Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Access, AI, and Physician Leadership in Community Health Systems with Dr. Larry Ward
Mar 29, 2026
Dr. Lawrence Ward, Chief Medical Officer at Holy Cross Health with an MPH and deep leadership experience, shares perspectives on physician workforce and access challenges. He discusses practical AI uses for clinical efficiency. He outlines system-level population health strategies and offers thoughts on physician leadership and preserving the clinician-patient connection.
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Episode notes
Joining Holy Cross For Mission And Growth
- Lawrence Ward joined Holy Cross Health attracted by its mission and growth potential in Fort Lauderdale.
- He was recruited as the first medical group CMO in ten years to work in a dyad with the medical group president and expand the system.
Mission Reflections Keep Patients Central
- Trinity Health's mission focus shows in starting meetings with reflections that center patient focus over metrics.
- Ward contrasts this faith-based approach with prior academic and midsize systems, saying it keeps patients at the leading edge of decisions.
Florida Has Recruitable Talent But Big Access Gaps
- Florida combines recruitability with a large physician deficit: systems can hire but still face primary care shortages and access gaps.
- Ward notes no single dominant system or insurer in the market, creating fragmented access despite hiring opportunities.