

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

Dec 5, 2024 • 42min
Keynote: Enhancing Innovation with Value-Focused Governance with Mark Zirkelbach
Mark Zirkelbach, CIO of Loma Linda University Medical Center, shares his wealth of experience navigating innovation in healthcare IT. He dives into the balance between simplifying clinical workflows and optimizing revenue cycles. Zirkelbach discusses the pivotal role of IT in fostering collaboration across service lines and the critical lessons learned amid rapid automation. He also addresses the governance challenges faced by healthcare leaders while emphasizing the importance of a value-focused approach in this digital age.

Dec 3, 2024 • 23min
TownHall: Navigating Partnerships & Change with John Couris and Sam Nimah
December 3: Today on TownHall Karla Arzola, Chief Information Officer at Rocky Mountain Human Services speaks with John Couris, President and CEO at Florida Health Sciences Center (FHSC) and Sam Nimah, CEO at TriVent Healthcare. The conversation delves into their collaborative approach to improving care for ventilator-dependent patients. They discuss the challenges of change management, the role of multidisciplinary teams, and the integration of evidence-based protocols. What are the challenges hospitals face in change management when introducing new care models? Why is the multidisciplinary team approach crucial in treating ventilator-dependent patients? What lessons can other organizations learn from the partnership between Tampa General Hospital and TriVent Health?Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 26, 2024 • 34min
TownHall: The Humility Imperative and Strategic Partnerships with Andrew Kerr
November 26: Today on Town Hall, Sarah speaks with Andrew Kerr, CEO and Managing Partner at FortyAU. The discussion dives deep into how FortyAU helps healthcare systems through custom software solutions and AI integration while emphasizing the importance of values like partnership and humility. Have you ever wondered why humility is crucial for effective leadership? Andrew shares insights from his extensive career, the story behind the company's name and values, and the philosophy that drives their approach to consulting. What challenges do healthcare systems face when implementing AI solutions? They explore how humility and zeal play a critical role in effective leadership, the challenges of implementing AI solutions in healthcare, and the balance between innovation and risk management. Lastly, they touch on the importance of maintaining strong business relationships and the evolving landscape of technology in the healthcare sector.Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 25, 2024 • 31min
UnHack (the Podcast): Transformational Leadership and Shaping the Cyber Industry with Paul Annastas
November 25, 2024: Paul Annastas, Head of Information Security Risk Management from the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, explores cybersecurity, leadership, and team dynamics in healthcare. How do transformational leaders balance wisdom and pragmatism when guiding teams through high-pressure situations? What lessons can be drawn from toxic leadership, and how does one cultivate resilience in such environments? Paul shares his philosophy on servant leadership, creating a culture of trust, and fostering "healthy conflict over artificial harmony."Key Points:05:32 Leadership Styles and Wisdom10:31 Tactical Patience and Decision Making20:10 Challenges in Healthcare Cybersecurity21:53 Mission-Driven Work23:23 Tim Ferriss Inspired QuestionsSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 21, 2024 • 46min
Keynote: Lessons Learned from Shared Governance and Employee Engagement with MariJo Rugh
November 21, 2024: MariJo Rugh, VP and CIO of UCHealth, dives into the transformative technology and governance advancements at UCHealth. How does an organization foster a sense of teamwork when virtual nurses and bedside staff must work as one? What does it mean to empower patients through enhanced digital access? Rugh reveals the balancing act between efficiency and innovation, tackling tough questions about the challenges in implementing shared governance across diverse health systems. Key Points:06:04 Virtual Health Center and Community Connect13:47 Shared Governance and Cybersecurity20:35 AI and Future Technologies in Healthcare28:41 Work-Life Balance and Team Culture38:01 Advice for Aspiring Healthcare CIOs41:29 Speed Round and Closing RemarksSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 19, 2024 • 26min
TownHall: Divestitures, Cybersecurity, & Leadership Lessons with David Colarusso
November 19: Today on Town Hall, Sarah speaks with David Colarusso, Chief Information Officer at Steward Health Care. They discuss Steward Health's significant divestiture process and its implications for the healthcare industry, focusing on issues like access, equity, and financial challenges post-COVID. David shares insights on maintaining operational stability, fostering team cohesion, and implementing innovative IT solutions during a period of extensive organizational change. He also highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the establishment of an IT support team in Colombia. The conversation also touches on leadership qualities, the role of IT in healthcare, and advice for aspiring CIOs.Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 18, 2024 • 50min
Flourish: The Key to AI-Driven Healthcare with Sherri Douville; Standards, Success, and Building Trust
November 18, 2024: In this episode of Flourish, Sarah Richardson sits down with Sherri Douville, CEO of Medigram, a visionary in healthcare technology. Sherri shares her deep-rooted insights on bridging the gap between clinical literacy and technical expertise, emphasizing the power of trust, governance, and AI ethics. Discover how she’s pioneering the IEEE UL 2933 standard to revolutionize digital transformation in healthcare and what she sees as the critical components for leaders in this space. From real-world applications of AI to strategies for building inclusive, resilient teams, Sherri provides a roadmap for the future of health IT.Key Points:00:39 Sherri's Background and Expertise03:35 The Importance of Trust in Healthcare Technology09:37 Challenges in AI and Healthcare24:09 Balancing Personal Well-being and Career Success34:37 Succession Planning and Leadership39:55 The Future of AI in HealthcareSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 14, 2024 • 34min
Keynote: CMIO Insights, AI Made Realistic, and Changing our Views with Dirk Stanley
November 14, 2024: Dirk Stanley, CMIO at UConn Health, takes listeners through a journey of healthcare technology's profound evolution and its impact on patient care. How does a clinical informaticist balance IT complexities and medical nuances? And what challenges arise in standardizing medical terminology, especially when simple differences in words can shape a patient's treatment? Together with host Bill Russell, Dr. Stanley examines the need for precise data standards, the promise and pitfalls of AI in medical documentation, and how ambient listening and computer vision could redefine clinical workflows. Key Points:00:33 Dirk Stanley's Career Journey09:19 The Role of a CMIO17:14 AI Implications24:48 Data Management and Workflow DesignSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 12, 2024 • 21min
TownHall: The Power of Storytelling in Healthcare with Grace Vinton
November 12: Today on TownHall Reid Stephan, VP and CIO at St. Luke’s Health System speaks with Grace Vinton, PR Specialist and Podcast Host of HITea with Grace. They discuss the transformative impact of storytelling in healthcare. Why is authentic storytelling essential in a fragmented healthcare system? How can IT leaders leverage it to drive change and enhance patient care? Grace shares valuable insights from her 15-year career, including a poignant telehealth story during COVID-19, and offers strategies to avoid overly technical narratives. Learn how to balance technical details with human-centered stories, master effective communication, and practice storytelling with patience for long-term projects. What role does storytelling play in advocacy and influencing healthcare outcomes? Tune in for actionable advice and a deeper understanding of the importance of genuine storytelling in the healthcare sector.Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Nov 7, 2024 • 40min
Keynote: Crisis Management, Burnout, and Innovation vs. Recklessness with Joel Klein
November 7, 2024: Joel Klein, SVP and CIO of the University of Maryland Medical System, discusses the intricate intersection of clinical experience and executive IT leadership. How can lessons learned from crisis management in the ER inform the high-stakes world of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and system-wide initiatives? Dr. Klein shares candid insights on the challenges of integrating innovation while addressing clinician burnout and navigating the demands of an aging population. With reflections ranging from lessons borrowed from aviation to balancing telemedicine capabilities, Dr. Klein’s story highlights the delicate art of empowering healthcare teams and embracing change.Key Points:06:54 Managing Crisis and Team Leadership14:50 Balancing Innovation and Practicality20:12 Addressing Clinician Burnout29:29 Workforce Development and Training33:49 Personal Interests and the Lightning RoundSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer


