Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Gates, Executive Dean and Senior Vice-President of the Leavitt School of Health at WGU, discusses his journey from educator and pharmacist to healthcare executive and academic leader. He shares how WGU is addressing critical workforce shortages through industry partnerships, technology-enabled learning, and innovative approaches to expanding access to healthcare education.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Martin Jenter, Orthopedic Surgeon, Integrowth Orthopedic Specialists and Henry Ford Health System & Medical Director, Michigan Outpatient Surgical Center ASC. He discusses the rapid growth of outpatient joint replacement, the challenges posed by health system consolidation and electronic health records, and how physician-led ambulatory surgery centers can enhance efficiency, patient experience, and clinical outcomes.

In this episode, Omkar Kulkarni, MPH, Vice President, Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Founder & Managing Director, KidsX, discusses how AI and digital health are transforming patient access, care delivery, and operational efficiency.

In this episode, Kelly Munson, President and CEO of Independence Health Group, discusses the evolving Medicaid and ACA landscape, the impact of policy changes on coverage and affordability, and the role of managed care in improving health outcomes. She also shares insights on food as medicine, healthcare innovation, and leadership lessons from becoming the organization's first female CEO.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Eduardo Conrado, President, Ascension. Here, he discusses Ascension’s ambulatory growth strategy, investments in serving Medicaid and uninsured populations, and how the organization is redesigning care delivery to improve access, patient experience, and long-term community health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Desi McCue, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Desi discusses rebuilding human-centered healthcare, engaging frontline teams through transparency and listening, and creating flexible workforce strategies that support resilience, accountability, and meaningful connection.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Luis Taveras, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer, Jefferson Health. He discusses how AI is reshaping healthcare leadership, the importance of disciplined investment decisions focused on speed to value, and why building mission-driven teams remains the foundation for successful transformation.

In this episode, Jawad Khan, Vice President, Enterprise Analytics, Akron Children's, discusses how healthcare organizations can move beyond AI pilots to build trusted, scalable capabilities that improve clinical workflows and decision-making.

In this episode, Jennifer Worthy, Executive Vice President of Revenue Optimization at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), joins the podcast to discuss the technology gap between payers and providers and the challenges it creates across the healthcare ecosystem. She also shares her perspective on the leadership attributes needed to navigate change, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable improvements in financial and operational performance.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Kevin Zeng, Chief Nurse Executive, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Sutter Health. Kevin shares how his team is expanding patient access while supporting workforce well-being, and discusses the importance of mission-driven leadership, organizational culture, and turning strategy into consistent execution during times of rapid change.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Ozarks Healthcare CMIO and Hospitalist Dr. Priscilla Frase joins MEDITECH Chief Nursing Executive Cathy Turner, RN to discuss how technology, interoperability, and a bold approach to innovation is driving meaningful change across the health system and helped to earn the organization national recognition as a rural healthcare leader.

This episode is sponsored by MEDITECH.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Nicholas Grosso, President, The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics. He discusses the launch of MedVanta, the importance of physician ownership in healthcare operations and technology, and how strong teams help organizations navigate rapid change while preserving long-term value.

In this episode, Michelle Stansbury, Associate Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President of IT Applications at Houston Methodist, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s digital priorities for 2026 and the technologies shaping the future of healthcare delivery. She shares insights on the growing role of ambient listening solutions in reducing documentation burden, improving clinician efficiency, and enabling care teams to spend more time focused on patients.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Rural Health Leadership Summit features Michael Coyle, Chief Executive Officer, Veterans Memorial Hospital. He discusses leading a major technology transformation, addressing workforce and payer challenges, and why innovation, strategic partnerships, and forward-thinking leadership are essential for rural hospitals navigating rapid change.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Trey Crabb, Chief Executive Officer, Deaconess Associations Incorporated. He shares lessons from successfully merging organizations and cultures, discusses strategies for growth through partnerships and acquisitions, and explains how flexible workforce models and collaborative leadership help drive resilience across home health, hospice, personal care, and therapy services.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Tomas Gregorio, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Information Officer at Care New England Health System, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s partnership with Rhode Island College and the development of training programs that help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. He also shares insights on the use of ambient listening technologies and how he is leveraging AI to improve efficiency, support clinicians, and advance digital innovation across the health system.

In this episode, Andy Anderson, MD, MBA, Chief Medical and Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, joins the podcast to discuss how healthcare organizations are navigating rapid changes in automation and digital transformation. He shares insights on the evolving responsibilities of clinical and technology leaders, highlighting how the roles of Chief Medical Officers and Chief Information Officers are becoming increasingly interconnected as organizations work to improve care delivery, quality, and operational performance.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Greg Sieg, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Michigan Health Regional Network. He discusses aligning cybersecurity programs across a growing health system, navigating the rapid rise of AI, and why communication, cultural alignment, and workforce-focused technology decisions are essential to strengthening healthcare resilience and security.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Han, Chief Medical Officer, Ambience Healthcare, discusses how ambient AI is reducing clinician burnout, improving documentation quality, and driving adoption at scale by focusing on clinician trust, workflow integration, and measurable outcomes.

This episode is sponsored by Ambience Healthcare.

In this sponsored episode, George Stein, Vice President of Digital at Montefiore Einstein, and Dr. Shivani Agarwal, Senior Director of Community Healthcare Improvement & Strategy at Montefiore Einstein, join the podcast to discuss innovative approaches to improving preventive cancer screening rates. They share how agentic AI outreach and digital solutions are helping patients navigate the screening process, reduce barriers to care, and connect more people with timely preventive services.

In this episode, David W. Zaas, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Duke University Health System, joins the podcast to discuss expanding access to care and bringing high-quality healthcare closer to home for patients and communities. He shares his vision for shaping the future of Duke Health, highlighting strategic growth initiatives, innovation, and the organization's commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the populations it serves.

In this episode, Baligh Yehia, MD, President of Jefferson Health and Executive Vice President of Jefferson, joins the podcast to discuss keeping patient well-being at the center of every organizational decision. He shares insights on the importance of fostering an aligned workplace culture, emphasizing how shared values, collaboration, and a unified mission help healthcare organizations deliver better outcomes for patients and communities.

In this episode, Baligh Yehia, MD, President of Jefferson Health and Executive Vice President of Jefferson, joins the podcast to discuss keeping patient well-being at the center of every organizational decision. He shares insights on the importance of fostering an aligned workplace culture, emphasizing how shared values, collaboration, and a unified mission help healthcare organizations deliver better outcomes for patients and communities.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Tesa Anewishki, President and Chief Executive Officer, Loretto Hospital. She discusses leading a safety net hospital through an electronic health record transformation, expanding access to care amid community hospital closures, and leveraging workforce development, communication, and resourcefulness to meet growing healthcare challenges.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Sarah Greichen, Chief Information & Innovation Officer at Sedgwick County Health Center, joins the podcast to discuss addressing staffing demands and reducing administrative burden through technology and innovation. She shares strategies for solving capacity challenges and explores opportunities to strengthen and improve healthcare delivery in rural communities.

In this episode, Dwight Raum, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Information Officer at Rochester Regional Health, joins the podcast to discuss the rise of AI in healthcare, including its costs, benefits, and long-term potential. He shares how technology can help reduce clinician burnout and address growing supply-and-demand challenges by supporting care teams, improving efficiency, and expanding access to care.

In this episode, Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, Orthopedic Surgeon and Founder of the Joint Replacement Institute in Florida, joins the podcast to discuss how AI-powered chatbots can improve efficiency and streamline patient communication. He also shares his perspective on the fee-for-service model, strategies for delivering high-value orthopedic care, and efforts to limit opioid prescriptions while supporting safe and effective pain management.

In this episode, Carmela Rocchetti, MD, Assistant Dean of Community Engaged Medical Education and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss an innovative educational program designed to bring the social determinants of health to life for future healthcare professionals. She shares how teaching the human element of care helps clinicians better understand patients’ experiences, build trust, and foster stronger relationships that lead to more compassionate and effective healthcare.

In this episode, Renée Jensen, FACHE, CEO of Snoqualmie Valley Health, joins the podcast to discuss keeping community health at the forefront of healthcare strategy. She shares her perspective on moving beyond traditional “sick care” to support overall wellness and prevention, while also highlighting key growth initiatives that are helping expand services and strengthen the organization’s impact within the community.

In this episode, Crystal Broj, CPDHTS, Enterprise Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Medical University of South Carolina, discusses how MUSC is using AI, automation, and digital tools to improve patient access, streamline operations, and reduce workforce burden. She shares lessons from scaling voice AI across the enterprise, the importance of workflow redesign and governance, and her vision for a future where AI agents work seamlessly alongside healthcare teams.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Royce Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, AdventHealth Lake Wales. He discusses creating a unified organizational culture, investing in leadership development and executive coaching, and why curiosity, observation, and strong people connections are essential to making better decisions in a data-rich healthcare environment.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Allen Hsiao, MD, FAAP, FAMIA, Chief Health Information Officer at Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing impact of AI on clinical care and healthcare operations. He shares insights on building effective AI governance frameworks, scaling innovation responsibly, and identifying the greatest opportunities for future growth as healthcare organizations continue to embrace digital transformation.

In this episode, David L. Callender, MD, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System, reflects on his leadership journey, lessons learned from navigating major challenges including Hurricane Ike, and the importance of mission-driven healthcare leadership. He also shares insights on succession planning, community engagement, and why health systems must look beyond their walls to improve the health of the populations they serve.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features James Hereford, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fairview Health Services, Fairview Health Services. He discusses navigating complex leadership challenges, the need for healthcare organizations to help shape the future of care delivery, and how leaders can create clarity, accountability, and purpose while embracing transformative technologies like AI and precision medicine.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Luis E. Taveras, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Jefferson Health, joins the podcast to discuss expanding access to care across the communities Jefferson Health serves. He also shares insights on the importance of AI education and awareness, highlighting how healthcare organizations can reduce fears surrounding AI adoption and help teams embrace technology as a tool to enhance care delivery.

In this episode, Morgan Kendrick, EVP and President, Commercial Health Benefits, Elevance Health, discusses the rising cost pressures facing employers and explores how balanced funding, self-funding, and multiple employer welfare arrangements can help improve affordability while simplifying healthcare benefits for businesses and their employees.

In this episode, Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, discusses Ascension's landmark acquisition of AMSURG, the continued evolution of outpatient care strategies, and how independent rural health systems are pursuing growth and sustainability amid financial and reimbursement challenges.

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, discusses how health systems are navigating AI adoption, strengthening cybersecurity defenses, managing emerging technology costs, and responding to major shifts in ambulatory care strategy and healthcare consolidation.

In this episode, David L. Callender, MD, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System, reflects on his leadership journey, lessons learned from navigating major challenges including Hurricane Ike, and the importance of mission-driven healthcare leadership. He also shares insights on succession planning, community engagement, and why health systems must look beyond their walls to improve the health of the populations they serve.

In this episode, Deb Muro, Chief Information Officer, El Camino Hospital, discusses how healthcare organizations are adapting to consumer expectations, leveraging AI to improve access and operational efficiency, and creating more personalized patient experiences. She also shares insights on agentic AI, smart healthcare environments, and the future of technology-enabled care.