Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

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.

In this episode, Deb Muro, Chief Information Officer, El Camino Hospital, discusses how the organization is using AI to improve patient access, clinician workflows, and operational efficiency while measuring the real value of technology investments. She also shares her vision for a more personalized, predictive, and equitable future for healthcare.

In this episode, Bill Piskorowski, DDS, Associate Professor Emeritus of Clinical Dentistry, University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry, discusses advancing medical and dental integration, expanding access to care, and preparing the next generation of dental professionals. He also shares his perspective on AI, workforce challenges, and making dental education more affordable and sustainable.

In this episode, Dr. Robert Winn, Cancer Center Director at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, shares his vision for expanding access to cutting edge cancer research by strengthening community partnerships and building trust in science. He also discusses the future of clinical trials, AI driven drug discovery, and accelerating innovation to improve cancer outcomes.

In this episode, Jason Szczuka, Esq, Chief Digital Officer at Bon Secours Mercy Health, discusses how the organization is moving beyond AI pilots to measurable operational transformation that improves access, clinician workflows, and financial performance. He also shares how Bon Secours Mercy Health is partnering with innovators through Accrete Health Partners to scale digital solutions across the healthcare ecosystem.

In this episode, Alison Flynn Gaffney, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at Banner University Medicine Tucson, shares insights into her leadership journey, the importance of culture, collaboration, and high reliability, and strategies for strengthening the healthcare workforce. She also discusses physician training, academic medicine, and Banner's commitment to advancing patient care through innovation and community partnerships.

In this episode, Peter Rivoli, owner Rivoli Dental, Rivoli and Rivoli Orthodontics, shares how AI and emerging technologies are helping improve practice efficiency and the patient experience while reducing administrative burdens. He also discusses the growing challenges of insurance reimbursement and the leadership skills dentists will need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

In this episode, Dr. Robert Figlin, Cedars-Sinai Cancer Institute, discusses improving patient access to specialized cancer care, expanding clinical trial opportunities, and using AI to streamline care delivery. He also shares why advances in research and innovation are giving oncology leaders more reason for optimism than ever before.

In this episode, Dr. Steven Cyr, Chief Medical Officer of Surgical Associates in Spine (SASpine) in Houston and San Antonio, discusses his approach to complex spine surgery, the challenges of independent practice, and the importance of patient centered care. He also shares insights on emerging technologies, physician workforce trends, and the future of spine care.

In this episode, Stan Kinder, President of EverythingDSO,LLC and publisher of the Dental Growth and Exit newsletter, discusses the evolving DSO landscape, the growing role of AI in dental practices, and shifting trends in payer participation. He also shares why successful dental organizations will be those that prioritize providers, patients, and strong business leadership.

In this episode, Bonnie Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of Forest Family Dentistry, joins the podcast to discuss how AI is enabling quicker diagnoses and improving efficiency in dental care. She also shares her perspective on economic uncertainty, its impact on patient spending, and how dental practices can adapt while continuing to provide high-quality care and a positive patient experience.

In this episode, Faraz Ahmad, MD, associate director at the Center for Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, discusses how Northwestern is advancing AI strategy, developing clinical AI tools, and training the next generation of AI-focused healthcare leaders. He also shares insights on implementing AI responsibly through workflow redesign, evaluation, and collaboration.