Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

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.

Dr. Anthony J. Tortolani, a renowned cardiac and thoracic surgeon, shares insights from his extensive career at Weill Cornell Medical College. He dives into the challenges of declining hospital profit margins and workforce shortages, particularly in anesthesia. Tortolani explores the transformative role of AI in enhancing efficiency and enabling less invasive surgical options. He predicts a surge in outpatient cardiovascular care and emphasizes the necessity of aligning strategic vision with tactical operations to ensure patient-centered care amidst industry pressures.

Gena Lawday, RN, BSN, is the Chief Quality Officer at UVA Community Health, overseeing quality across multiple hospitals. In this conversation, she dives into the importance of standardizing care delivery to enhance patient outcomes. Gena discusses the rollout of key priorities for 2026 and emphasizes the significance of patient education. She also highlights the evolution of data transparency and performance scorecards. Additionally, Gena addresses the challenges of algorithmic drift in AI and the critical role of remote monitoring in outpatient settings.

Dr. Andrew Tang, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Medical City Heart & Spine Hospitals, shares insights from his extensive training and research background. He discusses trends in cardiac surgery and the critical balance between advances in technology and traditional methods. Mentorship's impact on surgical training and leadership is a key theme, alongside the pursuit of work-life balance in a demanding field. Dr. Tang also highlights the importance of ongoing education and collaboration among physicians to enhance patient care and combat burnout.

Dr. Michael Redler, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and upper extremity surgery, shares insights from his extensive background and roles in healthcare. He delves into the booming trends driving ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and how lower costs and quality care are reshaping patient experiences. Emphasizing advancements in AI, he discusses how technology enhances efficiency and comfort for higher-acuity cases. Redler also highlights the benefits of collaborations between ASCs and health systems in managing patient care.

Tara Good-Young, CEO of PDI Surgery Center, brings over 40 years of healthcare expertise to the discussion. She highlights key trends propelling the growth of ambulatory surgery centers, particularly CMS outpatient expansions. Tara emphasizes the transformative role of AI in streamlining operations and enhancing patient experiences. Additionally, she stresses the importance of strategic collaborations with vendors to optimize operations and ensure sustainability while cautioning against the rushed adoption of new procedures without thorough analysis.

Mark Makhinson, PharmD, is the Senior Director of Outpatient and Specialty Pharmacy at Mount Sinai Health System, where he leads innovative pharmacy operations. In this conversation, he shares insights on how digital innovation and AI-driven workflows are transforming specialty pharmacy. Topics include the transition to patient-focused digital platforms, AI enhancing prior authorization efficiency, and integrating tools like MyChart for better patient engagement. Makhinson also discusses the importance of governance and accessing financial navigation for patients.

Ratnakar Lavu, Chief Digital Information Officer at Elevance Health, brings his expertise in leveraging technology and AI to enhance healthcare experiences. He discusses the innovative ways AI personalizes member interactions and streamlines provider workflows, emphasizing proactive outreach and sentiment analysis. Ratnakar highlights Elevance's commitment to responsible AI governance, measuring impact through key performance indicators, and the integration of virtual assistants for better member engagement. Looking ahead, he envisions a future of enhanced personalization and interoperability in healthcare.

Saurabh Bhansali, Partner and co-founder at Health Velocity Capital, brings a wealth of experience in healthcare investing. He shares insights on identifying and scaling category leaders in the industry. Saurabh discusses the potential of AI-enabled services and revenue cycle management as emerging investment themes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare complexity to avoid common pitfalls. Additionally, he highlights qualities he values in founders, such as resourcefulness, using examples from his portfolio like Octave.

Dr. Michael Verdon, a community neurosurgeon and spine specialist from Dayton, Ohio, shares insights on delivering high-quality spine care amidst workforce challenges and resource constraints. He highlights the role of AI in clinic efficiency and documentation, showcasing innovative tools like a triage algorithm that significantly improved patient throughput. Verdon also discusses the shift in care models towards value-based systems and the importance of owning clinical data to enhance patient outcomes and standardize care across regions.