Modern Healthcare's Next Up

This past year has been one for the books, especially in the healthcare world. As health systems have faced persistent challenges from the pandemic, workforce changes, and ongoing shifts in our country, we reflect on how this past year has impacted our listeners. Joining us is Modern Healthcare's Aurora Aguilar, Editor-in-Chief, to discuss a recent survey taken by Next Up Listeners.

Many healthcare organizations took a serious look at their diversity, equity, and inclusion position and decided to do more in 2020 and 2021. But what should be on the priority list for 2022 and beyond? In this episode, we're talking to Kou Thao, Director of Embedding Equity at the American Medical Association and Founder and CEO of LIT Consulting. Kou uses his position at the intersections of his own identity to inform his work towards equity across sectors. Here, he shares his insights on what DEI leaders should focus on in the upcoming year.

Patients are now finally being recognized as customers with the power to choose their providers. Health systems have responded to this by installing experience officers and investing in more patient-centered care delivery —  but what about including patients in designing the services and programs on the front-end? Here's how health systems can think of patients as not only customers but as healthcare experts. Melinda Karp, Vice President of Consumer Centered Quality for Commonwealth Care Alliance and Executive Director for the Center to Advance Consumer Partnership shares her insight on centering patient experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have been our foundation. Now, they're exhausted and leaving their careers altogether. This, on top of a previously pending nursing shortage, means long-term strategic planning for nursing care and nursing leaders may require some changes. In this second part of a 2-part episode, Kathleen Sanford, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of CommonSpirit Health, is sharing insights on how to strategically plan for the predicted nursing shortage.

Nurses have been the backbone of the pandemic response. Now, data shows they're exhausted and jumping ship, on top of a previously pending nursing shortage. As a result, long-term strategic planning for nursing care and nursing leaders may look different this time around. In this episode, we're talking to Kathleen Sanford, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of CommonSpirit Health. She is sharing her insights on how to strategically plan for the predicted nursing shortage.

Leadership changes are common in health systems, but how do you show your worth to the new person at the head of your meeting table? How do you assess a new leader, and then add the value they care about to avoid being replaced? In this episode, Assistant Director of Digital Strategy Lisa Spengler shares insights from her over 20 years working for University of Chicago Medicine — where she has built the knowledge and relationships that have made her indispensable.

COVID-19 has led a lot of people to re-evaluate life — especially when it comes to their careers. Workers in all fields are quitting their jobs in search of new roles, and healthcare professionals are no different. Due to burnout, some are leaving. A recent Modern Healthcare article reveals that women healthcare workers are leaving at a rapid pace. But thanks to new inspiration, more are on track to enter the field. Amidst it all, how should hiring decision-makers in health systems approach finding new candidates? Jason Hutton, Vice President of Human Resources at Access Community Health Network, offers his insights.

The whiplash from COVID is still aching — especially for nurses. Nursing teams around the nation are still feeling the impacts of caring for COVID-19 patients, including feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and depressed. Plus, some are considering leaving the profession altogether. In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Ernest Grant, President of the American Nurses Association, about how health systems can support their nurses' mental health now and moving forward. Dr. Grant was also named one of Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.

It's one thing to have a stellar bench of diverse executives on your board and senior leadership team. But it's quite another to also have an amazing lineup of diverse vendors who can create jobs because of opportunities with your healthcare organization. Entrepreneurs build communities, period. Joan Archie, Executive Director of Construction Compliance at the University of Chicago Medical Center, shares her insight on how health systems can make good on their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion through diverse vendors.

Most health systems are bound to experience bad press at one time or another. But bad press doesn't have to be the last word. How do you make sure you come out smelling like roses? In this episode, we're talking to Rosemary Plorin, Crisis Counselor and CEO of Lovell Communications, a Healthcare PR and Crisis Communications firm, about how health systems can prepare for and navigate bad press. She discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health systems, and how aspiring leaders can respond to bad press.

Whether you've found a mentor or you're committed to finding one, mentorship is critical for aspiring healthcare leaders. But how do you make this a productive relationship to gain the information and insight you need to grow in your career? Anthony Ashby, VP & COO of CHI Health, discusses cultivating a strong mentor/mentee relationship — and how to be a productive mentee. Also, listen to Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and her thoughts on the benefits of mentorship in Next Up's Transitioning Between Physician Roles.

The #MeToo movement began in 2006, but it's not over. A recent Modern Healthcare article revealed that workplace harassment is still common, especially among women healthcare leaders. Now, healthcare companies are trying to determine how to support their employees both physically and emotionally. In this episode, we're talking to Heather Krentler, Chief Administrative Officer at Continental Dining, Refreshment Services, and Events. She's here to discuss how to foster a safe workplace environment for all employees.

Multigenerational workplaces offer diversity in viewpoints — but they pose challenges when managing a team. Cassandra Willis-Abner, Chief Human Resource Officer at Press Ganey, shares her insight on how to foster efficiency in a team of all ages. Read Modern Healthcare's article on Engaging Multiple Generations to Thrive to read more about multigenerational workplaces. We'll be expanding on this topic at the Modern Healthcare Women Leaders in Healthcare conference July 22-23. Register with the code (NextUp) to receive a 15% discount off the conference fee and any conference add-on opportunities. To register, go to women-leaders.modernhealthcare.com.

We continue our conversation with Sally Deitch, Group CEO of Tenet Healthcare, as she shares the truth about being a dedicated parent and C-suite executive. She also discusses how health systems can build a culture that supports family and career advancement simultaneously. We'll be expanding on this topic at the Modern Healthcare Women Leaders in Healthcare conference on July 22-23. To register, visit women-leaders.modernhealthcare.com.

The time to build a career overlaps with the time most professionals are raising children. Many parents are juggling these priorities well — but others are robbing time from one to cultivate the other. According to this Modern Healthcare article, working mothers are more likely to be overlooked for promotions due to childcare demands compared to working fathers. Sally Deitch, Group CEO of Tenet Healthcare, shares the truth about being a dedicated parent and C-suite executive. We'll be expanding on this topic at the Modern Healthcare Women Leaders in Healthcare conference on July 22-23. To register, visit women-leaders.modernhealthcare.com.

Nearly 80% of the healthcare workforce is female — but only 30% of C-suite roles, and 13% of CEO positions, are held by women. When women aren't at the table, organizations miss out on valuable input. This was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many women aspire to hold leadership positions but are held back by their own insecurities. In this episode of Next Up, we're speaking with Patty McClimon, the Senior Vice President of Strategic and Facilities Planning for Nationwide Children's Hospital, about how women can rise to leadership roles in healthcare organizations.

With 2021 being viewed as a "reset year," people are reevaluating their priorities and making career changes. For seasoned physicians, this can mean anything from climbing the ranks to the C-suite to taking on an activist or political role beyond the realm of patient care. Such transitions can be stressful or scary for anyone, but they can be especially so for women, as females are underrepresented in these more senior roles. We"re talking with Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), on what it takes to move to the C-suite and beyond.

The first 100 days of a presidential administration can significantly impact health systems in the US. In this episode, we're talking to Modern Healthcare's Michael Brady, who covers rules and regulations in Washington D.C., about what healthcare legislation has been passed so far. Michael is sharing his insights on how the first 100 days have already changed healthcare in the US — and what we can expect moving forward.

The COVID-19 vaccine promises light at the end of this long and arduous tunnel. However, vaccine rollout is also putting an extra burden on health systems that are doing their best to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. In this episode of Next Up, we're talking to Dr. Gary Little, Chief Medical Officer of Atrium Health, who shares his thoughts on how health systems can manage the influx of patients, coordinate communication, and be prepared for every aspect of vaccine rollout now and in the months to come.

Modern Healthcare has made some big changes, and we're talking to editor Aurora Aguilar about what readers can expect.

Healthcare workers have been nothing short of heroic during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they aren't always treated as such — even by the healthcare organizations that employ them. This can leave them feeling disheartened, distrusting of leadership, or like they're no longer part of a team. Leaders have the ability to rebuild trust and foster the team spirit again — but they need to recognize the problems and take the right approach to solve them. Today, we're talking with Dr. Chris DeRienzo about finding that approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the degree to which hospital workers support our nation. However, some unsung heroes — like information technology specialists, pharmacists, and hospital volunteers — don't always get the credit they deserve. Mikelle Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Health Officer at Intermountain Healthcare, discusses how hospital leaders can find ways to acknowledge the efforts of all employees.

Succession planning is key to ensuring that hospital leadership transitions do not affect hospital operations or patient care. However, nearly half of hospital boards do not have a plan in place. Most do not have someone who could step in as CEO. This is especially concerning when there may be sudden departures in the midst of a healthcare crisis. Today, we're speaking with Susan DeVore and Michael Alkire of the healthcare improvement company, Premier, Inc. about emergency succession planning. Susan is the current CEO of Premier, and will be stepping down in May, when she will be succeeded by Michael.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the country, but the recent rollout of vaccinations has provided hope. However, mistrust and misinformation regarding the vaccine remain high, and healthcare organizations play an integral role in educating patients on the COVID-19 vaccine. Tanya Andreadis, Chief Medical Officer of UCLA Health, talks about how healthcare organizations can educate patients on the vaccine to help the nation combat the virus. Modern Healthcare reporter Maria Castelucci's story about leveraging marketing during COVID-19 was published on July 11, 2020. If you're a subscriber, please check it out on https://modernhealthcare.com/ .

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the country, but the recent rollout of vaccinations has provided hope. However, mistrust and misinformation regarding the vaccine remain high, and healthcare organizations play an integral role in educating patients on the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Joseph Cacchione, Executive Vice President of Clinical & Network Services for Ascension, discusses how healthcare organizations can educate patients on the vaccine to help the nation combat the virus. Modern Healthcare reporter Maria Castelucci's story about leveraging marketing during COVID-19 was published on July 11, 2020. If you're a subscriber, please check it out on https://modernhealthcare.com/.

Advancements in technology respond to the view of patients as consumers. Over the next 4 years and during post-pandemic life, healthcare leaders can expect these innovations to be a permanent part of care. Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer of Google Health, discusses what healthcare leaders can expect and how those expectations could be shaped by the new Biden/Harris administration. Modern Healthcare reporter Jessica Kim Cohen writes in a September 12, 2020, article about innovations in technology and patient-centered care during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're a Modern Healthcare subscriber, please check it out at www.modernhealthcare.com.

The healthcare industry has seen dramatic disruption from innovations in all aspects of care, from technology to clinical care to patient experience. A shift to value-based care, the rise of consumerism in healthcare, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic, have fueled these innovations. On this episode of Next Up, we speak with Carter Dredge, Chief Transformation Office at SSM Health, about what aspiring leaders need to know about the role of disruption and innovation in healthcare.

Social determinants of health are not new — but COVID-19 is. The pandemic has led to an even wider gap in public health, leading some Americans to have a higher chance of surviving the illness than others. Healthcare leaders have been called upon before to push issues related to social determinants of health, and now that calling is even more urgent. Dr. Brian Castrucci, epidemiologist and President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, shares his insight on how healthcare leaders can join community leaders in using social determinants of health to promote health equity in the American health system.

Rural hospitals across the US are facing a crisis. There are more than 1,800 of these hospitals, and about 47% are operating in the red. Nearly 25% are financially unstable. In the last decade alone, more than 120 have closed. Rural hospital closures leave communities without access to critical healthcare. In order to stay open, rural hospital leaders must get creative. Alex Kacik, a Modern Healthcare reporter who has covered the topic in-depth, describes some of the key indicators for a rural hospital's risk of closure — and what leaders can do to keep a hospital afloat.

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn into office amid the COVID-19 pandemic — a crisis that has shined a light on disparities in healthcare, and has resulted in millions of Americans losing their health insurance. As the pandemic continues, and as political power shifts in DC, what will the Biden-Harris Administration mean for healthcare policy? Ceci Connolly, President and CEO at Alliance of Community Health Plans, host of the Healthy Dialogue podcast, and founding member of Women of Impact for Healthcare, discusses what hospital leaders can expect under the country's new leadership.

Part 2 concludes our conversation with Michael Dowling, CEO and President of Northwell Health in the New York City metro area. Northwell Health was in the center of the epicenter when the COVID-19 pandemic first ravaged the NYC area. Michael reflects on what he's learned about leadership, innovation, and relationship building that helped prepare his health system.

In this episode, we're talking to Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, which sits in New York's epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern Healthcare reporter Jonathan LaMantia's story on the preparedness of NYC hospitals was published on July 20, 2020, so if you're a subscriber, please check it out on https://www.modernhealthcare.com/.

Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Vivian Pinn continues with a discussion about top skills that younger leaders should be cultivating now. She also talks about the challenges she faced being a woman of color leading scientific research in the 1960s, and what emerging leaders today — regardless of race, gender, or seniority level — can learn from her experiences. Dr. Pinn served as the first full-time Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health from 1991 to 2011. She was also the first Black woman to chair an academic pathology department in the country.

In this episode, we're talking with Dr. Vivian Pinn. Dr. Pinn, who served as the first full-time Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health from 1991 to 2011. She was also the first Black woman to chair an academic pathology department in the country. She reflects on climbing the ladder to C-suite — and what she might have done differently. Modern Healthcare reporter Jaclyn Schiff's story on Dr. Pinn was published on March 12, 2016, so if you're a subscriber, please check it out on https://www.modernhealthcare.com.

Becoming a successful leader in a healthcare organization takes more than personality and skill. Healthcare leaders must also overcome barriers, such as lack of diversity among many organizations' boards and C-suite members, and leading throughout a crisis. On this episode of Next Up, we are talking with Darci Hall, Chief Learning Officer at Providence St. Joseph Health, about what it takes to not only become a leader — but to be the best leader for your organization.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials from across the country are resigning, being let go — or even being personally threatened — often because of conflicts over shutdowns, social distancing rules, or mask orders. On this episode of Next Up, we are talking with Emily Brown, former director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department in rural Colorado, about her experience being fired in May 2020, after more than 6 years of service — simply for doing her job.

In this episode, we're talking to Nancy Schlichting, former CEO of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. She discusses the critical importance of succession planning, and how a thoughtful, thorough, inclusive process can successfully shape your health system's next generation of leaders. Nancy has been named one of Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare 8 times. She's also been one of Modern Healthcare's top 25 Women in Healthcare 5 times.

In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Joanne Conroy who is the CEO and president of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health in New Hampshire. Dr. Conroy is also the founder of Women of Impact — Healthcare, a group of women healthcare executives who advocate for more women leaders in all sectors of healthcare. Listen as Dr. Conway shares her insight on communication styles that can help — or hurt — women as they pursue leadership positions.

As the country's call for diversity sounds, there has been an increased effort to build up minority representation on hospital boards. But simply having a diverse board is not enough — everyone must feel included and be treated fairly. This episode is part 2 of “Dealing with Two Crises.” Dr. Carladenise Edwards, Henry Ford Health System's new senior vice president and chief strategy officer, and Aurora Aguilar, Editor-in-Chief of Modern Healthcare, describe diversity, inclusion, and equity in the healthcare industry.

This second episode of Modern Healthcare's Next Up highlights how leaders can navigate two concurrent crises that are impacting the lives of Black Americans: the COVID-19 pandemic, and the civil unrest ignited by the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, it has been disproportionately taking the lives of Black Americans. Meanwhile, law enforcement practices have statistically put Black Americans' lives in danger. In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Carladenise Edwards, new senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Henry Ford Health System. We'll also be connecting with other women leaders at the Women Leaders in Healthcare virtual conference on August 13-14, 2020. To learn more, go to https://www.modernhealthcare.com/womenleaders.

This inaugural Modern Healthcare Next Up episode dives into some ways that the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting women. Most of our nation's essential workers, particularly in healthcare, are women who are dealing with burnout, furloughs, pay cuts, mom guilt, homeschooling, mental health risks and increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 even as they are being asked to work more on the front lines and at home. Modern Healthcare reporter Maria Castelucci's story on this issue was published on May 25, so please check it out on https://www.modernhealthcare.com/. We'll also be exploring this issue at the Women Leaders in healthcare virtual conference on August 13-14, 2020. To learn more, go to https://www.modernhealthcare.com/womenleaders. In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Rosemary Morgan, on faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a joint position in the School of Nursing, also co-coordinator of the International Gender and COVID-19 Working Group.

Modern Healthcare's Next Up podcast aims to help rising healthcare executives get to the c-suite and stay sane on the journey by offering industry news, insight, and trend analysis. Modern Healthcare has been a go-to resource for healthcare executives since 1976. Next Up brings an accumulation of actionable wisdom to the next generation of healthcare leaders. Industry experts, Modern Healthcare reporters, and policy makers share their lessons learned and predictions about the future of healthcare administration. New episodes are on the way. Subscribe or follow in your podcast app of choice to get them as soon as they become available.