Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

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, Scott Hawig, Executive Vice President and CFO of BJC Health, shares how the $12 billion, 24 hospital system is strengthening access across the Midwest following its rebrand and merger with St. Luke's Health System. He discusses rising demand, aging populations, virtual care innovation, and the evolving CFO role as a strategic operator driving growth, research, and long term sustai...

In this episode, Dr. Mayank K. Shah, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Advocate Condell Medical Center, part of Advocate Aurora Health, shares how his team elevated safety and quality to top Leapfrog grades, advanced AI adoption, and is building agility to navigate regulatory uncertainty and expand community focused care.

In this episode, Michael Hunn, CEO, and Yunkyung Kim, COO, of CalOptima Health discuss preparing for Medicaid eligibility changes, preventing coverage losses, and supporting providers amid rising uncompensated care risks. They also share plans for a 2027 Covered California marketplace launch and reflect on building community trust through collaboration and mission driven leadership.

In this episode, Amber K. Brooks, MD, MS, Founder of Onward and Upward, shares how her experience as a physician, researcher, and executive leader inspired her to launch a platform focused on helping healthcare leaders move from surviving to thriving. She discusses the importance of purpose, trust, authenticity, and human centered leadership in retaining talent and building strong cultures during...

In this episode, Saria Saccocio, MD, MHA, Chief Medical Officer of Essence Healthcare, discusses the growing collaboration between payers and providers, the push for site neutral care and pharmacy cost reform, and the need for stronger investment in cardiometabolic and population health. She also shares how quality performance, member experience, and social determinants of health are shaping healt...

In this episode, James Mladucky, Vice President of Design and Construction at Indiana University Health, shares how the system is building adaptable facilities to support care, research, and education. He discusses leveraging technology, planning large-scale projects, and designing spaces that attract top talent and improve health outcomes across Indiana.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down eight urgent issues shaping healthcare today, including rising costs, physician and primary care shortages, rural access gaps, dominant insurers, and more.

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, Dr. Rob Bessler, CEO of Honest Health, and Amy Perry, President and CEO of Banner Health, discuss how tighter alignment between clinical care and financial accountability can transform primary care. They explore risk stratification, culture driven change, and practical steps health systems can take to accelerate the shift from volume to value while improving access and outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Dennis L. Disch, Vice President of Hospital Based Specialties for the Illinois and Wisconsin Divisions at Advocate Health, shares how integrating virtual critical care, expanding AI supported documentation, and redesigning anesthesia and hospital based staffing models are helping the system navigate reimbursement pressure, workforce shortages, and the shift toward ambulatory c...

In this episode, Imran Qadeer, MD, President and CEO of Allegheny General Hospital, discusses scaling AI driven virtual nursing and ambient listening, advancing population health and specialty service lines, and navigating workforce shortages and financial pressures as part of Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health.

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, Melinda Hancock, CFO of Sentara Health, shares how the system is uniting care delivery and health plan operations to improve patient experiences. She discusses redesigning processes, enhancing financial leadership, and leveraging technology to make care more seamless, affordable, and accessible.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, breaks down limited federal direction following the State of the Union, a potential drop in ACA exchange enrollment, Medicare Advantage surpassing 55 percent penetration, and how insurers and health systems are navigating a rapidly changing and increasingly strained payer landscape.

In this episode, Shawn Griffin, MD, President and CEO of URAC, discusses how voluntary accreditation is creating national guardrails for healthcare AI, helping organizations evaluate risk, strengthen oversight of developers and users, and build trust as innovation outpaces regulation. This episode is sponsored by URAC .

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, Stacey-Ann Okoth, Chief Nursing Executive Officer at CommonSpirit Health Mountain Division, discusses strengthening workplace safety, enhancing patient experience, and addressing economic and workforce challenges. She shares strategies for nurse retention, rural care access, and innovative programs that prepare the system for future growth.

In this episode, Leon Clark, Chief Academic Affairs Officer at Sutter Health, discusses how strategic growth of the system’s graduate medical education programs, strong academic partnerships, and a focus on team based, technology enabled care are helping train and retain physicians to address workforce shortages and expand access across California.

In this episode, Malisha Patel, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann Southwest and Sugar Land Hospitals, joins the podcast to discuss how major industry changes are reshaping healthcare delivery. She shares strategies for optimizing workflow, adapting to evolving federal and state policy shifts, and establishing an AI governance council to guide responsible innovat...

In this episode, Jim Molloy, Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of Ochsner Health, shares how fresh perspective, disciplined integration, and a focus on access and experience are shaping his 2026 strategy. He discusses navigating government reimbursement pressures, driving efficiency as smart growth, and why optimism and urgency are essential mindsets for today’s health care CFOs.

In this episode, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer at HaloMD, breaks down the latest trends in health care policy, payer consolidation, and the No Surprises Act. He explains how providers can navigate reimbursement challenges, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on delivering care while staying independent. This episode is sponsored by HaloMD .

In this episode, Douglas A. Ross, MD, CPE, FACS, Chief Medical Officer at AdventHealth Carrollwood, discusses rising pressures from age related neurological conditions, the shift toward team based and community anchored care models, and how biomarkers, functional imaging, and AI supported screening are reshaping early detection and treatment across the AdventHealth network.

In this episode, Luis Taveras, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Jefferson Health, shares how he is leading large scale integration, advancing AI with a human centered approach, and transforming IT into a value engine that supports clinical excellence and strategic growth.

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.