Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Denzil Ross, MBA, FACHE, President of the South Region at Indiana University Health, shares how redesigned patient flow reduced emergency department hold times by 30 percent while supporting cardiovascular growth. He also outlines 2026 priorities around access to care, graduate medical education expansion, and strategic program growth amid industry uncertainty.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Mark Behl, President & CEO of NorthBay Health, discusses investing in new technology, collaborating with payers to enhance patient experience, creating tech solutions to improve efficiency, and advancing value-based care initiatives.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Nick Gates, president of Priority Health, shares his leadership journey, the values shaping his approach, and how trust and community guide decision making. He also discusses digital transformation, multi state expansion, and priorities around affordability, access, and member experience.

In this episode, Nick Gazda, PharmD, MS, BCPS, CSP, Director of Pharmacy Oncology and Infusion at Cone Health, discusses how standardized infusion services, centralized medication access, and technology integration have improved patient care and operational efficiency. He also shares strategies for navigating financial and regulatory headwinds while pursuing growth and value-based opportunities in 2026.

In this episode, Cody Walker, President of Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock, discusses leading a busy tertiary care hospital within a 12 hospital Arkansas system, with a focus on access, efficiency, and technology enabled care. He also shares perspectives on reimbursement pressures, workforce shortages, GME expansion, and practical leadership lessons for emerging healthcare leaders.

In this episode, Andy Zukowski, Chief Financial Officer at ECU Health, joins the podcast to discuss key financial trends shaping healthcare, including rising costs of care and long-term sustainability. He shares how his team maintains focus on a multi-year strategic agenda while navigating uncertainty and balancing financial discipline with the need to support high-quality patient care.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews 7 major developments in healthcare, including nurse strikes, IT risks, major cancer center investments, rural hospital recovery, and more.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Matthew Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, discusses initiatives to develop a strong pediatric cancer program in Florida, navigating cost and reimbursement pressures, and handling AI governance, including insights from the “Ask Nick” program.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Deborah Visconi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses expanding emergency and ambulatory access, integrating behavioral and physical health, and navigating financial headwinds while advancing the mission of equitable care for one of New Jersey’s largest and most complex communities.

In this episode, Alan Kumar, MD, FACEP, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer at Powers Health, discusses the system’s recent rebrand, enterprise wide service line integration, and digital transformation efforts aimed at standardization, automation, and sustainable growth amid regulatory and financial uncertainty.

In this episode, Ryan Cameron, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Children’s Nebraska, discusses how AI driven tools, digital therapeutics, and virtual care are expanding access, improving Medicaid navigation, and shaping the future of pediatric care across urban and rural communities.

In this episode, Dr. Sriram Vissa, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs at SSM Health DePaul Hospital, shares how multidisciplinary teamwork and data driven care progression improved safety, efficiency, and length of stay, while outlining priorities for behavioral health access, workforce stability, and growth in 2026.

In this episode, Timothy L. Switaj, Vice President, Chief Population Health Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer at WellSpan Health, discusses building a systemwide population health strategy, integrating data driven insights into primary care and service lines, and addressing demographic shifts, value based care, and prevention priorities shaping the future of care.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Garrick Stoldt, VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Saint Peter's Healthcare System, discusses the effects of the Big Beautiful Bill, the rapid expansion of automation across healthcare finance, and why maintaining a strong human role remains essential as organizations modernize.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Rick Greene, MD, FACS, Emeritus Chair of Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center and Medical Director of Cancer Data Services at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, shares insights on the evolution of cancer staging, data accuracy, and accreditation. He discusses how these foundations support personalized care, reduce variation, and help clinicians and patients navigate an increasingly complex oncology landscape.

In this episode, Michael Antoniades, President of UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital, discusses integrating academic medicine into community care, expanding maternal health and specialty services, and preparing for workforce, legislative, and growth challenges shaping the hospital’s future.

In this episode, Karen Janousek, Chief Population Health and Growth Officer at Sinai Chicago, shares how the organization is strengthening value based care through ACO performance, data driven teamwork, and community engagement. She also discusses headwinds for 2026, including cost pressures, policy changes, workforce challenges, and new growth opportunities such as expanded clinical drug trials.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, discusses the push for fair and sustainable funding, evolving cybersecurity efforts across hospitals, and how leaders are navigating today’s financial pressures with resilience and strategy.

In collaboration with R1.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Brenda Rocha, Chief Nursing Officer at Baystate Medical Center, as she discusses initiatives to enhance nurse engagement, reduce burnout, and improve patient care. She shares insights on implementing evidence-based programs, gathering feedback from staff, and leveraging technology to strengthen workflows and outcomes.

In this episode, Jay Nakashima, President of eHealth Exchange, discusses how modern data standards and trusted networks are transforming payer provider information sharing, reducing reliance on fax and manual processes. He also shares where inefficiencies persist, how interoperability can lower administrative costs, and what policy changes could improve affordability and access.

In this episode, Joseph Pinto, Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at Mount Sinai Health System, discusses a systemwide modernization of pharmacy operations that improved resiliency, automation, and cost performance. He also outlines 2026 priorities around AI enablement, specialty and gene therapies, and balancing financial stewardship with access and safety.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Fox, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma at Cooper University Health Care, discusses workforce fatigue, physician well being, and engagement as top priorities in trauma care. She shares how Cooper is investing in peer support, coaching, and culture to sustain teams, strengthen leadership, and prepare for the future of healthcare.

In this episode, Dr. Nirmit Kothari, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, shares the key trends shaping 2026, including AI integration, value based care, and workforce sustainability. He also discusses how focused efforts on patient flow, clinician engagement, and bottom up innovation have driven strong performance and growth at his organization.

In this episode, Michael Evans, RPh, MBA, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Enterprise Pharmacy at Geisinger, discusses key pharmacy priorities including biosimilar adoption, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, cell and gene therapy readiness, and strategies to expand access and strengthen pharmacy operations.

In this episode, Roger Hartl, MD, Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery, Director of Neurosurgery Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Neurosurgical Director of Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, shares key trends shaping spine care, including AI, biologics, minimally invasive surgery, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and patient communication.

In this episode, Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a board certified spinal and orthopedic surgeon based in New York City, discusses common misconceptions about spine surgery, advances in minimally invasive and robotic techniques, and how technology is improving outcomes.

In this episode, Howard Weiss, Vice President of Government Affairs at EmblemHealth, discusses how payer provider collaboration, community based programs, and value focused partnerships can improve affordability and outcomes. He also shares how consumer pressure, regulatory scrutiny, and responsible use of AI are shaping health plan strategy and margins in 2026.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, features Shirin Hasan, Research Manager at Endeavor Health, as she discusses managing large-scale clinical trials and NIH-funded research across multiple hospitals. She shares insights on improving operational efficiency, leveraging technology and AI, and designing high-impact workflows to enhance both patient care and research outcomes.

In this episode, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, joins the podcast to discuss how agentic AI is making spine surgery safer and more precise. He shares his priorities heading into 2026, including supporting professional and organic growth, expanding geographically, and navigating the evolving landscape of medical malpractice while continuing to advance high-quality spine care.

In this episode, Michael Evans, RPh, MBA, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Enterprise Pharmacy at Geisinger, discusses key pharmacy priorities including biosimilar adoption, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, cell and gene therapy readiness, and strategies to expand access and strengthen pharmacy operations.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares 9 timely healthcare updates, including a new federal affordability plan, hospital leadership turnover, telehealth utilization declines, Medicare Advantage legal developments, and more.

In this episode, Shawn Myers, Vice President of Pharmacy and Ancillary Clinical Services at Encompass Health, discusses initiatives to improve medication reconciliation and patient safety across post-acute care hospitals. He shares strategies for implementing effective workflows, leveraging data, and managing pharmacy operations during rapid organizational growth.

In this episode, Nirav Shah, Associate Chief Medical Informatics Officer, AI and Innovation, Endeavor Health, shares how the organization is evolving from isolated AI tools to an AI-first operating model, highlighting ambient documentation, enterprise governance, and large-scale process redesign. He also offers practical guidance for leaders on workflow transformation, change readiness, and building trust to safely scale AI across health systems.

In this episode, Nneka Sederstrom, PhD, Chief Health Equity Officer at Hennepin Healthcare, discusses building a diverse healthcare workforce, addressing persistent inequities, and leading through mounting pressures including Minnesota ICE raids and policy shifts. She shares a candid perspective on sustaining equity work and advancing systemic change during one of the most challenging periods in healthcare.

In this episode, Julie Walker, CEO of Propelus, shares insights from the State of Workforce Compliance 2025 survey and explains how real time visibility, automation, and continuous verification can transform workforce compliance into a driver of safety, retention, and clinical excellence. She also explains the compliance shifts required to stay ahead in 2026. Learn more about the recently published State of Workforce Compliance in 2025 survey here: https://go.beckershospitalreview.com/hrwp/the-state-of-workforce-compliance-in-2025-5-key-takeaways-for-healthcare-leadership

This episode is sponsored by Propelus.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Eric J. Price, Chief Financial Officer at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, discusses navigating economic, political, and financial uncertainties, incorporating AI to improve efficiency while remaining cautious, the impact of AI on labor, and strategies for reducing inefficiencies in the healthcare system.

In collaboration with R1

In this episode, Dr. Sandra Scott, Chief Executive Officer of One Brooklyn Health, discusses system integration, population health strategy, and preparing for reimbursement and coverage changes in 2026. She also shares how data, AI, and community engagement are shaping access to care and outcomes for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable patients.

In this episode, William Davis, MBA, CLSS, President of the Illinois Region at Deaconess Illinois, shares how his team is expanding access to care in rural Southern Illinois while strengthening quality, workforce stability, and leadership during ongoing industry challenges.

In this episode, Alexander Salerno, MD, MHA, MPH, founder and CEO of Nirvana Healthcare Management Services, shares how ongoing policy uncertainty around the Affordable Care Act is affecting providers and patients, particularly in underserved communities, and outlines what meaningful reform could look like to improve affordability, access, and accountability in healthcare.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to discuss UnitedHealthcare’s accelerated Medicare Advantage payments for rural hospitals and the growing federal scrutiny of major insurers as policymakers weigh rising healthcare costs and industry consolidation.