Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Muhammad Siddiqui, Chief Information Officer at Reid Health, boasts over 27 years in healthcare IT. He reveals how ambient AI is revolutionizing clinical workflows by saving clinicians two to three hours each day, enhancing patient satisfaction. Siddiqui also dives into the importance of interoperability and responsible AI adoption, outlining his priorities for 2026. He raises concerns about cybersecurity and discusses the need for maintaining trust in AI while balancing rapid adoption and governance. Plus, he highlights exciting opportunities in virtual care and proactive data use.

Kuldip R. Patel, PharmD, FASHP, is Senior Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer at Duke University Health System, enhancing pharmacy services and education. He discusses the expansion of ambulatory pharmacy, having nearly 20,000 patients served. Patel also highlights the opening of a new sterile compounding facility to bolster supply chain resilience. Future priorities include integrating AI and technology while tackling challenges of automation and ensuring safety. His insights reveal a focus on culture and quality as the backbone of growth in pharmacy practice.

Joseph Lee, MD, is a child psychiatrist and the President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, leading efforts in substance use treatment. He discusses the alarming youth crisis, linking trauma and isolation to rising mental health issues. Dr. Lee emphasizes the risks associated with cannabis normalization and the importance of integrated care for better recovery outcomes. He shares poignant stories about community involvement and family engagement, underscoring their vital roles in supporting young people's recovery journeys.

Darin Roark, President and COO of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, brings over 25 years of nursing experience to the discussion. He shares how his team significantly improved patient outcomes through quality initiatives and strategic daily huddles. Roark highlights the importance of multidisciplinary alignment and sustaining improvements going into 2026. He also addresses challenges like staffing and expansion while emphasizing growth in specialty services to keep healthcare local. Leadership, patience, and team reliance are central to his success.

Naman Mahajan, President of Baylor Scott & White Grapevine, shares insights from nearly two decades in healthcare. He discusses innovative strategies like reducing employee turnover through leadership realignment and enhancing patient experience with a new discharge hospitality suite. Mahajan also highlights the importance of physician engagement and efficiency, showcasing how rounding practices and technology aid in community health. His focus on expanding care across the patient's journey demonstrates a commitment to meeting evolving needs in a growing Texas landscape.

Join Nathan A. Merriman, MD, MSCE, a physician-leader at Intermountain Medical Center, as he explores innovative approaches to healthcare. He advocates for a patient-centered, team-based model that enhances access and the human experience. Nathan discusses the importance of operational efficiency in surgical services and how competition drives collaboration in reducing colon cancer. Additionally, he reveals plans for expanding ambulatory endoscopy centers, highlighting how converting hospital settings can lower patient costs while improving quality and safety.

Rebekah Le, the Chief Strategy and Finance Officer at Legacy Community Health, leads Texas's largest federally qualified health center. She shares insights on navigating financial pressures through data-driven decisions and technology investments. Rebekah highlights the importance of cybersecurity as a financial risk and discusses strategies for revenue cycle optimization. With an eye on community impact, she emphasizes the need for mission-driven leadership and the evolving skills of modern CFOs, including storytelling and curiosity.

Dr. Dhruv Bansal, an expert in immunotherapy and precision oncology at Endeavor Health, delves into the groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment. He discusses how precision medicine is bridging genomic research and clinical practice. Notably, he explores why some stage 4 lung cancer patients achieve impressive survival rates, the transformative impact of targeted therapies, and the future role of mRNA vaccines in cancer care. Bansal emphasizes the exciting potential of cellular therapies and collaborative projects combining clinical data with AI to enhance treatment outcomes.

N. Nicole Moayeri, MD, MS, is a Neurological Surgeon and director of neurosciences at Cottage Health, with a rich background in brain tumor and epilepsy care. She shares her enthusiasm for AI's role in improving medical imaging and diagnoses, revealing how natural language processing can help track and manage missed cases. Dr. Moayeri emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, especially with specialists in endocrinology and oncology, to enhance patient care and outcomes while also discussing innovative approaches in biotechnologies and palliative care.

Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, serves as the Clinical Pharmacist Lead at Northwestern Medicine and teaches at Purdue University. He delves into how pharmacists are taking on vital roles in ambulatory and procedural care amidst evolving healthcare dynamics. Topics include innovative strategies for opioid stewardship in orthopedics and the importance of pharmacist-led care in improving patient outcomes. Sterling also discusses the challenges faced by pharmacists and advocates for systems that amplify their contributions in value-based care.