Vital Conversations

Everybody's talking AI. Fewer people are talking about what happens when healthcare organizations deploy it wrong. In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan sits down with Dave Haight, Principal of Synergy Consulting, to dig into the unglamorous reality of AI implementation in provider settings — messy data, runaway agents, HIPAA exposure, and the pressure to move faster than is safe....

Rural dialysis patients often travel 400 miles or more for care — sometimes by plane. TeleNeph is changing that. CEO Ron Kubit explains how his company partners with rural and critical access hospitals to deliver nephrology care locally, complete with dedicated nephrologists on call 24/7, portable equipment, and nurse training programs built for rural realities. In this episode: how one Arizona cr...

Your Google Ads may be violating HIPAA right now — and most practice leaders have no idea. Mara Pritchard, lead Product Manager of Fresh Paint, breaks down one of the most misunderstood compliance risks in healthcare today: the intersection of HIPAA and digital marketing. If your practice runs Google Ads, has a website with tracking pixels, or uses any form of online advertising to attract patient...

Getting physicians to embrace change is the hardest part of the job. Here's how Andre Beach does it. Andre Beach is the Chief Operating Officer of Denver Arthritis Clinic — Colorado's longest-standing rheumatology group. In this episode, he shares the practical, people-first framework he uses to lead change without losing his team. You'll learn: How to assess whether your team has the right tools...

Most clinicians don't need more data. They need data that connects to the patients in front of them. Tim Coan sits down with Dr. Jill Goldenberg, an internal medicine physician, informaticist, and value-based care leader, to talk about what actually works when presenting data to clinicians. What you'll learn: Why numbers without patient stories are "just numbers" The mistake of assuming every clin...

What happens when you need a cardiac test but the nearest cardiologist is hours away? Tim Coan and healthcare consultant Ron Guillot get into the reality of cardiac care access in America and where things are headed. What you'll learn: Why 50% of U.S. counties are considered "cardiology deserts." The sonographer shortage and how it affects patient care How new tech is cutting training time from 12...

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Dena Langan, VP of Revenue Cycle at Frontier Dermatology, to talk about the real-world challenges of automating healthcare RevCycle processes. From coding complexities and payer contracts to prior authorizations, denials, and reporting, Dena shares why some automation promises fall short—and where AI has real potential to make a diffe...

AI is changing the healthcare industry, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode of Vital Conversations, guest Jeff Freedman, Director of Private Equity Engagement at ModMed, brings his 30+ years of operational experience to the table to talk through how healthcare organizations can make smarter, more productive use of AI.

In this episode, host Tim Coan sits down with Pete Martinez, a Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) at National Partners in Healthcare, to unpack what happens when private equity (PE) meets healthcare operations. They explore: How private equity deals disrupt RCM processes Why RevCycle gets misunderstood as just “finance” Common mistakes made post-acquisition How front desk attrition l...

The CEO of Allied Physicians Group, Dr. Kerry Fierstein, joins Vital Conversations host Tim Coan for a talk about the current state of pediatric care. They discuss the challenges faced by pediatricians, particularly around immunizations and the trust issues that have arisen post-COVID. Dr. Fierstein shares insights on recruitment and retention in pediatrics, the financial aspects of running a prac...

In this episode of Vital Conversations , host Tim Coan sits down with longtime friend and public health leader Jim Haveman for an extraordinary discussion that bridges domestic policy and international diplomacy. Jim recounts his unconventional journey from social work to leading Michigan’s $18 billion health department, and eventually serving as the acting Minister of Health in post-war Iraq. His...

In this episode of Vital Conversations , Tim Coan sits down with Bill Duke, CFO of Connecticut Skin Health, to discuss the operational challenges of managing a multi-location dermatology practice. With 10 offices, over 100 employees, and more than 30 providers, Bill shares the complexities of staffing, onboarding, and maintaining consistent patient care across rural and urban locations. He emphasi...

In this conversation, Tim Coan interviews Dr. Daniel Urcuyo about functional medicine, exploring its principles, the shift from traditional medicine, and the challenges faced in the healthcare system. They discuss the importance of nutrition and lifestyle changes, the role of technology, and the impact of political influences on the field. Dr. Urcuyo emphasizes the need for a systemic approach to...

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan dives into the future of AI in healthcare with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the doctor-patient relationship, streamlining medical documentation, and reshaping clinical research and education. Dr. Jensen highlights AI’s potential to reduce burnout, improve di...

In this  episode  of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan speaks with Natasha Schlinkert, CEO of Innobot, about revolutionizing healthcare revenue cycle management through automation. Natasha shares her journey from decades in the industry to founding Innobot Health, addressing the challenges of robotic process automation (RPA) in healthcare. She explains how combining domain expertise with advanced...

In this insightful episode of Vital Conversations , Tim Coan sits down with Erica Jain, CEO of Healthie , a groundbreaking ONC-certified EHR platform designed for virtual-first, longitudinal, and collaborative healthcare. Erica shares the personal inspiration behind Healthie , stemming from her parents' transformative health journey, and discusses why traditional EHRs fail to meet the needs of mod...

In this episode of Vital Conversations , Tim Coan from Focus Solutions sits down with Dr. Chris Chumley of Meridian Health to discuss the evolving landscape of home-based medicine for at-risk seniors. Meridian Health focuses on providing primary care to seniors in their residences, whether in assisted living facilities or private homes, helping to manage complex chronic conditions. Dr. Chumley hig...

In this episode of Vital Conversations , Tim Coan is joined by Kelly Poole, a seasoned healthcare leader and innovator with a remarkable blend of clinical and operational expertise. The discussion dives into Kelly’s unique journey from bedside nursing to becoming a vice president of operational excellence and transformation, as well as the founder of her consultancy, The Improvement Space. Kelly s...

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan interviews Hawk Sindel, CEO of Urology Associates of Mobile and managing partner of Southeast Urology Management.   They discuss the Urology Alliance, a collaborative network aimed at improving urology practices without mergers or loss of autonomy. The conversation explores how the Alliance uses shared data analytics to enhance patient care, re...