Patients Come First

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Nancy Gee, PhD, Director of the VCU Center for Human-Animal Interaction. She joins us for a conversation about her work, the impact of therapy dogs in mental health, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Melissa Little, PhD, Director of the Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Research at the UVA School of Medicine. She joins us for a conversation about her work, attitudes towards smoking among Gen Z, how those trends may inform tobacco prevention efforts, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Dr. Robert Hong, a physician with VHC Health, about emerging trends in rheumatologic care, advancements in treatment and diagnostics, and how evolving therapies improve outcomes for patients with chronic joint disease. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Shannon Roberts, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, about support services for new moms and babies, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a conversation with Valley Health President and CEO Mark Nantz that covers how the health system recently won prestigious recognition as one of the top 15 systems in the nation, reflections on his tenure as VHHA Board Chair, how Valley is adapting to coming health policy and funding changes in H.R. 1, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Terry Thompson, an acute care nurse practitioner who serves as Senior Director of Advanced Practice Providers and Director of RMG Fellowships at Riverside Health. She joins us for a conversation about her professional journey, the role of advanced practice providers on clinical care teams, the work of a Riverside fellowship program to enhance patient care, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Surbhi Bansal, a glaucoma specialist at VCU Health, who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey as well as the process of becoming an author and working on her recently published novel: “Do Not Follow." Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Amir Eslami, an interventional cardiologist with Sentara RMH Medical Center, who joins us for a conversation about facing his own health challenges while caring for patients, the importance of vulnerability in medicine, taking practical steps towards better health, and the lessons of experience he’s gained as a physician and a person. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Lunn, President of HCA Healthcare Capital Division and the current Chair of the VHHA Board of Directors. Dr. Lunn joins us for a conversation about his professional journey, his thoughts on leadership and inspiration for working in healthcare, challenges and opportunities ahead due to shifting federal health policy, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. B. Cameron Webb, who joins us for a conversation about his professional journey, his vision for public health in the Commonwealth as leader of the state health agency, challenges and opportunities ahead due to shifting federal health funding policy, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Ed Markowski, Director of Threat Assessment at the University of Virginia, who joins us for a conversation about his work, the application of behavioral health threat assessment and management concepts to keep staff and patients safe, a FBI and AHA report on that topic, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Mary Morin, Chief Nursing Officer with Andor Health. Morin is an experienced hospital nursing leader who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey, the work of Andor Health, the applications for its ThinkAndor agentic AI platform as a healthcare solution, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact us on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Cameron Roberts, DDS, Dental Director for the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic that provides oral healthcare to underserved individuals in the Shenandoah Valley, and a practitioner with Dental Health Associates. He joins us for a conversation about his personal and professional journey, family history with dentistry, the work of the clinic, the anticipated impact of federal Medicaid funding cuts, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Jane Russell, PharmD, MBA, FACHE, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, VA. She joins for a conversation about her professional journey, the work of Bath Community Hospital as a rural, critical access provider, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Erin Martin, Manager of Behavioral Health with Sentara Health, who joins for a conversation about her work, the Justice Care Coordination program at Sentara Health, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Alyssa Leimberger, Magnet Program and Nursing Professional Practice Manager at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her background, the importance of CPR, a holiday miracle where she helped to save a life, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Commissioner Daryl Washington, the recently appointed leader of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). He joins us for a conversation about his career in community-based behavioral health, public demand for mental health and substance use treatment services, his vision for DBHDS, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Lawrence "Larry" Tan, JD, NRP, the System Safety Officer at ChristianaCare Health Services in Delaware. He joins us for a conversation about his career in public safety and emergency response, facility and contingency planning in healthcare settings including workplace violence prevention, and his role as a featured speaker at the upcoming 2026 Virginia Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Summit on April 22. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Amita Sudhir, an emergency medicine physician at UVA Health and the inaugural director for global health training at the University of Virginia’s Center for Global Health Equity, where she’s helping build international clinical training opportunities for students and residents. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Elizabeth Cintron, Program Director for the new Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, who joins us for a conversation about her professional journey and what the new unit means for the hospital and surrounding community. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tammy Albright, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for Behavioral Health Services at Ballad Health. She joins us for a conversation about the work to enhance access to behavioral health and substance use treatment across the Appalachian Highlands, including a recently announced Strong Futures residential treatment program for women and families in Norton, VA. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Hugh Cline, MPAS, PA-C, NRP, a surgical physician assistant with the pediatric congenital heart surgery team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR). He joins us for a conversation about his full circle journey - he began life as a newborn at CHoR in need of extended intensive medical care and he now works with other families whose children are receiving that type of critical care - as well as the work of CHoR and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or c...

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ara Maranian, an interventional cardiologist at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas. He joins us for a conversation about his work, heart health, cardiac catheterization and STEMI procedures, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) (https://x.com/VirginiaHHA) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Jessica Macalino, MSHA, President of the recently-opened Riverside Smithfield Hospital. She joins us for a conversation about her path to healthcare, the undertaking of opening a new hospital, what it means for the community in terms of enhanced access to care and positive economic impact, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dave Dixon, PharmD, Chair of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and a Professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy. He joins us for a conversation about his professional path, the work of the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the recent launch of the Voices in Pharmacy Innovation Podcast, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ruth Felsen, Medical Director of Breast Surgery at CJW Medical Center. In recognition of World Cancer Day, she joins us for a conversation about the breast cancer continuum of care from risk assessment and screening through diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention strategies. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kelsey Salley, an endocrinologist who volunteers with the Health Brigade in Richmond through the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She joins us for a conversation about endocrinology as a specialty, her work and volunteerism, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia Health Catalyst Executive Director Victor McKenzie Jr. for a conversation about his professional journey and the organization’s policy priorities during the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session and beyond. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with scores of other bills impacting healthcare and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. David Bruno, a transplant surgeon and Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Under his leadership, Hume-Lee is achieving national firsts and reshaping transplant medicine through innovations like fully robotic living-donor liver transplantation, advanced options for patients with chronic pancreatitis, and a new lung transplant program. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Anthony White, a hospital mechanic at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. In addition to his day job, White is also known for the colorful holiday murals he creates to brighten the halls and lift the spirits of patients and staff. This conversation covers his career, artistry, the impact of his work on the hospital community, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features features Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Acute Care Market President for the Sentara Health Eastern Market. He joins us for a conversation about his work and professional journey, the Sentara’s CARES team, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Stacy Gradowski, Director of Business Development at the Michigan Health Council, who joins us for a conversation about health care workforce development, the ACEMAPP platform to support providers with clinical rotation planning and scheduling, partnering with VHHA Solutions, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tucker Smith, a future physician and student at the VCU School of Medicine who moonlights as a high-flying acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, an international company of modern circus performers who delight and dazzle. Our conversation covers Tucker’s unique path to medicine as well as aerial acrobatics and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kim Penberthy, a clinical psychologist and professor at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Penberthy is a researcher, professor, and innovator who joins us for a conversation about her work, the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and tips for those impacted by it. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kristin Anderson, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology at the University of Virginia, for a conversation about her research, her personal journey with cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her life and her work. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Chester Sharps, an orthopedic surgeon with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He’s with us to tell us about himself and his path to medicine, educate us about an innovative procedure known as vertebral body tethering, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Cooper, a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a healthcare entrepreneur. He joins us for a conversation about his new role as medical director of cardiovascular surgery at HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Center. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Martin O'Grady, Medical Director of the Trauma Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, for a conversation about the hospital recently earning a Provisional Level III Trauma Center Designation from the state, the work that went into that, and what that means for patient care. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Phlow Corp., a pioneering public benefit pharmaceutical company. Dr Edwards is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit scheduled for Nov. 5-7, 2025 in Hot Springs, VA. The conversation with Dr. Edwards covers his work as a clinician and entrepreneur, efforts to boost production of essential medicines in the U.S., and previews his remarks at the upcoming Summit. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using th...