Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Joel Selanikio, MD, Physician, former CDC Epidemiologist, TED/Keynote Speaker, Technologist, Entrepreneur, explores how consumer technology, AI, and new care models are reshaping demand for healthcare and why the industry must better understand these shifts to prepare for the future.

In this episode, Jenn Balchunas, MHL, CPC, Director of Onboarding & Optimization, DevelopMe Leadership Coach at UNC Health Medical Group, and Sachin K. Gupta, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer Primary Care/Statewide at UNC Health Medical Group, share how they built an onboarding and optimization team to improve workflows, reduce burnout, and strengthen clinician support. They discuss lessons learned, the role of data and relationships, and how AI and new tools are shaping the future of workforce efficiency.

In this episode, Victor Navarro, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Central Region, Jefferson Health System, shares insights on the growing role of artificial intelligence, virtual care, and precision medicine, along with strategies to manage capacity across a large health system. He also discusses leadership lessons on flexibility, resilience, and driving high-quality, mission-focused care.

In this episode, Kofi A. Cash, DSc, FACHE, Director of Operations (COO-equivalent) at Bartow Regional Medical Center, BayCare Health, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of data integrity and quality in driving better decision-making. He shares insights on strengthening workforce operations, building a solid organizational foundation, and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset to support long-term success.

In this episode, Seanna-Kaye Denham-Wilks, PhD, FPCC, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator of Nursing Home Operations at NYC Health + Hospitals | McKinney, joins the podcast to discuss transforming care culture from transactional to relational models. She outlines three key areas of focus—sustaining excellence, supporting workforce sustainability and wellbeing, and innovating care delivery models to better serve patients and staff.

In this episode, Rosy Thachil, MD, MBA, FACC, FAMWA, FACVC, Cardiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, joins the podcast to discuss why patient care cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. She shares how translation services help bridge communication gaps, and how integrating specialized, data-driven care is improving outcomes and delivering more personalized treatment for diverse patient populations.

In this episode, Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker’s Healthcare, highlights the rise of oral GLP 1 treatments, key leadership changes at Cleveland Clinic London, and evolving hospital M and A trends shaping the healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews 7 key healthcare stories including hospital financial turnarounds, Oracle layoffs, technology ROI, rising digital leadership, health system consolidation, and more.

In this episode, Zachary C. Dietch, MD, Transplant Surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss optimizing referral pathways for transplant surgery and integrating new specialties into treatment plans. He also shares recent advancements in liver transplant surgery and how these innovations are improving outcomes for patients.

In this episode, Jason Mouzakes, MD, FAAP, President and Chief Executive Officer of Albany Medical Center Hospital and Professor of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics, joins the podcast to discuss workforce challenges and the importance of empowering care teams. He shares why listening is a critical leadership skill, along with his perspectives on improving access to healthcare and supporting patients across the continuum of care.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director, Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down new prior authorization transparency rules and the growing scrutiny of insurer vertical integration, exploring what these trends could mean for costs, policy, and the future of the payer landscape.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses major healthcare trends including hospital financial strain, cuts to labor and delivery services, Medicare Advantage growth, policy shifts impacting the future of care delivery, and more.

In this episode, Samantha Smeltzer, VP of Simulation at Orbis Education, explores how simulation is transforming nursing education by bridging gaps between theory and real-world practice. She shares how hands-on training, debriefing, and stronger collaboration with health systems can improve clinical readiness, patient safety, and workforce retention.

This episode is sponsored by Orbis Education.

In this episode, Melissa Chase, PharmD, BCSCP, CPEL, Director of Pharmacy at Valley Children’s Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss investing in new technologies, including robotics, to enhance pharmacy operations. She shares how these innovations support patient and staff safety, and emphasizes the critical role frontline team members play in delivering high-quality, reliable care.

In this episode, Jeffrey Cohen, MD, FACS, FASCRS, CPE, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Operating Officer at Hartford HealthCare, joins the podcast to discuss breakthroughs in outpatient care management and how data is improving safety and quality. He shares insights on HHC 2035 and the shift toward a more consumer-centric healthcare system, along with ways Hartford Healthcare is enhancing the overall patient experience.

In this episode, Benjamin Schwartz, MD, MHCM, President of Academic Delivery, Banner Health, and Patricia A. Prelock, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at University of Arizona, reflect on a decade-long partnership advancing academic medicine, workforce development, and research-driven care. They share lessons on trust, shared purpose, and aligning clinical and academic missions to deliver world-class outcomes.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, discusses the rise of AI adoption, evolving care delivery models, and why health system leaders remain cautiously optimistic about the future. She also highlights financial pressures in rural healthcare and renewed investment in digital health and workforce innovation.

In this episode, Jeff Flaks, Chief Executive Officer, Hartford HealthCare, reflects on pivotal moments like 9/11 and COVID-19 and how they shaped his leadership philosophy. He shares insights on continuous improvement, team-driven culture, and the need to disrupt healthcare to advance access, affordability, and quality.

In this episode, Mac Boyter, revenue cycle management and Business Solutions Research Director at KLAS Research, and Josh Margulies, VP of Brand Advocacy, Suki AI, discuss how health systems can validate ROI and scale ambient AI from pilot to enterprise. They explore key findings on revenue lift, clinician efficiency, patient satisfaction, and the importance of strong partnerships and change management.

This episode is sponsored by Suki.

In this episode, Meeta Gandhi, Chief Operations Officer at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, shares her perspective on human-centered leadership, building trust with teams, and developing strong workplace culture. She outlines five key practices leaders can adopt to stay grounded, connected, and effective in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

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In this episode, Srilekha Akula, Chief Data & AI Officer, TRIMEDX, shares how AI is enabling real time, data driven capital planning and connecting predictive maintenance to smarter supply chain decisions. She explores how health systems can reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and protect patient care by breaking down data silos.

This episode is sponsored by TRIMEDX.

In this episode, Dr. Maulik Purohit, Chief Health Innovation Officer at datosX Digital Health Labs, shares how better documentation tools, thoughtful AI implementation, and policy changes can reduce clinician burnout and improve patient care. He also reflects on the importance of supporting frontline healthcare workers to build a more sustainable system.

In this episode, Jason Hinkle, CFO, Illinois Region of Deaconess Health System, shares how empowering frontline leaders, strengthening financial partnerships, and embracing innovation are shaping sustainable performance. He also discusses the evolving role of CFOs as strategic leaders in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

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Hear from two post-fracture care specialists at distinct practice locations on their approach to osteoporosis care. Dr. Greg Mines will share his perspective and best practices for working with osteoporosis patients in a sports medicine setting, while Christina Yazdani will discuss differences in the orthopedic surgery setting. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how to adapt post-fracture care across practice settings to maximize patient outcomes. Ms. Yazdani and Dr. Mines are paid consultants for Amgen.

This episode is sponsored by Amgen.

In this episode, Jordan Ruch, CIO, shares how AtlantiCare’s VISION 2030 strategy is driving a fully connected health system powered by Oracle, from unified data platforms to AI-enabled workflows. He highlights early wins like a 40% reduction in documentation time and outlines how AI agents will transform clinical operations, staffing, and patient engagement.

This episode is sponsored by Oracle.

 In this episode, Peter Antevy, MD, FAEMS, Emergency & EMS Physician, Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Handtevy, Prehospital Research, Speaker & Educator, shares how a critical medication error inspired a technology-driven solution to improve real-time care. He also discusses pediatric readiness, EMS innovation like prehospital blood delivery, and the importance of data-driven leadership in healthcare.

In this episode, Charles Ross, Chief Strategy Officer, Partner, TCM Consulting & Management, discusses evolving trends in post-acute care, including workforce challenges, shifting demand for skilled nursing, and the growing role of AI. He also shares insights on aligning hospital and post-acute strategies and offers leadership advice on adaptability, innovation, and meeting client needs.

In this episode, Ed Norwood, Author of Be a Giant Killer. CEO, ERN Enterprises and Champions Unleashed, shares how providers can challenge payer denials and protect patient access through regulatory strategy and emerging AI tools. He also offers leadership insights on building expertise, mastering change, and creating a culture that drives lasting impact.

In this episode, Sarah Matt, MD, MBA - Health Technology Strategist, Growth Catalyst, National Best-Selling Author, The Borderless Healthcare Revolution, Speaker, Professor, shares insights on AI governance, healthcare access, and the challenge of turning innovation into real clinical adoption. She highlights the importance of building trust between technology and clinicians while pushing leaders to continuously evolve in a rapidly changing landscape.

In this episode, Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, MACP, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Group, Holy Cross Health, discusses physician shortages, access challenges, and growth opportunities in Florida’s evolving healthcare market. He shares how AI, system-level thinking, and a strong physician-patient connection are shaping the future of care delivery and leadership.

In this episode, Eric Marton, Founder and CEO of Agentic Healthcare, shares how his team is developing AI powered patient advocates to navigate the complexity of the healthcare system and improve access, efficiency, and outcomes. He also discusses emerging AI use cases, the importance of patient centered strategy, and why healthcare leaders must act now to stay ahead of rapid transformation.

In this episode, Neil Tanna, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President of System Perioperative Services & Strategy at Northwell Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing potential of AI in surgical and perioperative care. He shares the importance of strong stakeholder engagement and how access to reliable, actionable data is critical to driving better decision-making and improving outcomes across the system.

In this episode, Luis Compres-Brugal, MD, Director of the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Program at the Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, joins the podcast to discuss multiple sclerosis (MS), including early warning signs and why it can be difficult to diagnose. He also shares insights on managing patients long term and the importance of ongoing, specialized care to improve outcomes.

In this episode, Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS, Past President, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), discusses the growing role of AI in spine care and its impact on clinical decision-making, policy, and medical knowledge. He highlights the importance of physician-led governance to ensure technology enhances rather than erodes critical thinking and patient-centered care.

In this episode, Rick Peng, Digital Ventures Lead in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization & Natalia Summerville, PhD, Director of Decision Intelligence at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discuss how MSK is advancing AI across clinical care and research while building a robust governance model. They share insights on balancing innovation with safety, ensuring accountability, and driving real impact through thoughtful AI deployment and monitoring.

In this episode, Ross Nelson, MD MBA, Senior Partner, Karishma Sharma, MD MHA, Managing Director and Adam McDonald, Managing Director, KPMG, discuss how healthcare organizations can move beyond cost cutting to create sustainable value through portfolio strategy, operational transformation, and disciplined investment. They share insights on deal activity, margin improvement, and what investors look for in a rapidly evolving market.

This episode is sponsored by KPMG.

In this episode, Ben Fiechtner, Americas President, UiPath and Jason Bui, Healthcare Industry Practice Lead, UiPath, explore what it takes to move from AI pilots to enterprise-wide scale. They discuss operational transformation, ROI beyond point solutions, and how orchestration, governance, and leadership alignment drive measurable impact across healthcare workflows.

This episode is sponsored by UiPath.

In this episode, Jason M. Raidbard, Executive Administrator of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UChicago Medicine, discusses the impact of upcoming Medicaid policy changes, evolving payer dynamics, and the growing role of AI in care coordination. He also shares leadership advice on mentorship, authenticity, and building meaningful relationships to drive long term success.

In this episode, Cicely “CC” Brooks, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., shares how innovative pipeline programs, career development, and residency redesign are strengthening the nursing workforce. She also discusses key pediatric trends, including vaccine education and workforce readiness, and why investing in children’s health today shapes outcomes for generations.

In this episode, Rohit Chandra, PhD, Chief Digital Officer at Cleveland Clinic, discusses the rapid adoption of AI scribes to reduce physician documentation burden, the expansion of AI into clinical risk prediction and operations, and how responsible, human centered governance is key to making healthcare safer, more efficient, and more scalable.