Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

This episode features Aqib Zehri, MD, Neurosurgeon at The Oregon Clinic. Here he discusses his thoughts on access to care, exhausting non-surgical options first, what he is doing to improve quality outcomes, and more.

This episode features Nishaminy Kasbekar, BS, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Penn Medicine. Here she discusses the importance of meeting patience where they are, making sure pharmacists are more integrated in the entire continuum of care, AI and automation in pharmacy, and more.

In this episode, Mike Stuart, President and CEO of Blue Shield of California, shares how his finance and provider background shapes a systems approach to improving health outcomes, strengthening provider partnerships, and addressing rising healthcare costs. He also discusses the growing impact of chronic disease and why collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem is critical to making care more affordable and accessible.

In this episode, Meena Bansal, MD, FAASLD - System Chief, Division of Liver Diseases Director, MASH/NASH Center of Excellence, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses newly approved therapies for MASH and the growing impact of GLP-1 medications. She also shares insights on personalized treatment, early intervention, and the future of liver disease care.

In this episode, Meena Medler, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Sutter Health, shares how integrated value analysis, supplier partnerships, and strategic sourcing are improving patient care and operational efficiency. She also discusses leveraging AI, automation, and ERP optimization to drive innovation, elevate the workforce, and position the organization for growth in 2026.

In this episode, Steve Yurjevich, Chief Executive Officer of Optum Insight’s Payer Market and a member of the American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team, joins the podcast to discuss rising healthcare costs and the growing adoption of AI across the payer landscape. He shares how the industry is shifting from pre-pay models to true avoidance strategies, focusing on preventing unnecessary care and improving overall system efficiency.

In this episode, Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, joins the podcast to discuss the growing role of personalization in surgery and the adoption of AI in clinical practice. He shares insights on building and scaling individual practices through patient education online, as well as the broader impact of GLP-1 medications on patient health and orthopedic outcomes.

In this episode, Rebecca Baute, BSN, RN, Chief Nurse Executive of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, and Brittany Barasa, DNP, RN, Manager of Patient Care for Nursing Throughput and PCT Float Pool, join the podcast to discuss how executive leadership support drives frontline success. They share insights on initiatives like annual nursing skills days, strategies for identifying and managing bottlenecks, the impact of discharge lounges, and approaches to improving patient satisfaction across the care continuum.

In this episode, Jeff Bak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Imagine360, joins the podcast to discuss improving health literacy for seniors and the role it plays in driving better outcomes. He shares how proactive care strategies and smarter use of utilization data can help create a more effective, patient-centered healthcare system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Ann Cornelius, Chief Revenue Officer, DASCO Home Medical Equipment. Here, she explores how DME joint ventures can reduce post acute leakage, improve care transitions from hospital to home, and support value based outcomes while enhancing patient experience and operational efficiency.

This episode is sponsored by DASCO Home Medical Equipment,

In this episode, Richard Evans, MD, FACS, of Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s Western Region and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College, joins the podcast to discuss addressing workforce shortages through innovative education programs. He shares how hands-on training and expanding students’ exposure to different career paths are helping build a stronger, more prepared healthcare workforce for the future.

In this episode, Paul Hiltz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Naples Comprehensive Health, joins the podcast to discuss the introduction of transplant services at Naples Comprehensive Health and how healthcare delivery is being reshaped at his organization. He shares insights on expanding residency programs to support workforce development and meet the growing needs of patients and communities.

In this episode, Todd Roberts, CFO, Cheshire Medical Center, shares how he is tackling 340B challenges, driving operational excellence, and strengthening financial resilience through system collaboration. He also discusses evolving CFO leadership, workforce pressures, and the shift toward value-based care models.

In this episode, Leo Spector, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and CEO of OrthoCarolina, joins the podcast to discuss major industry shifts from inpatient to outpatient surgery. He shares how expanding access to care, lowering costs, and improving outcomes are shaping strategy, and offers his perspective on what success will look like for healthcare organizations in the future.

In this episode, Kristie Finney, President of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss improving quality and strengthening community within the organization. She shares efforts to expand access to healthcare through better transportation solutions and highlights initiatives focused on advancing workforce development.

Robert Chestnut, SVP, CFO, LMH Health, shares how his organization is addressing workforce shortages, strengthening culture, and leveraging technology to improve operations and revenue cycle performance. He also discusses the importance of strategic prioritization, regional collaboration, and leadership alignment in driving long term financial resilience.

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In this episode, Katie Haifley, CPXP, Director of Product and Strategy at NRC Health, and Ashley Nelson, M.S., BSN, RN, Strategic Advisor, Nursing at NRC Health, discuss how intentional, high-impact rounding can strengthen patient trust, improve experience, and drive measurable gains in loyalty. They share insights on moving beyond check-the-box approaches to create meaningful human connections and real-time improvements in care.

This episode is sponsored by NRC Health.

In this special episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, leaders from the TIAA Institute and BayCare Health System explore the connection between health and wealth and its impact on the future of healthcare. Surya Kolluri discusses the Institute’s research and the launch of a new leadership award, while Stephanie Conners shares insights on purpose-driven leadership and workforce empowerment. Together, they highlight how investing in people and innovation is essential to building stronger health systems and communities.

This episode is sponsored by TIAA.

In this episode, Marc Augsburger, MBA, BSN, RHCEOC, President and CEO of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, joins the podcast to reflect on the past five years at the organization. He discusses efforts to expand access to care, strengthen testing and diagnostic capabilities, and how community engagement plays a key role in supporting both patient outcomes and financial stability.

In this episode, William Sharp, PhD, Director of the Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, discusses the launch of the National Center for Feeding Ethics and the urgent need for standardized, compassionate care for children with feeding disorders. He shares insights on ARFID, multidisciplinary treatment approaches, and how the new initiative aims to improve access, guidance, and outcomes nationwide.

In this episode, Amy Jordan, Vice President of Consumer Experience at UnitedHealthcare, joins the podcast to discuss simplifying the healthcare experience and better supporting members. She shares how innovation is improving workload efficiency, along with new investment opportunities and areas for organizational growth across the healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Scott Smiser, Principal Healthcare Services Advisor, and Dr. Jamie Brennan, Chief Nursing Officer at Insight Global Health, discuss how healthcare organizations can better align clinical and technology teams to improve adoption, outcomes, and efficiency. They share practical strategies around stakeholder engagement, change management, and building a long-term digital transformation roadmap.

This episode is sponsored by Insight Global Health.

In this episode, Charlie Lougheed, CEO and co-founder, Axuall, and James Whitfill, MD, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Chief Transformation Officer, HonorHealth, discuss how accurate provider data and AI are reshaping patient access and care delivery. They explore data governance, the risks of poor data quality, and how better infrastructure can improve matching, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

This episode is sponsored by Axuall.

In this episode, Jenni Alvey, CFO, IU Health, discusses how her team is navigating margin pressure, major capital investments, and policy uncertainty while staying aligned through long-range financial planning. She also shares how health systems can balance affordability, growth, and resilience in today’s evolving environment.

In this episode, Scott Becker outlines major developments including CMS payment updates and bundled care proposals, hospital expansion and consolidation moves, growth in Hospital at Home programs, and more.

In this episode, Mark Behl, President and CEO of NorthBay Health, discusses the system’s strategy to expand access through neighborhood clinics, primary care growth, and ambulatory services across Northern California. He also shares perspectives on financial pressures, technology investments, and building a more community focused model of care.

In this episode, Tony DeSantis, Executive Director of Procedural and Clinical Imaging Systems, AdventHealth, and Aynsley Miller, Strategic Account Executive, Insight Global Health, share how a clinician-led approach, strong partnership, and innovative workforce model enabled a seamless large-scale implementation while maintaining care continuity.

This episode is sponsored by Insight Global Health.

In this episode, Motz Feinberg, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Cedars-Sinai, shares how his team is leveraging AI and technology to streamline operations, improve productivity, and enhance communication with clinicians. He also discusses upcoming priorities including managing growth, expanding access, and balancing operational efficiency with a collaborative culture.

In this episode, Kenny Cole, MD, System Vice President of Clinical Improvement at Ochsner Health System, joins the podcast to discuss ongoing clinical and operational pressures facing health systems. He shares his perspective on solutions for primary care reimbursement, along with strategies to expand access to care while minimizing clinician burnout.

In this episode, Dr. Arash Motamed, Anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Sustainability with Keck Medicine of USC, shares how his team successfully eliminated nitrous oxide use, highlighting its environmental impact, the path to clinician alignment, and broader opportunities to reduce healthcare waste and emissions.

In this episode, Edward Bleacher, CFO, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, shares how his team navigates financial uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and post-bankruptcy recovery while building long-term sustainability. He also discusses key trends, strategic growth priorities, and the leadership mindset needed to thrive in today’s healthcare environment.

In this episode, Dr. Arash Motamed, Anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Sustainability with Keck Medicine of USC, shares how his team successfully eliminated nitrous oxide use, highlighting its environmental impact, the path to clinician alignment, and broader opportunities to reduce healthcare waste and emissions.

In this episode, Dr. Bradley Lamm, DPM, Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Center and Director of the Foot and Ankle Deformity Correction Fellowship at the Paley Institute, joins the podcast to discuss groundbreaking advancements in foot and ankle surgery. He highlights the world’s first patient-specific 3D-printed procedure, explores MedCad treatment options, and shares how these innovations are driving more advanced healing and improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, Shelly Soileau, CFO of Opelousas General Health System, discusses the financial realities facing rural hospitals, including transportation barriers for patients, shifting payer behavior, and workforce costs. She also shares how focusing on revenue integrity, denial management, and data driven decision making is helping stabilize margins and support smart growth.

In this episode, Pankhuri Sharma, Strategy and Operations Leader at Humana, joins the podcast to discuss gaps between population health strategy and real-world outcomes. She shares key priorities for effective population health programs and offers practical advice for emerging leaders navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Sri Narasimhan, VP of Enterprise Customer Experience and Insights at CVS Health, discusses how agentic AI twin simulations are enabling faster, more scalable, and more human-centered decision-making. He shares real-world examples of how this technology is uncovering new patient insights, improving adherence, and reshaping how healthcare organizations design and deliver care.

In this episode, Sunitha Reddy, Chief Revenue Officer and Vice President of Operations, Prime Healthcare, discusses how revenue cycle strategy powers hospital turnarounds, tackles payer pressure and denials, and leverages AI to improve efficiency while supporting care access.

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In this episode, Patrick DeAngelo, President of CorroHealth, discusses why health systems must shift from managing denials to preventing them by leveraging AI, rethinking workflows, and balancing technology with human oversight in an evolving payer landscape.

This episode is sponsored by CorroHealth.

In this episode, Geri Eaves, Vice President of Ambulatory Services, MedHQ, and Wes Battiste, Senior Advisor, Avanza Strategies, explore the rapid growth of ASC joint ventures and what drives their success. They discuss physician alignment, governance structures, and the importance of collaboration to deliver high-quality, cost-effective outpatient care.

This episode is sponsored by MedHQ.

In this episode, Ian Macdonald, CFO, Union Health, shares how his data-driven approach is guiding major transformation including a recent hospital acquisition, dual system integrations, and strategic investments in AI and technology to drive future growth.

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