Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey

What does great healthcare leadership look like? In this episode of Wondermous, Merikay Hunt speaks with Christina Bowen and Julie Oehlert of ECU Health about healthcare leadership, team wellbeing, patient experience, psychological safety, mentorship, and building a culture where people feel valued and supported. Christina Bowen, Chief Wellbeing Officer, and Julie Oehlert, Chief Experience Officer...

What if employers could reduce healthcare costs while giving employees better access to care? In this episode of Wondermous, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Dan Cosgrove, CEO of Better Benefits USA, to explore how businesses can rethink employee healthcare benefits, reduce unnecessary costs, and focus more on preventative care. Dan shares his journey from Procter & Gamble and Berkshire Hathaw...

What happens when physicians lose the time and ability to truly connect with their patients? In this insightful conversation, Merikay Hunt sits down with Dr. Neil J. Farber, retired physician, medical researcher, and author of Treating a Broken System: A Physician’s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis, to explore some of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today. After 40 years in academic medicin...

What happens when healthcare providers enter a commercial real estate negotiation without the right representation? In this episode of Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey, Merikay Hunt sits down with Colin Carr, founder and CEO of CARR, a commercial real estate firm specializing exclusively in representing healthcare providers across all 50 states. Colin shares the story behind building a...

In this episode of Wondermous, Merikay Hunt sits down with Mario Singleton, Practice Administrator for Anesthesiology Consultants of North Carolina (ACNC), for an inspiring conversation about healthcare leadership, culture transformation, servant leadership, and professional growth. Mario shares his remarkable journey from starting in healthcare as a hospital transporter in 2002 to becoming a heal...

In this episode of Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey, Merikay Hunt sits down with Michael O’Connell, an experienced healthcare executive, consultant, mentor, and leadership coach, for an insightful conversation about healthcare leadership, trust, patient experience, and building high-performing teams. With a career spanning Trinity Health, Beacon Health, Cleveland Clinic, and Robert Wood...

The episode combines a relatable professional transformation story with emotional themes like confidence, peer support, and work-life integration topics that resonate strongly with healthcare leaders. In this episode of Wondermous, healthcare leadership expert Merikay Hunt hosts Julie Simpson to discuss her inspiring journey from oral surgery practice manager to a seasoned healthcare business cons...

Discover the Hidden Patterns That Shape Your Life & Leadership | Matthew Norton | Wondermous Podcast What if the biggest challenges in your life and business aren't the real problem? In this episode of Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Matthew Norton, founder of People Plus Purpose and creator of StrengthPrint, for a powerful conversation about leade...

In this episode, Merikay Hunt speaks with Nathan Bush, VP of Sales and Marketing at Snap Scale, about healthcare staffing, organizational health, and the leadership lessons that shaped his career. Nathan explains how his experience in property management, healthcare operations, and business growth led him to a deeper understanding of what healthcare organizations need to thrive. He shares how Snap...

In this episode, Janet Woodall shares her inspiring leadership journey from a position in healthcare as a front desk employee to founder of Rockingham Revenue Services.  Her amazing journey includes emphasizing faith, team culture, and balancing personal life with professional growth. Discover practical advice for healthcare professionals aiming for success and fulfillment. Main Topics: Janet's ca...

In this episode of Wondermous, healthcare executive Jennifer Cano shares her remarkable leadership journey from hospital operations to healthcare consulting, offering powerful insights on what it really takes to lead in today’s healthcare landscape. Jennifer reflects on her experience rising through HCA, serving as a hospital CEO at UHS, leading acute care and children’s hospitals in South Texas,...

In this episode of Wondermous, healthcare leader and consultant Merikay Hunt sits down with David Zetter, an expert with over 26 years of experience in healthcare consulting and a background in restaurant management. They explore strategies for building a successful consulting business, leadership insights, and how to navigate the complexities of healthcare compliance and advocacy. Key Topics: Dav...

From Cardiac Arrest to Community Impact: A Nurse's Mission to Save Lives | Kina Lucombe What happens when a seasoned cardiovascular nurse suddenly becomes a heart patient herself? In this inspiring episode of Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey Podcast, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Kina Lucombe, Founder and Executive Director of Hearts of Valor, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to cardiovas...

What happens when a successful orthopedic surgeon decides to walk away from a career she spent over two decades building? In this inspiring episode of Wondermous, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Adrienne Towsen, an orthopedic surgeon, entrepreneur, and healthcare leader, to discuss physician burnout, private equity in healthcare, career reinvention, and the courage to bet on yourself. Adrienne sh...

In this inspiring episode of Wondermous, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Eric Collett, founder of A Mind for All Seasons, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, brain health, and the courage it takes to pursue a greater purpose. After spending 16 years leading assisted living and memory care communities, Eric made the difficult decision to leave a successful healthcare career and build a compan...

Welcome back to season 2 of Wondermous: A Healthcare Leadership Journey!  In this episode, host Merikay Hunt sits down with Ashley Vertuno, FACHE, CEO of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, for an honest conversation about the mindset, habits, and relationships that shape great healthcare leaders. Ashley shares how her background as a competitive soccer player forged the discipline, coachability, and...

In this episode of Wondermous, host Merikay Hunt interviews Bob Nelson, a renowned expert in employee recognition and motivation. They discuss the importance of recognizing employees, overcoming challenges in careers, and the value of lifelong learning. Bob shares his journey from human resources to becoming a best-selling author and emphasizes the need for passion and purpose in career choices. T...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, host Merikay Hunt welcomes Bryan Meek, an attorney specializing in employment law. They discuss Bryan's career journey, the challenges of public speaking, and the importance of effective communication in the workplace. Bryan shares insights on handling difficult conversations, maintaining work-life balance, and the value of continuous learning. The episod...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, host Merikay Hunt interviews Keith Pinter, a leader in healthcare transformation and CEO of AristaMD, recognized by TIME'S World Top Health Tech Companies of 2025. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in healthcare leadership, focusing on change management, value-based care, and the integration of technology in healthcare. Keith shares insights f...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, host Merikay Hunt interviews David Franklin, who shares his journey from working in the church as a pastor to leading an Alzheimer's care organization. They discuss leadership transitions, the importance of investing in teams, and the role of faith in personal and professional growth. David emphasizes the significance of empowering team members and settin...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, host Merikay Hunt interviews Dan Stachelski, founder of ICAN, a pediatric outpatient clinic for children on the spectrum. Dan shares his journey from starting his business in a car to expanding to multiple locations, serving 500 active patients and scheduling 30,000 appointments monthly. He discusses the importance of coordination in healthcare services,...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, Scott Neeley, CEO of Dignity Health Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, shares his journey from an ego-driven start to finding fulfillment in healthcare leadership. He discusses pivotal moments, such as his work on patient safety and blood transfusion practices, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, respect, and whole-being wellness in healthcare....

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Philip Blair shares his unique journey from military service to the healthcare industry, focusing on natural remedies and cannabinoids. He discusses his passion for developing products that activate the endocannabinoid system without the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Dr. Blair emphasizes the importance of consultations and practical applications of his produc...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, host Merikay Hunt interviews James Dismond, CEO of Mirasol Health, about his journey in healthcare leadership. James shares his unexpected entry into the field, the challenges he faced as a young, non-clinical CEO, and the transformative experiences that shaped his leadership style. The conversation delves into the importance of transparency, empathy, and...

In this episode of the Wondermous Podcast, Debra Lynne Phairas shares her extensive experience in healthcare management and consulting. She discusses her journey from pharmaceutical sales to becoming a healthcare administrator and consultant, emphasizing the importance of leadership, networking, and continuous learning. Debra also highlights the challenges and triumphs she faced in her career, off...