Podcasts about Sutter Health

Dr. Ashley Beecy is the Chief AI Officer at Sutter Health, a cardiologist, and a clinical informaticist. Before joining Sutter, she spent more than a decade at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, most recently as Medical Director of AI Operations. Her path into medicine took a less common route: she started as a computer systems engineer at IBM, then spent eight years at Citi in operational risk and product management before going to medical school while still working in finance. In this episode of DGTL Voices, Ashley sits down with Ed to talk about what it takes to build an applied AI function inside a major health system. She walks through the three pillars guiding her work at Sutter, why organizational readiness matters as much as the technology itself, and the discipline required to scope and prioritize when the AI news cycle creates a constant pull toward urgency. Plus the seventh-grade math teacher who shaped her trajectory, the mantra her dad gave her about Brinks trucks and funeral processions, and why she defines success today by what teams achieve together rather than individual metrics. https://marxadvisory.com

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 16th Annual Meeting features Kevin Zeng, Chief Nurse Executive, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Sutter Health. Kevin shares how his team is expanding patient access while supporting workforce well-being, and discusses the importance of mission-driven leadership, organizational culture, and turning strategy into consistent execution during times of rapid change.In collaboration with Insight Global.

On Monday evening members of the public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed health merger. Sanford Health and North Memorial Health announced last month they'd reached an agreement to combine. Sanford is based in South Dakota and operates in several midwestern states, especially in rural areas. North Memorial runs two hospitals and a network of clinics in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. A merger between California-based Sutter Health and Allina Health is also in progress. Minnesota's Attorney General has the power to review health mergers in the state and potentially sue to stop them, under a 2023 law. Attorney General Keith Ellison is currently running for reelection. His office is hosting Monday's public forum in Robbinsdale. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about his office's role in healthcare mergers.

How the Sutter Health Antitrust Case Opened the Door for Employers and Members to Recover Hospital Overcharge Damages What happens when a self-insured employer or health plan member finally says enough is enough and takes a consolidated hospital system to court over anticompetitive contracting practices? That's exactly what antitrust attorney Matthew Cantor did — and after 13 years of litigation, three trips to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and a first trial, he and his team secured a landmark $228.5 million settlement in Sidibe v. Sutter Health. In this episode, Stacey Richter speaks with Matthew Cantor, founding partner of Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP, about one of the most significant antitrust victories in healthcare history — and what it means for self-insured employers, plan sponsors, and everyday members who have been paying inflated premiums because of hospital market power. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ How all-or-nothing clauses and anti-steering/anti-tiering provisions allow dominant hospital systems to lock up local geographies and block members from accessing lower-cost, higher-quality care ✅ Why holding large, consolidated health systems legally accountable is so difficult — including the halo effect, the FTC's lack of jurisdiction over nonprofits, and the challenges of unsympathetic witnesses ✅ How Sidibe v. Sutter Health established a groundbreaking precedent allowing indirect purchasers — employers and plan members paying inflated premiums — to recover damages from hospital overcharges ✅ Why the DOJ is already pursuing similar anti-steering litigation against health systems like OhioHealth and NewYork-Presbyterian ✅ Four concrete options for employers ready to stop being passive price takers: federal legislation, state legislation, engaging the DOJ and state attorneys general, and direct litigation WHY THIS MATTERS Hospital charges make up roughly 50% of underlying medical costs, which in turn represent 80–85% of health insurance premiums. When consolidated systems operate in local markets with little competition, everyone — employers and members alike — pays more. Sidibe v. Sutter Health shows that accountability is possible. === LINKS ===

Stacey Richter introduces Episode 513 of Relentless Health Value as a primer on anti-competitive hospital contracting with Brennan Bilberry of Fairmark Partners, setting up next week's interview with Matt Cantor, lead litigator in the Sutter Health antitrust class action that led to a $575 million settlement over alleged price inflation using market power. Bilberry explains how hospital consolidation enables higher commercial rates and outlines a four-part contracting playbook: all-or-nothing contracting requiring inclusion of all system facilities at high prices; anti-steering and anti-tiering clauses blocking lower-cost benefit designs; price gag clauses limiting disclosure of negotiated rates despite transparency rules; and pressure on ostensibly independent providers to sell or align pricing with the dominant system. The episode links these patterns to DOJ actions against OhioHealth and New York Presbyterian and emphasizes collective action, regulation, and litigation to address them. === LINKS ===

From GLP-1's to peptides to hyperbaric chambers, we're awash in medical information and wellness trends. But what do we really know about improving longevity and increasing your healthspan?  This is the first episode of the Hacking Longevity series. Kara breaks down the best advice for actually living longer (spoiler alert: it's boring, and you probably already know it), and hears from some members of her own medical team about how to make the best health decisions.  First is Dr. David Agus, the founding CEO of the Ellison Medical Institute. Later on, she leads a roundtable discussion with  Dr. Ezekiel “Zeke” Emanuel, an oncologist, public health expert and author of Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life. Plus two members of her own personal care team: Dr. David Daniels, a cardiologist at Sutter Health in San Francisco and the founder of Solo Pace. (He's also the surgeon who repaired the heart defect that led to Kara's 2011 stroke.) And Jason Braun, founder of the Tidal Elite Performance Center in Washington and Kara's own personal trainer. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Carole Bennett, Vice President of Talent Management and Development at Sutter Health, joins the podcast to discuss using multiple learning modalities to improve accessibility and professional development across the workforce. She shares the benefits of programs like LinkedIn Learning and how Sutter Health is expanding executive development to support future healthcare leaders.

Caffeine is one of those substances that can be a friend-enemy. We all know of or experienced the friend-enemy, the one that seems to be supportive while doing dirt in the background.  In limited use like period relief medications, I have no problem supporting that use. Taking caffeine  daily when you have anxiety or depression, might not be such a good idea. It can amp up your existing symptoms or give you new ones.    In this episode, the foods and drinks you might find caffeine and a few resources on how to slowly and safely detox from the stuff. Resources Mentioned:    Both Medline Plus and the Harvard TC Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source have pages about caffeine. The following resources have information about withdrawing or reducing your intake:   Sutter Health on breaking your caffeine habit Cornell University download flyer tips on Reducing Caffeine Use The Cleveland Clinic on How to Quit Caffeine   Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.     Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, Michael Cureton, MHA, FACHE, CEO of Sutter Davis Hospital at Sutter Health, joins the podcast to discuss how foundation partnerships are supporting growth and expanding access to care. He shares insights on the expansion of the birthing center, along with Sutter Health's high patient satisfaction and strong employee engagement across the organization.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 16th Annual Meeting features Warner Thomas, President And Chief Executive Officer, Sutter Health, discussing how the organization is expanding ambulatory care, strengthening leadership and talent development, investing in digital tools that reduce workforce burden, and maintaining a growth mindset to navigate ongoing healthcare change.In collaboration with Insight Global.

Hospital M&A Hits a 6-Year High, a 42,000-Worker Strike Looms & a Rural Hospital Has 56 DaysApril 20th, 2026. More than 1,000 hospital leaders are in Washington, DC for the AHA Annual Meeting. The urgency they are carrying into that building has never been higher. Bo, Luke, and ASHHRA Executive Director Jeremy Sadlier break down three stories hitting simultaneously.

In this episode, Meena Medler, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Sutter Health, shares how integrated value analysis, supplier partnerships, and strategic sourcing are improving patient care and operational efficiency. She also discusses leveraging AI, automation, and ERP optimization to drive innovation, elevate the workforce, and position the organization for growth in 2026.

Deborah Yount, CHRO at Sutter Health, joined us on The Modern People Leader to share her journey from finance to leading HR at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. We discussed how Sutter reduced turnover by nearly 40%, built a culture of leadership accountability, and scaled employee experience and development across 60,000+ employees.----  Sponsor Links:

Sutter Health and Allina Health announce plans to merge. The Leapfrog Group will remove hundreds of hospital safety grades following the Tenet Healthcare decision. And a new survey finds physicians are concerned about the accuracy of AI tools. Those stories and more—coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, discusses Sutter Health's proposed multi-state merger with Allina Health and what it signals for non-contiguous health system growth. He also breaks down AdventHealth's strong financial performance and the strategies driving its expansion in high-growth markets.

A bill intended to improve transparency around proposed data center projects is gaining bipartisan backing in the Minnesota state legislature. Bills introduced in the state house and senate would ban local governments from signing non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from sharing details on who is behind data center proposals.A health system in Northern California plans to acquire Minnesota-based Allina Health. Sutter Health and Allina Health announced Tuesday that they signed a nonbinding letter of intent to combine into a $26 billion nonprofit system.Residents of mobile home parks were at the Minnesota Capitol Tuesday asking legislators to keep their parks affordable. Residents say as private equity firms buy up mobile home parks, rent and evictions have increased dramatically.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Lou Lasprugato about ACT within the therapeutic relationship, including process-based functional assessment and shaping psychological flexibility.Lou Lasprugato is a psychotherapist and internationally recognized trainer in the field of psychology. He is a Peer-Reviewed Trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), for which he also served as Chair of the Training Committee from 2022-2025. In 2025, Lou was elected into the ACBS Fellowship for his contributions in ACT dissemination. Lou is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with private practices in both California and Virginia (United States), working with both individuals, including college students, and couples. He also has extensive experience in facilitating skill-building and process-based groups. Lou specializes in therapy for intimate partners and the treatment of anxiety disorders, and is a member of the International OCD Foundation. He has worked as a psychotherapist in a variety of settings, including county-operated crisis intervention services with underserved populations; a mental health and substance abuse intensive outpatient program at Kaiser Permanente that he subsequently managed; and an integrative medicine program at Sutter Health. Lou has taught mindfulness meditation to health care practitioners and facilitated over one hundred training events on ACT, including InterACT for couples and clinically-applied relational frame theory (RFT), as well as co-created courses on nutritional psychology and integrative mental health treatment. Lou has also provided supervision to other behavioral/mental health professionals and students and continues to provide individual and group consultation on ACT and other contextual behavioral approaches. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in Holistic Studies from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, following a career as a professional musician.

In this episode, Leon Clark, Chief Academic Affairs Officer at Sutter Health, discusses how strategic growth of the system's graduate medical education programs, strong academic partnerships, and a focus on team based, technology enabled care are helping train and retain physicians to address workforce shortages and expand access across California.

What if leadership isn't just shaped by strategy, structure, or individual capability but by the energetic field we are participating in together?In this deeply spacious episode of the Sacred Changemakers Podcast, I'm joined by Alan Briskin and Mary Gelinas, longtime practitioners and teachers whose work bridges collective wisdom, neuroscience, spirituality, and conscious social change.Together, we explore the reality that space is not empty, that it is alive with information, relationships, and potential. Drawing on insights from their book Space Is Not Empty, Alan and Mary invite us to sense leadership as a relational, emergent practice rather than a position or role. This conversation moves beyond concepts into a felt, lived experience. We speak about field awareness, language, shared power, polarization, and what becomes possible when leaders learn to listen not just to words, but to the space between us.This episode is an invitation to slow down, to feel, and to experience leadership differently, not as control, but as participation in something wiser than any one of us.About Today's Guests:Alan Briskin, PhD is an award-winning author, leadership consultant, and a pioneer in the field of collective wisdom. For over four decades, he has worked with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, including Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Alan is a co-founder of the Collective Wisdom Initiative, a Noted Humanist Scholar at Saybrook University, and has served as Senior Advisor to the Institute of Noetic Sciences, the Goi Peace Foundation in Tokyo, and the One Humanity Institute in Poland.Mary Gelinas, EdD is a managing director of Gelinas James, Inc., and an author, consultant, educator, and executive coach devoted to conscious social change. She is the author of Talk Matters! Saving the World One Word at a Time and brings decades of experience in organizational change, neuroscience, and embodied leadership. For 20 years, she co-led the Cascadia Center for Leadership, graduating over 500 leaders across sectors, and has worked with organizations including Genentech, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, and public-sector institutions.Learn More About Today's GuestsSpace Is Not Empty website →www.spaceisnotempty.netAlan's website ****→ www.alanbriskin.comMary's website → www.gelinasjames.comSpace Is Not Empty on LinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-is-not-empty/about/Alan on LinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-briskin-a9637b6/

In this episode, Jonathan Ma, CFO of Sutter Health, discusses navigating Medicare and Medi Cal uncertainty, investing in people and digital innovation, and pursuing strategic growth to expand access and scale the system's nearly $20 billion mission across California and beyond.

What happens when a health system stops trying to recruit its way out of a workforce challenge, and instead redesigns the pipeline itself? In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, Eric Glazer sits down with Dr. Lindsay Mazotti, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Science and Education at Sutter Health, for a candid, system-level conversation about rethinking how physicians are trained, supported, and developed for the future of care. Rather than focusing on workforce shortages as a policy or awareness problem, this conversation explores what happens after the reality is already clear—when leaders choose to redesign foundational systems instead of managing around constraints. Dr. Mazotti shares how Sutter is treating graduate medical education as strategic infrastructure, not an academic side function, and what it takes to build a physician pipeline that can scale, adapt, and endure. Using examples from rural training pathways, academic partnerships, research translation, and digital transformation, the discussion surfaces how education becomes the load-bearing structure that allows health systems to absorb change without breaking. This episode is designed for health system leaders who are no longer asking whether change is needed, but are grappling with how to build systems that can carry what's coming next. In this episode, we cover: Why physician shortages can't be solved through recruiting alone How Sutter is redesigning the physician pipeline end to end What changes when graduate medical education is treated as core infrastructure How training clinicians for place shapes rural and underserved care delivery Why education is the missing link between research, digital innovation, and day-to-day care Where clinician training determines adoption—or abandonment—of new technologies The leadership tradeoffs that come with moving from individual patient care to system-level impact What leaders must unlearn when building durable, long-term capability About Dr. Lindsay Mazotti: Dr. Lindsay Mazotti leads system-wide initiatives at Sutter Health that advance medical education, research, and innovation in support of the organization's mission to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care to more than 3 million patients across 22 counties in Northern California. In her role, she focuses on strategically integrating medical education into the health system's infrastructure to align with long-term priorities, including Sutter's Destination 2030 initiative. Dr. Mazotti oversees undergraduate and graduate medical education across the system—spanning clinical rotations, scholarships, residency and fellowship programs, and academic partnerships—while working closely with aligned medical groups representing more than 14,000 physicians to develop and support physician educators. Her work centers on building innovative training pathways that address physician workforce needs, align with evolving care delivery models, and strengthen long-term system capability, with the goal of quadrupling Sutter's GME footprint by 2030 to become the largest community-based GME program in California. Learn more about Dr. Mazotti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-mazotti Partner with Bright Spots Ventures: If you are interested in speaking with the Bright Spots Ventures team to brainstorm how we can help you grow your business via content and relationships, email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare—proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com. Visit our website:  www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com. Follow Bright Spots in Healthcare: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shared-purpose-connect

For the 107th episode of the CIO podcast hosted by Healthcare IT Today, we are joined by Richard Milani, MD, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at Sutter Health, to talk about Sutter Sync! We kick this episode off with Milani explaining what exactly Sutter Sync is. Then we talk about what went into the decision-making process to do their own device with direct connection to Epic, rather than using the other available devices/RPM vendors on the market. We also get into why they chose to start with high blood pressure and pregnancy. Next, Milani shares where he sees Sutter Sync going next after high blood pressure and pregnancy, as well as if they are exploring other devices. We then move on to Artificial Intelligence usage at Sutter Health. First, we talk about how they are leveraging AI in areas like radiology. Next, we discuss their AI use with diabetes and blindness, and what they are doing there. Lastly, we end this episode with Milani passing along the best piece of advice he’s been given in his career. Here’s a look at the questions and topics we discuss in this episode: What is your recently announced Sutter Sync? Why did you decide to do your own device with direct connection to Epic rather than using one of the other devices/RPM vendors on the market? Why did you decide to start with high blood pressure and pregnancy? Where do you see Sutter Sync going next after high blood pressure and pregnancy? Are you exploring other devices? How are you leveraging AI in areas like radiology? How about your use of AI with diabetes and blindness? What are you doing there? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your career? Now, without further ado, we’re excited to share with you the next episode of the CIO Podcast by Healthcare IT Today. We release a new CIO Podcast every ~2 weeks. You can also subscribe to the Healthcare IT Today podcast on any of the following platforms: NOTE: We’ll be updating the links below as the various podcasting platforms approve the new podcast.  Check back soon to be able to subscribe on your favorite podcast application. Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Podcast Radio TuneIn Spotify iHeartRadio Amazon Music Thanks for listening to the CIO Podcast on Healthcare IT Today and if you enjoy the content we’re sharing, please rate the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. Along with the popular podcasting platforms above, you can Subscribe to Healthcare IT Today on YouTube.  Plus, all of the audio and video versions will be made available to stream on HealthcareITToday.com. We’d love to hear what you think of the podcast and if there are other healthcare CIO you’d like to see us have on the program. Feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments of this post with @techguy on Twitter, or privately on our Contact Us page. We appreciate you listening! Listen to the Latest Episodes

In this episode, Luke Rockenbach, Chief Financial Officer for Sutter Health's Silicon Valley Division, discusses strategies to balance growth, operational efficiency, and value-based care while navigating complex healthcare economics. He shares how optimizing space, expanding clinician capacity, and leveraging technology are shaping priorities and opportunities for 2026.

We're immersed in a universe of invisible energy fields, like swimmers in a vast ocean. Often beyond awareness, these forces shape and are shaped by us. This dialogue explores the Personal, Social, and Noetic fields and how conscious awareness of them helps us create a more just and compassionate world.Alan Briskin, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in organizational psychology and is a pioneer in the field of organizational learning. He is co-founder of the Collective Wisdom Initiative and has been consultant to many large corporations including Lucasfilm, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and the Goi Peace Foundation. His books include:The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace (Berrett-Koehler 1998),The Power of Collective Wisdom and the Trap of Collective Folly (co-authors, Sheryl Erickson, Tom Callanan, and John Ott)(Berrett-Koehler 2009) and Daily Miracles: Stories and Practices of Humanity and Excellence in Health Care (co-author Jan Boller) (Sigma Theta Tau International; 1st edition 2006)Mary V. Gelinas, Ed.D. is an organizational development consultant devoted to the art of conscious social change. As an educator and consultant with more than forty years of experience working in brain research, contemplative practices, social psychology, and systems thinking. Her organizational redesign projects focus on innovative and inclusive solutions for business, government, health care, and education, for such diverse clients as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is the author of:Talk Matters: Saving the World One Word at a Time. (Friesen Press 2026)Briskin and Gelinas are the co-authors of Space is Not Empty: How Hidden Fields Are Shaping Your Life and Our World (Friesen Press 2025)Interview Date: 11/14/2025 Tags: Alan Briskin, Mary V. Genlinas, Personal fields, Social fields, Noetic fields, wondering, curiosity, David Bohm, Carl Rogers, shifting the norm, fields are permeable, group disruption, noticing, certainty, uncertainty, body wisdom, Personal Transformation, Psychology, Science, Social Change/Politics

Alan Briskin, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in organizational psychology and is a pioneer in the field of organizational learning. He is co-founder of the Collective Wisdom Initiative and has been consultant to many large corporations including Lucasfilm, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and the Goi Peace Foundation. His books include The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace (Berrett-Koehler 1998),The Power of Collective Wisdom and the Trap of Collective Folly (co-authors, Sheryl Erickson, Tom Callanan, and John Ott)(Berrett-Koehler 2009) and Daily Miracles: Stories and Practices of Humanity and Excellence in Health Care (co-author Jan Boller) (Sigma Theta Tau International; 1st edition 2006)Mary V. Gelinas, Ed.D. is an organizational development consultant devoted to the art of conscious social change. As an educator and consultant with more than forty years of experience working in brain research, contemplative practices, social psychology, and systems thinking. Her organizational redesign projects focus on innovative and inclusive solutions for business, government, health care, and education, for such diverse clients as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is the author of Talk Matters: Saving the World One Word at a Time. (Friesen Press 2026)Briskin and Gelinas are the co-authors of Space is Not Empty: How Hidden Fields Are Shaping Your Life and Our World (Friesen Press 2025)Interview Date: 11/14/2025 Tags: Alan Briskin, Mary V. Genlinas, Personal fields, Social fields, Noetic fields, wondering, curiosity, David Bohm, Carl Rogers, shifting the norm, fields are permeable, group disruption, noticing, certainty, uncertainty, body wisdom, Personal Transformation, Psychology, Science, Social Change/Politics

During the episode, MedCity News Associate Editor Katie Adams interviews Dr. Hamad Husainy, chief medical officer at PointClickCare, and Dr. Barbara Bond, a physician at Sutter Health, about how AI can help improve patient outcomes in the emergency department.   Episode Resources Connect with Arundhati Parmar aparmar@medcitynews.com  https://twitter.com/aparmarbb?lang=en https://medcitynews.com/   Review, Subscribe and Share If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here   Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes. Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts  Click here to subscribe with Spotify Click here to subscribe with Podbean Click here to  

At my monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars,  I always get questions about hormone therapy- when to start, when to stop, if the dose should be changed as women get older, and what to do if someone continues to have symptoms or continues to bleed…  In this episode, Dr. Risa Kagan and I answer submitted questions.  We start by briefly running through the established indications for starting menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), and then Dr. Kagan and I discuss the “what ifs” of hormone therapy.   Do you have to wait for 12 months without a period before starting MHT? If someone is taking birth control pills for control of perimenopause symptoms, at what point should they go off? And can they immediately transition to MHT or do they need to take a break and make sure they are no longer making estrogen? A  woman with severe hot flashes is having all day, all night hot flashes- how long is it going to take to get some relief?  Does it matter if it is oral or transdermal as far as the onset of action?  What are the chances of getting 100% relief?   If someone has started MHT but is still having flashes, how long should they wait before adjusting it?  What is the best starting dose if someone has severe flashes? High or low? A woman wrote in that she has been using a 0.75 patch, but continues to have severe flashes.  She got a serum level, and it is 10. Her doctor is reluctant to increase her dose. What would you tell her? A woman has tried four different protocols and has nuisance bleeding with all.  She had an ultrasound and biopsy, and it was all normal. She wants to continue MHT, but is tired of the bleeding. She wants to know which protocol is the least likely to cause bleeding An internist told a woman that after 5 years, it is time to go off her MHT.  What about if she is primarily taking it for hot flashes- how likely is it that her hot flashes will return?  What about if she is primarily on it for bone health (known osteopenia) and joint pain-? What about if she is primarily taking it for sexual benefits? (Libido, lubrication, orgasm) ? What about if she is primarily taking it because she is worried about dementia A woman decided to go off HT since she was only taking it for hot flashes and is now 10 years out. Her manicurist told her that she should taper; otherwise, her flashes will come back. Her gyne says, stop. What does Dr. Kagan say? A 60 year old woman started estrogen when she had a hysterectomy and ovary removal. She was told by her internist that there is no way she will still be having hot flashes in her 60s, and therefore no reason to continue her estrogen. Is that correct? What is the likelihood that she will still be having hot flashes in her 60s or 70s?  The next question is from a woman who increased her oral estradiol to 2 mg to get rid of her flashes,  but is still taking her original Prometrium dose 100 mg. Is that enough to protect the lining of her uterus? When do you increase it? A question from a Substack reader- “I used estradiol gel for 8 years at the start of menopause. I decided to stop it and did so for 3 years; however, my hot flashes (sleep, mood, etc) were relentless and violent. I decided to start again after a 3-years hiatus and at the age of 65. I feel so much better. Is this a problem having stopped and then started again a few years later?”  How can you tell the effectiveness of the HRT you're taking (other than no more hot flashes?) I still feel lack of motivation, low libido, joint aches and I'm so much slower running (1 min+/mile).  (What this really comes down to, is what are realistic expectations for what HT will do?)  How long can a postmenopausal woman stay on testosterone, estrogen and Progesterone?  Let's say a woman has been using a .05 estradiol patch but her skin is really irritated and has decided to try the spray instead.  What is the equivalent dose? A woman with a hysterectomy who is taking estrogen alone has been taking a 1 mg estradiol pill. She has decided to switch to conjugated equine estrogen since she would like breast protection.  Is that correct thinking? If she is going to make the switch, what is the equivalent dose?  A 51 year old is no longer having hot flashes but wants to continue her transdermal estrogen since she has low bone mass and is worried about progression to osteoporosis. What is the minimum dose of estradiol to ensure that she is getting maximum bone protection?  Many questions came in about initiating hormone therapy after age 65... Dr. Risa Kagan is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, and a consulting gynecologist with Sutter Health.  Other episodes with Dr. Kagan Episode 114- Is Duovee the Ideal Hormone Therapy? Episode 175 Your Bones On and Off Estrogen When an IUD is Your Post Menopause Plan

In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together health system leaders transforming how care continues beyond the hospital stay—using digital coordination, subspecialization, and AI-enabled virtual care to reduce readmissions and improve patient experience. Our guests include: Matthew Sakumoto, MD, Medical Director, Connected Care Clinic, and Regional Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Sutter Health Sean O'Grady, President of Acute and Ambulatory Operations, Endeavor Health Sarah Schenck, MD, Executive Director, Center for Virtual Health, ChristianaCare Tina Nelson, Strategic Partnership Manager, TytoCare Together, they explore: How Sutter Health virtualized Transition-of-Care Management visits to improve post-discharge follow-up, eliminate transportation barriers, and connect hospitalists directly with patients at home. How Endeavor Health is scaling a subspecialized hospital model—combining orthopedics, spine, and cardiovascular centers of excellence with Epic-driven coordination to deliver big-system outcomes in community settings. How ChristianaCare's Center for Virtual Health delivers "high-frequency, low-intensity" primary care—83% asynchronously—supported by Patient Digital Ambassadors who create human-centered, always-on engagement. How TytoCare and Sanford Health are expanding specialty access across rural communities with FDA-cleared diagnostic technology that brings high-quality remote exams to local clinics. How digital tools and aligned incentives are building a new care ecosystem—one that integrates human connection, data, and technology to keep patients home, healthy, and connected. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/from-hospital-to-home-scaling-remote-specialty-care-to-close-gaps-and-reduce-readmissions/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/EpisodeGuideFromHospitaltoHome.pdf  Key Insights Summary: Find key insights from the discussion, guest takeaways, and detailed moderator notes captured by Eric during the conversation. https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Key-Insights-Summary-and-Erics-Notes-From-Hospital-to-Home_-Scaling-Remote-Specialty-Care-to-Close-Gaps-and-Reduce-Readmissions.docx.pdf  Resources:  Case Studies: Scaling remote exams to improve access, reduce costs, and enhance the patient experience These companion resources explore how digital care coordination, subspecialization, and virtual specialty models are reshaping transitions of care. It includes data and stories from Baptist Health and Sanford Health on how to reduce readmissions, enhance clinician satisfaction, and expand access. To request your copy, email jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com. Podcast Recommendation: Check out Access Amplified, brought to you by TytoCare and hosted by Joanna Braunold - a podcast about how digital health is helping increase access to care and equity, one innovation at a time. We'll shine a light on what's actually working to make care more accessible and  inclusive. If you're a healthcare leader, an innovator, a policy shaper, or anyone passionate about health equity, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every two weeks. Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.tytocare.com/resources/access-amplified/ Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models—reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com  to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation.   We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.  

The episode explores how Warner Thomas is transforming Sutter Health into a digitally-enabled, ambulatory-focused health system that can navigate major industry headwinds through growth rather than contraction. Thomas discusses Sutter's aggressive expansion of its physician network and ambulatory footprint, the system's push to dramatically improve consumer experience through technologies like online booking and ambient AI documentation, and their strategic pivot toward value-based care models as Medicare payment pressures intensify. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that successful health systems must embrace AI and digital tools not as futuristic concepts but as immediate operational necessities, while maintaining focus on integrated care delivery that keeps patients at the center—a philosophy shaped by his experience building integrated systems at Ochsner and now applied to reimagining Sutter's historically hospital-centric culture into one that blends physical and digital care delivery across the full continuum. (0:00) Intro(1:01) Overview of Sutter Health(1:56) Comparing Sutter Health and Ochsner(4:08) Key Focus Areas for Sutter Health(6:49) Consumer Experience and Technology Integration(10:56) The Role of AI in Healthcare(18:03) Advice for Startups in Health Tech(21:19) Navigating Financial Challenges in Healthcare(24:23) Healthcare Policy and Advocacy(25:59) Competition and Differentiation in Healthcare(29:58) Value-Based Care and Medicare(34:03) Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/

From Pilot to Platform - How Sutter Health is Scaling AI Across 3.5 Million Lives Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ashley Beecy, Chief AI Officer at Sutter Health, as she shares their journey from targeted AI pilots to enterprise-wide transformation across one of California's largest integrated health systems. We'll explore Sutter's innovative diabetic retinopathy screening program, where AI-enabled cameras deployed across 28 primary care sites detect sight-threatening conditions in under a minute, and their strategic partnership with Aidoc as the premier West Coast hub for clinical AI innovation. Dr. Beecy brings unique insights from her journey as a cardiologist and former AI leader at NewYork-Presbyterian. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen/

Heidi Shierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute and former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the erosion of worker protections under the Trump administration, the manipulation of economic data and the importance of unions in today's economy. Michael Pineda, chief steward at Sutter Delta Medical Center and executive board member of SEIU-UHW, discussed the recent contract negotiations with Sutter Health on the America's Work Force Union Podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Mazzotti, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Education and Science at Sutter Health, discusses the system's bold plan to expand residency and fellowship programs, the role of education in addressing physician shortages, and how Sutter is preparing future doctors to thrive in a rapidly evolving care environment.

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Mazotti, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Education and Science at Sutter Health, discusses the system's bold plan to expand residency and fellowship programs, the role of education in addressing physician shortages, and how Sutter is preparing future doctors to thrive in a rapidly evolving care environment.

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Mazzotti, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Education and Science at Sutter Health, discusses the system's bold plan to expand residency and fellowship programs, the role of education in addressing physician shortages, and how Sutter is preparing future doctors to thrive in a rapidly evolving care environment.

In this episode, Luke Rockenbach, CFO of Sutter Health's Silicon Valley Market, shares insights on expanding access through new ambulatory facilities, leveraging technology like ambient listening and AI, and advancing value-based care to build a sustainable and patient-centered future.

In this episode, Amy Kwiatkowski talks with Liddy Deacon of Sutter Health about their Emergency Department Service Ambassador Program. Liddy shares how ambassadors support patients and staff, foster meaningful connections, and improve care experiences across the ED.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Trump signs executive order changing Department of Defense to Department of War; Wildfire air pollution a growing problem exacerbated by climate change according to UN report; Healthcare workers protest short staffing, soaring executive pay at Sutter Health in Sacramento; Legislature passes measure to warn parents when schools targeted by immigration enforcement; US sanctions 3 leading Palestinian human rights groups for supporting investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza; September 5th is “International Day of Charity” in honor of anniversary of death of Mother Teresa The post Trump signs order changing Defense Department to Department of War; UN warns of wildfire air pollution driven by climate change – September 5, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

How do you choose the right technology, measure what counts, and still keep patients at the center of your marketing? In this episode of Ignite, Cardinal CEO Alex Membrillo chats with Chelsea Lockhart, Senior Director of Platform Management and Marketing Technology at Sutter Health, about what it really takes to build effective marketing operations in health systems. You'll hear firsthand how to choose the right marketing technology for your resources, why data quality and compliance are non-negotiable, and how to measure what really matters before chasing the latest trends. Most importantly, you'll walk away with a renewed focus on the fundamentals: delivering timely, relevant messages to patients and building strong internal partnerships to drive real results. RELATED RESOURCES Connect with Chelsea - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsealockhart/ Privacy First: Marketing Technologies That Prioritize HIPAA Compliance - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/hipaa-compliant-martech/ Marketing + Operations: Why Total Alignment is Vital to Growth - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/healthcare-marketing-operations-alignment/ Is Your Organization Actually Ready for Marketing? - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/marketing-readiness/ How to Build a Full-Funnel Healthcare Marketing Strategy - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/healthcare-full-funnel-marketing-strategy/

My guest for Episode #323 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Grace Bourke, Consulting Director of the Performance Excellence Practice at Baker Tilly. With nearly 40 years of experience in healthcare quality improvement and industrial engineering, Grace has worked in clinical care, biotech, global public health, and senior leadership roles at organizations including Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health.' Episode page Grace shares a very personal favorite mistake — the challenges of building a new home that turned into a nightmare of mold, leaks, and structural flaws. What began as a house problem quickly became a more profound lesson in trust, verification, and speaking up — themes that resonate far beyond construction and directly into the world of healthcare. “Trust and verify becomes trust and vigilant, educated verification.” – Grace Bourke She reflects on how her tendency to trust inspections and processes, while ignoring her own instincts, parallels what often happens in healthcare systems when leaders or staff don't feel psychologically safe to raise concerns. Grace connects her experience to the importance of leadership accountability, patient safety, and continuous improvement, noting that healthcare still struggles to admit mistakes and act decisively to prevent harm. We also talk about the role of psychological safety, second opinions, and lifelong learning, both in our personal lives and in healthcare. Grace shares how hobbies like glass fusing remind her that safe spaces for experimentation and “planned mistakes” can strengthen resilience, creativity, and growth. “We can't fix the whole world, but we can fix our small piece — and that makes a difference.” – Grace Bourke Questions and Topics: What's your favorite mistake? Was the mistake choosing this builder, or not verifying inspections before closing? Why do you think you didn't speak up more during the building process? How does this experience connect to psychological safety in healthcare? What have you learned about yourself from going through this? How do you put the house problems into perspective? Has the builder taken responsibility or apologized? What parallels do you see between this home-building experience and healthcare improvement? Why is it so hard for healthcare organizations to admit mistakes? What role does leadership play in creating safer systems? How do hobbies like glass fusing help you practice learning from mistakes? What do you mean by “the mistake you're planning”? What gives you hope for improvement in healthcare, despite the challenges?

This episode features Kiran Mysore, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Sutter Health, who shares how his team is using AI and data-driven strategies to improve patient access, support clinicians, and drive organizational growth. He highlights real-world examples of AI in diagnostics, workflow efficiency, and digital care, while outlining Sutter's vision for future expansion and innovation.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features John Russell, Director, Area Operations, Sutter Health System Office. John discusses strategies to improve patient access, optimize surgery center utilization, expand hours of operation, and support sustainable growth in response to rising demand across the system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features John Russell, Director, Area Operations, Sutter Health System Office. John discusses strategies to improve patient access, optimize surgery center utilization, expand hours of operation, and support sustainable growth in response to rising demand across the system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features John Russell, Director, Area Operations, Sutter Health System Office. John discusses strategies to improve patient access, optimize surgery center utilization, expand hours of operation, and support sustainable growth in response to rising demand across the system.

In this episode, Darian Harris, CEO of Mills-Peninsula Medical Center at Sutter Health, shares insights on expanding healthcare access, workforce development, and leveraging technology to enhance patient care. He discusses innovative strategies, including behavioral health investments, robotics, and a tuition-free diagnostic imaging program, shaping the future of healthcare in Northern California.

In this special episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, we sit down with Mark Sevco, an executive in transition, as he embarks on a new chapter as President and CEO of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), part of Highmark Health. With decades of leadership experience across major health systems like UPMC and Sutter Health, Mark shares his vision, strategy, and mindset as he returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh to lead a transformative journey in healthcare. This episode offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal career transition—we catch Mark just as he steps away from his role as COO at Sutter Health and begins his new chapter at AHN. He shares his 30-60-90 day plan, emphasizes the power of listening and learning, and outlines his commitment to fostering a culture of operational excellence and coordinated care. Then, 90 days later, we reconnect to hear how that plan unfolded. Mark reflects on the early wins, the cultural shifts underway, and how he's leveraging AI, data, and technology to drive value-based care and population health. He also shares insights on leadership, team building, and the bold vision behind Highmark's Living Health Model. Whether you're a healthcare leader, an innovator, or simply passionate about the future of care, this episode explores the intersection of culture, strategy, innovation, and purpose.

Are your current stroke interventions in line with the latest clinical data? Dr. Blaise Baxter, interventional radiologist at Sutter Health, and Dr. Jim Milburn, interventional neuroradiologist at the Ochsner Health, join host Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss the latest advancements in stroke interventions. --- This podcast is supported by: Imperative Carehttps://imperativecare.com/stroke/zoom-stroke-solution/ --- SYNPOSIS The episode begins with a discussion on the different pathways to becoming a neurointerventionalist, emphasizing why interventional radiologists are uniquely equipped for this transition. They dive into cutting-edge stroke interventions, sharing key takeaways from major trials on large core and medium vessel occlusions. Dr. Baxter and Dr. Milburn highlight the HERMES trial, which showed that endovascular thrombectomy led to beneficial effects on patients with anterior circulation occlusion. They then cover the BAOCHE trial, which showed better functional outcomes with thrombectomy over medical therapy. Milburn and Baxter also share their perspectives on the shifting role of perfusion imaging and why the field may be moving beyond it. To close the discussion, the doctors underscore the powerful impact of rehabilitation in driving patient recovery, and stress the ongoing need for innovation and improved training in the field of neurointerventional radiology. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction06:18 - Training and Certification in Neurointervention13:11- Large Core Trials and Their Impact19:42 - CT Perfusion and Treatment Decisions29:45 - Understanding Stroke Scale Scores and ICAD30:31 - Thrombectomy Trials and Treatment Strategies34:48 - Challenges in Randomizing Patients for Trials44:25 - Advancements in Robotics and Stroke Treatment51:37 - Future Directions in Stroke Rehabilitation53:11 - Global Thrombectomy Adoption and Training --- RESOURCES Hermes trial: Goyal M, Menon BK, van Zwam WH, et al. Endovascular thrombectomy after large-vessel ischaemic stroke: a meta-analysis of individual patient data from five randomised trials. Lancet. 2016;387(10029):1723-1731. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00163-X BAOCH trial: Jovin TG, Li C, Wu L, et al. Trial of Thrombectomy 6 to 24 Hours after Stroke Due to Basilar-Artery Occlusion. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(15):1373-1384. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2207576

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Ronn Berrol to unpack how a single hospital pilot became a 21-site success story—not by replacing Epic, but by solving the one thing it couldn't do well: surfacing the right data, at the right time, for the right patients. We dove deep into how high-risk patients can be flagged before they escalate into crisis, and how real-time data sharing across emergency departments can dramatically reduce admissions and improve flow. And the secret ingredient? A clinician champion who didn't wait for a committee to say yes—he created momentum from the floor up.1.Don't Confuse Your EHR with Strategic Insight Tools Dr. Ronn shared how even the best EMRs like Epic can bury clinicians in data. What made a difference wasn't more information—but surfacing the right information at the right time for high-risk patients.2.Champions Create Change, Not Systems Alone Technology alone didn't earn trust. It was the clinicians—like Ronn—who piloted it, saw value, and advocated upward that drove full-scale adoption across 21 hospitals.3.Pilot First, Scale Fast—But Only When It Works Many hospitals hesitate to adopt new solutions unless a clear ROI is shown early. That's why the original pilot funded by a hospital foundation was a turning point.4.Care Coordination Starts Before the Crisis With tools that flag social risks, housing instability, or medication lapses—this platform helped avoid ER boarding by addressing patients' needs before they spiraled.5.Modern Innovation Means Cross-Hospital Collaboration Emergency departments often operate in silos. But the real breakthrough came from sharing real-time patient data across unaffiliated EDs.6.You Don't Need to Solve Everything—Just What Others Miss What made this solution a win wasn't trying to replace Epic—it filled the critical gap Epic couldn't: surfacing actionable insights, fast.Have you ever been the “first yes” that helped an innovation take off in your org?Episode Timeline: 00:01:56 - How piloting EDO began through visibility gaps in local EDs.00:03:51 - Clinical inefficiencies and the importance of care pathways.00:05:50 - Workflow improvements reduced boarding and increased capacity.00:07:53 - How a charitable foundation funded the pilot despite cost concerns.00:09:37 - Dr. Ron contrasts EDO vs Epic and explains its push-not-pull advantage.00:11:17 - EDO pushes key info in 30-45 seconds vs long EHR chart reviews.00:13:42 - How EDO helps solve new CMS and system-wide goals.00:17:26 - Dr. Ron expands on how lack of access causes overreliance on EDs.00:21:48 - Key takeaway #1: EHR ≠ strategic insight tool.00:22:17 - Key takeaway #2: Clinician champions drive change.00:22:31 - Key takeaway #3: Pilot first, scale fast.00:22:47 - Key takeaway #4: Coordinate care before crisis.00:23:13 - Key takeaway #5: Share data across hospitals.00:23:30 - Key takeaway #6: Fill the gap, don't replace the system.

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

In this episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, we sit down with Dr. Todd Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Sutter Health, for a powerful conversation on transforming healthcare from the inside out. Dr. Smith shares how Sutter is addressing clinician burnout, workforce shortages, and access challenges by focusing on culture, operational partnerships, and technology that truly supports providers. He unpacks the value of dyadic leadership, the rollout of ambient AI to reduce administrative burden, and a bold plan to expand ambulatory care across Northern California. With a clear-eyed view of what keeps him up at night and what gives him hope, Dr. Smith offers a candid look at what it takes to build a system where clinicians can thrive and patients get the care they need - when and where they need it.

In this episode, Jennifer Bollinger, Senior Vice President and Chief Consumer & Brand Officer at Sutter Health, shares insights into how her team is leading digital innovation, expanding access through online scheduling, and integrating physical and digital care to meet rising patient expectations. She also discusses AI, mentorship, and building a consumer-obsessed healthcare culture.