Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Simon Nazarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at City of Hope, explores the transformative power of technology in healthcare. He argues that AI is essential for improving patient outcomes and driving operational efficiency, urging health systems not to stand still. Nazarian discusses the importance of thoughtful tech investments focused on impact, security concerns, and the need for careful evaluation of new technologies. Highlighting opportunities in data, precision medicine, and virtual care, he emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering innovation.

Diana Richardson, President and CEO of Merrimack Health, has a wealth of experience in healthcare administration. She discusses the rapid formation of a three-hospital system in Massachusetts during a crisis, highlighting challenges in integration and the importance of community care. Diana shares insights on completing an electronic medical record overhaul in just six months and emphasizes the need for financial sustainability. With a focus on listening and humor as leadership tools, she outlines her vision for the next 12–18 months, including strategies for managing Medicaid changes.

Dr. Brian Patterson, a practicing emergency physician and Physician Administrative Director for Clinical AI at UW Health, shares his insights on the impact of AI in healthcare. He highlights how AI is transforming revenue cycles and clinical workflows with tools like ambient documentation. Patterson emphasizes the importance of using established governance when deploying AI and warns of risks associated with light regulation. He advocates for involving clinicians in AI development to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

Puneet Freibott, System Chief Nursing Officer at Beth Israel Lahey Health, brings nearly 30 years of nursing experience to the discussion. She shares how AI and virtual care can lighten the clinician's load and enhance patient outcomes. Puneet emphasizes the necessity of people-centered governance for effective digital innovation and advises leaders on prioritizing digital literacy, equity, and change management. Her insights offer a roadmap for integrating technology while keeping care compassionate and patient-focused.

Dr. Sanjai Nagendra, a hematopathologist and lab stewardship pioneer, teams up with Cameron Thomason, who has two decades of experience in healthcare operations, to explore lab stewardship as a strategic approach. They discuss how effective lab stewardship balances care optimization and cost control. The duo covers essential tools like analytics and AI, the importance of leadership support, and community engagement in lab practices. Their insights highlight innovative methods for enhancing healthcare quality and operational efficiency.

Join Brandon P. Hirsch, MD, FAAOS, an ortho spine surgeon renowned for his expertise in telemedicine and innovative surgical techniques. He sheds light on the rapid evolution of telehealth in spine care, sparked by the pandemic, and discusses the pressing need for permanent Medicare coverage. Delve into the impact of healthcare reforms on access and affordability, as well as how advanced endoscopic techniques are set to transform spine surgery. Dr. Hirsch emphasizes the importance of digital strategies for practice growth and patient engagement.

Stephen Rinaldi, the Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of UNC Health, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare finance. He delves into the challenges posed by payer pressure and the uncertainties surrounding Medicaid and ACA. Rinaldi discusses the exciting integration of AI in revenue cycles and clinical operations, emphasizing its potential to enhance efficiency. He also highlights the ambitious plans for a $3 billion children's hospital and initiatives to expand care access across North Carolina, underscoring the importance of community health.

Dr. Dave Newman serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Virtual Care at Sanford Health, leading innovations in AI and virtual care within rural healthcare. In this discussion, he highlights the responsible use of AI, emphasizing its role in improving patient satisfaction and efficiency. He shares insights on how ambient AI enhances documentation, reducing clinician workload. Additionally, he explores the application of virtual reality in orthopedic training and the significant savings virtual care brings to patients, particularly in rural settings.

Amy Trainor, Chief Information Officer at Ochsner Health, blends a rich nursing background with two decades in healthcare IT. She discusses the thoughtful deployment of AI in clinical and administrative settings, emphasizing the need for careful governance. Trainor highlights practical use cases like ambient technology and sepsis models. She also touches on the balance between high-risk clinical AI and low-risk administrative tools, while stressing the importance of people and processes in scaling virtual care.

Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker's Healthcare, dives into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in healthcare. She highlights how AI governance is transitioning to a strategic priority at the C-suite level. The discussion covers innovative use cases, such as AI's role in streamlining revenue cycles and improving patient experiences. Molly also examines the implications for payer-provider relationships and advocates for clear guidelines to manage the diverse challenges posed by these new technologies.