Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Leadership, Compassion, and the Future of AI in Critical Care with Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa
Dec 17, 2025
Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa, a physician leader at Rush Health System, delves into the intersection of AI and critical care. He highlights how AI is revolutionizing clinical workflows, but emphasizes the irreplaceable compassion and empathy of human physicians. The conversation touches on the potential risks of bots and the importance of bedside interactions. Hassaballa also shares his vision for clinical excellence by 2026 and offers leadership advice on gratitude and using downtime effectively.
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From Rush Newborn To ICU Leader
- Hesham shares he was born at Rush and referenced it repeatedly during his med school interview.
- He later returned to lead critical care at Rush Copley after time in private practice.
AI Scribe And A Confirmed Diagnosis
- Hesham describes using an AI scribe from Doximity to transform his documentation process.
- He recounts using an AI that confirmed his diagnosis and helped a patient recover and leave the hospital.
AI Is Reshaping Clinical Workflows
- AI adoption is already changing clinical workflows from documentation to diagnosis support.
- Medical LLMs can make clinicians more accurate and save meaningful time at scale.