Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Stuart L. Lustig, MD, MPH, National Medical Executive for Behavioral Health Strategy and Product Design, Cigna Healthcare, discusses the business impact of burnout, the importance of measuring workforce vitality, and how employers can build mental health strategies that improve retention, productivity and patient care. 

Featured research from The Cigna Group: https://newsroom.cigna.com/health-care-providers-show-strong-vitality-amid-workplace-pressures

In this episode, Kyle Kramer, FACCA, FAAMA, Chief Executive Officer of Day Kimball Health, discusses the future of rural healthcare, including value-based care, workforce development and the organization’s potential affiliation with the University of Connecticut Health System. He also shares how Day Kimball is expanding access, strengthening local care delivery and building a sustainable future for the communities it serves.

In this episode, Derrick Billups, MSHA, CMRP, FACHE, Vice President of Supply Chain and Support Services at UC Health – Cincinnati, joins the podcast to discuss strategies for minimizing risk and reducing clinical variation across the health system. He also shares how AI is being used to improve demand forecasting, strengthen supply chain resilience, and help organizations make more informed operational decisions in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

In this episode, Munjal Shah, Co-founder & CEO of Hippocratic AI, discusses how agentic orchestration can coordinate teams of AI agents to achieve healthcare outcomes such as reducing readmissions, closing care gaps and improving patient follow-up. 

This episode is sponsored by Hippocratic AI.

In this episode, John Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Growing Champions Coaching & Consulting, discusses the habits and disciplines that help leaders improve themselves, develop their teams and build stronger organizations. He also shares insights from his new book, The Eight Common Practices of Uncommon Leaders, including the importance of intentional relationships, feedback, focus and leading with purpose.

In this episode, Matthew Fry, President and CEO of Freeman Health System, discusses the system’s rapid expansion, investments in technology and key service lines, and strategies for improving access across rural communities. He also shares his perspective on operational efficiency, workforce investment and adapting leadership strategies in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

In this episode, Roger Mitty, MD, MBA, President of Care New England Medical Group, joins the podcast to discuss the impact of HR1 and what its changes could mean for healthcare organizations. He shares his perspective on opportunities for growth and the importance of allocating resources and funding strategically to support organizational priorities and maintain long-term stability.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, discusses the surge in health system M&A, including the proposed Intermountain Health and AdventHealth joint venture in Colorado and Salem Health's merger with Santiam Memorial Hospital in Oregon. He also explores how financial pressures, regulatory flexibility and the need for greater scale are shaping health system partnerships and transactions.

In this episode, Eddie Wilson, Managing Director at Deloitte, and Yuchen Chen, Associate Vice President at Deloitte, discuss how healthcare organizations can identify and address patient leakage through data, analytics, and improved access strategies. They also explore how stronger network retention, care orchestration, and emerging AI capabilities can support margin growth, patient engagement, and long term strategic planning.

This episode is sponsored by Deloitte.

In this episode, Nishith Khandwala, CEO and Co-founder at Bunkerhill Health, Sam Schwager, CEO & Co-Founder of SuperDial, Steve Liou, CEO and Founder of Clarium, and Bo Gu, MD, CEO, Youlify, discuss how AI is improving clinical workflows, reducing administrative burden, and expanding access to care. They also share the biggest challenges to AI adoption and what healthcare leaders should prioritize as these technologies continue to evolve.

In this episode, Martha Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Unity Medical Center, discusses expanding access to care in rural communities, restoring specialty services locally and strengthening hospital operations. She shares how Unity Medical Center is navigating workforce challenges, reimbursement pressures and growth opportunities while keeping patients at the center.

In this episode, Mark G. Moseley, MD, MHA, President, USF Tampa General Physicians; Executive Vice President, Tampa General Hospital, discusses navigating healthcare disruption through strong culture, focused leadership and simplifying the patient experience. He shares how Tampa General is approaching growth, access to care, technology and the future of academic medicine.

In this episode, Matthew McDonald, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health, discusses expanding access to pediatric rehabilitation and specialized services while addressing workforce and funding challenges. He shares how innovation, new care models and a focus on family-centered care are helping more children reach their full potential.

In this episode, Dr. David Klein, Partner and MD, Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center, discusses how AI is improving scheduling, documentation, and insurance workflows, while creating more time for patient care and enhancing the physician experience.

This episode is sponsored by Heidi Health.

In this episode, Robert Stone, Chief Executive Officer, Helen and Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, City of Hope, discusses the organization’s approach to expanding cancer care access, building philanthropic partnerships and keeping patients at the center of growth. He also shares his perspective on AI, technology and the future of cancer treatment.

In this episode, Josh Orzell, Chief Nursing Officer, Saline Health System, discusses strengthening nursing culture, developing talent pipelines and supporting frontline caregivers through industry challenges. He shares his leadership philosophy and how investing in nurses drives better outcomes for patients, teams and communities.

In this episode, Kelly Haynie, DHA, MPA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus, discusses leading through growth, building a strong leadership culture, and preparing healthcare organizations for AI-driven transformation. He shares how AI can improve access, experience, quality and safety while reducing administrative burden and keeping care human.

In this episode, Rob Sumter, PhD, FACHE, President, Saint Joseph Hospital; Executive Vice President and Market Chief Operating Officer, Ascension, discusses how disciplined execution, investing in people, and thoughtfully applying AI are driving long-term sustainability. He also shares why staying agile, communicating through change, and keeping patients at the center are essential to successful healthcare transformation.

In this episode, Dr. Stanley Crittenden, Chief Medical Officer at Cigna Healthcare, discusses how AI-powered analytics and personalized care management are helping identify health risks earlier, improve outcomes and simplify healthcare navigation. He shares how Cigna is using technology to support clinicians, expand access to care and drive affordability while keeping human connection at the center.

In this episode, Sarah Adkins, director of public policy with the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute, discusses research showing lower telehealth utilization among rural populations and the barriers driving the gap. She shares strategies for payers and healthcare leaders to expand digital infrastructure, tailor telehealth programs and improve access for underserved members.

In this episode, Mike Lewis, CFO, Onvida Medical Group, discusses how his organization is measuring the financial and clinical impact of AI, including a 14% increase in patient-facing time, 35% documentation time savings and improved revenue yield. He also shares strategies for improving revenue capture, reducing payer denials and using technology to reduce physician burnout while strengthening margins.

In this episode, Joe Feldsien, Senior Vice President of Integrated Care at PDS Health, discusses the growing role of oral health in whole-person care, including advances in salivary diagnostics, CBCT technology and the mouth-body connection. He also shares leadership insights on building patient trust, prioritizing the right initiatives and using AI to strengthen strategy and structure in dentistry.

In this episode, Surendra Khera, MD, MSc, President, Cleveland Clinic Florida Accountable Care Organization; Vice Chief, Primary Care Institute, Florida Market, Cleveland Clinic, discusses how expanding access, redesigning primary care, and embracing AI are improving patient outcomes and clinician well-being. He also shares strategies for addressing digital workload, strengthening value-based care, and preparing primary care for the future.

In this episode, Larry Lacefield, Force Master Chief (Ret.), U.S. Navy and Healthcare Executive, shares how lessons from military leadership have shaped his approach to healthcare, discusses using AI and technology to improve access and patient experience, and explains why empowering frontline teams is essential to delivering better outcomes.

In this episode, Katie Catlender, Chief Operating Officer at Point32Health, discusses the organization’s push to consolidate legacy digital platforms, reduce administrative costs and create a simpler experience for members and providers. She also shares how Point32Health is using AI responsibly to personalize care, reduce friction and build trust while keeping members at the center.

In this episode, Thomas Lynch, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, joins the podcast to discuss expanding outpatient capacity to meet growing demand for cancer care while improving access and the patient experience. He also shares his perspective on preparing the next generation of physicians, highlighting the importance of education, mentorship, and innovation in shaping the future of oncology.

In this episode, Dr. Greg Rosencrance, President and Chief Executive Officer at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals, discusses the organization’s focus on financial stability, service line growth and delivering accessible, high-quality care close to home. He shares how Thomas Hospitals is approaching innovation, ambulatory growth, workforce challenges and partnerships to support the future needs of its community.

In this episode, Melvin Price, DPM, President and Chief Executive Officer, MCR Health, discusses how federally qualified health centers are expanding access to care, the financial pressures facing community health organizations, and the opportunities in clinical trials and value-based care to better serve underserved populations.

In this episode, Haroon Ansari, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss how healthcare organizations can align their strategies with an evolving market and changing patient needs. He shares his perspective on the greatest opportunities for growth in the years ahead, highlighting the importance of adaptability, innovation, and strategic planning to position health systems for long-term success.

In this episode, Jennifer Venator, MSN, RN, CNS, CNOR, CRNFA, Executive Director, Surgical Services, Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton CA, shares how trusted, real-time data is improving surgical access, operational efficiency, and collaboration across care teams. She also discusses how automation and emerging AI capabilities can streamline perioperative workflows, reduce administrative burden, and help clinicians stay focused on patient care.

In this episode, Swannie Jett, DrPH, MSc, MHA, Chief Executive Officer of Park DuValle Community Health Center, joins the podcast to discuss rethinking healthcare strategy in an era of AI, payer denials, and increasing reliance on outsourcing. He also shares how improving community health extends beyond the clinic, highlighting innovative efforts to provide nutrition education through the rehabilitation of a neighborhood grocery store and the ongoing work required to keep it operating as a sustainable community resource.

In this episode, Michael Antoniades, President, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, discusses the hospital's transformation through its partnership with UChicago Medicine, plans to expand residency programs and key service lines, and the leadership principles guiding its continued growth and investment in the Southland community.

In this episode, Mary McKenzie, FACHE, Chief Administrative Officer, UVA Physicians Group, shares how AI, virtual care, and thoughtful change management are helping reduce physician burden, expand access, and improve the clinician experience. She also discusses why communication, curiosity, and empathy are essential to leading successful transformation in healthcare.

In this episode, Bill McCarthy, President, Securitas Healthcare, and Stephanie Anderson, VP Cloud and Platform Strategy, Securitas Healthcare, discuss how real-time location solutions are evolving into enterprise-wide platforms that improve patient care, operational efficiency, and staff safety. They explore the roles of cloud technology, AI, executive sponsorship, and long-term strategy in unlocking the full value of RTLS across health systems.

This episode is sponsored by Securitas Healthcare.

In this episode, Akram Boutros, MD, Human Focused AI Builder + Health Transformation Crusader, shares how his experience as both a longtime health system CEO and patient inspired a new approach to care delivery, and discusses how AI can reduce clinician burden, improve patient outcomes, and create a more connected healthcare system.

In this episode, Matthew Ray Scott, MS, Principal & Managing Director, FEED. The Agency, and Scott Sigman,MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Podcaster, and Pioneer in opioid-sparing surgery, discuss their new book Physician Brand Rx, sharing how physicians can build trust, strengthen their digital presence, and shape their professional reputation in the age of AI.

In this episode, Kyle Clifford, Chief Executive Officer at amfAR, discusses the organization's mission to fund groundbreaking early stage HIV research, the expanding role of immune system science in cancer and chronic disease, and why backing bold ideas is essential to advancing healthcare innovation.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, examines how ACA coverage changes are affecting hospital finances, why elective surgery volumes are softening, and what these trends could mean for nonprofit health systems facing tighter margins.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, discusses the latest CMS inpatient payment rule, rising ACA marketplace premiums, and the evolving Medicare Advantage landscape, along with what these changes mean for hospitals, health systems, and patient access to care.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights the latest U.S. News and Forbes hospital rankings, the continued insurer pullback from Medicare Advantage, and more.