Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

James E. Moore, system chief medical officer and practicing neonatologist leading Connecticut Children’s clinical network. He talks about boosting clinic and OR efficiency to grow volume. He describes tackling financial pressures while diversifying care into preventive, home, and value-based models. He highlights culture and retention work and plans for regional centers of excellence like cellular and gene therapy and fetal care.

Dr. Geralda Xavier, a board-certified emergency physician and regional chief medical officer at Atlantic Health System, leads clinical strategy, quality, and patient safety. She discusses reducing length of stay and improving patient throughput. She describes multidisciplinary flow committees, redesigned daily rounds, lean handoffs from ED to bed, and efforts to balance financial pressures with workforce well-being.

Jason Glover, CEO of Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center Adult Services, leads a 1,200-bed academic medical center known for trauma, Life Flight and specialty institutes. He talks about a major EHR conversion and how to engage frontline staff. He outlines 2026 priorities of access, zero-harm care and experience. He discusses funding and Medicaid pressures and plans for team-based, ambulatory and telehealth growth.

Eric Hamon, President and CEO of Driscoll Children’s Hospital with decades leading pediatric expansion. He discusses growing regional pediatric facilities and specialist recruitment. He describes an innovative six-plane program that brings care to remote South Texas communities. He reflects on continuous improvement, balancing flights with new clinics, and advocating early investment in children’s health.

Scott Hawig, EVP and CFO of BJC Health, leads finance for a $12B, 14-hospital system focused on access, innovation, and sustainability. He discusses the rebrand and merger impact, strategies to expand access like virtual care and freestanding EDs, challenges of an aging Midwest population, and the evolving operator role of finance driving growth and research.

Dr. Mayank K. Shah, VP and Chief Medical Officer at Advocate Condell Medical Center, a leader in safety, quality and community care. He discusses how a safety-first culture drove Leapfrog improvements. He explains creating a shared identity to reduce burnout. He outlines building organizational agility for new care models and practical AI uses like ambient documentation.

Yunkyung Kim, COO with 25 years in public payer work, and Michael Hunn, CEO with a background leading hospitals and health systems, discuss preparing for Medicaid eligibility changes and a $20M outreach push. They cover coordinating with providers to limit uncompensated care and plans to launch in Covered California in 2027. They also reflect on building community trust and practical leadership lessons.

Amber K. Brooks, MD, MS — anesthesiologist, NIH-funded researcher, and founder of Onward and Upward. She talks about building human-centered leadership, why purpose and trust matter more than charisma, and how executive presence grounded in kindness helps retain talent. Practical frameworks and advice for leaders transitioning from surviving to thriving are highlighted.

Saria Saccocio, MD, MHA, a physician and health plan chief medical officer with clinical and payer leadership experience. She talks about deeper payer-provider collaboration and real-time data sharing. She discusses site neutral care and pharmacy reform. She highlights investing in cardiometabolic and population health and the role of quality, member experience and social determinants in planning.

James Mladucky, Vice President of Design and Construction at Indiana University Health, is an architect and planner focused on adaptable, tech-ready healthcare facilities. He talks about designing flexible bays and structural systems for future uses. He explains preparing buildings for AI and connectivity. He outlines strategic, statewide construction priorities to attract specialists and boost research capacity.