Healthcare Upside/Down: Maintaining Health System Independence While Creating Financial and Operational Scale

In this episode of Healthcare Upside/Down, host Molly Gamble sits down with Michael Stern, CEO of Tower Health, and Michael Biggs, Partner at ECG Management Consultants, to explore the dynamic landscape of healthcare mergers and acquisitions in 2025. They discuss strategies for maintaining financial health and operational strength while navigating industry consolidation, and they highlight innovations like AI-driven predictive analytics and strategic tech partnerships. Tune in to learn how healthcare leaders are reshaping financial sustainability and positioning their systems for future success.This episode is sponsored by ECG Management Consultants.

In this episode, Dr. Kara Snyder, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Tucson Medical Center, discusses the evolving landscape of nursing. She shares insights on workforce trends, innovative wellness programs, and strategies for guiding new nurses from education to practice.

Dr. Richard Fogel, Chief Health Outcomes Officer at Ascension, delves into hospital risk-adjusted mortality, explaining how this data is utilized, its methodology, and the positive outcomes it drives. He discusses how data analysis helps identify the most vulnerable patient demographics and informs resource allocation. As he reflects on his career before retirement, Dr. Fogel shares valuable advice for emerging healthcare leaders.

Dr. Peter Semczuk, Regional Senior Vice President for Montefiore in New York City, discusses the importance of making healthcare more convenient for consumers, including expanding access to mental health facilities. He also highlights the need for greater investment in youth and explores the growing opportunities within the digital healthcare space.

In this episode, Dr. Evaline Alessandrini, COO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, discusses her journey from pediatric emergency medicine to healthcare leadership. She shares key insights on workforce wellness, pediatric mental health, and the hospital’s growth strategy to ensure world-class care for children both locally and globally.

In this episode, Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health, joins Scott Becker to discuss how Morgan Health, a division of JPMorgan Chase, is revolutionizing employer-sponsored healthcare. From investing in innovative healthcare solutions to improving affordability, access, and health equity, Dan shares insights on tackling rising healthcare costs and leveraging technology to enhance patient care.

In this episode, Alan Condon sits down with DJ Campbell, Vice President and Chief HR Officer for Sanford Health’s Bismarck Market, to discuss workforce development, retention strategies, and the role of technology in shaping the future of healthcare. DJ shares insights on talent pipelines, international recruitment, and innovative employee engagement strategies to address workforce challenges in rural healthcare settings.

Chapy Venkatesan, Chief Quality and Safety Officer at Inova Health System, discusses the implementation of daily system leader safety briefings, which began on January 7, 2020, to enhance company culture and prioritize safety. He also shares insights from participating in five CMS team surgeries as an opportunity for clinical standardization and team optimization. Additionally, Venkatesan explores various trends and challenges in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect and strengthen the system.

Dr. Lien Le, VP of Hospital Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Tampa General Hospital, shares how the hospital achieved its ranking as #1 in transplant surgeries. She discusses her plans for enhancing quality and efficiency in 2025, the challenges posed by the current financial climate, and the advantages AI brings to healthcare.

Steve Purves, President and CEO of Valleywise Health, discusses his commitment to patient safety and experience initiatives. He also shares insights on expanding healthcare services to better serve the community and addresses concerns about the evolving landscape of health insurance.