High Stakes

In the capstone episode of Season One, Anne Hancock Toomey interviews healthcare entrepreneur and...her dad! Kenny Hancock is CEO of Lync Health Partners. Hancock shares his journey from working his family's small-town hardware store in Kentucky to a successful career as a serial entrepreneur in healthcare. He talks about how early setbacks in a high-pressure sales role motivated him to keep pushing and succeed, setting him up for a professional lifetime of finding ways to solve big challenges. Hancock reviews the highs and lows founding and leading companies like OrthoLink, Surgical Alliance, Meridian, and Lync Health Partners. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, authenticity, and risk-taking. Anne and Kenny also delve into the personal and familial dimensions of their journey, offering valuable insights into leadership and life lessons. 1:36 Family Values and Lessons 6:02 Growing Up in Russellville, KY 15:24 Transition to Healthcare and challenges in medical device sales 19:54 Moving to Nashville and New Ventures 21:16 A Life-Changing Decision 28:30 The Formation of Lync Health Partners 30:15 Reflecting on Mistakes and Accomplishments 32:58 Leadership Insights and Personal Reflections 35:51 Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Backstory, host Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Dr. David Miller, President of University of Michigan Health and incoming Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs of University of Michigan and CEO of Michigan Medicine . Dr. Miller shares insights from his career as a urologic cancer surgeon and member of the leadership team at a large academic health system. He discusses his Michigan roots, the influence of his parents, and and the surprising role the CEO of Dow had on his journey from practicing medicine to taking on significant administrative roles. The conversation delves into his leadership philosophy, which emphasizes honesty, humility, visibility and enthusiasm. Dr. Miller also talks about balancing his clinical practice with his executive responsibilities. As a physician and executive, he is well-placed to talk about the importance of earning and maintaining trust from colleagues, team members and the public. 2:05 Early Life and Influences 4:46 First Job and Lessons Learned 8:25 College and Medical School Journey 9:31 Choosing Urology and Career Path 13:50 Transition to Administration 17:30 Balancing Clinical Practice and Leadership 19:43 Upcoming Role as CEO 22:36 Addressing Trust in Healthcare 27:19 Family and Personal Life 30:04 Leadership Insights and Advice 34:43 Lightning Round and Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Backstory, host Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with the Global Head of Healthcare for Blackstone, Ram Jagannath, to trace the path that led him from a childhood as a first-generation American to the upper echelons of finance and healthcare investing. Jagannath shares how his formative years shaped his perspective, weaving through early influences, first jobs, and pivotal experiences—none more striking than his time working in a Croatian refugee camp with Bosnians displaced by the war. From navigating Wall Street to surviving the stock market crash and exploring a career in private equity, Jagannath unpacks lessons on why intellectual curiosity and purpose matter as much as strategy. And in a fast-paced lightning round, he gets personal – family, golf and a little love for Taylor Swift. 4:20 First Jobs and Early Lessons 11:44 College Years and Discovering Fulfillment 13:28 Life-Changing Experience in Croatia 20:09 Transition to Finance and Wall Street 22:42 Discovering Private Equity 25:10 Journey into Healthcare Investing 30:29 Founding a New Firm and Personal Loss 34:52 Leadership Qualities and Values 39:14 Lightning Round: Personal Insights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Backstory, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Ric Ransom, CEO of University of Missouri Health Care, for a conversation that covers everything from comic books to crisis leadership. Ric's journey started in Birmingham, Alabama, in a home filled with big personalities and even bigger aspirations. He carved out a career that spanned law and healthcare administration, helping guide major health systems like Baylor Health System (now Baylor Scott & White Health), Prisma Health and UW Health along the way. Known for his ability to build strong teams and steer through uncertainty, Ransom unpacks lessons on resilience, communications and the influence of formative leaders – starting with his own father. Plus, he shares his approach to staying sharp (spoiler: it involves exercise and a good graphic novel). Come for the conversation about his first job as a telemarketer, stay for the lightning round where Ransom talks about his introverted side, his go-to stress relievers and what's on his reading list. 02:15 Early Life, First Jobs and Leadership Influences 09:21 Journey Through Education and Career Beginnings 11:27 Transition to Healthcare Administration 17:13 Leadership Philosophy and Crisis Management 20:54 Challenges and Surprises as a CEO 23:49 Learning from Mistakes 29:07 Staying Healthy and Hobbies 30:07 Effective Leadership Traits 35:55 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Wendy Horton, CEO of UVA Health University Medical Center, to delve into her impressive career in academic medicine. Horton, known for her problem-solving skills and steady hand in a crisis, shares her journey from growing up in a rough neighborhood in Southern California to her childhood picking kiwi on an uncle's farm to her leadership roles at major institutions like UW Health and The Ohio State University. She discusses formative influences, including her grandfather and a high school teacher, her early experiences as a pharmacist, and the transitions that led her from clinical practice to leadership in academic medicine. Horton also touches on the challenges and rewards of her current role, the importance of community and teamwork, and tips for effective leadership. 01:09 Pickleball Adventures and Injuries 02:16 Wendy's Career in Academic Medicine 03:07 Early Life and Family Background 06:20 First Jobs and Early Influences 14:22 Transition to Leadership Roles 15:47 UW Health and Building a New Hospital 20:33 Move to Ohio State and Leadership Lessons 24:45 Joining UVA Health During the Pandemic 28:42 Reflections on Career and Leadership 30:32 Family Life and Balancing Priorities 36:07 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're doing something a little different this week on The Backstory. We're two-thirds of the way through this series and has talked to 13 incredible leaders. So, we wanted to take a moment for host Anne Hancock Toomey to reflect on one of the questions that she asks each guest. That is, "What are the three characteristics of the most effective leaders?" Every one of the leaders interviewed has a unique story. At the same time, they have certain things in common. They are successful because of who they are and how they lead. And so the hope in asking this question, which always comes near the end of the conversations, is to get at those ingredients to their secret sauce. The question isn't "What makes you successful?" It's pointed away from the guest and towards successful leaders in general. But interestingly, to a person, all 13 ended up describing how they've learned to lead. The guests are: Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health Chris Roth, President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System Sheri Shapiro, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CommonSpirit Health Bill Southwick, former CEO of QualDerm Partners Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist Phil Roe, former CEO and current Senior Advisor of Martin Ventures Joann Anderson, Former President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth Rhonda Brandon, Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System David Jarrard, Founder and Executive Chairman of Jarrard Inc. Tim Johnsen, SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services Ken Graboys, CEO of Chartis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From rural Rhode Island to founding and leading one of the country's top consultancies and one of healthcare's most respected organizations, Ken Graboys' story is anything but ordinary.   In this episode of The Backstory podcast, host Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Graboys, CEO of Chartis (Jarrard Inc.'s parent company), to discuss moments that shaped his journey. From selling seeds door-to-door, to adventures in Alaska and the Peace Corps to founding Chartis, Graboys shares how early life experiences and a heart-centered approach to business laid the foundation for lasting success.  The conversation explores his leadership philosophy, the role of mentorship and the values that guide him—authenticity, generosity and a relentless focus on making healthcare better. Plus, Graboys gets personal, reflecting on balancing family and career, learning from mistakes and the power of gratitude.  01:29 Intro and Connection Between Chartis, Jarrard 03:50 Graboys' Early Life and Formative Jobs  12:28 Leadership Lessons from the Peace Corps  21:52 Founding Chartis and the Turning Point  24:43 Overcoming Challenges and Defining Success  28:03 Balancing Family, Work, and Growth  39:35 Lightning Round: Quickfire Reflections  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Hancock Toomey dives deep into the inspiring journey of Tim Johnsen, a seasoned healthcare leader and current SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Tim's story takes us from his early days as a guitar instructor in St. Louis to a transformative career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he shares personal anecdotes, like how his father's sudden passing shaped his career choice and his frontline experiences as a critical care and flight nurse. This episode explores pivotal moments, including Tim's transition to administrative leadership, his approach to balancing personal and professional priorities and the lessons learned from successes and setbacks – like handling a radioactive incident. Johnsen also reflects on building strong teams, navigating leadership in rural vs. urban settings and maintaining well-being in a demanding career. Stick around for the lightning round, where Tim shares quick takes on leadership, growth and life outside the office.  03:07 Early Life and Influences 09:56 A Pivotal Moment: Choosing Healthcare 17:27 Transition to Administrative Leadership 22:50 Balancing Leadership in Rural and Urban Areas 27:58 Building Strong Teams and Lifelong Connections 29:12 Learning from Mistakes: A Radioactive Incident 34:20 Effective Leadership Traits 36:02 Areas for Improvement in Leadership 37:42 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with her longtime colleague and co-founder David Jarrard, a former journalist, public affairs counselor and founding CEO, now serving as executive chairman of Jarrard Inc. David shares his unique journey from growing up in East Tennessee and working the police and theater beats as a reporter to becoming one of the most influential communications leaders in the healthcare industry. He delves into his early career in journalism, lessons learned from leaders and his parents and how these experiences shaped his visionary leadership style. David reflects on the importance of an integrated life, his passion for team synergy and the need to have balance between humility and confidence for effective leadership. The conversation concludes with a lightning round, offering personal insights and a glimpse into David's life outside of work. 02:44 Early Life and Influences in East Tennessee 05:11 Lessons from Journalism and Early Career 07:10 Transition to Corporate Communications 16:57 Reflections on Career Choices and Leadership 23:26 Founding Jarrard, Phillips, Cate and Hancock 26:03 The Importance of Relationships and Team Chemistry 28:11 Leadership Philosophy and Values 31:44 Balancing Work and Personal Life 35:52 Recognizing and Addressing Weaknesses 37:22 Healthy Habits for Effective Leadership 38:56 Lightning Round: Personal Insights 42:25 Final Thoughts on Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Rhonda Brandon, the dynamic Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System. Rhonda's unconventional and remarkable journey takes us from her roots in Richmond, Virginia, through pivotal roles at IBM, Nike and Colonial Pipeline, to her transformative work at Duke Health. With humor and heart, Rhonda reveals how faith, family and fierce determination shaped her career, highlighting key moments such as a game-changing revelation at IBM, balancing burnout at Nike and navigating change management at Duke University Health System. Through personal anecdotes, Rhonda emphasizes authenticity and the necessity of nurturing one's spirit. The episode concludes with a fun lightning round, providing a glimpse into her personal quirks and inspirations. Tune in for laughs, leadership lessons and a lot of heart! 03:44 Lessons from Parents and Early Career 06:04 First Job Experiences 09:40 Defining Moments at IBM 13:19 Career at Nike and Burnout 18:26 Joining Colonial Pipeline 21:29 Transition to Healthcare 25:28 Building a Cohort and Embracing Change Management 27:15 Key Principles of Change Management 29:13 The Call from Duke and Defining the Job 36:16 Family, Faith, and Personal Reflections 44:17 Lightning Round: Fun and Personal Insights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this power-packed episode of The Backstory, Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth, opens up about his journey from small-town Ohio to becoming a healthcare leadership powerhouse. Mike's story is anything but ordinary – from almost becoming a priest to working at – and quickly getting fired from – a family-owned pizza joint before taking the fast track to healthcare. By just 26 years old, Mike was already a CFO, navigating the complexities of major healthcare systems like Lifepoint Health and overcoming the tough moments of two CEO losses. Tune in to hear about his authentic leadership approach, lessons that shaped his career and his personal favorites – from influential books to memorable experiences. 02:25 Early Career and Influences 03:59 First Job and Professional Growth 09:03 Transition to Healthcare Leadership 14:30 Challenges and Tragedies at LifePoint 18:56 Joining Team Health 21:00 Reflections and Accomplishments 22:09 The Unforeseen Crisis 24:49 Reflecting on Mistakes 28:21 The Role of Faith in Leadership 30:15 Balancing Career and Personal Life 33:30 Leadership Qualities and Challenges 37:37 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Backstory, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health, for a wide-ranging conversation on workforce development and leadership. Van takes us through her incredible journey, starting with her escape from the Vietnam war and growing up in Hawaii, and into her career that has spanned education, government and healthcare. She highlights the art of building coalitions, the importance of lifelong learning and the power of unlocking doors for others. To top it off, the episode wraps with a fast-paced lightning round, where Van shares personal habits, new projects and sharp advice for future leaders. 01:13 Van's Podcast: Workforce Rx 05:54 Career Beginnings and Mentorship 09:39 Workforce Development at Pacific Gas &Electric 12:52 Public Sector Leadership and Workforce Initiatives 15:57 Founding Futuro Health 18:50 The Highs & Lows of Futuro Health 20:39 Leadership Insights and Personal Reflections 24:27 Family and Work-Life Balance 33:05 Lightning Round  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 7 of the Backstory, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Joanne Anderson, a 45-year veteran in healthcare leadership and a relentless advocate for rural healthcare. Anderson shares her journey from growing up in forest of rural Kentucky to becoming a bedside nurse. She describes her rapid ascent through the ranks of major healthcare organizations like Humana and HCA, eventually becoming President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern. Anderson reflects on her roots and the influence of the Frontier Nursing Service, which ignited her passion for healthcare. She discusses key leadership lessons, the importance of resilience, community engagement, and the values instilled in her by her family. These lessons came into play during a devastating fire at her organization's cancer center and, later, as she guided Southeastern through the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation wraps up with a lightning round of personal insights, revealing Anderson's favorite books, athletes, and recent endeavors in the culinary world. Join in for an enriching conversation filled with wisdom on effective leadership and the relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence in rural communities.  02:11 Early Life in Rural Kentucky 05:38 First Job as Switchboard Operator and Early Career Influences 07:41 Lessons in Leadership and Communication 13:03 Rapid Rise in Healthcare Leadership 20:25 Executive Team Decisions 22:04 Relocating for Career Growth 24:44 Proud Achievements and Challenges 29:49 Balancing Family and Career 33:15 Effective Leadership Traits 34:31 Maintaining Personal Well-being 36:17 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Anne Hancock Toomey as she chats with Phil Roe, esteemed healthcare executive, former CEO and current senior advisor at Martin Ventures. From his humble beginnings on a Texas farm to leading major healthcare organizations like Vanguard Health System, Roe spills the secrets behind his success and his perspectives on effective leadership. Discover the power of relationship-building, ethical decision-making and impactful leadership qualities, and dive into how a busy healthcare exec balances mission work, personal life, career and family. Episode Highlights 01:10 Roe's Early Career  03:59 Upbringing and Family Life  06:01 Lessons from Roe's Father  07:38 Influential Leaders  09:55 Transition to Healthcare  17:08 Building Vanguard Health System  20:29 Leading Martin Ventures  22:54 Evaluating Healthcare Leaders  24:06 Transitioning to Board Roles  25:09 Proudest Career Accomplishments  27:48 Mission Work and Service  29:59 Leadership Insights and Challenges  35:06 Lightning Round  37:51 Final Thoughts and Advice  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, of Houston Methodist. Dr. Schaal serves as Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist; President and Chief Executive Officer, Houston Methodist Physician Organization; Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Houston Methodist Academic Institute; and Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell College of Medicine. Dr. Schaal is an accomplished ophthalmologist, retinal surgeon, researcher and executive, but her life and passions extend far beyond the lab and operating room. In this conversation, we hear about her inspiring journey from growing up as a child in Israel to moving to the United States. She describes how a young leader influenced her life immeasurably and how her trepidation around water turned into a first job as lifeguard and, ultimately, influenced her career. The conversation dives into her transformative role leading the UMass Chan Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (read the case study here), and her current focus on physician well-being at Houston Methodist. Dr. Schaal also emphasizes the importance of role models, mentorship, and intentional investment in professional development, offering insightful advice for aspiring women leaders in healthcare. 02:35 – Growing up in Israel 05:09 – First job as a lifeguard and early influential leader 08:11 – Journey into Medicine and Ophthalmology 10:56 – Moving to the United States 14:19 – Turning Around UMass Ophthalmology Department 22:56 – Transition to Houston Methodist 25:23 – Focusing on Physician Wellbeing 29:39 – Elevating Women in Healthcare Leadership 34:06 – Balancing Career and Personal Life 36:18 – Characteristics of Effective Leaders 40:05 – Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host and Jarrard Inc President Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Bill Southwick, the "Physician Whisperer" and a titan in healthcare leadership. Southwick dives into his 25-year journey of turning struggling companies into success stories, highlighting his recent triumph in transforming Querm into QualDerm. He underscores the power of relationship-building, culture and leadership in driving success. Southwick also shares vibrant anecdotes from his upbringing in Shelter Island, New York, his early days in financial planning and his pivotal shift into healthcare. Get ready for sharp insights on effective leadership, emotional intelligence and the importance of transparency and trust. Southwick also discusses balancing a high-intensity career with family life, and his dedication to mentoring future leaders. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable takeaways on leadership, resilience and personal growth. 02:41 Early Life 04:12 Lessons from Competitive Golf 05:59 Influential Figures 07:51 Transition to Healthcare 10:10 Building and Transforming Healthcare Companies 13:49 Challenges and Successes at ReDoc 16:09 Return to Physician Practice Management 21:13 Physician Whisperer Reputation 23:26 Proud Moments and Leadership Reflections 24:45 Learning from Mistakes 27:23 Traits of Effective Leaders 32:14 Balancing Work and Life 36:27 Lightning Round 38:03 Final Thoughts on Authentic Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Anne Hancock Toomey as she sits down with Sheri Shapiro, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CommonSpirit Health. Shapiro shares her impressive journey from learning customer service and breaking bad news at a dry cleaner, to healthcare consulting to leadership roles at organizations like Trinity Health and CommonSpirit Health. Throughout the conversation, Shapiro comes back to the foundational ideas of authentic leadership, effective communication and empathetic management. She also delves into her experiences outside healthcare, including pharma (Pfizer) and automotive (Ford Motor Company), and the lessons in branding, marketing and consumer-centric thinking learned along the way. Shapiro opens up about balancing a demanding career with family life, offering insight into her personal challenges and triumphs. Oh, and her middle name is Grit. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with valuable takeaways on leadership and personal growth.   01:26 Meeting Sherry Shapiro 02:14 Shapiro's Emphasis on Authentic Leadership 03:22 Early Life and Career 04:15 First Job Lessons 05:30 The Power of Grit 06:37 Influential Leaders 08:39 Career Journey: Consulting to Healthcare 17:52 Transition to Trinity Health 21:18 Teamwork and Strategic Planning 22:58 Key Ingredients for Successful Change Management 25:54 Transition to CommonSpirit Health 28:36 Balancing Leadership and Family Life 34:13 Effective Leadership Traits 37:43 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Anne Hancock Toomey, president of Jarrard Inc., as she welcomes Chris Roth, President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System in Idaho, to the podcast. In this engaging conversation, Roth reflects on his 17-year journey at St. Luke's. During his tenure, which encompassed multiple roles, St. Luke's evolved from a two-hospital operation to an integrated health system with ten hospitals. Roth shares formative experiences, from watching his mother and her nursing school classmates practice injections on oranges, to his early days as a pharmacy technician. He describes key leadership lessons he's learned along the way, and discusses the importance of culture, psychological safety, and authentic leadership. Roth also opens up about balancing family and professional life, the traits of effective leaders, and the significance of vulnerability in leadership. Subscribe, share, rate and review The Backstory, and don't forget to follow us on social @jarrardinc!   01:13 Overview of Chris Roth's Journey in Healthcare 02:04 Leadership and Authenticity 04:39 Chris Roth's Background and Early Influences 10:21 Joining St. Luke's and Career Progression through the Organization 13:47 Becoming CEO During a Pandemic 16:52 Leadership Philosophy and Challenges 23:38 A Critical Mistake in the Pharmacy 27:40 Creating a Culture of Accountability 29:27 Balancing Family and Career 32:45 Leadership Qualities and Challenges 36:29 Personal Habits and Lightning Round 40:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Anne Hancock Toomey as she sits down with Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health, on the inaugural episode of The Backstory podcast. Starting from his early days flipping burgers at Wendy's, November went through undergrad and law school at the University of Kentucky – where one of his most formative leadership lessons occurred – and began his career as a healthcare attorney specializing in M&A. Moving from private practice to in-house roles, November rose through the ranks to eventually become CEO of Ochsner Health. In this candid conversation, he shares the pivotal moments, influential mentors and personal challenges that shaped his path. November highlights the importance of authenticity, listening, team building and pursuing the ever-elusive work-life balance. He also dives into the leadership qualities that have guided him, the impact of his career on his family – and his family on his career – and…Saturday lunch. Tune in for an inspiring episode and don't forget to follow us on social @jarrardinc! Episode highlights: 02:02 Intro and Overview 04:20 Origin Story 06:51 First Job 07:41 Education and Early Career 10:01 Transition to Legal Career 14:16 Going from Private Practice to In-House 24:01 Career at Ochsner Health 28:36 Work and Career in the Larger Context of Life 30:51 Effective Leadership and Flaws 33:44 Role of Faith 34:36 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Backstory, with Anne Hancock Toomey, president and founding partner of Jarrard Inc. For nearly two decades, Jarrard – one of the nation's top communications consulting firms for healthcare – has partnered with thousands of leaders across the country who are striving to make healthcare better every day. But this isn't a podcast about healthcare, or politics or even communications. It's about authentic leadership. The Backstory is about demystifying respected leaders who've had a lot of success along the way because of the kind of leaders they've chosen to be. Each person Anne interviews is visionary, of course. They're smart as hell, and they're fierce about their business and their mission. They're also humble, kind and create the kind of environments in which people can thrive. They're not perfect. But they are real. And it's the combination of those two things that makes each one of them great. In every episode, Anne's guest digs into who they are, where they come from and what's influenced them to be the person and the leader that they are today. Which raises the question: Just who are these guests? We won't spill everything, but her first conversations include Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health; Chris Roth, CEO of St. Luke's Health System in Idaho and Sheri Shapiro, chief strategy officer of CommonSpirit Health. Pull up a virtual chair and join us in these intimate, compelling conversations starting later this month. We'll be dropping episodes on a biweekly basis, so be sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karin Jeffers, CEO of Clinical & Support Options (CSO), discusses the founding of CSO in 1955 and the organization's mission to provide mental health services to families across Western Massachusetts. She highlights the evolution of behavioral health care and the progress made in reducing stigma, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeffers also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in Western Massachusetts, including the need for collaboration and recruitment of staff. She emphasizes the importance of integrating behavioral health care and the transition to value-based care. Jeffers shares insights on implementing change, the role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, and the need for closing the gap in salaries and funding between mental health and medical care. Key Takeaways Clinical & Support Options (CSO) was founded in 1955 to address the mental health needs of families in Franklin County. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped reduce stigma around mental health and increased willingness to seek help. Collaboration and recruitment of staff are ongoing challenges in providing behavioral health care in Western Massachusetts. Integration of behavioral health care and the transition to value-based care are important for improving outcomes. Closing the gap in salaries and funding is crucial to recognizing the value of behavioral health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Beuerlein is a managing director at Brentwood Capital, where he advises health services companies on M&A and capital raises. While his expertise extends across sectors, he has a particular focus on autism services, women's health and fertility, and outpatient surgery. Here, Beuerlein and Jarrard Vice President Ellis Metz talk about the state of the capital markets today, the work PE and other investors need to do to better tell the story of their work and value in healthcare, and their perspective on Jarrard's recent national consumer survey on private equity and post-acute care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Sunday, we're unveiling our new survey (the first of its kind at Jarrard), which sought the opinion of more than 1,000 adults across the country about their perception of post-acute models of care and private equity's role in healthcare. Over the past decade, industry segments such as urgent care clinics and post-acute rehabilitation have evolved from emergent trends to mainstream components of care delivery. And in parallel, the involvement of private investors in healthcare has grown. With this survey, we aimed to understand consumers' baseline views of these care delivery and business models, particularly in an era of eroding trust in healthcare institutions. In this week's High Stakes podcast, we speak with Jarrard Vice President, Health Services Dan Schlacter about some of the survey's headline takeaways. As one of the co-developers of the questionnaire, Schlacter sheds light on the implications of these insights. Key points: Broadly speaking, consumers' perspectives on PE and “alternative” sites of care are not limited to leaders within those sectors. This survey is also relevant to hospital/acute care decision makers, particularly to understand which models or care people trust (and don't trust) in the context of potential partnerships. That said, one significant takeaway is everybody has room to improve. In Schlacter's words, “there's not a whole lot of trust out there to begin with.” Remaining up to speed with the various levels of trust across the industry provides a valuable innovation and partnership playbook for leaders of every stripe. It can also help them retain, or gain, the coveted trust of key stakeholders when it counts the most. Speaking of “levels of trust”… government lawmakers and regulators are at the bottom of the barrel. At the same time, they have the power and jurisdiction to manifest change. Rather than doing so with an iron-fisted regulatory mindset, the public's low view of these groups is an opportunity to adopt a partnership mindset between the government and private sector. Regulators can recognize that healthcare innovators, including investors, are driving positive change in the industry, and they can foster a supportive relationship to help accelerate new care models, ideas and partnerships that improve healthcare for everyone.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

McDermott Will & Emery's annual two-day event convenes leaders and investors from across the industry to discuss emergent trends and topics impacting the healthcare investment world. This year, its timing couldn't have been more appropriate. On Tuesday, just one day before the conference kicked off, the FTC, HHS and DOJ announced their shared investigation into private equity's role in healthcare. This development, among others shaping the market – including the continued repercussions of large-scale cyber security incidents – made for lively conversation this year. Miami was buzzing. In the mix from our firm were Sheila Biggs, VP Health Services and Ellis Metz, VP Strategic Partnerships. We caught up with them as they were leaving town - Sheila recording from the hotel lobby, to get a few of their observations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is retail healthcare the disruptor, the partner, the gap-filler or something else? What's the best way for traditional health systems to interact with retail healthcare providers? There have been stories in the healthcare trades about these questions, so Abby McNeil and Sheila Biggs joined the High Stakes Podcast to sort them out. McNeil is a vice president and deputy lead of Jarrard's Regional Health Systems Practice. Biggs is a vice president and deputy lead of our Health Services practice. Key Takeaways: Don't conflate “learning from retail” or “competing with retail” with “partnering with retail.” Sounds obvious, but some of the coverage we've seen has done just that. Speaking of partnerships between acute providers and retail healthcare, it's not clear whether those relationships will lead to their stated goal of increased access. They may lead to more referrals to the health system, but that's different. That said, it does appear that the growing number of partnerships is built on an acknowledgement that each segment of the industry has a unique skillset, so rather than try to replicate someone else's strengths, why not just work with them? But again, the jury is still out on whether that will lead to improved access or care for patients. When thinking about lessons learned from retail healthcare in the push for a more consumer-friendly system, it's critical to look at root causes. For example, setting up an online scheduling platform does no good if there isn't enough clinical staff to cover those appointments. Or if the physicians don't want to use the systems and turn it off. Similarly, the expectations of clinicians have to be a big part of the conversation when thinking about how to develop a more consumer-friendly experience. Medical data – and the security of it – is an ongoing concern. Do patients want Amazon having all of their personal health information along with their consumer behaviors? Tread carefully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's High Stakes podcast, we explore the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in healthcare through a conversation with Jarrard Senior Vice President James Cervantes – who also serves as the leader of our Regional Health System Practice – and Senior Managing Advisor Allyson Carr. While DEI and health equity work has gained momentum throughout the industry as a workforce priority over the past four years, it is still often poorly understood, leading to underwhelming results when leaders try to codify their DEI priorities and bring initiatives to life. Thus, the cultural, operational and economic benefits of embedding DEI throughout an organization often go unrealized. Leaders need a framework for understanding DEI from 360 degrees and strategies for teaching and gaining buy-in from their stakeholders. Key Takeaways: The conversation around DEI was accelerated by the pandemic and George Floyd, which inspired a strong push for this work. But with both events shrinking in the rearview, what seemed like an inflection point in how we understand equity and belonging now is sometimes seen as a logistical box organizations need to check. In some states, policies legislate what terms can and cannot be used, which of course poses challenges to DEI initiatives. Even so, organizations can find ways to work around language restrictions and make real progress through how they engineer their organizational practices and customs. Success in DEI requires clear communication, storytelling and data-driven approaches to address gaps in care and achieve health equity. Partnerships with community organizations can help improve access to care and address social determinants of health.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of 2023, we published our annual piece on healthcare trends primed to shape the new year. Leaders from each of Jarrard Inc.'s five practices shared insights on various challenges and opportunities facing the health systems and other provider organizations they serve. In this week's High Stakes podcast, we're releasing our full conversations with Tim Stewart, Jarrard partner and leader of our Academic Health Systems Practice, and Emily Shirden, vice president and leader of our National Health Systems Practice. Because of their scale and varied business functions, national and academic health systems often struggle with an inherent distance from their patients. The rift between the ivory tower and the bedside is wide and impersonal. As such, many leaders are engineering cutting-edge ways to personalize care and create a more patient-centered brand. Key Points Physician relationships: the secret key to system partnerships. Academic and national health systems alike are exploring innovative partnerships with smaller entities, such as community hospitals, to offer certain services, address a market gap or mitigate labor shortages. In scenarios like these, the larger system will be bringing on physicians who may be dubious of affiliating with the new brand. Preserving – or building – and strengthening these relationships are paramount to achieving the vision shared by organization and clinician alike. Personalization: everyone's talking about it. Creating a more user-driven experience was a popular topic in several of our practice lead conversations. Amazon was mentioned several times. But activating this idea — building some sort of online shopping aisle for patients to browse their care services — is more complicated than tech development. Patient data safety is a conundrum that stands in the way of large health systems who would otherwise have the resources to explore such an offering. Smart offense: the art of advocating for yourself. In the face of widespread criticism, many providers are too slow to advocate for themselves. Rather than playing defense again and again to deflect every individual criticism, leaders should see these attacks as symptoms of a root cause: Trust is shaky. Healthcare leaders should address that issue by reinforcing their value proposition for every stakeholder — campaigning for themselves and the value they bring to their communities.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we continue our series of conversations with Jarrard practice leaders in an episode focused on Regional, as well as Public and Community health systems. In the podcast, senior vice president James Cervantes lays out the trends he's watching for regional health systems in 2024. Vice president Letitia Fecher offers insight into what matters most for Public and Community health systems moving through the year.   Notable here, as well as in our next conversation about National and Academic systems, is the level of overlap in the challenges and opportunities before different types of health systems – and before the unique individual systems and facilities that comprise both groups. That said, the independent status and small geographic footprint of many public and community providers exacerbates the industry-wide headwinds they face and begets distinct challenges. That status also encourages self-investment and focus on internal engagement and support.   Key points:   Looking inward. In light of labor challenges, regional, public and community health systems alike are reinvesting in their nurses, physicians and employees. The payoff is a team of core caregivers who are there for patients, leadership and the community.   Hard decisions. Whether it's the realization that they need to partner with a larger health system or a financial threshold necessitating reductions in force, leaders are addressing pressure to make historic organizational changes while working tirelessly to ensure those changes are as seamless as possible.   Relationships remain key. In an era of growing mistrust of healthcare providers, hospitals in both groups are being more intentional about effectively communicating with community members and other constituents, particularly in moments of change.   Technology is the best intermediary. It's an ongoing theme: In healthcare, technology's value goes far beyond clinical advancements. Providers can use emergent communications tools, internal- and external-facing, to reach their stakeholders and strengthen those relationships in make-or-break moments.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, we published our annual piece on healthcare trends to keep an eye on in the new year. This year, our practice leads discussed a number of critical healthcare issues, from cybersecurity to partnerships between health systems and community providers. But, as the title suggests, the core piece of advice our team offered is to select the One Thing that can make the most impact and start there. Here is the first in a series of conversations with those Jarrard leaders to discuss what they think is coming and their take on pursuing the One Thing. First up is our Health Service practice with Hollie Adams, Sheila Biggs and Dan Schlacter. Trends to watch: Same-store growth: 2023 saw comparatively lighter transaction activity than years past, with many companies focused more on maximizing their existing assets. This reprioritization has been a renaissance for portfolio growth strategies; leaders are getting creative in the ways they are engaging internal teams, telling their brands' stories, acquiring new consumers and other means of ensuring their enterprises are healthy in the long-term. Investing in people: Considering the above, it's not surprising that one internal growth strategy focuses squarely on companies' greatest resource: their people. Employees are the biggest day-to-day ambassadors for their employer brands. Leaders are recognizing this and investing in support and engagement tools that enable their teams to feel connected to the whole. Cybersecurity: The exponential rise of digital integration is a double-edged sword. Convenience and financial efficiency are clear benefits, but the trend also makes organizations more vulnerable to data incidents. Thus, tamper-proof cybersecurity will be a significant focus area, industrywide, in 2024. Cross-Pollination: Traditional providers and health service companies are exploring new partnership models to meet the changing marketplace. Prospectors in every subsector are becoming more willing to trade ideas and resources with peers outside their usual purview for the benefit of shared opportunities.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long-term success is contingent on consistent performance. In the context of healthcare's continual change, leaders are challenged with maintaining performance standards while the walls shift around them. This unpredictability impacts more than the day-to-day — it can rattle the confidence of every stakeholder and create doubt that impedes teams' ability to act.     In this week's High Stakes podcast, we discuss the virtues and strategies of thoughtful change management with Shawn Evans, executive coach and organizational advisor, and Jarrard Inc vice president Kevin Kearns, who holds a doctorate in organizational psychology.     Key points Every change is unique, but leaders' response strategy can be routine (but not turnkey). Their imperative should be defining the change - proactively creating order out of potential chaos. There should be a process for understanding unexpected developments at a management level, then translating it so that everything is clear when it's cascaded down to the frontline teams.  Trust is a prophylactic. Change management is both an opportunity to engender good relationships between leaders and their teams, and a muscle test for how much those team members trust their leaders. The best way to prepare for the unpredictable is by garnering the faith of employees so that, when lightning strikes, response efforts are quick and efficient.     Test before launching. Borrowing from his work with the military, Evans relies on the concept of “red teaming.” A red team is a designated group that brings due diligence to change management by critiquing planned organizational response to an initiative. How well is it communicated? Where might managers fall short? What did they do right? This approach can also be used in project post mortems, but is better when it comes on the front end.  Vulnerability is the linchpin to agility, which is a critical trait in change management. Leaders need to be aware that not everything is going to go according to plan. But the right strategic approach, paired with an intentional willingness to discuss problems openly and admit when they don't understand something, is the first step to learning how to manage the unpredictable.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no single pill to cure all of healthcare's problems. It's a vast and incredibly complex organism with a long list of infirmities, each requiring a treatment plan that is simultaneously highly specialized and interoperable with the many other moving parts. Nowhere is this more evident than in the pursuit of value-based care.   Fortunately, there's a growing market for organizations focused on one problem for the betterment of the whole. In this week's High Stakes podcast, we spoke with Robin Shah. He is the co-founder and CEO at Thyme Care, a dedicated team of nurses and care experts backed by tech-enabled care coordination and analytics tools. The result? Making value-based care attainable in the oncology space, and helping patients navigate each difficult phase of their cancer battle.    Key Points  Pursuing value-based care means refining the processes and relationships between payers, providers and patients. In the context of specialized care, many health plans are not set up to cover its high costs — creating a need for subspecialty companies to make it possible. Nashville is home to an increasing number of start-ups and organizations doing this work.   In any specialty, if the patient is engaged and supported during the decision-making process, they're going to have a better experience. Generally, they're going to have better outcomes at a lower cost. In Shah's words: “It's a simple principle: If you engage a person through the journey, everything should be better.”  With data playing such a vital role in value-based care, the implementation of AI is a foregone conclusion. However, Shah echoed a common word of warning. Human intervention cannot be bypassed, especially for prognosis. AI can be used to educate patients on their diagnoses, but not without human treatment, interaction and translation.  Most providers are operating in a perfect storm of exorbitant administrative expenses, increasing care costs and, perhaps worst of all, cost inefficiencies. This is a moment for new ideas that aim to disrupt the status quo by creating new structures, workflows and processes that generate better connectivity and efficiency.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private equity is increasingly part of today's healthcare's framework. As a $4+ trillion industry teeming with innovation, healthcare is a seedbed for new ideas and, thus, investments from private equity streams. But as a relatively new trend, at least at this scale, private capital partnerships tend to be shrouded in some mystique.   This week, we continue our Nashville Health Care Council Sessions podcast series with a conversation featuring Brian Regan, Head of Healthcare Group at WCAS (Welsh Carson), a renowned private equity firm specializing in healthcare and technology. In it, we discuss the role of private equity in healthcare, as well as some of Regan's insights on the industry at large – including the importance of building companies by focusing on people.  Key Points:  Method matters, and each is unique. Faced with the healthcare industry's outsized scope and complexity, Regan has a methodical process for identifying possible value amid its myriad subsectors. His approach: analyze trends in each vertical, from IT to biopharma to care delivery, independently, then use those insights to identify possible targets for investment.   No matter what sector you're in, put your data where your mouth is. Top-down, the ability to measure performance is valued just about as highly as financial performance itself. As both a differentiator and an indicator of future value, strong metrics are key to earning the trust of stakeholders, growing the business and discerning what is – and isn't – working.    Of all the historic developments unfolding in healthcare, biopharma might be the most exciting one today. Meaningful investments and discoveries in areas like monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates and gene therapy over the past several decades have laid the foundation for a momentous inflection point not just in new treatments but curative therapies. As Regan put it with some understatement, “The potential is enormous.”    “Healthcare is evolving” seems to be the strapline of our industry. However, Regan points out that significant change will come slower than we think. The industry is just too vast and partitioned for a swift, clean turn of the page. That said, real progress will be built on micro steps forward, rather than a few giant leaps.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healthcare providers, traditionally among the most trusted institutions in society, are facing unprecedented scrutiny from regulators, the media, the marketplace and the people they serve. But despite the narrative, this high-pressure moment says more about the state of the industry writ large than than any specific player – particularly providers of care. In this week's High Stakes Podcast, industry veterans David Jarrard and Teresa Hicks discuss the ripples that led to this watershed moment, as well as smart ways that healthcare leaders can navigate the choppy waters of high-visibility issues. Key Points: Many of the issues in question are nothing new. There have always been unbalanced expectations of what it takes for providers to deliver world-class care that solves the health problems of their communities while remaining financially viable in a competitive market. The high scrutiny of this moment has more to do with external factors that exacerbate these challenges, such as high inflation, the increasing political divide and viral media stories of bad experiences in medical settings. The industry's continued transformation is levying new expectations on providers. From the simultaneous rise in healthcare costs and bipartisan efforts to lower them, to the introduction of new technologies, to the progression of value-based care, the complex changes reshaping healthcare are reframing what it means to be a provider. Their work now extends beyond just medical services to encompass education, transportation, housing, nutrition and more.  Scrutiny gets even more complex when there are many voices at the table. Even as they navigate the same issues, hospital stakeholders can have vastly different strategies for solving them. Medical professionals and board members, for example, often have contrapuntal priorities. This can lead to infighting and frustration that does nothing to improve care. Crystal clear communication, as always, remains key. Healthcare, from any vantage point, is complex. When addressing issues, healthcare leaders should tailor their points to audiences in a way that leaves no room for misinterpretation. Remaining decisive, sympathetic and smartly transparent is critical in every public-facing statement.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we continue our Nashville Healthcare Sessions podcast series with another conversation about the role of retail in healthcare, this one with Kroger Health's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marc Watkins. Dr. Watkins was on stage at Sessions with Dr. Kevin Ban of Walgreens. Seeing the leaders of two major retail healthcare organizations sitting side by side discussing the future of their sector was emblematic of the collaborative spirit present throughout the conference. Two competitors in firm agreement that there is plenty of work – and opportunity – for everyone. In this conversation Watkins talks about food as medicine, continuing to reshape the conversation about health to better include conversations about prevention, and his approach to leadership and team building. Key points: You can't out-train a bad diet. Health isn't just medicine, it must include healthy eating and lifestyle choices. This isn't news to anyone, but Kroger Health has put that idea at the center of its brand and messaging and operations when it comes to positioning the organization in the constellation of retail health providers. Improving health requires a coalition of the willing. The only way we'll help people live healthier lives and reduce today's unsustainable healthcare spending is by having everyone – everyone! – at the table. This includes payers, regulators, lawmakers and providers of all types. Changing our approach to healthcare means reframing the discussion. Money spent on healthcare is money not spent somewhere else. According to Watkins, “Businesses can't flourish if you're just worried about taking care of your healthcare costs. Communities can't flourish.” Leadership requires authenticity. Watkins himself works to be accessible, transparent and receptive. At the organizational level, this translates into frequent listening sessions to hear from employees (associates) and learn what's important to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year's Nashville Healthcare Sessions was a unique meeting of the minds, convening high-level industry peers and competitors to discuss the current state of healthcare. Featuring in-depth conversations between leaders often pitted toe-to-toe in the marketplace, the event provided candid snapshots of healthcare issues and conditions that everyone is facing. In one panel, Walgreens Chief Medical Officer Kevin Ban, M.D., shared the stage with other leaders in the retail healthcare space to exchange insights on the rising trend of consumerism in healthcare. Afterward, we caught up with Dr. Ban to dive deeper into his perspective on the role of retail in this shift. Key points: Retailers' footprint in B2C healthcare isn't a fad. From skyrocketing deductibles to the acceleration of concierge health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a slow drip of market developments building up to this moment. For better or for worse, financial incentives drive the most meaningful changes in healthcare. For retailers to truly create better healthcare access for their consumers, there needs to be a financial model that incentivizes them to work with health systems, and vice versa. Rather than seeing things as zero sum, there is a huge opportunity to create a “we do, you do” partnership between retail healthcare and traditional providers like hospitals and health systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we continue our Nashville Health Care Council Sessions series with an episode focused on the industry's stepwise progression to value-based care (VBC). The shift to value is something that everyone across the healthcare continuum supports in principle, but achieving it is a massive economic and technological undertaking. Ingrained structural challenges have made the transition slower than hoped. Onstage at Sessions, speakers talked about how the unsustainability of our current healthcare spend is forcing the issue. That, combined with creative new models from entrepreneurs and national organizations, are helping to finally make an accelerated transition to value feasible for providers, payers, patients and every stakeholder in between.    We spoke with Dr. Wyatt Decker, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician for Value Based Care and Innovation at UnitedHealth Group, and Rob Allen, CEO of Intermountain Health, about the innovations that will be necessary to streamline VBC, as well as their respective philosophies about long-term health in a volume-based world.   Key Points:   VBC is only possible at scale if everyone works together. The most formidable roadblock to value is its operational complexity, requiring every stakeholder to rethink how they administer and measure the success of their services.   The shift to value poses incredible business opportunities for entrepreneurs. From the need for better clinical data tracking to changes in risk sharing to disjointed communication between payers and providers, there is a lot of space to fill for specialized start-ups. Per Dr. Decker: “We work with entrepreneurs of all sizes in terms of their business who have solutions.”  Achieving VBC hinges on better systems for understanding patients' needs. Large providers and payers will rely more heavily on personal relationships with individuals to ensure the clinical understanding necessary to set and achieve health metrics.   Data is top down and bottom up. While VBC is tailored to the individual, it can only be achieved through a clear understanding of community and population-level data. Data collection and analysis have finally reached a point where the resulting information can be used effectively to drive population health.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, the Nashville Health Care Council (NHCC) launched its inaugural Nashville Healthcare Sessions Conference. The five-day event convened industry leaders from across the country for two days of collaborative panels, in-depth discussions, interdisciplinary problem-solving and relationship-building, followed by over 30 associated events and gatherings. With a focus on innovation, the conference was a seedbed for new ideas from every sector of the industry.   It also represented the spirit of collaboration and unified focus necessary to navigate healthcare's environment of ongoing change, challenge and pressure. While many of those challenges are borne out of silos and technological lagging, the Nashville Healthcare Sessions Conference facilitated connection and innovation.  To review everything that took place at Sessions and unpack what comes next for the industry, Apryl Childs-Potter, NHCC president, joined the High Stakes Podcast. In this conversation, she offers her perspective on the transforming healthcare industry, as well as Nashville's role in the middle of it all.   Key Insights:    — In an industry with seemingly 1,000 daily headlines, AI is healthcare's biggest news. Its uses, merits and ethics are being discussed in every hospital board room and executive suite across the nation. That's because it's no longer just a looming possibility…it's already being implemented at scale by health systems.     — Historically, healthcare has been years behind in technology integration, but adoption is happening quicker than ever before. Tools are more sophisticated and user-friendly, allowing providers to accelerate at the pace of technological innovation.    — Healthcare is at a “watershed moment.” From the changing models of care delivery to value-based care to new technologies, factors are in play that have been discussed in theory for years. Now, these developments are accelerating, in large part because of creative partnerships and that spirit of collaboration among friends and putative rivals alike.     — In the midst of this change, Nashville has an opportunity to elevate as healthcare's capital. The city breeds collaboration thanks to its artistic, musical roots, but also because of the high concentration of healthcare organizations from large systems to IT to health tech startups. To maintain its position at the top of the industry, however, it needs to channel investments toward continued growth, collaboration and talent development.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here at Jarrard, we're always interested in not just how healthcare leaders are doing the work that underpins our system of medical care, but also how they lead through the work. How they develop and empower teams. How they demonstrate through words and actions how the work – which is often so difficult and exhausting – affects each person involved and how those people can be part of the shared mission and process. With all that in mind, Kevin Kearns and David Shifrin spoke with physician, executive coach and former health system CEO, Larry McEvoy, MD. Larry is founder of Epidemic Leadership. There, he looks at the intersection of business, biology and health as a foundation for helping leaders innovate and adapt for today's complex healthcare challenges. Key Takeaways: Biology has a great deal to teach us about how leaders can guide and empower teams to be steady, stable and consistent. How do you win the math and get the best of people most of the time, even thought it won't be all of the time? Often, performance (immediate) and growth (long-term) are pursued separately. But they go hand in hand and successful leaders find ways to help their teams perform well in the moment while adapting and evolving for long-term success. It looks obvious on paper, but it's important for healthcare leaders to remember that People still want to care. It's just a matter of identifying the things that get in the way of accomplishing goals and what leaders – and teams - can do about it. The question becomes, how do we stop adding barriers to people working together effectively and allow them to do what they already want to do? How do you identify where to start? Sit down with your team and ask people to describe their best team experience…and then ask about their worst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Rural Health Association is hosting the Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinic conferences in a few weeks, from September 26-29. Our colleagues from both Jarrard and Chartis will be there, digging into the issues facing rural providers today. They'll also be providing resources, research and education to rural healthcare leaders – content that will extend well beyond the conferences. With all of that coming up, we wanted to lay the groundwork by taking a broad look at the challenges facing rural healthcare today through the eyes of two people who spend their time studying and working with rural providers. Letitia Fecher is a Vice President at Jarrard and our Public and Community Health System Practice Lead. Michael Topchik is the National Leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. They're also spearheading the presentations at NRHA. In this conversation, Fecher and Topchik look at: ·      Regulation and policy ·      Workforce issues ·      Community engagement during operational change Key Points ·      Quality is job number one. But it's not just quality as defined by ratings organizations or regulatory agencies. It's the quality patients feel when they receive care at a hospital, and how employees feel when they come to work every day. ·      Communication with the community must be ongoing. A rural hospital's first message to its community should not be announcing a service line closure. Instead, rural healthcare leaders need to be regularly talking about the ways delivery of care are shifting and ways the hospital is changing to meet the community's needs. Nurse and staff engagement are vital. Retention is a major challenge for all provider organizations, with rural hospitals feeling especially pinched over the past few years. It's critical to find out what caregivers are looking for even when increased compensation may not be an option. Invest in relatively simple things – better engagement with leadership, more two-way communication, focusing on the mission, offering career development opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dorian Harriston is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Morehouse School of Medicine. She has been in the role for about six months now, having previously served in marketing and communications roles at Cedars-Sinai and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Harriston, as her current position suggests, knows healthcare marketing and communications inside out, having built successful brand positioning, digital marketing and content experiences throughout her career. But she joined the podcast to talk about a big part of her career – and work at Morehouse School of Medicine – that isn't as obvious: Team building. Maybe Harriston's biggest strength, lying just under the surface of the Marcomm job description, is finding ways to elevate people to do their best work. The result? Aligned teams with every member fully bought into the work and goals in front of them A more diverse workforce, with opportunities for anyone and everyone to grow and advance More equitable, patient-centric care that comes out of clear and personal messaging from that mission-oriented team of marcomm pros. In this conversation, Harriston talks about how… Everything starts with strong relationships Her personal and professional background influences her role at Morehouse School of Medicine She has taken an already committed, strong team and not rest on that historical excellence but continued to push forward She pursues a policy of confidence, honesty and openness with her team as a way to get the best ideas and outcomes out of the work – and giving those team members a chance to shine in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Threads the place to be or, uh, boring and not worth it? The latest loud social media splash is Threads, a direct Twitter – now X – competitor from Mark Zuckerberg's Meta. It was the fastest social media platform to 100 million users, but since then engagement has dropped precipitously. Which all leads to the question above. More specifically, how much should healthcare provider marketing and communications teams be investing in any given social media platform? Is Threads worth diving into? Even beyond Threads, there's the deeper issue of too many platforms and channels and not enough resources within hospital marcomm offices to be present everywhere. So, where do you invest? This week it's an all-Jarrard podcast, with Abby McNeil, Meghan McCarthy and Tommy Barbee bringing their extensive background in healthcare marketing, communications and digital strategy to the Threads debate. Key Insights Threads doesn't make sense for most organizations. Not worth it. Borin, even. Today, it's a better spot for individuals and influencers. That said, it may be worth having a couple of people on your team to sign up and keep an eye on the platform as it evolves A few healthcare organizations are in a good position to use Threads. Namely, academic medical centers and research institutions that are known for cutting-edge innovation and that are looking to engage and recruit students or researchers – the people who might have that personal account. In the end, it's crucial to know what you're trying to accomplish and where your target audience is before investing in any social media platform. Otherwise, you're just stressing your social media managers. Also, just to be clear, Jarrard Inc. is not on Threads. But you can find all of our thinking at jarrardinc.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the marketing funnel dead? That question started bouncing around among those at Jarrard Inc. who have backgrounds and specialize in healthcare marketing. It's a provocative question, and provocative questions lead to sharp conversations that make for good podcasts. So, we asked two of those experienced healthcare marketers to have that conversation on the record. Pattie Cuen served at UCLA for two decades. There, she established the medical center's first internal communications team and orchestrated an award-winning branding campaign for the system. More recently, Cuen held a high-level position at Cedars-Sinai. Abby McNeil is a vice president at the firm and deputy lead of our Regional Practice. McNeil has served in a number of prominent roles, including vice president of communications and public affairs for CHRISTUS Health, where she sat at the helm of all corporate communications and helped guide the organization through COVID. Key Insights: The marketing funnel isn't dead. But it's not really the most accurate model, either. It serves a useful, mostly two-dimensional purpose to get a snapshot of how consumers move from awareness to conversion. It's also helpful as a relatively simple tool to present marketing concepts and different levels of messaging to people outside the field. The funnel doesn't take into account the time involved as people move from one stage to the next. That time could be five minutes for a digital engagement or weeks/months for an out-of-home campaign like a billboard. Another way to think about the customer journey is as an elliptical. Once someone converts and makes a purchase – or, in healthcare, becomes a patient – the selling process starts all over, and the patient has to choose you all over again. And again. And again. It's not one-and-done. Meanwhile, each person is sitting in the funnel – or spinning on the elliptical – of other providers, making it a multi-dimensional environment for conversion and retention. Because of that elliptical process, the patient experience has to be dialed in right alongside the marketing messages and platforms. If someone buys but can't schedule a followup appointment for weeks, they'll go somewhere else regardless of how great your marketing campaigns are.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible for a hospital to turn a small cybersecurity incident into a full-blown crisis based only on the words used and the approach to communicating about the event? What about the opposite – is it possible for a major incident to be mitigated and minimized with little reputational damage…just through effective communication? The answer to these rhetorical questions is, obviously, yes. That's according to cybersecurity with Barry Mathis. Mathis is a principal at PYA where he draws on three decades of experience as a chief information officer, chief technology officer, and other roles to help healthcare clients plan, develop and implement complex IT solutions. As part of that work, Mathis spends a lot of time advising healthcare organizations on how to reduce risk and avoid – or worst-case scenario, minimize – the fallout from cybersecurity incidents. For this conversation Mathis joined Dan Schlacter, a vice president in the Jarrard Inc. Health Services Practice and lead on much of the firm's cybersecurity work, to talk about the best practices and the role of communications both before and after an incident. Key Insights Be strategic about the words that you use to describe a cybersecurity attack: Avoid the word “breach,” and instead opt for a word like “incident,” to reduce exposure and dial down the temperature in communications about the event. Prioritize cybersecurity training and have a crisis response plan in place before an attack happens to ensure that your organization can respond to an attack quickly and efficiently. Loop in communications experts and legal counsel during the early stages of a cybersecurity incident. (And don't take anything in this conversation as legal advice. We are not attorneys.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can technology really augment and streamline healthcare operations and make the work of healthcare workers easier? Can technology help provider organizations actually manage their workforce more effectively? The answer to both of these questions is obviously, “Yes.” And despite significant progress over the past few years, it still seems at times that technology and digital tools complicate and confuse as much as they help. The reality hasn't yet matched the promise. Still, there are tools and platforms that are accelerating the progress. And, helping provider organizations communicate and engage with their workforce in ways that can help those caregivers find even more satisfaction on their work while smoothing out the bumps of staffing shortages. Greg Allen Ahrens is an advisor for ShiftMed, a new type of staffing platform. Delivering easy to use an innovative tools that help providers streamline their day-to-day operations and optimize their show rates. Courtney Kelsey is an associate vice-president and strategic engagement and development expert in Jarrard Inc's Academic Medical Center Practice. In her work, Kelsey applies her deep background in team optimization and people focused change management to help healthcare leaders enhance the entire employee experience. In this conversation, Kelsey, Ahrens and David Shifrin talk about how technology can augment and support healthcare leaders, staffing, and engagement efforts, and how a new wave of tools exemplified by ShiftMed can save huge amounts of money while increasing job satisfaction and professional growth among healthcare workers. Key Insights Have a sense of urgency. Times are tough for everyone in the healthcare world. If you wait to solve your workforce issues while you're focusing on other things, all of the talent will have already been scooped up by other systems taking the initiative. Integrate technology with humanity. By listening to what your people want and understanding the “hotspots” in your organization, you can empower your employees to reach their goals with the help of technology. Enhance your workforce via education. Investing in and educating your existing workforce gives you more control over your system's capabilities while at the same time differentiating yourself as an employer and elevating your brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Physician and nurse burnout. It's an issue that has been studied at an increasing rate over the past few years. It's a ubiquitous topic in any discussion about challenges facing healthcare today. Addressing it is a moral and operational imperative – caregivers need to be cared for, most importantly for their own health and wellbeing and also for the sustainability of provider organizations. So, how healthcare leaders move from knowledge to action when it comes to burnout? In our latest podcast, we work towards some answers. Dan Shapiro, PhD, is a partner at Chartis and the director of the Chartis Center for Burnout Solutions. In that role, Dan and his team assist leaders of multi-hospital systems in their efforts to reduce burnout and the turnover of high-value physicians, nurses, APPs, and other staff. Dan's background includes a PhD in clinical psychology and a postdoc at Harvard where we focused on medical crisis intervention. Shapiro joined Kevin Kearns, a vice president at Jarrard Inc. and expert in organizational development strategy, to talk about some of the issues underlining the rocky healthcare workforce landscape. They also dig into some of the best practices for organizational design and employee support needed to address burnout. Key Insights Different roles require different solutions: Don't overlook the unique challenges and needs within different subpopulations of your workforce. Utilize data to develop solutions: Ground your actions in evidence so you can implement a systematic approach tailored to your organization. Start now, before it's too late: Organizations that aren't investing in their people when times are tough will see their problems exacerbated in the long run. It doesn't stop with frontline staff and managers. Engagement efforts must extend to the HR and leadership teams to ensure that everyone can thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Amazon is a sprawling, complex company rife with prominent leaders, disparate initiatives, investments, plans, problems, things that work, things that don't, with all those discordant messages playing out on the public stage. On the regular. Sound familiar? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healthcare is playing Moneyball. It's a model that comes from baseball and uses a ruthless focus on analytics to help teams build lean, efficient squads that outperform their higher-spending rivals. But healthcare, like baseball, is science...and art. It's the powerful combination that creates the care and the experience we all want when we seek care. The pursuit of efficiency can't lead down a road where no one wants to live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health systems have enjoyed the benefit of the doubt for a long time. That time may be ending. On one side are those who say, hospitals are “on track for their worst financial year in decades” and “will be forced to take drastic measures to reduce costs…including service line closures if not closing altogether.” On the other are those say “hospitals test the goodwill of Congress” as they endlessly ask for more federal dollars, even though “the industry has not been scrutinized as much as other health groups, despite being the primary driver of rising medical costs.” In this formulation, “some facilities would be just fine without lawmakers' help." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between regulatory hurdles and financial imperatives, getting a hospital merger or acquisition across the line is hard enough. But that's just the start. A common aim of healthcare mergers is to integrate the organizations involved, yet bringing everyone together is its own jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces are there on the table, but how to bring them together, undergo the difficult change management and create the big picture? Kim Fox and Tim Stewart sit down to discuss the challenges facing mergers and acquisitions after the transaction is closed, the role culture plays in bringing organizations together – or keeping them apart – and how healthcare leaders can best lead through the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Aase is a digital healthcare pioneer and a social media expert. Now, he's a healthcare entrepreneur as co-founder of HELPCare Clinic, a membership-based direct primary care clinic. His current work is particularly relevant for this conversation because we talk about why there hasn't been an episode of DigitaLee recently: Lee's recent back surgery. We discuss how the referral process went, the seamless handoff from his primary care physician to the surgery team at Mayo Clinic. Plus, thoughts on where digital comes into play with a good streamlined care continuum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's conversation was prompted by the ongoing discussion in healthcare about what constitutes "Charity Care," as well as President Biden's recent reluctance to define the current economic environment as a recession. The issue in both cases is not that President or hospital executives are wrong about their respective definitions. Instead, it's that definitions don't always feel accurate even when they may be technically correct. Kim Fox and Tim Stewart discuss definitions in the context of hospitals and healthcare, politics, baseball and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices