Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 11th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference features Nari Gopala, Chief Digital Officer, Mayo Clinic, who discusses using AI and remote monitoring to separate meaningful clinical signals from noise, improve care coordination and preserve context across patient journeys.

In collaboration with Philips.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan J. Gates, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health, discusses using rural health funding to build sustainable local workforce pipelines, expand flexible education pathways, and address shortages in nursing, pharmacy and allied health. 

This episode is sponsored by Western Governors University.

In this episode, Shea Swick, Lead Pharmacist, RxCare Charitable Pharmacy, OhioHealth Riverside Community Medicine, discusses how pharmacist-led remote blood pressure monitoring is improving hypertension control through medication management, patient education and personalized outreach. She also shares the program’s clinical and financial results, barriers to patient engagement and plans to expand remote monitoring across OhioHealth. 

This episode is sponsored by American Heart Association.

In this episode, Sean Bitts, CRNA and Vice President of Clinical Affairs at CCI Anesthesia, and Alex Gorecki, President of CCI Anesthesia, explore why a singular focus on anesthesia can make a meaningful difference for clinicians, patients, and hospital operations. Moderated by Doug Simpler, the conversation examines how specialized leadership can strengthen clinician retention and autonomy, improve OR efficiency and patient outcomes, and create a more collaborative partnership between anesthesia teams and health system leaders.

This episode is sponsored by CCI Anesthesia. 

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights physician shortages, health system CEO turnover, healthcare job growth, rising hospital costs, physician non-compete disputes, and the growing focus on cost-conscious surgical care.

In this episode, Schneck Medical Center Vice President and Chief Information Officer Craig Rice discusses the importance of interoperability for independent hospitals, the challenges of data exchange across health systems, and how MEDITECH’s Traverse Exchange is helping advance connected care.

This episode is sponsored by MEDITECH.

In this episode, Matthew Ewend, MD, President, UNC Physicians; Chief Clinical Officer, UNC Health, discusses how AI-powered ambient scribing and chart summarization are reducing administrative burden, strengthening clinician and patient engagement, and reshaping medical education. 

In this episode, Garrick Stoldt, CPA, FHFMA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, joins the podcast to discuss opportunities for growth and the leadership qualities needed to guide healthcare organizations through a changing financial environment. He also shares insights on the impact of 340B restrictions and how evolving program requirements can affect health system strategy and financial planning.

In this episode, Mark Smith, CMO, MSU Health Care, discusses operational transformation, Epic implementation, physician engagement and expanding primary care while advancing value based care. He also shares leadership lessons on culture, technology and keeping patients and caregivers at the center of change.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 11th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference features Stephen Williams, MD, MBA, MS, FACS, Associate CMO, UTMB Clear Lake, UTMB Health System, who discusses using AI and patient data to create a more connected care continuum, reduce fragmentation across settings, and strengthen clinical communication.

In collaboration with Philips.

In this episode, Steve Mason, President, MedHQ, and Zachary Phillips, Vice President of Advisory Services, MedHQ, discuss the growing staffing, cost, and coverage pressures facing anesthesia organizations and how data, flexible coverage models, and proactive planning can support more sustainable operations.

This episode is sponsored by MedHQ.

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Mark Clement, the former president and CEO of TriHealth, discusses the healthcare bets that have paid off, the shift toward proactive and value-based care and the need to rebuild trust in healthcare. He also shares why listening and authentic communication are among the most underrated leadership traits.

In this episode, Chris Allen, CFO, UChicago Medicine, discusses his priorities for strengthening financial operations, supporting system growth, modernizing revenue cycle processes, and developing responsible AI governance while building a resilient finance team.

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

In this episode, Victor Zamora, Executive Vice President of Customer Care, Med-Metrix, discusses how accurate patient intake, technology integration, real-time eligibility, and clear ownership can improve revenue realization, reduce downstream rework, and strengthen the patient experience. 

This episode is sponsored by Med-Metrix.

In this episode, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer, HaloMD, discusses new research on the No Surprises Act, emergency medicine reimbursement, and the impact of the IDR process on healthcare spending. He examines pre and post NSA payment trends, utilization assumptions, and what the findings could mean for policymakers and providers. 

This episode is sponsored by HaloMD.

In this episode, Aaron Chang, FACHE, President, East Region, Jefferson Health, discusses balancing regional and system-level leadership, creating greater integration without unnecessary bureaucracy, and standardizing operations while preserving local flexibility. He also shares lessons from Jefferson’s perioperative services integration work and the importance of influence, trust and shared ownership in complex health systems.

In this episode, Amy Hart, CEO of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Minnesota, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of staying healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally while leading in healthcare. She also shares insights on taking risks, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and embracing opportunities that can shape both personal and professional growth.

In this episode, Katherine Yale, DDS, of PDS Health, joins the podcast to discuss developing diagnostic confidence and the role effective mentorship can play in helping dental professionals grow. She also shares insights on improving performance and retention by supporting clinicians throughout their professional development.

In this episode, Ankit Rohatgi, MD, MBA, FACP, CPE, Vice President of Physician Advisory and Utilization Management at University of Cincinnati Health, joins the podcast to discuss simplifying workflows and reducing friction for staff across healthcare operations. He also shares insights on changes in Medicaid, aligning care models with those shifts, and identifying opportunities for growth while improving how teams work together.

In this episode, Chris Johnson, Founder and CEO of Bluebird Kids Health, joins the podcast to discuss managing the health of a broader patient population and expanding access to pediatric care. He also shares insights on democratizing access to care and building a strong reputation within the community to better serve children and families.

In this episode, Jeremy Cauwels, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health, joins the podcast to discuss how Sanford is using AI and virtual care to expand access across rural communities, including bringing specialty expertise closer to patients who face significant geographic barriers to care. He also shares insights on strengthening the rural physician workforce through graduate medical education, preparing clinicians to use emerging technologies while maintaining clinical judgment and trust, and leading change with a continued focus on safety, quality, and the patient experience.

In this episode, Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD, Professor and DEO of the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and Brendan Young, PhD, MBA, Associate Professor of Preventive and Community Dentistry, The University of Iowa, discuss their article "Beyond Hand Skills: A Case Analysis of Empathy and Critical Thinking Instruction", published in the Journal of the California Dental Association’s Blue Sky Thinking Collection. They explore behavioral science, patient-centered communication, self-reflection and innovative tools designed to prepare dental students for more thoughtful patient care.

In this episode, Karen Ignagni, CEO, EmblemHealth, discusses the evolving Medicaid landscape, healthcare affordability, interoperability, and how health plans can use technology, AI, care management, and value-based care to better support members. She also shares insights on her return to the CEO role and EmblemHealth's ongoing transformation.

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Mark Clement, the former President and CEO of TriHealth, reflects on his decision to retire, the importance of succession planning and the leadership lessons he has learned from decades of marathon running. He also shares how staying active, rounding with frontline teams and finding inspiration in others have shaped his leadership approach.

In this episode, Scott Becker examines Medicare Advantage exits, physician cognitive testing, AI's impact on healthcare leadership, rising physician compensation, and the need to rethink the physician training pathway. 

In this episode, Jake Ghannam, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Insightec, discusses how MR-guided focused ultrasound can expand access to neuroscience care, the strategic case for health systems, and how to build a successful program.

This episode is sponsored by Insightec.

Statistics and data referenced in this episode can be found at the following sources:

1.  Information and stats in this podcast were sourced from the following:Ney JP, Steinmetz JD, Anderson-Benge E, et al. US Burden of Disorders Affecting the Nervous System: Fr...

In this episode, Kathy Donovan, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Hospital Systems Health System, joins the podcast to discuss developing a long-range capital plan and aligning investments with the health system’s broader growth strategy. She also shares insights on managing growth across the organization and planning for the resources needed to support continued expansion.

In this episode, Dr. Andy Anderson, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Healh, shares how the system is improving mortality outcomes and patient experience through rapid response teams, standardized best practices, and a strong culture of accountability. He discusses strategies for scaling success, coordinating care, and fostering growth across the health system.

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses physician shortages, the role of AI and advanced practice providers, and why shortening the lengthy medical education and training pathway could help bring more doctors into the workforce.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director, Becker’s Healthcare, discusses Medicare Advantage insurers exiting markets, plan and benefit changes heading into 2027, and how major payers are using AI to simplify healthcare navigation and gain a competitive edge.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 11th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference features Katherine Adams, MS, Director, Clinical Operations, Primary Care, CommonSpirit, who discusses using ambient listening, unified health records and remote patient monitoring to reduce administrative burden and support better clinical decision making.

In collaboration with Philips.

In this episode, Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), discusses Medicare Advantage market disruption, plan exits, beneficiary impacts, and the need for risk adjustment reform to support sustainable coverage in local communities.

In this episode, Nick Barcellona, Chief Financial Officer at West Virginia University Health System, joins the podcast to discuss creating a seamless experience for patients and identifying opportunities for growth across the health system. He also shares insights on balancing operational priorities with the evolving needs of patients and the organization.

In this episode, Peggy Norton-Rosko, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, SVP, Chief Nursing Officer, Trinity Health, discusses strengthening shared nursing governance, using nurse input and data to improve patient outcomes, and addressing workforce challenges through academic partnerships, residency programs, career development, and thoughtful technology investments.

In this episode, Chase McGrath, Vice President, Product, Aspirion, and Nikki Ritchson, Senior Director, Payment Variance, Aspirion, discuss the latest federal IDR changes, the new CMS gateway portal and the technology infrastructure providers need to manage deadlines, compliance and submissions at scale.

This episode is sponsored by Aspirion.

In this episode, Greg Castle, U.S. Power & Grid Commercial Leader, Schneider Electric, and James Vun Cannon, Healthcare Segment Manager for Strategic Accounts and U.S. Digital Power, Schneider Electric, discuss rising power demand from AI, grid constraints and why health systems need to align IT, facilities, clinical and finance teams around long-term infrastructure and energy planning.

This episode is sponsored by Schneider Electric.

In this episode, Dr. Sheila Bond, Head of Clinical AI, Wolters Kluwer Health, discusses the pillars of trustworthy clinical AI, including governance, validation, accountability and post-use monitoring. She also explores how healthcare organizations can build strong AI foundations while using technology to transform clinical workflows and help patients better understand their care.

This episode is sponsored by Wolters Kluwer.

In this episode, Alpa Vyas, Senior Vice President and Chief Patient Experience and Operational Performance Officer at Stanford Health Care, joins the podcast to discuss turning patient feedback into opportunities for improvement and engaging leadership teams in that process. She also shares insights on coordinating care and the role of patient and family advisory councils and user research in shaping the healthcare experience.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 11th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference features Romila Aloysius, Executive Director, Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, AdventHealth, who discusses using AI and connected data to identify patients earlier, reduce data fatigue, improve care coordination and support proactive clinical decision making.

In collaboration with Philips.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares insights into 10 key healthcare themes, including rising costs, access and quality challenges, AI and technology, workforce needs, administrative spending, and more.