Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In this episode, Joseph Lee, MD, President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, discusses the growing crisis among young people, exploring the links between trauma, isolation, mental health, and substance use, and why integrated, community centered treatment is critical for lasting recovery.

In this episode, Darin Roark, President and COO of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, shares how his team doubled down on quality to achieve major improvements in patient outcomes, length of stay, and safety. He also discusses leadership lessons, sustaining momentum, and key priorities for growth and care delivery in 2026.

In this episode, Naman Mahajan, President of Baylor Scott and White Grapevine, shares how focused efforts on employee engagement, throughput, and physician partnership have driven meaningful operational and patient experience improvements. He also discusses building a strong community value proposition and expanding care across the full continuum to meet evolving patient needs.

In this episode, Nathan A. Merriman, MD, MSCE, Interim Senior Medical Director Surgical Specialties and Digestive Health Clinical Program at Intermountain Medical Center, discusses how a patient-centered, team-based approach can improve access to care while enhancing the overall human experience. He shares insights on driving operational efficiency across surgical services and aligning clinical te...

In this episode, Rebekah Le, CFO of Legacy Community Health, shares how the nation’s largest FQHC in Texas is navigating financial pressures through data centric decision making, revenue cycle optimization, and technology investments. She also discusses cybersecurity, mission driven leadership, and aligning financial strategy with community impact.

In this episode, Dhruv Bansal, MD, MBA, Director of Immunotherapy, Precision and Thoracic Oncology at Endeavor Health, joins the podcast to discuss how precision medicine is becoming a foundational tool in oncology. He explores how teams are bridging the gap between genomic research discoveries and real-world patient treatment, and why vaccines are expected to play an increasingly important role i...

In this episode, N. Nicole Moayeri, MD, MS, Neurological Surgeon at Cottage Health, joins the podcast to discuss creating better outcomes for patients through collaboration and thoughtful care delivery. She shares how working closely with other specialists can improve both clinical results and costs, while keeping patients at the center of every decision.

In this episode, Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, Clinical Pharmacist Lead, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine & Affiliate Faculty Member, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, shares how pharmacists are stepping into expanded leadership roles in ambulatory and procedural care amid rising cost pressures and the shift to value based care. He discusses opioid s...

In this episode, Simon Nazarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at City of Hope, joins the podcast to discuss how technology is reshaping patient outcomes and expanding access to care. He shares why health systems can’t afford to stand still as AI drives new efficiencies, and where he sees the greatest opportunities for growth as digital transformation accelerate...

In this episode, Diana Richardson, President and CEO of Merrimack Health, shares how the newly formed Massachusetts health system came together at unprecedented speed, the operational and financial challenges of integration, and how a strong commitment to community and safety net care is guiding the organization forward.

This episode, recorded live at the 10th Annual. Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Dr. Brian Patterson, Physician Administrative Director for Clinical AI, UW Health, who shares where AI is delivering real impact today in revenue cycle and clinical workflows and offers guidance on deploying AI responsibly amid rapid innovation and evolving governance.

This episode, recorded live at the 10th Annual. Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Puneet Freibott, System Chief Nursing Officer, Beth Israel Lahey Health, who discusses how AI, ambient documentation, and virtual care can reduce clinician burden, improve patient outcomes, and why people centered governance is critical to scaling digital innovation.

In this episode, Dr. Sanjai Nagendra and Cameron Thomason of Labcorp discuss how lab stewardship is evolving into a systemwide strategy to improve quality, control costs, and support population health through data, analytics, and cross functional leadership alignment. This episode is sponsored by Labcorp .

In this episode, Brandon P. Hirsch, MD, FAAOS, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center, discusses the expanding role of telemedicine, key policy changes shaping patient access, and emerging disruptors such as endoscopic techniques and digital engagement. He also shares his perspective on national healthcare reform and its direct impact on spine care.

In this episode, Stephen Rinaldi, SVP and Chief Revenue Officer of UNC Health, discusses payer pressure, Medicaid and ACA uncertainty, and workforce challenges shaping health system finance. He also shares how UNC Health is leveraging AI in the revenue cycle, clinical operations, and research while planning major growth initiatives, including a new children’s hospital and expanded care access acro...

In this episode, Dave Newman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Virtual Care at Sanford Health, explores the responsible and irresponsible uses of AI in healthcare and where the greatest benefits are emerging. He discusses how ambient AI is improving patient satisfaction, the role of AI and virtual reality in orthopedic surgery, and how virtual care innovations are shaping a more efficient and patient-...

This episode, recorded live at the 10th Annual. Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Annual Meeting features Amy Trainor, CIO, Ochsner Health, who shares how the system is thoughtfully deploying AI across clinical, administrative, and virtual care settings while keeping clinicians, patients, and governance at the center of technology decisions.

In this episode, Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to discuss how AI governance is evolving into a strategic priority, along with emerging AI use cases in revenue cycle, clinical decision support, and patient experience that could significantly change health system operations and payer relationships.

In this episode, Anthony J. Tortolani, MD, FACS, FACC, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the realities of declining profit margins and how leaders are balancing financial pressures with clinical excellence. He explores practical applications of AI in clinical medicine, including improvements in efficie...

In this episode, Gena Lawday, RN, BSN, Chief Quality Officer at UVA Community Health, shares how standardizing care delivery helps improve patient outcomes while driving greater operational efficiency. She discusses the critical role of patient education and outlines how quality and safety monitoring are evolving as more care moves into the outpatient setting.

In this episode, Andrew Tang, MD, Cardiac Surgeon at Medical City Heart & Spine Hospitals, discusses the increase in open-heart surgery and what it signals about patient needs and cardiovascular care trends. He reflects on the critical role mentorship plays in surgical training and leadership development, and shares his perspective on maintaining a healthy work-life balance while navigating th...

This episode recorded live at Becker’s 31st Annual The Business and Operations of ASCs features Dr. Michael Redler, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Connecticut Orthopaedics. Dr. Redler discusses trends driving ASC growth, the role of advanced technology and AI in improving patient care and efficiency, and the benefits of collaboration between ASCs and health systems.

This episode recorded live at Becker’s 31st Annual The Business and Operations of ASCs features Tara Good-Young, MSHA, CASC, CEO, PDI Surgery Center. Tara discusses trends driving ASC growth, strategies for leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency and patient experience, and the importance of collaboration with vendors and providers to optimize operations and sustainability.

In this episode, Mark Makhinson PharmD, Senior Director of Outpatient Pharmacy at Mount Sinai Health System, discusses how digital innovation, AI driven workflows, and a modern patient facing platform are reshaping specialty pharmacy, improving access, streamlining operations, and enhancing outcomes across the health system.

In this episode, Ratnakar Lavu, Chief Digital Information Officer at Elevance Health, discusses how AI is driving simpler, more personalized member experiences, streamlining provider workflows, and improving internal productivity, while emphasizing responsible AI governance and measurable impact across the healthcare ecosystem.