Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief and healthcare journalist covering strategy, finance and M&A. He walks through HCA’s standout 2025 results and how hospital-first models contrast with outpatient-focused rivals. He highlights Community Health Systems’ divestitures and debt-reduction moves. He also outlines Providence and CommonSpirit’s sales and market exits as strategic responses to financial pressures.

Susan Moffatt-Bruce, cardiothoracic surgeon and hospital president, describes expanding care into new communities and standing up clinics in Southern New Hampshire. She discusses adopting ambient AI for documentation and prioritizing patient-centric, deliberate innovation. Workforce wellbeing, clinician retention, and balancing costs, access, and complexity are also explored.

Steve Sutherland, Senior VP of Information Systems at CERIS with nearly 30 years in healthcare IT, explains how AI is changing payment integrity. He covers the move from post-payment audits to prepayment solutions. He talks about ML and LLMs extracting data from complex records. He stresses governance, fairness, human oversight, and preparing IT for AI-driven workflows.

Paula Ferrada, trauma and acute care surgeon and Chair of Surgery at Inova Fairfax, shares her immigrant-to-leader journey. She talks about transforming OR culture and safety through teamwork. She discusses using LeanToss AI to boost OR utilization and strategies for building a regional trauma system. She explores balancing fee-for-service pressures with value-based care and thoughtful growth via respectful mergers.

Elizabeth Saylor, CEO of Phoenix Heart, Vein and Vascular, leads a Phoenix-area cardiology group expanding in-house testing and ambulatory surgical centers. She talks about opening new locations to cut wait times and improve access. Operational upgrades like better phone systems and service are highlighted. Growth plans include partnerships and adding procedures while keeping care affordable.

Emily C. Jakacki, President of Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, leads quality, patient safety, equity, and operational growth. She talks about steering a smooth leadership transition. She highlights maintaining top-decile quality scores and keeping teams focused on safety. She discusses ED throughput challenges, using data to guide capital choices, and expanding imaging, surgery, and ambulatory services.

A rapid rundown of ten major healthcare stories from oncology staging history to philanthropy for a new cancer center. Coverage includes hospitals bracing for winter storms and major system divestitures. Rural hospital funding debates and staffing challenges get attention. Also: nurse-to-patient caps, portfolio trimming by health systems, regional acquisitions, and on-call pay rankings.

Anna Liza Rodriguez, VP of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at Fox Chase Cancer Center, known for ambulatory care redesign and nursing innovation. She discusses the ACE ambulatory care model, role clarity and staffing optimization. She also covers care coordination, protected nurse coordination time, and priorities for nursing innovation and AI readiness.

James Newman, Vice President of Patient Logistics at Virtua Health, leads transfer centers, bed and capacity management, EMS and care-at-home initiatives. He discusses care-at-home models and post-discharge mobile health. He explores AI for operational efficiency and predictive tools. He highlights workforce development pathways and empowering frontline staff with practical tech.

Jack Hooper, CEO and co-founder of Take Command, builds software to run Individual Coverage HRAs. He explains how ICHRA’s defined-contribution model boosts employee choice and helps employers control costs. He discusses real savings from public employers, insurer responses, and why ICHRA adoption could mirror the shift to 401(k)-style benefits.