Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Myra Ray, MSN, RN, is the Manager of Surgical Services at Franciscan Healthcare, bringing over 20 years of perioperative experience. In this conversation, she shares her insights on the rapid growth of surgical volumes and innovative staffing strategies. Myra discusses how community support is crucial for rural healthcare, the excitement of expanding local procedure offerings, and the importance of employee satisfaction through flexible scheduling. Her focus on scholarship programs for nursing students shows her commitment to overcoming recruitment challenges in rural settings.

Sean Gipson, CEO of Remedy Surgery Centers, leads a network of ambulatory surgery centers in Texas. He dives into the impact of payer market disruption and the importance of adapting to consumer-driven demand. Gipson shares insights on leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance payer negotiations and improve billing processes. He emphasizes the need for ASCs to collaborate with hospitals to manage volume effectively and calls for unity among ASC leaders for legislative advocacy to enhance patient care.

Ginny Torno, Senior Director of Innovation and IT Clinical Systems at Houston Methodist, shares her expertise in deploying AI to enhance healthcare. She discusses innovative AI tools that predict patient decline and optimize operations like OR scheduling and radiology assistance. Ginny emphasizes the importance of strong governance and pilot testing for new technologies. Additionally, she highlights the impact of legislation on physician workflows and stresses the need for measurable ROI and vendor stability in tech adoption.

In this discussion, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer at HaloMD and a health policy expert, dives into the complexities of the No Surprises Act and its implications for hospitals. He highlights how the Texas Medical Association's lawsuits have influenced its implementation. Velliky sheds light on underutilized arbitration opportunities hospitals have under IDR, the financial pressures they face, and strategies for compliance. He emphasizes the need for proactive planning and staying updated on regulatory changes to secure fair payment rates.

Lindsay Myers, with 25 years in healthcare finance, is the VP of Revenue Cycle and HIM at Chapters Health System. She delves into scaling hospice operations through automation and strategic affiliations. Lindsay highlights the shift towards value-based care, addressing challenges with Medicaid changes and unfunded patients. She shares insights on workforce retention, emphasizing a culture-driven approach to tackling labor shortages. With a focus on technology, she discusses using AI to enhance staff efficiency, showcasing her vision for financial sustainability in hospice care.

In this discussion, Jason Keeler, President of ReloShare Medical Respite and former COO at UChicago Medicine, shares his insights on lung nodule detection and care pathways. He emphasizes the financial benefits of early detection and the necessity for collaboration between clinical and administrative teams. Keeler also highlights NP-led lung nodule clinics for managing follow-ups and the innovative use of AI in identifying incidental nodules. He underscores the importance of coordination across various healthcare disciplines to enhance patient outcomes and support financial health.

Join John P. Donohue, Vice President at Penn Medicine, as he delves into the evolving landscape of healthcare technology. With over 20 years at the organization, he shares insights on the transformative roles of AI, cybersecurity, and extended reality. John discusses the challenges of balancing intentional technology adoption with innovative opportunities. He emphasizes the significance of lifelong learning and mentorship in leadership, showcasing how these principles drive success in the fast-paced medical environment.

Dan Liljenquist, JD, Chief Strategy Officer at Intermountain Health, spearheads over 300 AI initiatives aimed at transforming healthcare delivery. He elaborates on how AI is simplifying complex tasks, enhancing efficiency in operations, and saving time on administrative processes. Liljenquist also discusses the importance of cloud infrastructure for rapid AI development and how partnerships with innovators like Epic and Microsoft are crucial. He predicts that AI will revolutionize patient care, addressing labor shortages and reducing costs.

Doug King, Senior Vice President and CIO at Northwestern Medicine, shares his insights on leveraging technology and AI in healthcare. He discusses the challenges facing the industry, including patient volume and reimbursement pressures. Doug emphasizes the importance of viewing challenges as opportunities for innovation. He highlights the potential growth from wearables and home-based care in the next few years. Additionally, he advocates for strategic, measured AI investments to enhance efficiency and support healthcare's evolving landscape.

In this conversation, EJ Ledesma, CEO of 360 Orthopedics, shares insights from his leadership of a midsize orthopedic practice. He highlights the transformative role of AI in enhancing patient access and operational efficiency. EJ discusses the rising trend of outpatient procedures and innovative revenue strategies, including launching a vein program and developing affiliate partnerships for smaller practices. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing patient care while navigating the complexities of reimbursement in the evolving healthcare landscape.