Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Michele Szkolnicki, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, discusses her multi-year initiative to rebuild and stabilize the nursing workforce, achieving a zero percent vacancy in medical-surgical units, and shares how nursing can drive value, improve patient outcomes, and support hospital finances in 2026.

In this episode, Rob Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Transformation Alliance, discusses how employers and providers can work more closely to improve value, reduce middleman costs, and drive better outcomes. He shares perspectives on payer competition, transparency, GLP 1 cost pressures, and how technology and personalized medicine may reshape health plans in the years ahead.

In this episode, Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG, Chief Physician and Operations Executive at Lee Physician Group, joins the podcast to discuss extending life expectancy through improved diabetes care and chronic disease management. He outlines priorities for 2026, the importance of supporting work-life balance for clinicians, and strategies to expand access to care across the community.

In this episode, Ty Wang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Angle Health, shares how his team is rethinking health plan infrastructure to move beyond transactional payer provider relationships. He discusses modernizing operations with AI, improving transparency for employers and brokers, and aligning incentives around outcomes, affordability, and member experience.

In this episode, Ben Toombs, MBA, BSN, RN, Director of Emergency Programs at UW Health, and Nicholas Bell, Manager of Safety and Emergency Management at UW Health, share how systems can rethink mass casualty incident readiness beyond binders and annual drills. They discuss operational realities, governance and communication challenges, staff well-being, and how UW Health rebuilt its MCI approach through continuous learning and real-world testing.

In this episode, Tony Keck, Chief Transformation Officer at Ballad Health, shares how the system is leveraging AI, operational efficiency, and community based investments to improve affordability, population health, and access across Appalachia. He discusses leadership development, merger driven transformation, and why staying close to frontline care is essential in today’s healthcare environment.

In this episode, Lisa Hudnall, Chief Human Resources Officer of UVA Physicians Group, shares how clarifying leadership expectations, standardizing onboarding, and investing in workforce sustainability and AI have reduced turnover, improved engagement, and positioned the organization for disciplined growth amid margin pressure and clinician burnout.

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.

In this episode, Ije Akunyili, MD, MBA, MPA, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer at Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, joins the podcast to discuss building a mortality and safety council, advancing women’s health initiatives, and expanding partnerships to strengthen care delivery. She also shares how health systems can manage rising patient volumes while maintaining quality and safety.

In this episode, Gina R. Hawley, DrPH, MHA, System Associate Chief Operating Officer at U Health and Chief Operating Officer of University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, shares how her team is managing capacity, shifting patient populations, and prioritizing high-impact initiatives amid growing headwinds.

In this episode, Parinda Khatri, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of River Valley Health, joins the podcast to discuss expanding access to care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. She shares the keys to organizational success through alignment and building a supportive technology ecosystem, while also addressing the challenges of adopting new platforms and expanding services. Parinda offers insight into opportunities for growth as healthcare organizations navigate the year ahead.

In this episode, Sophia G. Holder, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, joins the podcast to discuss workforce optimization and the need to modernize operating models across healthcare organizations. She shares how aligning strategy, finance, and operations is essential to making growth sustainable while continuing to support high-quality pediatric care.

In this episode, Matt Timmons, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Manning Family Children’s, shares how the organization rebuilt its pediatric heart center through focused leadership, culture change, and physician recruitment. He also discusses 2026 priorities including campus expansion, a new NICU, growth in pediatric cancer and sickle cell care, and scaling school based health programs amid Medicaid funding uncertainty.

In this episode, Crystal V. Brown, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, discusses launching the first whole blood transfusion program in Ellis County, developing a level two trauma center, and how collaborative initiatives and process improvements are helping the hospital meet the needs of a rapidly growing North Texas community.

In this episode, Christian Milaster, MS, Founder and CEO of Ingenium Consulting Group, shares how thoughtful implementation, not just new technology, is critical to improving outcomes in rural health. He discusses CMS rural health transformation funding, digital health and AI trends, and why methodology and implementation science are essential to turning innovation into real impact.

In this episode, Debra Jaeger, SVP and Chief Revenue Officer at Mount Sinai, shares how she is unifying fragmented revenue operations, improving cash collections and denials, and leveraging AI, predictive analytics, and workforce development to modernize the revenue cycle and enhance the patient financial experience.

In this episode, Dr. Theodoros Teknos, President and Scientific Director of the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Deputy Director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, joins the podcast to discuss balancing cancer center ambitions with broader health system priorities. He shares perspectives on when restraint versus expansion is necessary and how machine learning is beginning to shape cancer research, strategy, and care delivery.

In this episode, Rani Morrison Williams, MS, MSW, LCSW, FACHE, CDE, Chief Diversity and Community Health Equity Officer at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, shares how her team is addressing social determinants of health through community partnerships and innovative care models. She discusses leading equity-focused initiatives, preparing for Medicaid changes, and demonstrating ROI for non-revenue-generating services in a resource-constrained environment.

In this episode, Sue Anderson, Regional President of the Wisconsin Region at SSM Health, discusses navigating rural and urban care challenges, healthcare financing pressures, and the impact of clinical and operational excellence. She also shares leadership lessons shaped by continuous improvement, mission driven culture, and decades of experience across consulting and health system leadership.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down Prime Healthcare Foundation’s acquisition of Central Maine Healthcare and explores how major systems like Ascension and CommonSpirit Health are stabilizing finances, reshaping portfolios, and pursuing strategic growth.

In this episode, Ben Goodstein, Vice President and Chief Ambulatory Officer at Dayton Children's Hospital, shares insights on the new $180 million behavioral health hospital, strategies for workforce recruitment and retention, and efforts to expand access to pediatric and primary care. He also discusses how a focus on provider engagement and integrated care supports the hospital’s growth and community impact heading into 2026.

In this episode, Tom Vasko, Chief Executive Officer of Newman Memorial Hospital, shares how his organization is strengthening rural healthcare through workforce investment, telehealth expansion, and regional partnerships. He discusses keeping care local, aligning culture with strategy, and building a sustainable, mission driven health system for the future.

In this episode, Anna Tempesta Noonan, BSN, MS, RN, President and Chief Operating Officer of Central Vermont Medical Center at the University of Vermont Health Network, shares insights on the realities of rural healthcare delivery, workforce pipelines, and hospital sustainability. She discusses caring for an aging population, regionalizing services, and how new federal investment and collaboration can help transform rural health for the future.

In this episode, Dr. Eric Cioe-Peña, Vice President of Global Health at Northwell Health, discusses building a systemwide approach to global health, balancing clinical practice with executive leadership, and advancing health system strengthening worldwide. He also shares insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos, lifelong learning, and navigating imposter syndrome as a physician leader.

In this episode, Emily Moorhead, President of the Macomb Market at Henry Ford Health, shares how she is leading operational and workforce stabilization amid rapid growth and industry headwinds. She discusses financial sustainability, staff engagement, patient safety, and making disciplined decisions to support long-term access, trust, and community-centered care.

In this episode, Melanie Fernando, President and CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois, discusses launching a virtual menopause partnership to close gaps in Medicaid women’s health, improve member engagement, and drive better outcomes through tailored, community based solutions.

In this episode, Sadie Durham, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County in Middleburg, Fla., shares how refocusing on bedside shift reporting and hourly rounding led to a 40 point increase in net promoter score. She discusses sustaining frontline accountability, standardizing nursing practices, and why getting back to basics can drive meaningful gains in patient experience.

 In this episode, Praneetha Elugunti of Mayo Clinic explores how health care leaders can balance innovation with human-centered care. She shares insights on leveraging AI responsibly, investing in workforce development, and creating connected, personalized care experiences across physical, digital, and virtual environments.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Weiss, Vice President of Population Health at Rady Children's Health, shares how his team is shifting pediatric care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. He discusses value-based care, advanced primary care models, and strategies to improve outcomes for children while addressing social drivers of health.

In this episode, Meghan Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of Partum Health, discusses how her organization is enhancing maternal and family care through hybrid in-person and virtual support. She shares insights on expanding Medicaid coverage, partnering with health systems, and creating proactive, patient-centered care models to improve outcomes for women and families.

In this episode, Alex Ding, MD, Enterprise Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Humana, discusses the findings from Humana’s latest Value-Based Care Report, including lower hospital admissions and emergency department visits among Medicare Advantage members in value based arrangements. He shares how deeper primary care continuity, stronger payer provider alignment, and reduced administrative burden are key to scaling sustainable, outcomes driven care. Learn more here: https://humana.com/vbc

In this episode, Carl Bergetz, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Rush University System for Health, shares how the legal and government affairs team helps navigate policy changes, compliance challenges, and regulatory uncertainty. He discusses preparing for emerging issues, leveraging technology responsibly, and bringing care closer to patients while maintaining human-centered healthcare.

In this episode, Randy Farmer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermont Information Technology Leaders and the state’s health information exchange, discusses the evolution from data connectivity to health intelligence. He shares priorities around culture, customer experience, AI adoption, and how health data can drive better outcomes and lower costs across states and communities.

In this episode, Joseph Carr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Akron Children’s, discusses how his team is shifting supply chain decision-making back to a clinically integrated, strategic model. He shares lessons from driving standardization, freeing up clinician time for patient care, and balancing innovation, automation, and workforce well-being while supporting the mission of pediatric care.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Fort, Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer at Ochsner Health, discusses how her team is using virtual care to reduce emergency department overcrowding and streamline patient care. She shares insights on integrating technology, improving care transitions, and creating a patient-centric approach across the health system.

In this episode, Paul Markovich, President and CEO of Ascendiun, discusses his testimony before Congress, the push to eliminate PBM spread pricing and rebates, and why he believes the healthcare industry must confront its cost problem head on. He also shares how Ascendiun’s new structure, digital health record ambitions, and unbundled PBM model aim to build a system that is sustainably affordable and worthy of patients and families.

In this episode, Patrick Gilligan, President and CEO of Point32Health, shares how the New England based nonprofit is confronting rising medical and pharmacy costs while staying focused on members and employers as its true shareholders. He discusses the affordability crisis, aligning incentives with providers, and why redesigning care around the patient experience is essential to lowering costs and improving outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Sylvester Youlo, Orthopedic Surgeon at Phelps Health, shares how shifting CMS rules and the move toward outpatient care are reshaping surgical practice in rural health systems. He discusses Phelps Health’s clinical documentation initiative and why strong documentation is critical for patient care, reimbursement, and the future of healthcare delivery.

In this episode, Ann M. Richardson, MBA, Founder and Principal Consultant at LeadWell Healthcare Consultants, shares the key challenges and opportunities she sees across healthcare, from access constraints and clinician burden to responsible AI adoption. She discusses how thoughtful technology partnerships can better support care teams, improve patient engagement, and help leaders navigate complexity with credibility and compassion.

In this episode, Bryan Sisk, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Memorial Hermann Health System, discusses leading a workforce of more than 14,000 nurses across a large, diverse footprint. He shares insights on nurse retention, academic integration, culture building, and how health systems can create sustainable and empowering environments for the next generation of nurses.