Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Zeshan Anwar, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Pennsylvania hospitals and System Chief of Hospital Medicine at The Guthrie Clinic, discusses the pressures and possibilities facing rural healthcare today. He shares how his team is navigating workforce challenges, federal policy shifts, telehealth uncertainty, and digital transformation to improve patient flow, safety, and reliability.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor in Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to break down major revenue cycle developments, including Tenet regaining full control of Conifer Health Solutions and new RCM platforms targeting rural providers.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down Kaiser Permanente’s entry into Nevada, growing tensions between hospitals and Medicare Advantage plans, and how federal payment changes are squeezing major insurers while smaller, specialized plans gain ground.

In this episode, Dr. David Marcozzi, Chief Clinical Officer at University of Maryland Medical Center and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at the School of Medicine, discusses implementing high reliability practices, expanding access to specialized care, and preparing for the upcoming AHEAD model. He also explores leveraging automation and AI to reduce administrative burden, support the workforce, and improve patient outcomes.

In this episode, Sham Firdausi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer of County of Santa Clara Health System, shares how a mission driven finance and revenue cycle strategy is helping one of the nation’s largest public health systems navigate historic funding headwinds. He discusses payer provider collaboration, responsible AI adoption, and building operationally integrated finance teams to protect access to care.

In this episode, Robert Corona, DO, MBA, FCAP, FASCP, John B. Henry Professor of Pathology and Chief Executive Officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss reducing workplace violence, easing administrative burden through new technologies, and improving pathology operations with innovations such as drone-based transportation. He also shares where he sees opportunities for organizational growth as healthcare systems adapt to new operational and workforce challenges.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to discuss how Community Health Systems and CommonSpirit Health are pruning portfolios and simplifying operations to strengthen performance. She also shares insights on Oracle’s expansion of clinical AI to reduce clinician burden and improve care delivery.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Abha Agrawal discusses how NorthStar Hospitals is reshaping rural healthcare by advancing the technology agenda and elevating the patient experience. She shares insights into building sustainable, tech-forward systems that improve access and outcomes for communities often left behind.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Joe Benardello, Chief Growth Officer and co-founder of IKS Health, discusses how accountable partnerships and agentic AI are transforming healthcare delivery. He explores how technology, human collaboration, and shared accountability can drive better patient outcomes, reduce clinician burden, and create sustainable value for health systems.

This episode is sponsored by IKS Health.

In this episode, Kristie Spencer, Vice President of Provider Partnerships at Elevance Health, shares how the company is aligning incentives, leveraging digital tools, and using AI to simplify workflows. She explains how effective partnerships and actionable data are driving better outcomes, affordability, and sustainability in value-based care.

In this episode, Darrell Bodnar, Chief Information Officer of North Country Healthcare, discusses leading technology strategy across three independent critical access hospitals amid regulatory uncertainty and payer shifts. He shares how responsible AI adoption, from ambient documentation to workflow automation, is improving provider satisfaction while helping rural systems plan for an unpredictable future.

In this episode, recorded live at the Becker’s 13th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Dave Newman discusses how Sanford Health is expanding access by innovating virtual care—meeting patients where they are, including by phone. He shares insight into preventive strategies for chronic kidney disease and emphasizes how collaboration across teams and technologies serves as a powerful catalyst for progress in modern care delivery.

In collaboration with R1.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews 6 key developments, including Providence Mission Hospital’s plan to phase out acute care, growing tension between health systems and Medicare Advantage plans, multiple hospital leadership changes, and more.

In this episode, Dr. Josh Geleris, Physician, Co-Founder, and Head of Product at Smarter Technologies, discusses how AI paired with human expertise can improve revenue capture, reduce administrative burden, and make revenue cycle processes more accurate, scalable, and sustainable for health systems. 

This episode is sponsored by Smarter Technologies.

Dr. Edward Kim, Vice Physician-in-Chief at City of Hope National Medical Center and Physician-in-Chief at City of Hope Orange County, joins the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast to discuss the expansion of City of Hope’s footprint, the importance of inclusive clinical trials, and the evolving landscape of cancer screening.

In this episode, Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Attending Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, joins the Becker’s Spine and Orthopedics Podcast to discuss how AI, virtual care, and remote monitoring are reshaping orthopedic practice. He also shares insights on emerging innovations in sports medicine, wearable technology, and the evolving role of biologics in patient care.

In this episode, Dr. Andy Anderson, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, 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, Peter D. Banko, President and CEO of Baystate Health, discusses stabilizing financial performance, expanding access to care, and integrating the health plan with providers to improve population health. He shares strategies for addressing structural challenges, enhancing patient access, and preparing for future health care headwinds.

In this episode, Sharon Williams, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Michigan Health Plan, discusses how health plans can navigate rising utilization, workforce shortages, and cost pressures while improving relationships with providers. She shares perspectives on simplifying payer operations, the role of AI, and policy changes needed to improve affordability and access.

In this episode, Raaj Kurapati, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, University of Tennessee Health Science Center shares how the organization has navigated difficult financial decisions, including workforce adjustments, to strengthen its foundation. He also discusses priorities for 2026, with a focus on rural healthcare access, workforce development, and evolving as a collaborative leader.

In this episode, Catherine Chang, Chief Quality Officer at Prisma Health, joins the podcast to discuss expanding urgent care as a strategy to improve access, how ambient listening technologies are supporting clinicians, and the tools health systems can adopt to enhance efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

In this episode, Howard Brill, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Monroe Plan for Medical Care, shares insights on value based contracting, rising cost pressures, and the persistent gap between strategy and execution in population health. He also discusses the role of data integration, AI, and regulatory practices in shaping affordability, access, and health plan performance in 2026.

In this episode, Stuart Levine, MD, FACP, President of MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and Senior Vice President at MedStar Health, joins the podcast to discuss integrating ambulatory care with value-based care models across a large health system. He shares how leaders are improving operational efficiency, addressing some of the most difficult challenges heading into the new year, and managing rising healthcare anxiety among patients and teams as systems continue to evolve.

In this episode, Tim Plante, Region Chief Nursing Officer at CommonSpirit Health, discusses how virtual nursing and structured nurse residency programs are improving patient care, reducing burnout, and boosting retention. He also shares strategies for supporting underinsured patients and driving operational efficiency across the central region.

In this episode, Helen Margellos-Anast, President of the Sinai Urban Health Institute at Sinai Chicago, shares how data-driven research and community partnerships are tackling health inequities in urban settings. She discusses initiatives supporting adolescent girls’ mental health, integrating community health workers, and expanding access to clinical trials for underserved populations.

In this episode, Dr. Ria Paul, Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan discusses how the organization has strengthened Medicaid and Medicare Advantage quality scores through closer collaboration with providers, targeted incentives, and better data flow. She also shares priorities for 2026, including regulatory readiness, member retention, and using AI to enhance engagement and care coordination.

In this episode, Alan H. Daniels, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics and Chief of Spine Surgery at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, discusses balancing private practice autonomy with academic medicine, navigating reimbursement pressures, and growing complex spine programs. He also shares insights on innovations in spinal deformity care, including data driven decision making, specialized teams, and alignment focused technologies.

In this episode, Rob Hitchcock, President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Health, discusses how payer provider collaboration, cultural change, and proactive care models are reshaping health plan strategy amid rising cost pressures. He shares perspectives on regulatory headwinds, Medicaid and Medicare reform, and more.

In this episode, Faraz Edalatpajouh, DDS, CEO of Clark St. Dental Partners, shares how his organization is adapting to rising costs, regulatory changes in California, and shifting payer mixes while continuing to grow. He also discusses the role of AI in dentistry, DSO challenges in a high interest rate environment, and the leadership skills needed for long term success.

In this episode, Hasan B. Alam, Surgeon-in-Chief at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, joins the podcast to discuss building a strong workplace culture, securing partnerships and funding without compromising research quality, and improving the discharge process to enhance patient outcomes and operational flow.

In this episode, Molly Moran, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Nursing at Rush University Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss the destabilization of insurance coverage and affordability, the growing role of nurse-led telephone triage, and how health systems can better meet patient needs across the ambulatory setting. She also shares insights on intentional leadership and what it takes to support nurses while delivering accessible, patient-centered care.

In this episode, Sahil Sheth, PharmD, BCCCP, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services at Luminis Health, discusses restructuring pharmacy leadership, expanding ambulatory and clinical pharmacy services, and strengthening operations across the system.

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Lorio shares why declining reimbursement, policy driven efficiency measures, and consolidation are reshaping spine surgery and threatening physician autonomy. He discusses his analysis The Price of Silence, the impact on surgeons and patients, and what meaningful reform must address next.

In this episode, Andrew B. Wallach, Ambulatory Care Chief at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and Ambulatory Care Chief Medical Officer for NYC Health + Hospitals, joins the podcast to discuss how health systems can better support and sustain the workforce. He shares lessons learned from the pandemic, the role of internal float pools in managing patient surges, and strategies for building resilience and preparedness across ambulatory care teams.

In this episode, Dr. Kelly Sandberg, Chief Medical Quality Officer and Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Dayton Children’s, and Dr. Katherine Winner, Division Chief of Psychiatry at Dayton Children’s, discuss the quality improvement initiatives driving lower mental health readmissions. They share how individualized programming, follow up calls, standardized processes, and collaboration are strengthening care across inpatient and crisis settings.

In this episode, John Pastor, PharmD, President of Fairview Pharmacy Services, discusses the system’s major shared services expansion, investments in advanced pharmacy technology, and efforts to improve patient access amid widespread pharmacy closures. He also shares how Fairview is planning for growth while navigating workforce, supply chain, and policy headwinds.

In this episode, Joe Caristi, CFO of Speare Memorial Hospital, discusses strategies for sustaining and growing an independent critical access hospital amid reimbursement pressure, workforce constraints, and rising costs. He also shares insights on process improvement, AI adoption, and the importance of systems thinking and relationships in healthcare leadership.

In this episode, Vimal Ramjee, MD, FACHE, Physician Executive, CommonSpirit Health, Division Board President-Elect, American Heart Association, discusses delivering high quality cardiovascular care at scale, advancing clinically led efficiency, and using responsible innovation including AI enabled imaging to improve outcomes while sustaining access in high need communities.

In this episode, Jordan Frey, MD, Founder of the Prudent Plastic Surgeon, shares his journey from burnout and six figure debt to financial stability through intentional spending, disciplined saving, and simple investing. He discusses how financial well being can improve physician resilience, career satisfaction, and long term freedom.

In this episode, Nick Olson, Executive Vice President and CFO of Sanford Health, shares how the integrated nonprofit system is advancing value based care, investing in rural health transformation, and pursuing smart growth through integration and partnerships. He discusses balancing financial stewardship with long term sustainability while expanding access and affordability across rural communities.