Healthcare Leaders’ Top Priorities for the Second Half of 2026 with Laura Dyrda

In this episode, Maria Sexton, MBA, CISSP, CRISC, CDPSE, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at University Health System, joins the podcast to discuss the growing need to expand patient access and deliver more seamless healthcare experiences. She shares insights on emerging developments shaping the industry and explains how rapid experimentation and innovation are helping organizations adapt, improve operations, and better meet the needs of patients and care teams.

In this episode, Jeff Ellman and Michael Krasman of UrbanBound discuss how technology, AI, and smarter relocation strategies are helping healthcare systems attract top talent, reduce costs, and improve the employee experience. They also share insights on innovation, workforce challenges, and lessons learned from building and scaling successful businesses.

In this episode, Karla Mills, Vice President of Product Innovation, Surescripts, discusses how health plans can use medication data as an early signal to identify risk, prioritize new members, and improve care management. She shares practical strategies for preparing ahead of enrollment surges and leveraging existing programs to drive better outcomes and operational performance. For more information, please check out our website: https://surescripts.com/who-we-serve/health-plans

In this episode, Laura Dyrda, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, Becker's Healthcare, shares key themes emerging from conversations with healthcare CEOs and CFOs, including access to care, financial sustainability, workforce resilience, and policy advocacy. She also discusses how leaders are balancing uncertainty around reimbursement and Medicaid changes with growing optimism about AI, innovation, and the future of healthcare transformation.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director, Becker’s Healthcare, shares insights from a rare behind-the-scenes visit to UnitedHealth Group’s headquarters, exploring how the company is investing in AI, software, and data infrastructure to reshape healthcare.

In this episode, Scott Becker reviews 8 key healthcare developments, including telehealth expansion, Medicare Advantage challenges, CEO turnover, AI governance, and more.

In this episode, Dorsey Morrow, CEO of Liberty HealthShare, discusses the growing affordability challenges facing healthcare consumers, the rise of alternative healthcare payment models, and the importance of transparency, trust, and prevention in improving access to care.This episode is sponsored by Liberty HealthShare.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. William Levine, Frank E. Stinchfield Professor and Chair, Orthopedic Surgery Department, Chief, Shoulder Service, and Co-Director, Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. He discusses navigating financial and operational pressures in academic medicine, expanding ambulatory care, and the leadership principles that help organizations adapt and thrive during times of constant change.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Rural Health Leadership Summit features Kyle Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Day Kimball Health. He discusses strengthening access to care in rural communities, leading through rapid change, developing innovative transportation solutions, and advancing initiatives focused on equity, affordability, and preventive care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Rural Health Leadership Summit features Mark Marsh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Owensboro Health. He discusses leading through healthcare policy uncertainty, the importance of communication and trust across a 5,000-person workforce, and how culture, transparency, and strategic focus are helping Owensboro Health navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.