Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Dr. Nirmit Kothari, the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, shares his expertise in integrating AI into healthcare. He discusses innovative applications like ambient documentation and remote monitoring to enhance clinical efficiency. Kothari emphasizes the importance of careful selection of digital health technologies that fit workflows and improve patient care while managing alert fatigue. His advice for healthcare leaders includes prioritizing simplicity, compatibility, and measurable ROI to ensure successful tech integration.

Ryan Cameron, Ed.D., is the Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Children’s Nebraska, bringing his background in AI startups to revolutionize pediatric care. He discusses agentic AI's role in enhancing access and affordability while balancing empathy and scalability. Cameron emphasizes empowering clinicians through AI education and shares insights on the Hey Medicaid platform, aimed at addressing Medicaid challenges. He advocates for small-scale AI pilots to upskill staff and highlights future opportunities in VR and robotics to support equitable pediatric health.

Dr. Jerilyn Morrissey, Chief Medical Officer at CorroHealth, and Kaltrina Berisha, Vice President of Product Management, dive into the future of clinical documentation integrity. They discuss how AI and intelligent systems are revolutionizing documentation, reducing clinician burden, and enhancing compliance. Dr. Morrissey highlights the history of medical records and the challenges posed by EMRs, while Kaltrina showcases how AI can interpret intent and provide real-time insights. Together, they share actionable steps for leaders looking to embrace AI in healthcare.

Dr. Susan Sorosky, a board-certified physiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Desert Spine and Sports, dives into the pivotal role of regenerative medicine in spine care. She discusses the implications of Medicare's pre-authorization pilot and how it could create delays for patients. Additionally, Dr. Sorosky highlights her fellowship program's impact on training interventional spine physicians and the importance of standardized skills in image-guided procedures. The conversation also touches on trends in non-surgical therapies and collaborative care models with surgeons.

Dr. Sasha Blaskovich, Owner and Clinical Director of the Whiplash & Injury Clinic, shares his expertise on the often-overlooked connections between head and neck injuries and their impact on concussion care. He recounts his own experiences with concussions, highlighting how they led him to discover upper cervical ligament injuries. The conversation dives into the evolving recognition of cervical instability, innovative treatments, and his book, which offers practical insights for both patients and practitioners.

Robert Brunswick, the Chairman of the Board at Hoag Hospital and co-founder of Hoag Innovators, dives into transformative healthcare philanthropy. He discusses the unique venture philanthropy model that funds cutting-edge, physician-led innovations. Key topics include the Vectra 360 technology for detecting skin cancer, an AI fetal monitoring system reducing unnecessary cesareans, and efforts for early multiple sclerosis detection. Brunswick emphasizes member engagement and the importance of creating sustainable funding for ongoing innovations.

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.