Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Alen Brcic, Chief Human Resources Officer at Methodist Health System, leads workforce strategy and AI-driven talent solutions. He discusses lowering turnover and boosting engagement to top percentiles. He talks about personalizing ambulatory surgery experiences. He outlines AI for sourcing and recruiting spend, and strengthening a people-first culture with leader accountability.

Dr. Janice Walker, inaugural Chief Nursing Officer at UF Health and seasoned system nursing leader, discusses building an integrated nursing strategy across hospitals. She covers listening tours and regional collaboration. She outlines a seven-day, candidate-centric recruitment model and ways to boost retention through shared governance and multigenerational leadership.

Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director and payer markets reporter, breaks down shifting Medicare Advantage dynamics. He highlights slowing overall MA growth, big gains for regional and system-owned plans, and mounting federal scrutiny of large insurers. He also covers CMS funding pressure, risk-adjustment settlements, and operational risks as plans expand rapidly.

Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, an internist and senior healthcare executive who led clinical operations at Kaiser Permanente and Providence and now serves as CMO at CVS Health. She discusses simplifying care delivery. She highlights using CVS’s retail, clinician, and digital assets to improve access and transparency. She talks about rebuilding trust, reducing payer-provider friction, and streamlining administrative complexity.

Dutch Rojas, founder of Bliksem Health and healthcare investor focused on architecture and payment reform, shares candid views on structural misalignment. He discusses how payment models shape care. He highlights physician independence, site neutral policies, and policy fixes to revive rural care. He outlines leadership traits and teaching balance-sheet skills to empower clinicians.

Tesa Anewishki, CEO and President of Loretto Hospital and long-time West Side leader, talks about preparing for Medicaid cuts while protecting access. She describes launching a hospital-based free grocery, deepening community partnerships, and investing in local workforce and leadership pipelines. The conversation focuses on rethinking safety-net delivery and advocating for sustainable funding.

Dr. Aref Rifai, an ophthalmologist and president of the Syrian American Medical Society who leads medical relief and rebuilding in Syria. He discusses expanding care across all provinces. He talks about launching centers like radiation oncology and cardiac care. He highlights scaling hospitals, strengthening medical education, and partnerships with U.S. health systems.

Nirav Shah, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist, advanced endoscopist and physician leader in clinical research and quality. He discusses physician shortages and operational pressures. He defends colonoscopy as the gold standard. He explores AI in endoscopy and clinics. He covers balancing regional autonomy with systemwide standards and growth via ASCs and ancillary services.

Mandy Leonard, Senior Director of Drug Use Policy and Formulary Management at Cleveland Clinic, draws on deep experience managing drug costs and health spending. She discusses the biggest drivers of rising healthcare costs. She covers chronic and multiple conditions, costly disease combinations, rare disease burdens, and domains of waste driving excess spending.

Steve Smith, Assistant VP leading contact center and access at Inova, oversees patient access and automation efforts. He discusses cloud phone systems and a digital assistant that enable self-service scheduling. He outlines 2026 automation priorities and shares lessons in change management and implementation patience.