Leading Clinical and Operational Excellence at SSM Health with Sue Anderson

In this episode, Melissa Chase, PharmD, BCSCP, CPEL, Director of Pharmacy at Valley Children’s Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss investing in new technologies, including robotics, to enhance pharmacy operations. She shares how these innovations support patient and staff safety, and emphasizes the critical role frontline team members play in delivering high-quality, reliable care.

In this episode, Sarah Matt, MD, MBA - Health Technology Strategist, Growth Catalyst, National Best-Selling Author, The Borderless Healthcare Revolution, Speaker, Professor, shares insights on AI governance, healthcare access, and the challenge of turning innovation into real clinical adoption. She highlights the importance of building trust between technology and clinicians while pushing leaders to continuously evolve in a rapidly changing landscape.

In this episode, Cicely “CC” Brooks, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., shares how innovative pipeline programs, career development, and residency redesign are strengthening the nursing workforce. She also discusses key pediatric trends, including vaccine education and workforce readiness, and why investing in children’s health today shapes outcomes for generations.

In this episode, Qualenta Kivett, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Talent Officer at Tampa General Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss removing barriers for clinicians and staff through tools like ambient listening. She also shares how the organization is expanding research efforts and strengthening partnerships to support workforce development and long-term growth.

In this episode, Diane L. Martin, MBA, CSSGB, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and Managing Partner at Macan & Company and author of Women in Health, discusses the launch of her new platform and book highlighting 22 women leaders shaping the future of healthcare. She shares insights on leadership, equity driven innovation, and how mentorship, sponsorship, and governance can turn ideas into measurable change.Join the Women In Health Leadership Panel & Book Launch at 6pm on March 26th 2026 at the USC Health Sciences Campus. Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-health-leadership-panel-official-book-launch-tickets-1978852600397?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode, Callie Miller, MHA, Hospital Chief Executive of Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center, discusses strengthening workforce engagement, developing frontline leaders, and leveraging AI to reduce administrative burden for clinicians. She also shares how the organization is building a strong culture while advancing quality initiatives and expanding services to better meet community needs.

In this episode, Michelle McMacken, MD, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses expanding a systemwide lifestyle medicine program focused on preventing and improving chronic disease through nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and community support. She also shares how interdisciplinary care teams and group medical visits are helping patients achieve lasting health improvements.

In this episode, Karen J. McConnell, PharmD, MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Michigan Medicine, discusses building a unified pharmacy strategy across multiple campuses, launching a systemwide pharmacy and therapeutics committee, and expanding specialty and ambulatory pharmacy services. She also shares how pharmacy leaders are preparing for rapid industry changes, drug pricing policy shifts, and the growing pipeline of complex therapies.

In this episode, Kate FitzPatrick, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive at Jefferson Health, discusses integrating nursing teams across a newly expanded 33-hospital system, strengthening community partnerships, and scaling flexible workforce models. She also shares how nurse leaders can improve care transitions, support a growing number of early-career nurses, and redesign care delivery for the future workforce.

In this episode, Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA, founding dean and CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, shares how the school integrates clinical training, the arts, and whole health principles. She discusses strategies to address rural physician shortages, foster student well-being, and prepare the next generation of doctors for the evolving healthcare landscape.