Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Join Brian Berkowitz, Chief Product Officer at Lyric, as he unpacks the future of payment integrity. He explores how AI and data can ease administrative burdens and enhance collaboration between payers and providers. Learn about the concept of trusted intelligence zones that harness AI, blockchain, and privacy to strengthen trust. Brian also predicts trends for 2026, highlighting data liquidity and consumer demands as catalysts for innovation, while stressing the importance of accountable and explainable AI in healthcare.

Dr. Isaac Sachmechi, an endocrinologist and director at the Diabetes Center of Excellence, discusses NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ accolades in diabetes care. He reveals advancements in technology, such as continuous glucose monitoring and autonomous insulin delivery systems. The conversation highlights the importance of integrated care with diverse specialists and comprehensive management strategies for diabetes and its complications. Dr. Sachmechi also shares insights on upcoming medications that could significantly enhance weight management.

Syl Trepanier, Senior VP and Chief Nurse Executive at Providence, leads nursing strategy for a large faith-based health system. He highlights today's critical challenges in nursing, including safety concerns and the need for evolving workforce models. Syl emphasizes the importance of integrating technology and AI to enhance nursing practices and improve patient safety. He also shares insightful advice for emerging nursing leaders, urging them to be curious and leverage team expertise for effective leadership.

Rob Purinton, Chief AI Officer at AdventHealth, discusses his role in leading AI strategy at a multi-state health system. He highlights how AI accelerates innovation, enhances clinical outcomes, and improves patient experiences. Rob explains the importance of balancing established health systems with AI-native entrants to maintain community trust. He emphasizes responsible AI governance and the potential of AI agents in reducing administrative tasks and improving workflows, ultimately aiming for a frictionless digital patient experience.

Doug Proctor, COO and co-founder of Candid Health, shares his expertise in revolutionizing revenue cycle management with AI and machine learning. He discusses how to build a strong data foundation and the importance of selecting the right problems to solve. Doug outlines innovative solutions like LLM-driven eligibility workflows that streamline claims processing. He emphasizes the need for scalable AI strategies and offers practical advice for healthcare leaders to enhance operational efficiency while integrating technology.

Jessica Salem, the Executive Director of the Center for Health Equity at Dayton Children's Hospital, talks passionately about the Kinship Housing Project. She reveals how community health workers identified urgent housing needs for kinship caregivers, particularly during crises. Salem elaborates on assembling partners, funding strategies, and the hospital's pivotal role in the initiative. She highlights the project’s success in improving child health outcomes and offers advice for other health systems looking to implement similar community-focused housing solutions.

Dr. Imran Qadeer, a hospitalist physician and president of Allegheny General Hospital, shares insights on integrating AI and digital tools to combat clinician burnout and improve patient care. He discusses the importance of workforce development initiatives and highlights successes like reducing agency reliance. Dr. Qadeer emphasizes the role of innovative AI tools, such as Abridge, in easing EHR burdens. He also offers valuable advice for emerging healthcare leaders, focusing on patient-centered care and the significance of technological optimism.

Will Yin, CEO of Mandolin and a healthcare entrepreneur, dives into how AI is revolutionizing specialty pharmacy by streamlining workflows and enhancing patient access. He explains the challenges within the industry, particularly the tangled web of payer incentives and administrative hurdles. Yin highlights key bottlenecks like inconsistent documentation and staffing issues, while emphasizing AI's potential to cut denials and boost efficiency. He also addresses the importance of adopting effective change management strategies to make the most of these technological advancements.

Dr. Joseph Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson Health and former interventional cardiologist, joins Alex Pinto, a Principal at ECG Management Consultants, to tackle the future of patient access in healthcare. They discuss Jefferson's expansive regional strategy with 750 sites and the need for embracing technology. The duo emphasizes balancing standardization with personalized care and the importance of physician buy-in for implementing change. They also explore future innovations, AI's role, and how shifting incentives can enhance patient encounters.

Join Jeffrey Flynn, President of the New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and COO of Gramercy Surgery Centers, as he shares his 23-year journey in the ASC industry. He dives into the impact of rising healthcare costs and how they're shifting complex cases to ASCs. Flynn highlights the transformative role of AI and robotics in enhancing efficiency, along with innovative partnerships like those with Mount Sinai and Northwell. He also addresses the urgent need for focused workforce training to combat looming challenges.