Dr. Brian Smolich, Vice President, Health Alliance Quality and Managed Care Operations, Carle Health

John Ernst, MHA, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Froedtert Hospital & The Medical College of Wisconsin, joins the podcast to discuss Froedtert's commitment to high-quality and safe patient care. He shares how the organization empowers its workforce, emphasizes the importance of leadership accountability, and offers insights into what it takes to guide a complex health system successfully.

Sam Davis, Associate VP at Rush University Medical Center, shares how his team built a more agile and sustainable surgical model by embracing AI-powered operations. He discusses key turning points in shifting culture around data, choosing the right technology partner, and achieving a 12x ROI. Beyond metrics, Davis reflects on the broader impact of aligning surgical capacity with institutional goals.This episode is sponsored by LeanTaas.

Timothy Brown, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Stony Brook Medicine, joins the podcast to share how his team is harnessing AI and social media responsibly to enhance communication strategies. He dives into the impact of rapidly changing technology on healthcare messaging and offers thoughtful advice for leaders navigating this evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Tony Seupaul, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive with Carilion Clinic, joins the podcast to discuss the ongoing transformation within healthcare systems. He shares how Carilion Clinic has been leveraging AI for over a decade and how those tools have evolved alongside the organization. Dr. Seupaul emphasizes the importance of unity and alignment across health systems as a foundational element for long-term success.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Christopher Douglas, Houston Market Chief Executive Officer, River Oaks Hospital & Clinics and East Houston Hospital & Clinics. Christopher shares how mobile diagnostics, payer diversification, and a strong focus on employee support are driving growth, patient access, and workforce morale across his organization.

In this episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, Lukas Voss sits down with Michael Kurliand, MS, BSN, RN, NI-BC, Vice President, Clinical Quality and Integration at MedWand Solutions, Inc., to discuss the evolving role of telehealth in meeting the needs of older adults. Mike shares practical strategies and design principles to help providers deliver more inclusive, effective virtual care across age groups. Tune in to explore how communication, expectation-setting, and staff support can help bridge the digital divide and scale telehealth for the future.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Brian Smolich, Vice President, Health Alliance Quality and Managed Care Operations, Carle Health. Dr. Smolich shares how his organization is balancing cost and quality, leveraging biosimilars, digital engagement tools, and provider collaboration to improve member outcomes and transform the care experience.

Tyler Polk, Partner & Senior Consultant at Fiducient Advisors, joins the podcast to explore the financial pressures facing physicians today. He discusses the growing burden of medical student debt, evolving physician compensation trends, and the ongoing challenges related to Medicare reimbursement rates. Tyler also offers insight into how healthcare organizations can strategically plan around these financial headwinds.

Stuart Archer, FACHE, CEO at Oceans Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss the organization's commitment to expanding access to behavioral health programs and navigating the evolving payer landscape. He shares insights into Oceans Healthcare’s advocacy efforts and offers meaningful advice for emerging leaders looking to make a difference in behavioral health and beyond.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Brad Riley, Vice President, Analytics and Reporting, Longevity Health. Brad discusses how Longevity Health is leveraging predictive analytics, machine learning, and innovative provider partnerships to balance cost containment with high-quality care, while empowering staff with AI literacy for the future of managed care.