Patients Come First

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ara Maranian, an interventional cardiologist at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas. He joins us for a conversation about his work, heart health, cardiac catheterization and STEMI procedures, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) (https://x.com/VirginiaHHA) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Jessica Macalino, MSHA, President of the recently-opened Riverside Smithfield Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her path to healthcare, the undertaking of opening a new hospital, what it means for the community in terms of enhanced access to care and positive economic impact, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dave Dixon, PharmD, Chair of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and a Professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy. He joins us for a conversation about his professional path, the work of the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the recent launch of the Voices in Pharmacy Innovation Podcast, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ruth Felsen, Medical Director of Breast Surgery at CJW Medical Center. In recognition of World Cancer Day, she joins us for a conversation about the breast cancer continuum of care from risk assessment and screening through diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention strategies. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kelsey Salley, an endocrinologist who volunteers with the Health Brigade in Richmond through the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She joins us for a conversation about endocrinology as a specialty, her work and volunteerism, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Virginia Health Catalyst Executive Director Victor McKenzie Jr. for a conversation about his professional journey and the organization's policy priorities during the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session and beyond. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with scores of other bills impacting healthcare and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. David Bruno, a transplant surgeon and Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Under his leadership, Hume-Lee is achieving national firsts and reshaping transplant medicine through innovations like fully robotic living-donor liver transplantation, advanced options for patients with chronic pancreatitis, and a new lung transplant program. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Anthony White, a hospital mechanic at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. In addition to his day job, White is also known for the colorful holiday murals he creates to brighten the halls and lift the spirits of patients and staff. This conversation covers his career, artistry, the impact of his work on the hospital community, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features features Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Acute Care Market President for the Sentara Health Eastern Market. He joins us for a conversation about his work and professional journey, the Sentara's CARES team, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Stacy Gradowski, Director of Business Development at the Michigan Health Council, who joins us for a conversation about health care workforce development, the ACEMAPP platform to support providers with clinical rotation planning and scheduling, partnering with VHHA Solutions, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Tucker Smith, a future physician and student at the VCU School of Medicine who moonlights as a high-flying acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, an international company of modern circus performers who delight and dazzle. Our conversation covers Tucker's unique path to medicine as well as aerial acrobatics and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kim Penberthy, a clinical psychologist and professor at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Penberthy is a researcher, professor, and innovator who joins us for a conversation about her work, the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and tips for those impacted by it. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kristin Anderson, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology at the University of Virginia, for a conversation about her research, her personal journey with cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her life and her work. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Chester Sharps, an orthopedic surgeon with Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He's with us to tell us about himself and his path to medicine, educate us about an innovative procedure known as vertebral body tethering, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Cooper, a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a healthcare entrepreneur. He joins us for a conversation about his new role as medical director of cardiovascular surgery at HCA Virginia's Reston Hospital Center. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Martin O'Grady, Medical Director of the Trauma Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, for a conversation about the hospital recently earning a Provisional Level III Trauma Center Designation from the state, the work that went into that, and what that means for patient care. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Phlow Corp., a pioneering public benefit pharmaceutical company. Dr Edwards is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit scheduled for Nov. 5-7, 2025 in Hot Springs, VA. The conversation with Dr. Edwards covers his work as a clinician and entrepreneur, efforts to boost production of essential medicines in the U.S., and preview his remarks at the upcoming Summit. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kevin Johnson, a retired teacher and cancer survivor who is active in expanding Man Up To Cancer support groups in Virginia. He joins us for a conversation about his post-retirement medical challenges, collaboration with the Sentara Health Brock Cancer Center, and the work to grow Man Up To Cancer chapters to support men facing cancer diagnoses. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features a return guest, Dr. Deepak Talreja, who is a cardiologist with Sentara Health and a real-life Good Samaritan. He's here to talk about his life and career, plus a recent situation where he selflessly intervened to help a stranger in serious trouble. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kyle Dodd, a VCU Health heart transplant patient and U.S. Army Veteran who recently represented Team USA at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Germany. He joins us for a conversation about his military service, heart transplant procedure, participation in the World Transplant games, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Sarah Hale, a Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator with Ballad Health, for a conversation about her work and what inspires it, Ballad Health's Camp Firefly initiative that helps children navigate grief and loss, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Daniel Cohen, Chief of Neurology for Sentara Medical Group, for a conversation about his work, depression and mental health awareness, the importance of self care in mental wellness, which for Dr. Cohen includes DJing as a hobby, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for Governor, for a conversation about her professional path to public service, her message to voters, her thoughts on key policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting in Virginia begins Sept. 19. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for Governor, for a conversation about her professional path to public service, her message to voters, her thoughts on key policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 in Virginia. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features businessman and broadcaster John Reid, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, for a conversation about his professional path to public service, his message to voters, his thoughts on key policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 in Virginia. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) (twitter.com/VirginiaHHA) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/virginiahha/) using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features Virginia state Senator Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, for a conversation about her professional path to public service, her message to voters, her thoughts on key policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 in Virginia. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Republican nominee for Attorney General, for a conversation about his professional path to public service, his message to voters, his thoughts on key policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 in Virginia. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast is part of a limited series profiling the 2025 major political party nominees for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. This episode features former Virginia Delegate Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General, for a conversation about his professional path to public service, his message to voters, his thoughts on key health policy issues, and more. VHHA recorded this interview series as a public service to voters. It is not an endorsement of any candidate or issue. Election Day is Nov. 4 this year and early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 in Virginia. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Tom Farley, an author, speaker, and advocate for mental health and addiction treatment who will deliver keynote remarks at the 2025 Virginia Behavioral Health Summit scheduled for September 25 in Richmond. Our conversation covers the story of Tom Farley's recovery and advocacy, his work to share the lessons and legacy of his departed brother, actor and comedian Chris Farley, and previews his remarks at the behavioral health summit. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Luis Dominguez, a board-certified internist from VHC Health in Arlington. Dr. Dominguez specializes in chronic disease management, organ compromise and failure, medical complexity, mental health, and migraines. He joins us for a conversation about his work, as well as recent advancements in early detection and treatment of lung cancer. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag. 

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kimberly Green, Director of Acute Care Services at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. Earlier this year, she joined the podcast to discuss Chesapeake Regional's innovative Nurse Draft Day workforce recruitment program. On this episode, we highlight an upcoming workforce event at Chesapeake for neurology nurses called Brunch and Brainwaves. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Amanda Feaster, a nurse with Valley Health's Shenandoah Memorial Hospital who is a former paramedic with Valley Medical Transport. She joins us for a conversation about her work, her career journey from EMS to bedside care, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kris Robey, Violence Intervention Specialist at Carilion Clinic, who joins us for a conversation about how her personal journey has impacted her work, the work of hospital-based violence intervention programs in supporting survivors, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kris Robey, Violence Intervention Specialist at Carilion Clinic, who joins us for a conversation about how her personal journey has impacted her work, the work of hospital-based violence intervention programs in supporting survivors, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Michael Lewis, Vice President of Policy for the American Association of People with Disabilities, for a conversation about his work and personal experience with cerebral palsy, the history of the Americans With Disabilities Act, Disability Pride Month, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Muhammad “Irfan” Saeed, Kidney Transplant Surgical Director at the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center, for a conversation about his work, National Minority Donor Awareness Month, the critical need for more living kidney donors, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Arun Sanyal, Director of the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health at VCU Health. Dr. Sanyal is a return guest who joins us to share insight about an exciting new clinical study showing that a medicine approved for use in treating diabetes and obesity has benefits for patients with a particular type of liver disease. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Jay Mitchell, a Norfolk man and Sentara Health patient who suffered a heart attack that resulted in quadruple bypass surgery. He joins us to share his story of diagnosis, surgery, and recovery and to discuss the importance of listening to your body. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Saul Karpen, Chief Scientific Officer of the Virginia Commonwealth University Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health and President-Elect of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. He joins us for a conversation about his work, new pediatric guidelines developed to detect a life-threatening liver disease in infants, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features features Dr. Vipul Patel, Medical Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center and a faculty member in the Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Management in the Department of Internal Medicine. During the conversation, Dr. Patel share insights about the work of the transplant center as well as a major milestone — the center's first successful lung transplant procedure. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Kristen Danley, a nurse at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, who joins us to share her personal story of going from caregiver to patient after experiencing a stroke in her 30s. The conversation also covers her path to health care, stroke recovery, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kareem Zaki, a urologist with Twin County Regional Healthcare, a Lifepoint Health facility in Galax, VA. During Men's Health Month, Dr. Zaki joins us for a conversation about urology care and an advanced robotic therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Joshua D. Adams, Medical Director of the Carilion Clinic Aortic Center. Our conversation focuses on cardiovascular health, minimally invasive surgical procedures performed at the Carilion Clinic Aortic Center, the importance of bedside manner, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Jonathan Hemler, a pediatric allergist with UVA Health Children's, who joins us to discuss his work, the topic of allergies, new advancements in UVA's pediatric food allergy treatment program, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Evan Silverstein, a pediatric ophthalmologist with Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, for a conversation about how a personal medical experience in his youth inspired his career, a case study about the potential for early detection of eye-related issues in smartphone photos, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Jay Taylor, Chief Growth Officer at Backpack Healthcare, who joins us to discuss his career journey, behavioral health access amid rising service demand, a new partnership between VHHA Solutions and Backpack Healthcare, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Nicole Stauffer, a therapeutic recreation therapist with Sheltering Arms Community Programs. Our conversation covers her work, path to rehabilitation therapy work, the Club Rec program that supports patients with disabilities, a new hydroponic vertical micro-farm at the Sheltering Arms Midtown location, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dani Bowie, DNP, Senior Vice President of Solutions Design and Workforce AI at Aya Healthcare. This conversation highlights Dr. Bowie's career in health care, workforce development efforts, the impact of AI in health care, her upcoming participation in the 2025 Virginia Healthcare Workforce Development Summit on May 13, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Mark Nantz, the President and CEO of Valley Health, a Winchester, VA-based health system, and the newly elected Chair of the VHHA Board of Directors. This conversation covers his career journey, thoughts on health care leadership and public health, how his personal story of adoption and early financial challenges shapes his approach to the ministry of care, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA's Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Juan Pablo Arab, a transplant hepatologist and director of alcohol science with the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease at VCU Health. This conversation covers liver health, insights gleaned from recent research into U.S. liver disease prevalence, the impact of early screening and targeted intervention, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.