How Health Systems Work

Health systems depend on legal counsel for everything from physician agreements and regulatory compliance to middle-of-the-night operational crises. How that legal function is organized, and how in-house and outside counsel work together, has a direct impact on the quality and speed of the advice reaching executive teams. In this episode, Jim Burke and Steven Pratt speak with Susan James, a health...

AI tools in clinical settings are getting easier to use, but ease of use does not mean safe use. Automation bias, hallucinations that look convincing, and the risk of de-skilling are real concerns as health systems move from pilot deployments to broader adoption. In this episode, Jim Burke, Steven Pratt, and Michael Batt speak with Dr. Nadia Smati, an internal medicine physician and faculty member...

AI tools in health systems have moved well beyond ambient listening. Organizations with the infrastructure to adopt are now deploying AI across clinical documentation, coding support, order entry, chart summarization, and revenue cycle operations. The gap between those organizations and the ones still trying to begin is widening. In this episode, Jim Burke, Steven Pratt, and Michael Batt speak wit...

Season 2 begins with a three-part series exploring one of the most significant transitions facing healthcare today: the rise of artificial intelligence in patient care and health system operations. In Part 1, Jim Burke and Steve Pratt are joined by healthcare attorney Mike Batt for a wide-ranging discussion on how AI is already reshaping clinical care, operational decision-making, governance, and...

In this episode of How Health Systems Work , Jim Burke and Steve Pratt talk with Todd Nova, a nationally recognized attorney at Hall Render and one of the foremost legal experts on the 340B drug pricing program. Todd brings his two decades of experience advising hospitals, health systems, and safety-net providers to help unpack the complex reality of 340B — its origins, its current pressures, and...

From cyber‑risk and patient privacy to post‑shutdown policy drama — this episode brings together regulatory insight from a privacy lawyer and legislative specialists to help health systems anticipate what’s next.

As healthcare becomes more digital and data-driven, the risks around privacy and cybersecurity grow. In this episode, privacy and security attorney Mark Swearingen joins Jim Burke and Steve Pratt to unpack how health systems can protect themselves from breaches, ransomware, and vendor risk — while navigating the next frontier of data use in AI and analytics.

How does a small rural hospital maintain five-star performance for six straight years? In this episode, Carthage Area Hospital CEO Ada Bair joins hosts Jim Burke and Steve Pratt to share how strong culture, creative workforce strategies, and deep community partnerships are helping rural health systems not just survive—but thrive.

In this episode of How Health Systems Work , Jim Burke and Steve Pratt sit down with Pamela Jones, Vice President & General Counsel at Reed Health and former long-time GC at Franciscan Health. Pamela brings a unique blend of legal insight, rural health experience, and a deep commitment to community-driven care. Pam shares the challenges and opportunities she’s tackled moving from a large, urba...

Former SSM Health General Counsel Doug Long joins hosts Jim Burke and Steve Pratt to discuss the economic pressures reshaping healthcare today. From AI implementation and behavioural health challenges to hospital-at-home services and new Medicare payment models, Doug shares insights from leading legal operations at a $12 billion health system. The conversation covers essential leadership lessons f...

In this episode, Jim Burke and Steve Pratt discuss the intricacies of Value-Based Enterprises (VBEs) in healthcare, focusing on their regulatory framework, key components, and practical applications. They explore the differences between Stark Law and AKS Safe Harbor, the importance of risk models, and how to effectively engage physicians in these initiatives. The conversation also highlights commo...

In this episode of How Health Systems Work , hosts Jim Burke and Steve Pratt sit down with Gwen Sandifer, interim president at Henry Ford Genesis Hospital and founder of Loud Minds. Gwen brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare administration and a deeply personal perspective shaped by her upbringing in a small rural town. She shares powerful stories—from a near-paralyzing injury in high s...

In this episode of How Health Systems Work , Jim Burke and Steve Pratt are joined by Andrew Dick, a healthcare real estate attorney with 18 years of experience helping hospitals and health systems navigate complex property decisions. Andrew breaks down why real estate strategy is no longer just about buildings—it’s about survival. From the explosive growth of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to t...

In this conversation, Dr. Larry Bucshon shares his extensive experience in healthcare, discussing the evolution of payment systems, the impact of government regulations, and the importance of collaboration between physicians and hospitals. He emphasizes the need for alternative payment models, the role of data in improving healthcare quality, and the unique challenges faced by rural healthcare. Dr...

In this episode, Jim and Steve talk with James Junger, a healthcare attorney at Hall Render who works with hospitals and health systems to strengthen their operations through strategic compliance and data-driven decision-making. Drawing from his work with safety-net providers, James explains how health systems can better leverage programs like 340B and provider-based rural health clinics, not just...

In this episode, Jim and Steve sit down with Bain Farris, a veteran healthcare executive with decades of leadership experience across hospitals, health systems, and payers. Bain shares what he learned over a career spent building stronger partnerships between hospital leadership and physicians—and why real engagement is key to meaningful change. From the early days of physician-hospital collaborat...

In this episode, healthcare attorney Mike Greer from Hall Render joins the show to help health system leaders understand how federal antitrust enforcement is shifting—and what it means for provider networks, hospital partnerships, and managed care contracts. With deep experience advising systems, hospitals, and physicians, Mike breaks down the key changes happening at the FTC and DOJ, including th...

In this episode, Jim and Steve talk with Anthony Long, partner at Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting, about one of the most critical challenges facing healthcare organizations today: the growing disconnect between system leadership and frontline teams. Anthony shares what he’s seeing inside hospitals and health systems across the country—from strained physician relationships and stagnant strategies to...

In this episode, healthcare attorney Amy Mackin joins us to unpack what’s changing in the world of healthcare contracting. From shifting payer dynamics to negotiating under tighter regulatory scrutiny, Amy offers practical insights for health systems and providers navigating today’s complex environment. Amy Mackin’s practice focuses on healthcare regulatory law for hospitals, health systems, clini...

This podcast episode features a discussion on the evolving landscape of healthcare, focusing on the importance of quality in patient care and the challenges of aligning physician incentives with quality goals. The guests share insights on how healthcare delivery is influenced by reimbursement policies and the need for a collaborative approach to improve patient outcomes. In this conversation, Bria...

In this episode, we introduce  Steve Pratt , co-host of  How Health Systems Work . Steve shares his perspective on the evolving landscape of healthcare, from shifting payment models to the challenges and opportunities ahead for hospitals and providers. Join us as we set the stage for what’s to come—real conversations, expert insights, and a deep dive into how healthcare systems navigate change.

In this introductory episode of 'How Health Systems Work', host Jim Burke outlines the purpose and vision of the podcast, emphasising the importance of sharing insights from leaders in the healthcare sector. He discusses his background in healthcare consulting and leadership, and the need for innovative ideas to address the challenges facing health systems today. The podcast aims to provide listen...