Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

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!

Omkar Kulkarni, VP and Chief Transformation Officer at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, dives into the transformative power of AI in healthcare. He shares insights about using ambient AI scribes to enhance documentation accuracy and improve clinician-family interactions. Kulkarni discusses the challenges of directing patients to reliable digital resources amid a surge in virtual care options. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of measuring the return on investment for health IT innovations and prioritizing user experience to drive technology adoption.

Tracy Moyer, Executive Vice President and CFO of Penn State Health, brings over 21 years of experience in healthcare finance. In this engaging discussion, she reveals her financial priorities as she embarks on a new leadership role. Tracy dives into optimizing workforce deployment and assets, while outlining thrilling plans for the Epic EMR rollout. She highlights strategies for market expansion and the importance of financial stability during uncertain times. Additionally, she shares valuable advice for aspiring finance professionals seeking growth in healthcare.

Vinay Kulkarni, Chief Information Officer at SCAN Group, brings 25 years of tech leadership to the discussion. He reveals how AI and automation are revolutionizing Medicare Advantage, focusing on personalized care for seniors. Vinay highlights the importance of a human-plus-machine approach, improving clinician workflows and reducing administrative burdens. He also discusses how generative AI enhances member experiences and efficiency in contact centers. His insights remind health leaders to prioritize simplicity and empathy in technology.

Dr. Keyur B. Thakar, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at Northwell’s Phelps Hospital, discusses his mission to enhance access to advanced cancer treatments in Westchester. He dives into lifestyle medicine's role in cancer care, highlighting the benefits of plant-based diets for prevention and wellness. Dr. Thakar also emphasizes sustainable healthcare practices, such as reducing single-use plastics. With a focus on long-term health, he inspires emerging physician leaders to prioritize clinical excellence alongside lifestyle education.

Alan Condon, Editor-in-Chief at Becker's Healthcare, dives into the recent Q3 earnings of for-profit health systems like HCA, Tenet, and Community Health Systems. He highlights HCA's impressive 29% net profit increase and its focus on technology investment. Tenet showcases strong ambulatory growth, while CHS turns around with improved net income and strategic divestitures. Condon also discusses the trend of for-profits leaning into higher-acuity care and compares these dynamics with nonprofit systems, providing keen insights on market shifts.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing clinical workflows with insights from Dr. Marcus Speaker. He discusses the impact of ambient scribe technology and note summarization on efficiency and patient care. The conversation emphasizes the importance of governance and aligning innovations with real organizational needs. Dr. Speaker also addresses recent legislation effecting telehealth reimbursement and the challenges of consolidating legacy systems. Tune in for expert advice on prioritizing strategy before adopting new technologies!