Becker’s Healthcare -- Pediatric Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Phil DeBruzzi, Principal at Forvis Mazars, and Dr. Ryan Nagy, President and System Chief Operating Officer at Boston Children's Hospital, discuss the forces reshaping pediatric healthcare, from workforce shortages and behavioral health demand to reimbursement pressures and shifting care models.

In this episode, Jeremy Meller, CIO, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, shares lessons learned from opening a 2 million square foot hospital designed with AI, robotics, and real-time location systems at its core. He discusses how simulation-driven planning, “Cardboard City,” and integrated technologies like autonomous robots and virtual nursing are transforming patient experience, clinician workflo...

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, Brian Lancaster, VP/CIO of Information Systems at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, joins the podcast to discuss building effective AI governance processes and measuring success as organizations adopt new technologies. He shares how innovation is improving operational efficiency and explores how healthcare leaders are reshaping the “front door” of healthcare to expand access and creat...

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 clini...

In this episode, Nicole Johnson, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPEN, Chief Nursing and Patient Operations Officer at Nemours Children’s Health, joins the podcast to discuss how strong work environments and engaged nurses contribute to better patient outcomes. She shares why nursing recruitment and workforce development remain top priorities, along with how expanding virtual nursing programs can support car...

In this episode, Beth C. Natt, MD, MPH, MBA, Medical Director of Pediatrics at Atlantic Health, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of vaccination education and clear communication with families. She shares insights on operational improvements across pediatric care and addresses the growing burnout clinicians face amid the politicization of medical care.

In this episode, R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nemours Children's Health, discusses why investing in childhood health can transform long-term outcomes for society, the role of healthcare systems in addressing social determinants of health, and Nemours Children’s innovative work in kindergarten readiness and pediatric global budgeting.

In this episode, Shane Strum, President and CEO of Broward Health, and Matthew Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, join the podcast to discuss the expansion of pediatric care through strategic partnerships and collaboration. They share how aligning organizations can improve access, strengthen specialty services, and better meet the growing needs of children and families a...

In this episode, Alda Mizaku, Chief AI Officer at Children’s National Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss expanding ambient documentation across the clinical environment and how AI education serves as the foundation for successful adoption. She also shares how these technologies can improve the patient experience while helping clinicians reduce administrative burden and focus more on care.

In this episode, Matthew Wolthoff, President of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, joins the podcast to discuss leading with patient experience in pediatric care. He shares how his team is accommodating rising demand, while advancing Driscoll Children’s mission to expand access and deliver high-quality care to more children and families.

In this episode, Janel Allen, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Children’s Nebraska, shares how a people first promise and retention focused strategy have strengthened culture, reduced turnover, and improved patient experience. She also discusses workforce development, leadership evolution, and the role of AI in creating a more human centered healthcare environment.

In this episode, Carla P. Cangemi, MD, FAAP, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children’s, shares how the organization reimagined its palliative care program as Compassionate Care to better support children and families throughout every stage of the care journey. She discusses the multidisciplinary, holistic model, the importance of early trust-building con...

In this episode, William Sharp, PhD, Director of the Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, discusses the launch of the National Center for Feeding Ethics and the urgent need for standardized, compassionate care for children with feeding disorders. He shares insights on ARFID, multidisciplinary treatment approaches, and how the new initiative aims to improve access,...

In this episode, Melissa Chase, PharmD, BCSCP, CPEL, Director of Pharmacy at Valley Children’s Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss investing in new technologies, including robotics, to enhance pharmacy operations. She shares how these innovations support patient and staff safety, and emphasizes the critical role frontline team members play in delivering high-quality, reliable care.

In this episode, James E. Moore, President of Connecticut Children's Specialty Group and System Chief Medical Officer at Connecticut Children's, discusses boosting clinic and OR efficiency to grow volume, strengthening culture to retain workforce talent, and expanding regional centers of excellence including advanced cellular and gene therapy and fetal care to ensure long term sustainability.

In this episode, Gina Cronin, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Children's National Hospital, discusses aligning leaders around a new five year strategy, redesigning roles amid major ERP and EHR transformations, and building resilient workforce capabilities and well being initiatives to support growth in world class pediatric care.

In this episode, Eric Hamon, President and CEO of Driscoll Children's Hospital, discusses how Driscoll Children's is increasing access to pediatric care through new facilities, specialist recruitment, and an innovative fleet of planes that brings care directly to children across South Texas. He shares insights on the importance of early investments in children's health and strategies to address pe...

In this episode, Jamie Wiggins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Arkansas Children's, discusses record patient growth driven by streamlined access, a multi year expansion including the National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Effectiveness, and a five year strategy to strengthen rural pediatric care and chronic disease management across the state.

In this episode, Anjalee Galion, MD, President of the Medical Staff and Chief Physician Wellness Officer at Rady Children’s Health of Orange County, shares how clinician led wellness initiatives, leadership development, and culture building are reducing burnout, strengthening alignment, and positioning the organization for growth amid industry uncertainty.

In this episode, Hillery Smith Shay, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and Senior Vice President of Communications at Children's Minnesota, shares how the organization is embedding a systemwide total experience strategy, launching Epic to power a seamless digital front door, and positioning experience as a true strategic differentiator amid financial and care delivery challenges.

In this episode, Dr. Zafar Chaudry, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and Chief AI and Information Officer at Seattle Children's, shares how the organization is deploying agentic AI for clinical pathways, ambient documentation and translation tools, while strengthening cybersecurity, optimizing IT spend and expanding digital access for patients and families.

In this episode, Matt Timmons, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Manning Family Children’s, shares how the organization rebuilt its pediatric heart center through focused leadership, culture change, and physician recruitment. He also discusses 2026 priorities including campus expansion, a new NICU, growth in pediatric cancer and sickle cell care, and scaling school based health...

In this episode, Ben Goodstein, Vice President and Chief Ambulatory Officer at Dayton Children's Hospital, shares insights on the new $180 million behavioral health hospital, strategies for workforce recruitment and retention, and efforts to expand access to pediatric and primary care. He also discusses how a focus on provider engagement and integrated care supports the hospital’s growth and commu...

In this episode, Dr. Michael Weiss, Vice President of Population Health at Rady Children's Health, shares how his team is shifting pediatric care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. He discusses value-based care, advanced primary care models, and strategies to improve outcomes for children while addressing social drivers of health.