What AI Really Means for Healthcare Leaders in 2026

Emergency departments are under more pressure than ever as they are facing overcrowding, extended wait times, workforce strain, and rising patient demand fueled in part by primary care shortages. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino examines how these mounting challenges are reshaping the hospital’s front door and what they mean for patient care, operational performance, and long-term sustainability. Daniel is joined by Dr. Richard Wolfe, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a nationally recognized leader in emergency medicine operations. Together, they explore why emergency departments have become a critical pressure point for hospitals, how overcrowding affects quality, safety, and clinician burnout, and what forward-thinking health systems can do to better support their emergency medicine teams while continuing to serve their communities effectively.

As healthcare organizations move from AI curiosity to real-world implementation, many leaders are asking the same question: where do we actually begin? As the industry heads into 2026, providers are under pressure to move beyond experimentation and apply artificial intelligence in ways that deliver meaningful, workflow-driven impact without adding technology overload. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino is joined by Don Woodlock, President of InterSystems, to explore how healthcare organizations can take a more strategic and disciplined approach to AI adoption. Drawing on InterSystems’ deep expertise in interoperability, data platforms, and AI-enabled solutions, the conversation focuses on where AI can truly enhance clinical workflows, reduce administrative burden, improve revenue cycle performance, and support better decision-making. From ambient clinical documentation to smarter data connectivity and actionable AI insights, this discussion cuts through the hype to highlight how healthcare leaders can build an AI foundation that drives real value for clinicians, patients, and health systems, all while advancing the goals of value-based care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping healthcare, yet many provider organizations still struggle to move from interest to practical application particularly when it comes to value-based care contracts. While AI promises efficiency and insight, turning it into measurable performance and financial advantage remains a challenge. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino explores how AI can be used to address one of healthcare’s most complex challenges: evaluating and managing value-based contracts. Drawing on real-world experience, Daniel explores how AI can be used to build performance models that connect contract design with operational outcomes across clinically integrated networks, ACOs, and other value-based arrangements.Joined by Eddie Diaz, a data scientist with more than 15 years of experience in value-based care analytics, the discussion highlights how AI can bring clarity to attribution, risk, quality, and financial performance to help CFOs, CMOs, and managed care leaders better understand contract opportunities, risks, and results. Together, they explore how AI can move beyond hype to deliver real, actionable value in value-based care contracts.

As healthcare leaders look ahead to 2026, the pace of change shows no signs of slowing. From the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence and evolving site-of-service regulations to new federal policy signals and leadership shifts in Washington, the strategic pressures facing providers, including hospitals and medical groups, are intensifying. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino sits down with Chris Collins, President and CEO of ECG Management Consultants, to reflect on the defining forces of 2025 and explore what healthcare leaders must be prepared for in 2026. Drawing on more than 25 years of advising health systems, academic medical centers, and physician enterprises nationwide, Chris offers perspective on emerging trends, strategic risks, and the leadership priorities that will matter most in the year ahead. Together, they unpack how provider organizations can navigate regulatory uncertainty, harness innovation responsibly, and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

Orthopedic care is evolving rapidly, driven by shifts in site-of-service, advances in surgical techniques, and growing patient expectations for advanced technology, improved outcomes, and convenience. As procedures, such as joint replacements, move from inpatient settings to same-day outpatient care, orthopedic groups are rethinking how they deliver high-quality, cost-effective care while remaining competitive in this changing market. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino continues the clinical service line series with a deep dive into the orthopedic service line. He is joined by Lori Pagan, CEO of Ortho Northeast, a physician-led orthopedic and spine practice in Indiana known for its entrepreneurial approach and strategic partnerships. Together, they explore how orthopedic groups are adapting to industry trends and building stronger physician–hospital partnerships. They highlight strategies for positioning orthopedic groups for long-term growth while enhancing patient outcomes and experience.

As the year comes to a close, we thought you would enjoy a throwback to one of our most popular episodes of 2025. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in population health. As AI continues to dominate industry conversations and drive vendor offerings, healthcare leaders are faced with questions: What is real, what is hype, and where does the value lie? Dr. David Nash, Founding Dean Emeritus of Jefferson College of Population Health and a nationally recognized thought leader in value-based care and population health, join the conversation. Additionally, Rick Howard, a seasoned Chief Data Officer and AI Strategist contributes to the conversation with his deep expertise in driving data-driven innovation across healthcare organizations. Together, they break down common misconceptions, highlight the most promising AI applications in care delivery, and offer practical insights into how health systems, providers, and payers can responsibly integrate AI to drive meaningful outcomes and return on investment (ROI).

Cardiovascular service lines are in the midst of a major transformation, reshaping how physicians and health systems deliver care. Sites of service are shifting, patients present with greater complexity, and prevention is taking on a more prominent role across the continuum of care. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino is joined by longtime colleague and nationally recognized leader Dr. Nihar Desai, Associate Professor of Medicine and Vice Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Desai brings a unique perspective at the intersection of research, operations, and value-based transformation, as he and Daniel take a deep dive into the evolving cardiovascular service line. They discuss what these changes mean for clinical outcomes, financial performance, and the patient experience.

Strengthening service line performance requires a strong foundation in primary care, which remains central to delivering effective value-based care. Yet, the landscape of primary care delivery is marked by significant challenges including workforce shortages, provider burnout, administrative burdens, and increasing barriers to patient access. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel J. Marino kicks off a new series exploring specialty service lines by starting with the primary care service line. He is joined by Dr. Sarita Soares, Program Director for the Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Dr. Brad Richards, Executive Director of the Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine. Together, they discuss the shifting dynamics of primary care, the growing integration of behavioral health, the role of technology in improving access, and what healthcare leaders can do to better support providers and patients in this changing environment.

In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel J. Marino reflects on his experience at the Lead from Identity Summit, a transformative leadership conference hosted by Dr. Doug McKinley in Silverton, Colorado. Unlike traditional leadership events focused on strategies and communication tactics, this summit challenged participants to explore how their personal identity shapes their leadership style and response to challenges. Daniel, a summit participant, is joined by two fellow attendees—Michelle Williams, Senior Nursing Executive and Chief Nursing Officer, and Lucy Zielinski, Managing Partner at Lumina Health Partners and a member of the summit’s planning team—to discuss key takeaways from the event. Together, they discuss how leading from identity fosters authenticity, resilience, and meaningful connections across healthcare teams—and how self-awareness and purpose-driven leadership can transform the way we lead and serve others. Want to learn more about leading from identity? Check out Dr. McKinley's podcast episode Leading from Identity with Jamie Winship

Across the U.S., hospitals and surgical centers are facing a growing provider shortage—particularly among anesthesiologists. At the same time, demand for surgical and procedural services continues to rise, especially in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). This imbalance has forced many healthcare organizations to rethink their anesthesia coverage models. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel J. Marino sits down with Dr. Thomas Pallaria, Assistant Professor and Director of the Nurse Anesthesiology Program at Rutgers School of Nursing, to discuss the evolving role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Together, they explore the growing reliance on CRNAs to meet demand, the benefits and challenges of integrating them into care models, and the implications for hospitals, anesthesiologists, and patient outcomes.