for health systems to scale genomic data and realize its full value.This episode is sponsored by Helix.

In this episode, Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down the sweeping implications of the newly passed federal legislation that includes $1 trillion in projected Medicaid cuts. She shares perspectives from healthcare CFOs, the challenges of churn and prior authorization, and what hospitals may face in the months ahead.

This episode features Stephanie Mercado, CEO at the National Association for Healthcare Quality. Stephanie shares how healthcare organizations can scale quality and safety efforts, align their workforce for greater impact, and drive measurable ROI through the Workforce Accelerator Program and the findings of the (ROI-Q) report.This episode is sponsored by the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

This episode features David Banks, President and CEO of AdventHealth, and Mohan Giridharadas, Founder and CEO of LeanTaaS, in a deep conversation about tackling the capacity optimization opportunity in healthcare. They discuss strategic infrastructure investments, AI-powered smart rooms, and the need to reimagine operational models to improve access, efficiency, and patient care.This episode is sponsored by LeanTaaS.

In this episode, Dr. Rita Shane, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cedars-Sinai, shares her passion for advancing medication safety, tackling the “poly problem,” and navigating the complexities of therapeutic innovation. She also discusses her leadership in policy advocacy and the importance of collaboration in improving patient outcomes across the continuum of care.

Dr. Jason R. Williams, President and Director at WCI, and Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Integrative Medicine Physician, join the podcast to discuss advancements in integrative medicine and its growing role in cancer care. They explore the impact of the microbiome on cancer risk, how current research is reshaping the approach to treatment, and what the future holds for innovation in oncology.

In this episode, Dr. John Patrick Co and Dr. Jason Morris of Mass General Brigham share insights on the system's integrated approach to graduate medical education. They discuss the benefits of cross-institutional training, overcoming operational and cultural challenges, and strategies for sustainable growth while keeping trainees' experiences at the center.

This episode features Malik Bahar, AVP of Access Center and Loyalty, and Erica T. Carney, Director of Virtual Care Transformation at Virtua Health. They discuss how innovative technologies, agentic AI, and smart care strategies are enhancing the patient experience, supporting clinical teams, and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Illan Shapiro Strygler, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President, AltaMed Health Services. Dr. Shapiro shares how AltaMed leverages data, cultural understanding, and community connection to improve care quality, reduce costs, and advance health equity.

Chris Gay, CEO of Evry Health, joins the podcast to discuss how his organization is enhancing the patient experience and advancing population health. He explores how innovative technology is being used to address persistent challenges in the payer space and improve health outcomes. Gay also shares insights into building a more efficient, patient-centered healthcare system through digital transformation.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Tammy Smittle, Group CEO at SCA Health. Tammy shares insights on rising case acuity in ASCs, the importance of workplace culture in staffing, and how partnerships with health systems are shaping the future of orthopedic and spine care.

Dr. Nigam Shah, Chief Data Scientist at Stanford Health Care, joins the podcast to explore the intersection of data science and healthcare innovation. He shares insights into ongoing research initiatives like the Green Button Project, discusses the technical challenges faced in deploying data solutions at scale, and outlines the key components of his work within Health IT. Dr. Shah highlights the potential of data to drive smarter, evidence-based clinical decision-making across systems.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Kourtney Witten, Area Vice President Network Managing Partner Wisconsin, Advocate Health. Witten discusses how her organization is leveraging data, technology, and relationship-based care to reduce costs, close care gaps, and deliver high-quality, patient-centered outcomes across diverse populations.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Doug Henry, Enterprise Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Highmark Health. Dr. Henry shares how Highmark is improving access, outcomes, and satisfaction through strategic partnerships, data-driven innovation, and value-based care models that prioritize mental health as a pillar of total health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Shooa Mohammadi, Practice Manager at Northwest Suburban Pain Associates. Shooa shares insights on rising insurance influence, the growth of regenerative medicine, and strategies for workforce retention—all while emphasizing the importance of timely, patient-centered care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Dr. Ekta Vyas, Chief Human Resources Officer, Keck Medicine of USC. Dr. Vyas shares insights on leading a system-wide HR transformation, launching a centralized business center, and preparing the healthcare workforce for a more digital, inclusive, and resilient future.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Brett Shore, President & CEO at Shore Orthopedics. He discusses the shift of orthopedic procedures to outpatient settings, strategic payer partnerships, and the evolving importance of anesthesia care and Medicare considerations in ASC operations.

Dr. Tait Shanafelt, Chief Wellness Officer at Stanford Medicine, shares his expertise on tackling physician burnout and creating a healthier work environment for clinicians. He discusses effective strategies for reducing burnout, developing comprehensive well-being initiatives, and improving the overall professional experience in healthcare. Dr. Shanafelt offers a forward-thinking perspective on fostering resilience and sustainability within the medical workforce.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's, unpacks the political and financial ripple effects of the GOP reconciliation bill. He also shares insights into major concerns for payers like Centene and UnitedHealthcare, looming Medicaid and ACA enrollment losses, and the long-term implications for healthcare access, hospitals, and insurers alike.

In this episode, Sister Mary Haddad, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the U.S., joins Scott Becker to discuss the potential impact of proposed Medicaid cuts, the broader implications for nonprofit healthcare providers, and the importance of protecting care for the vulnerable. She also shares insights on faith-based leadership and current legislative challenges.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Jill West, Chief Executive Officer of People Incorporated Mental Health Services. Jill shares how her organization is expanding access through community engagement, reducing stigma post-COVID, and tackling workforce shortages with bold initiatives like paid internships, career pathways, and training programs that empower the next generation of mental health professionals.