Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Yerachmiel (Richard) Stern, L.C.S.W., is the Executive Director of Pesach Tikvah, where he has dedicated 18 years to enhancing community mental health. In this conversation, he shares insights on the shift towards holistic care for families and discusses alarming trends like rising hopelessness and the importance of preventative measures. Richard also sheds light on the complexities of mental health funding, the vital role of experience in care providers, and offers valuable leadership advice centered on building meaningful relationships.

Elisa Auguste, an experienced administrator at Precision Care Surgery Center and vice president of her state ASC association, dives into the dynamics reshaping outpatient surgery. She highlights significant trends like the migration of cases to ASCs, enhancements in payer partnerships, and the impact of technology, particularly AI in coding and documentation. Elisa emphasizes the importance of thoughtful strategies and investing in staff to ensure quality care, and advocates for collaboration between ASCs and hospitals for mutual growth.

Azizza Dorsey, Chief Operating Officer at APMG, brings her extensive experience in ambulatory surgery center operations to the table. She shares insights on the booming ASC market, driven by shifts in insurance and increased private equity interest. Dorsey highlights the importance of embracing technology to enhance operations and address staffing challenges. She emphasizes the necessity of aligning goals in partnerships and cautions against misaligned priorities. Dorsey concludes with advice for ASC leaders to define their goals creatively for future success.

Dr. Tom Nguyen, a leader in cardiovascular sciences at FIU and Chief Medical Executive at Baptist Health, dives into the revolutionary impact of technology in heart care. He highlights how wearable devices can transform patient monitoring and predict complications. Voice technology may soon serve as a vital sign, while AI is set to enhance decision-making but raises ethical concerns. Nguyen also discusses tech's potential to reduce healthcare disparities and the role of robotics in surgical training, shaping a more efficient future in medicine.

In a candid discussion, Dr. Amy Thompson, Chief Executive of Covenant Children's Hospital, sheds light on her journey from pediatric hospitalist to CEO. She emphasizes breaking the stigma around mental health by renaming services as 'Relational Health' and prioritizing outpatient care to enhance access and efficiency. Dr. Thompson also shares inspiring outcomes from their school telehealth initiatives and innovative transport programs that address gaps in rural healthcare. Her commitment to caregiver well-being in a post-COVID world is both insightful and necessary.

Jacob Rodman, Chief Executive Officer of Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic, brings over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. He discusses the success of in-house anesthesia services, enhancing operational efficiency and increasing case volume. Jacob dives into the impact of Medicare uncertainties on revenue and the promising role of AI in clinical operations. He also shares his vision for integrated outpatient care and leadership development, emphasizing the importance of a strong team to manage growth and patient volumes.

James Siegel, Senior Vice President and CFO of VCU Health, is at the forefront of financial strategy in healthcare. He discusses the transformative impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on financial trends and shares insights on sustainable performance programs like Thrive 2026. James highlights exciting investments in ambulatory pavilions, a new children’s hospital, and robotic technologies. He stresses the importance of bringing tertiary care closer to communities, enhancing patient access, and outlines future growth plans including new surgical centers and expanded NICU services.

Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, MD, JD, is a healthcare strategy and management expert with a rich background in medicine and law. He discusses the transformative power of technology in healthcare, highlighting the shift from automation to augmented intelligence. Dr. Balasubramanian emphasizes the importance of patient empowerment through AI and advocates for training leaders to enhance their capabilities in working with technology. He also shares his thoughts on cultivating energy, kindness, and clarity as essential qualities in effective leadership.

Dr. Brandon Crawford, a functional neurologist and co-founder of 528 Innovations, dives into the revolutionary world of laser and light therapy. He highlights the exciting fusion of photomedicine and regenerative medicine, explaining how different light wavelengths can improve healing outcomes. Crawford shares his innovative Catalyst Method for neurophysiological optimization and discusses the development of advanced laser technologies. His inspiring leadership mantra, "never accept never," encourages clinicians to challenge boundaries for the sake of patient care.

Cory Geffre, Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Altru Health System, shares insights from his leadership book, 'Lead Your People'. He emphasizes the importance of workforce pipeline development through academic partnerships and apprenticeships. With a five-part leadership framework, Geffre discusses enhancing self-awareness for emerging leaders and advocates for continuous self-improvement and mentoring. Plus, he adds a fun twist by mentioning Brock Lesnar as the greatest wrestler from his hometown!