Private Practice, Academics, and the Future of Spine Surgery with Alan H. Daniels, MD

In this episode, Catherine Chang, Chief Quality Officer at Prisma Health, joins the podcast to discuss expanding urgent care as a strategy to improve access, how ambient listening technologies are supporting clinicians, and the tools health systems can adopt to enhance efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

In this episode, Howard Brill, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Monroe Plan for Medical Care, shares insights on value based contracting, rising cost pressures, and the persistent gap between strategy and execution in population health. He also discusses the role of data integration, AI, and regulatory practices in shaping affordability, access, and health plan performance in 2026.

In this episode, Stuart Levine, MD, FACP, President of MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and Senior Vice President at MedStar Health, joins the podcast to discuss integrating ambulatory care with value-based care models across a large health system. He shares how leaders are improving operational efficiency, addressing some of the most difficult challenges heading into the new year, and managing rising healthcare anxiety among patients and teams as systems continue to evolve.

In this episode, Tim Plante, Region Chief Nursing Officer at CommonSpirit Health, discusses how virtual nursing and structured nurse residency programs are improving patient care, reducing burnout, and boosting retention. He also shares strategies for supporting underinsured patients and driving operational efficiency across the central region.

In this episode, Helen Margellos-Anast, President of the Sinai Urban Health Institute at Sinai Chicago, shares how data-driven research and community partnerships are tackling health inequities in urban settings. She discusses initiatives supporting adolescent girls’ mental health, integrating community health workers, and expanding access to clinical trials for underserved populations.

In this episode, Dr. Ria Paul, Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan discusses how the organization has strengthened Medicaid and Medicare Advantage quality scores through closer collaboration with providers, targeted incentives, and better data flow. She also shares priorities for 2026, including regulatory readiness, member retention, and using AI to enhance engagement and care coordination.

In this episode, Alan H. Daniels, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics and Chief of Spine Surgery at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, discusses balancing private practice autonomy with academic medicine, navigating reimbursement pressures, and growing complex spine programs. He also shares insights on innovations in spinal deformity care, including data driven decision making, specialized teams, and alignment focused technologies.

In this episode, Rob Hitchcock, President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Health, discusses how payer provider collaboration, cultural change, and proactive care models are reshaping health plan strategy amid rising cost pressures. He shares perspectives on regulatory headwinds, Medicaid and Medicare reform, and more.

In this episode, Faraz Edalatpajouh, DDS, CEO of Clark St. Dental Partners, shares how his organization is adapting to rising costs, regulatory changes in California, and shifting payer mixes while continuing to grow. He also discusses the role of AI in dentistry, DSO challenges in a high interest rate environment, and the leadership skills needed for long term success.

In this episode, Hasan B. Alam, Surgeon-in-Chief at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, joins the podcast to discuss building a strong workplace culture, securing partnerships and funding without compromising research quality, and improving the discharge process to enhance patient outcomes and operational flow.