Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Dr. Allyson Brooks, the Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director at Hoag Women’s Health Institute, shares her insights on the transformation of menopause care. She discusses the impact of the FDA's recent removal of black box warnings on hormone therapy, empowering women to seek better care. Dr. Brooks highlights the importance of women's advocacy in reshaping midlife health and explains Hoag's innovative multidisciplinary approach to menopause management. Her vision includes personalized care plans and the creation of supportive communities for patients and clinicians alike.

Tricia Wollam, the Administrator of Alliance Surgery Center in Traverse City, Michigan, shares valuable insights on the orthopedic-focused ambulatory surgery center's growth. She discusses trends like higher-acuity procedures, CMS coverage expansion, and evolving patient preferences. Tricia highlights how technology, especially EHRs, is transforming efficiency and care coordination. Collaboration, patient-centered care, and improved operational strategies are pivotal for future success, reflecting her dedication to enhancing patient experiences in ASCs.

Dr. Saria Saccoccio, Chief Medical Officer at Essence Healthcare, shares insights from her extensive background in family medicine and health plan quality. She discusses how effective provider partnerships and real-time data enhance Medicare Advantage performance. Saccoccio emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health and the impact of member feedback on benefit design. With a focus on continuous improvement, she reflects on the evolving standards of care and advocates for a member-centered approach to enhance enrollment and satisfaction.

Steve Tringale, President of Mass General Brigham Health Plan, brings decades of experience in health systems and plans. He discusses the organization's exciting expansion into the dual eligible market and how they aim to integrate digital care management for real-time support. Steve emphasizes the importance of community partnerships, reflecting on his mission-driven focus, and shares insights on addressing complex health needs, including behavioral health and senior isolation. He also highlights the need for agility in navigating policy shifts while keeping care centered on members.

Scott Jahnke, Senior Director of Operations at UCLA Health, specializes in optimizing hospital workflows and developing command centers. Dr. Vladimir Manuel, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in Family Medicine, focuses on improvement science and urgent care development. They discuss innovative approaches to de-escalating care, enhancing decision-making to reduce unnecessary admissions, and creating a learning culture with data. The conversation highlights the importance of operationalizing improvements and preparing systems before implementing AI solutions.

Emily Jacobsen, VP of Clinical Systems and Chief of Clinical Informatics at the University of Maryland Medical System, shares her journey from CNA to healthcare leader. She dives into current AI applications, including documentation and predictive analytics, highlighting their impact on clinician workflows. Emily emphasizes a people-centered approach to virtual care and advocates for agility in legislation regarding telehealth and data privacy. She also advises investing in staff education and governance to foster innovation and meet evolving healthcare needs.

Janet L. Carlson, RN, NE-BC, FACHE, is the Vice President of ASC Operations at Commonwealth Pain & Spine, boasting extensive leadership experience in ambulatory care. She discusses innovative uses of AI to enhance patient communication and streamline EHR processes. Carlson highlights the trend of higher-acuity procedures moving to ASCs and the technology investments in robotics for minimally invasive surgery. She emphasizes ASCs' crucial role in complementing hospitals and shares insights on expanding services in underserved areas.

Vijay Bachani, President and Chief Growth Officer of New York Bariatric Group, dives into the evolving landscape of ASCs. He highlights key trends like the shift to outpatient services and the impact of self-funded employers. Vijay shares insights on negotiation strategies and the importance of partnerships for growth. Excitingly, he discusses potential expansions into outpatient cardiology and orthopedic services. With an optimistic view of the ASC market, he encourages practices to team up with experienced ASC experts for successful growth.

Brenna T. Loufek, the Director of AI Regulatory and Quality at Mayo Clinic, dives into the intersection of AI and healthcare. She discusses how to safely integrate AI innovations into clinical settings, emphasizing ethical considerations. Brenna highlights the diverse applications of AI, from administrative tools that ease clinician workloads to advanced clinical decision support systems. She also shares insights on empowering clinicians and data scientists to innovate locally while maintaining rigorous governance to drive advancement.

In this engaging discussion, Aron Klein, Senior VP of Financial Operations at Carle Health, sheds light on the pressing revenue cycle challenges in healthcare, including rising payer denials and regulatory anxieties. He shares how Carle is cautiously navigating AI adoption while harnessing automation to enhance efficiency. Klein emphasizes the need for stronger payer-provider partnerships and expresses optimism about improving patient access and affordability amidst industry pressures. The conversation highlights a dynamic landscape where technology and strategic focus are key to sustainability.