Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Jordan Johnson, MSHA, Bridge Oncology, ABA Health Law Oncology Advocacy, discusses the major CMS policy shifts reshaping oncology, the growing role of AI governance, and why healthcare leaders must think beyond reimbursement rates to prepare for the future of care delivery. He also shares advice for entrepreneurs on building systems thinking across finance, clinical care, compliance, and technology.

In this episode, Amanda Chawla, CMRP, MHA, FACHE, Chief Supply Chain and Post Acute Care Officer, SVP at Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health, discusses the evolving role of supply chain as a strategic driver for healthcare organizations. She shares insights on building resiliency, leveraging data and AI, developing the future workforce, and advancing value-based management to improve efficiency and outcomes.

In this episode, Daniel T. Pickett III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Albany Med Health System, shares how the organization is advancing its First Choice 2030 vision, strengthening clinical excellence and preparing for the future of healthcare. He discusses workforce strategy, AI and digital transformation, ambulatory growth, and creating a more integrated health system focused on patients and communities.

In this episode, Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Emerson Health, discusses strengthening community healthcare through workforce investment, strategic partnerships, and thoughtful adoption of AI. She also shares her vision for expanding care closer to home while maintaining financial stability and delivering high quality, patient-centered care.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, examines the growing momentum behind state hospital price cap legislation, evolving scrutiny of private equity in healthcare, and new federal Medicaid payment actions. He discusses how these policy changes could affect hospital finances, operations, and long-term sustainability.

In this episode, Chris A. Klay, MA, PT, MHA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Southern Illinois Market, Hospital Sisters Health System, shares how physician recruitment, operational efficiency, and improving patient access are fueling growth across the market. He also reflects on his journey from physical therapist to health system leader and the importance of balancing quality, access, and affordability in healthcare.

In this episode, Gabrielle Cummings-Johnson, President, Evanston Hospital and NorthShore Hospitals, Endeavor Health, shares how her teams are balancing workforce shortages, quality, safety, and financial priorities while preparing for industry changes. She also discusses building the future healthcare workforce, strengthening employee engagement, and creating safer environments for patients and care teams.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, discusses how health system leaders are managing rising AI costs, evaluating vendor partnerships, and strengthening governance around new technologies.

Hear from two experts in osteoporosis as they introduce the Osteoporosis Action Network—a volunteer coalition of osteoporosis leaders and industry partners focused on redefining the standard of care in osteoporosis, with a bold ambition of preventing 3 million fractures by 2033. Rita Roy, MD, CEO, National Spine Health Foundation will discuss the coalition’s mission and vision, while Susan Bukata, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedics, UC San Diego, will discuss the motivation behind the creation of the coalition and share her experience with post-fracture care programs. Listeners will gain insights into action they can take to get post-fracture care...

John M. Fogarty, FACHE, President, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham, discusses the major healthcare trends shaping leaders today, including workforce disruption, rising chronic illness, behavioral health needs, and the shift toward community-based care. He also shares how his organization is strengthening employee engagement, embracing AI, and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

In this episode, Scott Becker explains why hospital price caps and private equity restrictions could have unintended consequences for hospital finances and patient access.

In this episode, Edward Sankary, MD, FACP, FAMIA, ABPM-CI, Vice President, Chief Health Informatics Officer and Chief Value Officer, UT Health San Antonio; President, Regional Physician Network ACO, discusses how AI, digital health platforms, and governance are reshaping clinical workflows and value-based care.

In this episode, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer, HaloMD, discusses how the No Surprises Act has improved patient protections while ongoing delays in arbitration payments continue to create financial challenges for providers. He also explores the need for stronger enforcement, the impact on independent physician practices, and what comes next for the law.

This episode is sponsored by HaloMD.

In this episode, Jeremiah J. Hodshire, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hillsdale Hospital, discusses how rural hospitals can expand specialty services, strengthen community access, and build sustainable growth strategies amid unprecedented healthcare challenges. He shares his perspective on workforce shortages, reimbursement pressures, and the future of independent rural healthcare.

In this episode, Austin Jones, SVP and CFO of NKC Health, discusses how the health system has driven organic growth while navigating workforce shortages, reimbursement pressures, and revenue cycle challenges. He also shares why culture, strategic leadership, and a strong focus on stewardship are essential to long-term financial success.

In this episode, Craig Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Speare Memorial Hospital, shares his vision for strengthening rural healthcare through strategic partnerships, workforce development, and expanded access to care. He discusses the opportunities and challenges facing independent critical access hospitals as they invest in sustainable growth and plan for the future of their communities.

In this episode, William Morris, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Tennr, and Sarah Kier, Principal, ECG Management Consultants, discuss the growing challenges of patient access, referral management, and specialty care wait times. They explore how care orchestration, AI-enabled workflows, and stronger operational leadership can improve access, reduce friction for patients, and create a more equitable healthcare experience.

In this episode, Anna Singh, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations, Heartland Dental, discusses the evolving dental landscape, from workforce sustainability and organic growth to the role of AI, data, and technology in improving care delivery. She shares how dental leaders can drive meaningful transformation while preserving clinical judgment, culture, and patient relationships.

In this episode, Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD, MPH, MBA, Inaugural Chief, UT Southwestern, discusses the future of inpatient care delivery, from leveraging AI and clinical informatics to strengthening physician leadership and workforce development. He shares how health systems can improve access, optimize operations, and deliver high-value care while keeping patients at the center of innovation.

In this episode, Dr. Jan D. Hirsch, Founding Dean of the University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, discusses how AI, precision medicine, and interdisciplinary education are shaping the future of pharmacy while preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders to improve patient outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Robert Trager, Owner, Dentists for Airport Employees, shares insights from his 57 years as a solo practitioner, including the importance of patient relationships, navigating insurance challenges, and adapting to changes in dentistry. He discusses AI, consolidation, and why convenience and strategic practice management will shape the future of dental care.

In this episode, Jeffrey E. Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Physician Executive, The University of Texas MD Anderson, discusses how advances in cancer treatment are transforming survivorship care by improving outcomes while reducing treatment burden. He shares MD Anderson's approach to supporting patients beyond remission through personalized care, survivorship programs, and innovations that prioritize both longevity and quality of life.

Tom Nguyen, M.D., System Chief Executive, Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care; Chief Medical Executive, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute; Chair and Professor, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, and Ashford Denman, Vice President of Heart & Vascular Services at Baptist Health South Florida, where he oversees operations for Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, which includes both Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Lynn Cardiac & Vascular Institute, discuss how they are advancing cardiovascular care through clinical excellence, minimally invasive technologies, and strategic growth.

In this episode, Terry McDonnell, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, Senior Vice President & Chief Nurse Executive, Duke University Health System, and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Duke University School of Nursing, discusses why nurses must play a central role in the design and implementation of AI in healthcare.

In this episode, Costas Harris, Owner, Harris Dental, discusses the ongoing staffing challenges facing dental practices, the growing role of AI and new technologies in improving efficiency, and why independent practices will continue to play a vital role in patient care. He also shares how investing in team development and embracing innovation will help practices succeed in the years ahead.

In this episode, Dr. Ben Kornitzer, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Aetna, discusses how AI, real-time data exchange, and prior authorization reform can strengthen payer-provider partnerships and improve patient outcomes.

In this episode, Dave Estorge, vice president of rural strategy at FMOL Health, shares how building authentic relationships with rural hospitals, improving care coordination, and expanding transfer collaboration are strengthening access to care. He also discusses why humility, trust, and mission-driven leadership are essential to supporting rural communities and improving patient outcomes.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses key healthcare stories shaping the industry, including rising labor tensions, hospital financial challenges, psychiatric staffing mandates, UCI Health’s growth, and more.

In this episode, Joe Davi, Chief Executive Officer, Med-Metrix, discusses how healthcare organizations can strengthen revenue cycle integration to capture the full value of mergers and acquisitions. He shares strategies for successful post-merger execution, standardizing operations, and leveraging AI to improve efficiency, productivity, and long-term financial performance.

This episode is sponsored by Med Metrix.

Barry Lyon, Director of Provider Recruiting and Onboarding for Dental Care Alliance, shares his perspective on how AI, robotics, and regenerative dentistry are transforming patient care while discussing the workforce, financial, and public health challenges shaping the profession. He also explains why strong leadership, mentorship, and adapting to the next generation of patients and providers will be critical for long-term success.

In this episode, Theodoros Teknos, MD, President & Scientific Director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and the Jane and Lee Seidman Chair in Cancer Innovation, discusses the importance of recruiting top oncology talent, balancing research with clinical care, and using AI to improve patient outcomes. He also shares why continued investment in cancer research and scientific discovery is critical to accelerating the next generation of cancer breakthroughs.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, discusses major hospital acquisition trends, the financial pressures shaping health systems, and why organizations are accelerating investments in outpatient care and strategic growth.

In this episode, Chibueze Okey Agba, Executive Vice President and CFO, Hartford HealthCare, discusses how AI, consumer-focused care, and strategic partnerships are transforming healthcare delivery, while sharing why today's CFOs must be multidimensional leaders who drive innovation, operations, and long-term growth.

Learn more about relentlessly raising RCM yield here: https://med-metrix.com/?utm_source=beckers&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=brand

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Knecht, Chief Medical Officer, EmblemHealth, discusses how the organization's AI-powered Environmental Resilience Program helps identify and support members at risk during extreme heat events. He also shares how predictive outreach, clinical oversight, and addressing social determinants of health are shaping the future of population health management.

In this episode, Russell Baxley, MHA - President and CEO, Beaufort Memorial, reflects on leading a hospital evacuation during Hurricane Matthew, the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, and the importance of humility and innovation in healthcare. He also discusses workforce development initiatives, including on-site nursing education, childcare, and workforce housing designed to support employees and strengthen community care.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, discusses the resurgence of hospital mergers and acquisitions, how health systems are refining AI and technology investments, and why revenue cycle is becoming a strategic priority across healthcare organizations.

In this segment of a keynote recorded live at the New York Times Center on June 11th, 2026, Shiv Rao, the CEO and co-founder of Abridge, and Kimberly Powell, Vice President of Healthcare at NVIDIA, discuss why healthcare requires purpose-built AI and how their partnership is advancing clinical conversation models designed specifically for medicine.

This episode is sponsored by Abridge.

In this episode, Curtis Swogger, Chief Executive Officer, North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery, discusses how AI is reshaping dental operations, why thoughtful implementation matters more than rapid adoption, and the importance of maintaining a people-first culture. He also shares his perspective on leadership, workforce development, and what will drive success for dental groups in the years ahead.

In this episode, Faraz Ahmad, MD, Associate Director at the Center for Artificial Intelligence, and Jonathan Hourmozdi, MD, Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, discuss how AI is improving heart failure diagnosis, care delivery, and patient engagement while emphasizing the importance of responsible implementation and governance. They also share their vision for an AI-powered future that reduces administrative burden, strengthens clinician-patient relationships, and expands access to high-quality cardiovascular care.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights 5 key healthcare stories, including the rebound in hospital M&A, healthcare CEO compensation, leadership and workforce trends, and why GLP-1 economics remain a challenge for employers.