Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Sister Mary Haddad, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the U.S., joins Scott Becker to discuss the potential impact of proposed Medicaid cuts, the broader implications for nonprofit healthcare providers, and the importance of protecting care for the vulnerable. She also shares insights on faith-based leadership and current legislative challenges.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Jill West, Chief Executive Officer of People Incorporated Mental Health Services. Jill shares how her organization is expanding access through community engagement, reducing stigma post-COVID, and tackling workforce shortages with bold initiatives like paid internships, career pathways, and training programs that empower the next generation of mental health professionals.

This episode features Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief, and Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker’s Healthcare, discussing key issues shaping the healthcare landscape. They explore the potential impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill, hospital realignment strategies, and the growing influence of ASCs as health systems adapt to financial and care delivery pressures.

In this episode, Scott Becker highlights nine major healthcare developments, including widespread layoffs, a hospital closure in Pennsylvania, a major healthcare fraud takedown, and more.

Mark Rich, President and Member of the Board at Steward Health Care System, joins the podcast to share insights on how the organization is driving innovation in value-based care. He highlights the importance of enhancing patient engagement and advancing price transparency to improve the overall healthcare experience.

Maureen Frowenfeld, MPH, Chief of Staff to the EVP/CAO and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at University of Maryland Faculty Physicians, joins the podcast to discuss key issues shaping today’s healthcare landscape. She shares her perspective on industry consolidation, the growing shortage of care providers, and the strategic initiatives addressing these challenges. Maureen also offers valuable advice for emerging leaders working to make an impact in an evolving healthcare environment.

In this episode, Rebekah Fincher, Chief Administrative Officer at Conway Regional Health System, shares her journey in healthcare leadership, the critical maternal care needs in Arkansas, and her passion for expanding graduate medical education to strengthen the state’s future physician workforce.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Dr. Christopher Douglas, Houston Market Chief Executive Officer, River Oaks Hospital & Clinics and East Houston Hospital & Clinics. Dr. Douglas shares insights on expanding mobile diagnostics, diversifying payer sources, and building a strong organizational culture through transparency, accessibility, and a people-first leadership approach.

John Ernst, MHA, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Froedtert Hospital & The Medical College of Wisconsin, joins the podcast to discuss Froedtert's commitment to high-quality and safe patient care. He shares how the organization empowers its workforce, emphasizes the importance of leadership accountability, and offers insights into what it takes to guide a complex health system successfully.

Sam Davis, Associate VP at Rush University Medical Center, shares how his team built a more agile and sustainable surgical model by embracing AI-powered operations. He discusses key turning points in shifting culture around data, choosing the right technology partner, and achieving a 12x ROI. Beyond metrics, Davis reflects on the broader impact of aligning surgical capacity with institutional goals.

This episode is sponsored by LeanTaas.

Timothy Brown, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Stony Brook Medicine, joins the podcast to share how his team is harnessing AI and social media responsibly to enhance communication strategies. He dives into the impact of rapidly changing technology on healthcare messaging and offers thoughtful advice for leaders navigating this evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Tony Seupaul, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive with Carilion Clinic, joins the podcast to discuss the ongoing transformation within healthcare systems. He shares how Carilion Clinic has been leveraging AI for over a decade and how those tools have evolved alongside the organization. Dr. Seupaul emphasizes the importance of unity and alignment across health systems as a foundational element for long-term success.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Christopher Douglas, Houston Market Chief Executive Officer, River Oaks Hospital & Clinics and East Houston Hospital & Clinics. Christopher shares how mobile diagnostics, payer diversification, and a strong focus on employee support are driving growth, patient access, and workforce morale across his organization.

In this episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, Lukas Voss sits down with Michael Kurliand, MS, BSN, RN, NI-BC, Vice President, Clinical Quality and Integration at MedWand Solutions, Inc., to discuss the evolving role of telehealth in meeting the needs of older adults. Mike shares practical strategies and design principles to help providers deliver more inclusive, effective virtual care across age groups. Tune in to explore how communication, expectation-setting, and staff support can help bridge the digital divide and scale telehealth for the future.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Brian Smolich, Vice President, Health Alliance Quality and Managed Care Operations, Carle Health. Dr. Smolich shares how his organization is balancing cost and quality, leveraging biosimilars, digital engagement tools, and provider collaboration to improve member outcomes and transform the care experience.

Tyler Polk, Partner & Senior Consultant at Fiducient Advisors, joins the podcast to explore the financial pressures facing physicians today. He discusses the growing burden of medical student debt, evolving physician compensation trends, and the ongoing challenges related to Medicare reimbursement rates. Tyler also offers insight into how healthcare organizations can strategically plan around these financial headwinds.

Stuart Archer, FACHE, CEO at Oceans Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss the organization's commitment to expanding access to behavioral health programs and navigating the evolving payer landscape. He shares insights into Oceans Healthcare’s advocacy efforts and offers meaningful advice for emerging leaders looking to make a difference in behavioral health and beyond.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Brad Riley, Vice President, Analytics and Reporting, Longevity Health. Brad discusses how Longevity Health is leveraging predictive analytics, machine learning, and innovative provider partnerships to balance cost containment with high-quality care, while empowering staff with AI literacy for the future of managed care.

Dr. David Lubarsky, President and CEO of Westchester Medical Center, joins the podcast to share how he's addressing major challenges like inpatient transfers and the growing number of uninsured patients. He discusses efforts to expand the health system’s reach into more communities and highlights the evolving role of Westchester Medical Center. Dr. Lubarsky also offers practical advice for emerging leaders navigating today’s healthcare landscape.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Scott Hannum, Partner at Emerge Ortho and President and Medical Director of Brunswick Surgery Center. Dr. Hannum shares insights on the shift of orthopedic procedures to outpatient settings, challenges with ASC regulations and reimbursement, and the role of technology and independent partnerships in driving future growth.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Paul Christopher Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System. Paul shares how a metrics-driven culture, strategic partnerships, and clinical excellence are guiding NCH’s efforts to improve care quality, reduce costs, and expand access through major initiatives like a new orthopedic hospital and heart institute.

 This episode features Dr. K. Sarah Hoehn, Chief Medical Officer, and Christina Linboom, Program Director of Care Coordination and Social Work at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. They share how their team is addressing food insecurity through innovative pantry programs, community partnerships, and a long-term vision for accessible, healthy food for patients, families, and staff.

Ngozi Ezike, President and CEO of Sinai Chicago, joins the podcast to discuss how new technologies are driving improvements in patient care and what it takes to build a thriving, healthy community. She addresses the challenges facing safety-net hospitals, including Medicaid funding cuts, and reflects on the responsibilities and realities of healthcare leadership. Dr. Ezike offers valuable insights into leading with impact in today’s complex healthcare environment.

Richard “Chip” Davis, CEO of Rochester Regional Health, joins the podcast to share insights on transforming the care delivery model to meet today’s healthcare demands. He addresses pressing industry challenges such as recruitment, retention, and workforce shortages, and highlights how leaders can create meaningful impact during times of change. Chip also offers his perspective on navigating the evolving healthcare landscape with resilience and vision.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Ellen Barlis, Chief Financial Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi/North Central Bronx. Ellen shares insights on reducing readmissions through interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing Medicaid funding challenges, and leading with intention and data-driven decision making in one of the nation's most complex care environments.

In this episode, Jennifer Bollinger, Senior Vice President and Chief Consumer & Brand Officer at Sutter Health, shares insights into how her team is leading digital innovation, expanding access through online scheduling, and integrating physical and digital care to meet rising patient expectations. She also discusses AI, mentorship, and building a consumer-obsessed healthcare culture.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, breaks down the latest voluntary prior authorization reforms from major insurers and explores how emerging insurance models like ICHRAs are reshaping the commercial payer landscape and challenging health systems to prepare for a new reimbursement reality.

In this episode, Scott Becker shares two key stories highlighting growing financial strain in healthcare, including a spike in hospital layoffs tied to looming Medicaid cuts and a report identifying California, New York, and Texas as the states most at risk for healthcare job losses.

This episode features Anthony Colletta, Healthcare Industry Advisor at Workday. He shares how modern ERP systems help healthcare leaders navigate market volatility, improve data confidence, drive operational efficiency, and build more agile, future-ready organizations.

This episode is sponsored by Workday.

This episode features Dr. Kate Goodrich, Chief Medical Officer at Humana, as she shares how the organization is advancing clinician engagement, addressing administrative burden through technology like ambient AI, and building a culture of empowerment to improve workforce well-being and healthcare outcomes.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Dr. Zafar Chaudry, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and Chief AI and Chief Information Officer, Seattle Children's. Dr. Chaudry shares how his team is transforming pediatric care through cloud-based data analytics, AI-driven opioid reduction, and a flexible, people-first approach to leadership.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting, features Shrey Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer of MedSetGo. Shrey shares his powerful personal journey into healthcare innovation and discusses how AI is reshaping hospital workflows—especially in case management, discharge planning, and patient throughput—to drive greater efficiency and improve outcomes.

This episode is sponsored by MedSetGo.

This episode features Laura Dyrda, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, and Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare. The conversation covers the latest reforms in prior authorization, hospital financial pressures, rural healthcare challenges, and how smart technologies like AI and ambient listening are shaping the future of patient access and operational efficiency.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Tiffany Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Yoakum Community Hospital. Tiffany shares how her team is cultivating a vibrant organizational culture through leadership development while navigating challenges like Medicare Advantage reimbursement and preparing a compassionate, resilient workforce for the future.

In this episode, Erica Carbajal speaks with Kevin Isaacs, Founder and President of Tribunus Health, about the urgent need for more equitable behavioral health reimbursement. Kevin shares how personal experiences shaped his mission to help providers negotiate sustainable payer contracts. He also dives into the power of data, price transparency, and strategic partnerships to level the playing field for independent behavioral health organizations.

This episode is sponsored by Tribunus Health.

Why do top healthcare employees really leave — and what are CHROs overlooking before it happens? Dr. Helen Riess, Founder of Empathetics, joins Becker’s Lukas Voss to unpack the neuroscience behind trust, emotional safety, and retention. Learn actionable steps leaders can take to strengthen connection and keep talent engaged before it’s too late.

This episode is sponsored by Empathetics.

Dr. Mike Guertin, Professor of Anesthesiology and Chief Perioperative Medical Director at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, joins the podcast to reflect on the evolution of his career and the leadership lessons he’s gained along the way. He discusses his experience in an MBA program and how it has shaped his approach to healthcare leadership. Dr. Guertin also sheds light on the ongoing anesthesia shortage and its implications for care delivery.

Ellington Jones, DrPH, MHA, MBA, FACHE, Chief Administrative Officer of Surgical Specialties at UC San Diego Health, joins the podcast to discuss the expanding services at UCSD Health and the key responsibilities within his leadership role. He shares insights on navigating reimbursement challenges, improving access to care, and the importance of having a clear, strategic plan for AI implementation. Jones also highlights the ongoing growth efforts at UC San Diego Health and how innovation is shaping the organization’s future.

Cathy McDowell, President and CEO of Karen Zupko & Associates, joins Becker's Healthcare to explore how financial transparency is reshaping the patient and provider experience. She discusses key trends in orthopedics, the evolving outpatient landscape, and how clear financial communication can build trust and loyalty. Tune in to learn how transparency is becoming both a patient benefit and a strategic advantage.

This episode is sponsored by CareCredit.

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In this episode, Claudia Douglass, Principal and Healthcare Industry Growth Leader at Grant Thornton, and Deirdre Dillehunt, Principal at Grant Thornton, discuss how health systems are navigating today’s financial pressures. They share strategies to build margin resiliency, strengthen operations, and improve care quality, access and experience while preparing leadership teams for sustainable transformation.

This episode is sponsored by Grant Thornton.