Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Kathleen Fear, Senior Director of Digital Health & AI at the University of Rochester Medical Center, discusses her role in shaping AI strategy to enhance patient access and operational efficiency. She shares compelling use cases driving measurable ROI, such as scheduling improvements and care gap identification. Kathleen highlights how generative AI tools empower staff and how regulations shape innovative, responsible solutions. She advises healthcare leaders to stay optimistic yet cautious as they navigate this transformative era in healthcare technology.

Scott Becker dives into Surgery Partners' recent quarterly results, highlighting a slight revenue miss and a staggering 31% earnings decline. This downturn has led to a dramatic 24% drop in the company's stock value, despite some year-over-year revenue growth. Becker also shares his passion for the outpatient surgery sector and why it constantly piques his interest. Tune in to uncover insights on the financial health of a key player in healthcare!

Cynthia Salisbury, MSN, RN, System Executive Director of Nursing Operations at Providence, shares her insights on the future of nursing and healthcare innovation. She discusses leveraging technology, including virtual nursing and AI, to alleviate burdens on nurses and enhance patient care. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of transparency with patients and warns against complacency in the post-COVID era. She advocates for strategic investments in virtual health and highlights the potential of AI as a pivotal area for growth in nursing operations.

Dr. Peter Bonis, Chief Medical Officer at Wolters Kluwer Health and an expert in evidence-based clinical resources, discusses the intersection of AI and healthcare. He highlights the opportunities and risks associated with rapid AI access, cautioning about accuracy versus efficiency. Dr. Bonis shares real-world examples of AI errors that could mislead patients. He emphasizes the importance of governance and frontline engagement for safe AI use and advocates for creating user-friendly, integrated tools to support clinical decision-making.

Cynthia Salisbury, MSN, RN, is the System Executive Director of Nursing Operations at Providence, bringing a wealth of experience as a nurse practitioner and former regional chief quality officer. She discusses the critical need to reduce the burden on nurses and the importance of transparency with patients. The conversation dives into leveraging technology to address ongoing nursing workforce challenges and combat complacency post-COVID. Salisbury emphasizes the urgency of investing in virtual care and utilizing AI to enhance patient care while maintaining safety protocols.

Prasana Ruxmohan, an ambulatory operations transformation specialist at UCI Health, shares her expertise in healthcare technology and change management. She discusses the significance of investing in staff education for new technologies, such as EMR-integrated AI. Prasana highlights the pressing challenge of access to care, advocating for data-driven responses. Her vision includes a tech-enhanced patient experience with intelligent scheduling and AI-driven intake. She estimates we're 78% toward this future, noting integration as a key challenge.

In this discussion, Keisha Downes, Vice President of Mid-Revenue Cycle at Beth Israel Lahey Health, shares her insights on the transformative role of AI and automation in healthcare finance. She highlights the shift to proactive claim processing and the importance of clean claims to reduce denials. Keisha dives into payer trends influenced by telehealth and hospital-at-home services. Additionally, she emphasizes the need for mentorship and lifelong learning for emerging leaders in the industry.

Megan Friedman, DO, is a double-board-certified anesthesiologist and medical director at Pacific Coast Anesthesia, focusing on operational strategy in ASCs. She discusses the transformation of anesthesia through technology and data-driven scheduling. Megan highlights key trends driving ASC growth, including payer pressures and the need for better staffing approaches. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between anesthesia teams and ASC leadership to enhance efficiency and patient care, advocating for anesthesia's role in executive decision-making.

Dr. Richard Zane, an emergency physician and Chief Medical Officer at UCHealth, dives into the future of healthcare through technology and AI. He discusses the pressing need for automation to ease the administrative burden on clinicians. Dr. Zane highlights the shift towards virtualized care, enabling patients to receive treatment where they are. He also reflects on the challenges posed by financial pressures and regulatory barriers, while emphasizing the power of generative AI to enhance care delivery and improve operational efficiency.

Dr. James Wyant, Program Director of the neurology residency at Sentara and Eastern Virginia Medical School, delves into the complexities of launching a new residency program. He discusses the challenges of securing local support and the crucial collaboration needed across teams. Dr. Wyant emphasizes the program's role in enhancing regional access to neurologic care and the importance of resident well-being in retention efforts. He offers valuable insights for hospitals looking to expand their training programs, highlighting patience and a culture of celebration.