How Children’s Nebraska is Advancing Pediatric Mental Health Through Caring Contacts

Craig McMains, MD, Spine Surgeon at OrthoIndy, specializing in minimally invasive and complex spine procedures, discusses the benefits of a minimally invasive approach and its impact on patient outcomes. He shares insights into current trends in physician reimbursement, the expansion of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and how AI tools and data are shaping the field. Dr. McMains also emphasizes a patient-focused philosophy while highlighting efforts towards cost reduction and growth in spine care.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Thomas, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, shares how his team dramatically reduced sepsis mortality through novel diagnostics, frontline staff engagement, and a patient-centered, data-driven triage model. He highlights the critical role of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in transforming sepsis care across the system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Ira Kornbluth, President, Clearway Pain Solutions. He shares insights on building a successful, scalable practice, embracing technology like ambient dictation, and advancing interventional pain management as a key player in the shift toward outpatient care and opioid stewardship.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Chris Wasel, President, Strategic Partnerships, Vantage Healthcare. He shares how Vantage is aligning value-based care, patient satisfaction, and care accessibility through innovative on-site services in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across New England.

This episode features Megan Gillespie, CEO of Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital. Megan shares her personal journey to becoming a healthcare leader and offers insights into the strategies she uses to keep staff engaged—highlighting the importance of strategic roadmaps, proactive planning, and maintaining a clear vision for the future.

This episode features Michelle Adamolekun, EVP and Chief People & Culture Officer at Cone Health, who shares insights on Cone’s workforce development strategy, the launch of Cone Health University, and how intentional culture work and empathetic leadership are shaping the future of the organization.

In this episode, Renee Rafferty and Sabrina Schalley of Children’s Nebraska discuss their innovative Caring Contacts program, a handwritten card initiative that has supported over 1,200 pediatric patients and achieved zero deaths by suicide. They share insights into its origins, emotional impact, and expansion across behavioral health services, along with a preview of their upcoming Behavioral Health and Wellness Center opening in 2026.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Jay Grider, Chief Quality Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Kentucky Medical Services Foundation, University of Kentucky. Dr. Grider discusses proactive workforce planning, statewide collaboration to address nursing shortages, and how UK HealthCare is applying high-reliability principles to transform HR operations for better recruitment and retention outcomes.

This episode features Steve Beard, Chairman and CEO of Adtalem Global Education, as he shares insights on addressing the growing nursing shortage, building practice-ready clinicians, and forging impactful partnerships like the one with SSM Health. He discusses how scalable, flexible education models can support health systems and improve access to care in underserved communities.This episode is sponsored by Adtalem Global Education.

In this episode, Nilesh Desai, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health System, discusses how his team launched a cutting-edge 102,000-square-foot central pharmacy services center, designed to improve access and efficiency across the system. He also shares insights on technology adoption, addressing drug shortages, and developing the next generation of pharmacy leaders.