Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features John Nickens, President And Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Children’s. He discusses his first six months leading the organization, the power of listening before acting, workforce and generational shifts in healthcare, and how Phoenix Children’s is preparing to lead the future of pediatric care.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Rajiv Pramanik, MD, CIO and CHIO at Contra Costa Health, joins the podcast to discuss leveraging automation and technology to drive cost efficiencies across healthcare operations. He shares insights on navigating regulatory changes, establishing effective governance structures, and aligning IT strategy with organizational goals in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

In this episode, Kevin D. Gordon, MBA, Vice President, Supply Chain, Grady Health System, discusses leading supply chain transformation through technology modernization, standardization, and change management.

In this episode, Daniel M. Sciubba, MD, MBA, Lucille & Milton Cohn Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Senior Vice President of the Neurosurgery Service Line at Northwell Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing importance of personalized, tailor-made approaches to healthcare. He also shares his perspective on the future of AI in healthcare and how emerging technologies may enhance clinical decision-making, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

In this episode, Sahir Jaggi, CEO & Founder at Forus, discusses how his company is using AI to automate prior authorizations, appeals, and medication access workflows, helping providers and patients navigate one of healthcare’s most complex challenges.

In this episode, Kelly Daly, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Expert on Dental Fear, discusses how dental anxiety impacts patients and providers, common misconceptions about anxious patients, and groundbreaking research using digital tools and telehealth to make evidence-based treatment more accessible

In this episode, Dr. Marquita Lyons-Smith, Health Administration Program Director at North Carolina Central University, and Dr. W. Andre Walker, PHD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Health Administration at North Carolina Central University, discuss the opportunities and limitations of technology in transforming rural healthcare. They explore health literacy, workforce development, digital trust, and the importance of designing solutions with communities to improve access and outcomes for underserved populations.

In this episode, Namath Hussain, MD, MBA, Neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, discusses the future of endoscopic spine surgery, the growing role of AI in healthcare, the importance of surgeon leadership, and how mindfulness, mentorship, and continuous learning can help physicians build exceptional careers.

In this episode, Rahul Vanjani, Co-Founder of ITO Health, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University, and Medical Director at Amos House, discusses the intersection of addiction medicine, social determinants of health, and Medicaid policy. He shares insights on the coming Medicaid changes, their impact on vulnerable populations, and how healthcare organizations can help patients maintain access to critical coverage and care.

In this episode, Elad I. Levy, MD, MBA, FCNS is a Neurosurgeon at Atlas Surgical Center and Chair of Neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo and Director of Neurosciences at Kaleida Health, discusses the creation of the nation’s first Ambulatory Neurosurgery Center and the opportunities it creates for patient access, cost reduction, and clinician well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Stephen Klasko, Chief Executive Officer, Health Assurance Foundation, discusses his vision for transforming healthcare through health assurance, AI, and human-centered innovation. He shares how the new foundation aims to improve health equity, support caregivers, rethink medical education, and create practical proof points for a future where technology and people work together to deliver better outcomes.

In this episode, Gary Janchenko, D.Sc., Chief Information Officer at Central Ohio Primary Care, joins the podcast to discuss how AI-powered note-writing tools are helping reduce the burden of clinical documentation. He shares his perspective on using AI to reconnect clinicians with the meaningful aspects of their work, emphasizing that the technology is designed to support and empower healthcare professionals rather than replace them.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Joy White, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Legacy Health Good Samaritan Medical Center, who shares insights on advancing access, excellence, and sustainability in healthcare delivery. She discusses building system thinking across nursing leadership, prioritizing what matters most, and strengthening workforce engagement through human-centered leadership and belonging.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Ryan Cameron, Executive Vice President, Chief Information & Innovation Officer, Children's Nebraska, shares how his team is leveraging AI, real-time data, and human-centered design to improve care delivery across pediatric settings. He discusses innovative initiatives ranging from school-based telehealth and Medicaid automation to command center technology and empowering clinicians to build their own digital solutions.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director, Becker’s Healthcare, discusses Cigna’s decision to drop GLP-1 weight loss drug coverage for employees, the financial pressures facing health insurers, the challenges of implementing new Medicaid work requirements, and the ongoing retreat of provider-sponsored health plans.

In this episode, Erik Summers, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Division of Hospital Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, joins the podcast to discuss how healthcare organizations can attract and retain physicians through culture, transparency, and personalized recruitment experiences.

In this episode, Curtiss T. Stinis, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of Peripheral Interventions, Interventional Cardiology, Scripps Clinic, joins the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast to discuss the latest TAVR durability data, key differences between leading valve platforms, and what health system leaders need to understand about lifetime valve management.

This episode is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences.

In this episode, Daniel M. Sciubba, MD, MBA, Lucille & Milton Cohn Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Senior Vice President of the Neurosurgery Service Line at Northwell Health, joins the podcast to discuss the growing importance of personalized, tailor-made approaches to healthcare. He also shares his perspective on the future of AI in healthcare and how emerging technologies may enhance clinical decision-making, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

In this episode, Isaiah Nathaniel, CPHIMS, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer (SVP & CIO), Delaware Valley Community Health, Inc., shares his vision for using AI, interoperability, and digital health to strengthen care delivery for underserved communities. He discusses leading a major Epic implementation, reducing administrative burdens for clinicians, and building a more connected healthcare ecosystem centered on the patient.

In this episode, Priya Bathija, CEO, Nyoo Health, discusses the opportunities for hospitals and health systems to improve women’s health across every stage of life, from maternal care to menopause and beyond. She also shares insights on patient education, health equity, and how her new podcast is helping women better navigate the healthcare system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Dr. Johnrich Levine, Chief Nursing Officer, Reeves Regional Health. He discusses the importance of workforce stability, leadership visibility, and long-term talent development while navigating the realities of resource-limited healthcare environments and preparing teams for the future of care delivery.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Peter George, MD, MBA, FACC, FASE, FASNC, Chief Medical Officer of Cardiovascular Services at UnityPoint Health, joins the podcast to discuss optimizing medical therapy and expanding outpatient care strategies to keep patients healthier and out of the hospital. He also shares approaches to lowering readmission rates and improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes through coordinated, proactive care.

In this episode, Mike Hopkins, Vice President of Supply Chain at Northwestern Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss building resiliency across healthcare supply chains and adapting to ongoing operational challenges. He also shares how growth within facilities is shaping supply chain strategy and supporting the evolving needs of patients and care teams.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Kyle Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Day Kimball Healthcare. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of delivering care in a rural health system, including workforce shortages, access and affordability, and the need to redesign care models and recruitment strategies to meet evolving community needs.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Tracy Peffley, System Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management at Cleveland Clinic, joins the podcast to discuss strengthening financial performance while improving the patient financial journey. She shares insights on the organization’s physician advisory program and explores how AI is expected to shape the future of revenue cycle operations and patient engagement.

In this episode, Scott MacLean, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, MedStar Health, discusses the organization's Epic implementation, digital transformation strategy, and how AI, automation, and platform-based technology are shaping the future of patient care and operational efficiency.

In this episode, Jess Pfister, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP, Senior Director of Operations, Ambulatory Services, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses the health system’s ambulatory growth strategy, the development of integrated outpatient care hubs, and how expanding access, specialized services, and community-based care will help meet the needs of a rapidly growing region.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Christopher Ruppert, Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy Hospital, Catholic Health. He shares how Mercy Hospital is rethinking nursing workforce strategy through transparent career pathways, sustainable staffing models, and long-term talent development to improve retention, quality outcomes, and patient care.

In collaboration with Insight Global.

In this episode, Jon Alford, CFO, UW Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Washington, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving financial challenges facing academic medical centers, from labor costs to reimbursement pressures. He also shares how automation, operational efficiency, and frontline engagement are shaping his leadership approach in his new role.

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

In this episode, Rory K.J. Murphy, MD, Board Certified Neurosurgeon, Barrow Brain and Spine, Associate Professor Barrow Neurological Institute, discusses how AI is improving clinical workflows, patient engagement, and surgical planning in neurosurgery.

In this episode, Tim Pierce, PharmD, MSHA, Administrative Director, Hospital Based Practice Service Lines, Indiana University Health, discusses his transition from pharmacy leadership into hospital administration, the strategic work behind anesthesia recruitment and retention, and how IU Health is building a more sustainable workforce model.

In this episode, Claudia Lucchinetti, MD, VP of Medical Affairs and Dean of the UT Austin Dell Medical School, discusses building an AI-native academic medical center, expanding access to advanced care in Central Texas, and integrating research, education, and clinical care into one connected ecosystem.

In this episode, Amy Lee, President and COO of Mass General Brigham's Nantucket Cottage Hospital,discusses leading a rural island hospital through seasonal population surges, workforce housing challenges, and care coordination for complex patients.

In this episode, Travis Doering, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon based in Austin, Texas, discusses launching what he describes as the first AI native medical clinic in the country. He shares how local AI infrastructure, human oversight, and workflow orchestration could reshape orthopedic practice operations, patient privacy, and care delivery.

In this episode, Amrit Kirpalani, CEO & Board Chair at NectarOM and CEO at NovaNav, shares how a personal family healthcare experience inspired the creation of NovaNav’s AI-enabled surgical navigation platform. He discusses how multimodal patient engagement, predictive analytics, and real-time care team insights are helping providers improve surgical preparedness, streamline recovery, and reduce administrative burden across healthcare organizations.

In this episode, Rick Anderson, Chairman and CEO at Hive Health, discusses his journey from helping launch WebMD to building companies focused on lowering the cost of care. He shares how Hive Health is using real-time pricing intelligence and AI-driven tools to help health systems reduce supply chain costs, improve operational efficiency, and navigate growing financial pressures across healthcare.

In this episode, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses balancing surgeon autonomy with the realities of modern healthcare systems, aligning academic and clinical priorities, and preparing organizations for rapid technological and operational change.

In this episode, Melissa Brule, Director of Behavioral Health and Specialty Services at Elliot Health System, shares how her team transformed outpatient behavioral health access through a “no wrong door” intake model, rapid clinical assessments, and patient navigation support. She discusses the importance of matching patients to the right level of care, reducing barriers to treatment, and building a more coordinated, patient-centered behavioral health experience.

In this episode, Lisa Wright, President & CEO at Community Health Choice, discusses the evolving consumer experience in healthcare, the growing role of AI and automation in payer operations, and the affordability challenges shaping Medicaid and insurance markets.

In this episode, Brian Hasselfeld, MD, Executive Medical Director, Digital Health and Innovation, Associate Director, Johns Hopkins inHealth, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Primary Care Physician, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, shares his unconventional journey from investment banking to medicine and discusses how artificial intelligence and digital health are reshaping care delivery.