

This Week Health: Conference
This Week Health
“This Week Health: Conference” captures the essence and energy of attending a premier health technology conference designed specifically for health systems. With a rich lineup of shows like UnHack (the Podcast), TownHall, Keynote, and various sponsored content, this channel serves as a gathering place for innovative thinkers and industry leaders to share transformative ideas. Hosted by Bill Russell, Drex DeFord, and Sarah Richardson—all of whom have firsthand experience in the trenches of health IT leadership—each episode fosters the spread of knowledge and the formation of new connections. By bridging geographical divides, we help ensure that breakthroughs in one part of the country can enhance healthcare delivery nationwide. Subscribe today to join a vibrant community working together to make healthcare more connected and informed, accessible wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 11, 2025 • 26min
Road to Flourish: Career Pivot Points and What Makes a Team with Beth Lindsay Wood
February 11, 2025: Erica Williams, RTO of Texas for Ascension, sits down with Beth Lindsay Wood, CIO and CTO at Moffitt Cancer Center, to explore the pivotal moments that have shaped her journey in healthcare technology. From leading digital transformation efforts like CancerX and AI-driven clinical outcomes to navigating a career pivot between provider and consulting roles, Beth shares hard-won lessons on leadership, adaptability, and resilience. What does it take to recognize when a career change is necessary, and how do setbacks become stepping stones to greater success? Join this deep dive into the realities of leadership, career progression, and the essential skills needed to drive meaningful change in healthcare.Key Points:04:46 Career Setbacks and Pivoting11:45 Developing Leadership Traits16:06 Hiring and Team Building22:44 Keys to SuccessTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Feb 7, 2025 • 12min
Zero Trust Hospital Series: The Benefits of Zero Trust with Tamer Baker
February 7, 2025: This is the second episode of the Zero Trust Hospital Series. Tamer Baker, Healthcare CTO for Zscaler, explores how Zero Trust Architecture is revolutionizing hospital security and operations. How does shifting from a legacy, appliance-heavy infrastructure to a streamlined, SaaS-based model allow healthcare organizations to innovate faster? Can removing external attack surfaces truly minimize risk, or does it simply shift the burden elsewhere? With patient experience, security, and operational efficiency at stake, the conversation dives deep into how healthcare leaders can do more with less—without just piling on more work. Want to get your copy of the new book "Zero Trust Hospital: The CXO Vision" by Zscaler?Pre-Order nowDon't miss our webinar after all six Zero Trust Hospital Series episodes! Register now: www.thisweekhealth.com/zerotrustKey Points:04:44 Risk Management in Zero Trust07:39 Operational Efficiency with Zero Trust09:14 Enhancing Patient and Clinician ExperienceSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Feb 6, 2025 • 33min
Keynote: Practical AI Impact that Clinicians and Patients Actually Feel with Jennifer Owens
Jennifer Owens, Senior AI Program Administrator at Cleveland Clinic, dives into the transformative role of AI in healthcare. She discusses how AI scribes and predictive models are changing patient care and provider efficiency. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective governance and the balance between technology and human judgment. Jennifer tackles the nuances of measuring AI success, exploring whether we focus on efficiency, patient outcomes, or clinician satisfaction. The talk ultimately illuminates the challenges and potential of AI in revolutionizing medical practice.

Feb 5, 2025 • 12min
Zero Trust Hospital Series: Digital Transformation is Here with Tamer Baker
February 5, 2025: This is the first installment of our Zero Trust Hospital Series. Tamer Baker, Healthcare CTO for Zscaler, breaks down Zero Trust architecture—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it has become a necessity rather than a buzzword. Can outdated infrastructure truly support the demands of modern healthcare? How do we prevent hyperconnectivity from becoming a hacker’s playground? This conversation explores how Zero Trust can prevent lateral movement in cyberattacks, enable seamless cloud integration, and build a security framework that supports—not stifles—innovation.Want to get your copy of the new book "Zero Trust Hospital: The CXO Vision" by Zscaler?Pre-Order nowDon't miss our webinar after all six Zero Trust Hospital Series episodes! Register now: www.thisweekhealth.com/zerotrustKey Points:03:31 Challenges and Solutions in Zero Trust07:57 Cloud and Remote Work Considerations09:59 Practical Steps for Secure Digital TransformationSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Feb 4, 2025 • 25min
TownHall: Redefining Corporate Wellness with Karla Arzola and Cally Cripps
February 4, 2025: Karla Arzola interviews Cally Cripps, VP of Information Technology and Analytics at Aurora Mental Health Center and Founder of Systemagically. How does living with a chronic condition shape a leader’s approach to corporate wellness? What systemic gaps exist in mental health care, and can technology finally close them? Cally shares her personal journey of navigating endometriosis and PCOS while climbing the ranks in IT leadership, revealing how prioritizing health can transform not just personal well-being, but also the workplace itself. Key Points:03:39 Chronic Illness Impacts07:06 Connecting Health and Leadership12:00 Bridging Gaps in Mental Health Services17:43 Innovative Dreams for Healthcare TechnologyTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Feb 3, 2025 • 15min
Interview In Action: Creating The Contactless Patient Room of the Future with Joseph Zaccaria
February 3, 2025: Joseph Zaccaria, VP of Strategy and Finance at Neteera, discusses what the future patient room will look like. Can technology seamlessly blend into clinical workflows without disrupting behavior? Joe dives into how Neteera’s passive monitoring technology leverages precision sensing to reshape care delivery across settings. Joe offers a glimpse into a future where walls do not confine healthcare.Key Points:02:08 The Future of Patient Rooms07:45 Economic and Operational Benefits11:54 Technical Aspects and InstallationSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Jan 30, 2025 • 29min
Keynote: Rapid Imaging Advancements and the Hospital of the Future with Chad Brisendine
January 30, 2025: Chad Brisendine, VP and CIO of St. Luke's University Health Network, explores the transformative journey of healthcare technology. How does a hospital room evolve into a hub of AI-powered care while ensuring patient-centered innovation? What challenges arise when integrating virtual nursing, telehealth, and ambient technologies at scale? As the conversation traverses from imaging solutions to price transparency, how do leaders like Chad balance rapid technological advancements with long-term strategies? Key Points:04:30 The Hospital Room of the Future16:00 Enterprise Imaging Solutions22:31 Patient Experience and Price Transparency26:05 Leadership and Team MotivationSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Jan 29, 2025 • 10min
Interview In Action: Moving from Vendor to Partner and Subspecialty AI with Dustin Leek
January 29, 2025: Dustin Leek, Executive Healthcare Strategist for CDW, explores the necessity of partners with clinical experience and CDW’s current focuses. What role does data governance play in unlocking AI’s potential in healthcare? As financial pressures mount on health systems, what strategies can CIOs and CTOs employ to maximize operational efficiency without compromising care? You don’t want to miss this interview in action.Key Points:02:46 CDW’s Unique Team and Approach04:36 Security, Data, and AI07:57 Upcoming Events and Speaking EngagementsSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Jan 28, 2025 • 22min
TownHall: Advancing Kidney Care through Early AKI Detection with Todd Dunn
January 28: Today on TownHall Reid Stephan, VP and CIO at St. Luke’s Health System speaks with Todd Dunn, CEO and Founder at The Innovators Journey. Todd is a seasoned innovator in healthcare with experience at Intermountain Health and Advocate Health. He explains what AKIs are and how they differ from chronic kidney diseases. Could early detection be the key to preventing the devastating effects of AKIs? What if catching AKIs early could save millions for healthcare providers? Todd shares the potential of innovative solutions like Accuryn Medical's automated urine flow technology and provides insights into change management. Could this technology transform kidney care? The episode emphasizes the need for system-wide adoption of advanced technology to better manage AKIs and improve patient care. Isn’t it time to leverage these breakthroughs for better outcomes?Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Jan 27, 2025 • 27min
UnHack (the Podcast): Addressing the Human Factor and Reaching the Board with Matt Christensen
January 27, 2025: Matt Christensen, Sr. Director of Cybersecurity and Intermountain Health, delivers an insightful discussion on the intricate balance of technology, leadership, and the human factor in cybersecurity. How does Intermountain Health’s approach to systemic risk reimagine third-party management in healthcare? Why is the human element—often labeled the weakest link—still undervalued despite its role in 90% of breaches? Matt reflects on the paradox of advancing technology overshadowing foundational cyber hygiene, sharing his experiences with governance, risk, and compliance. Key Points:04:38 The Human Element in Cybersecurity11:22 The Firehouse Can't Burn Down14:48 Lightning Round: Personal Insights19:45 Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity ProfessionalsX: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer


