This Week In Health It

July 3, 2025: Alan Smith, SVP and CIO of Lifepoint Health, joins Bill for a discussion on the top challenges facing CIOs. How do you balance immediate system stability when your organization is built through constant acquisitions? Al discusses his approach to the "CIO escape room" scenarios that define modern healthcare IT, from major partner outages to the ongoing tension between cloud-first strategies and financial realities. As healthcare organizations grapple with cost pressures while demanding more from their IT departments, Alan reveals how LifePoint navigates these competing forces and what it takes to build resilient systems in an industry where failure isn't an option. Key Points: 04:57 CIO Escape Room 14:14 The Importance of Inquisitiveness 17:31 Strategies in Virtual Leadership 26:12 Advice for Future Healthcare IT Leaders X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

July 1, 2025: Sue Schade, Principal at StarBridge Advisors, sits down with Brian Sterud, VP of IT, CIO, and CISO of Faith Regional Health Services. Brian tackles a pressing question facing healthcare leaders today: how do we regulate AI without killing innovation? His perspective on finding the right balance between safety and progress offers valuable insights as the industry navigates uncharted territory. The conversation reveals how rural health systems face unique operational challenges, from patients driving three hours for care to IT staff covering vast geographic territories. Brian shares details about an innovative college partnership program designed to address workforce shortages by combining education with hands-on experience.  Key Points: 01:38 Challenges of a Rural Health System 06:11 Balancing CIO and CISO Roles 08:02 Addressing Workforce Challenges 13:05 Navigating Regulatory Challenges X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Chil

June 26, 2025: Michael Han, MD, Enterprise CMIO and VP of MultiCare Health System, discusses his transition from the operating room to the boardroom. He argues that the path forward isn't through automating clinical decisions, but through revolutionizing call centers, scheduling, prior authorizations, and referrals. Michael reveals how ambient clinical documentation must evolve beyond simple note-taking into a treasure trove of unstructured data that can drive actions across the entire care continuum—from pre-visit chart preparation to post-visit care coordination. The conversation explores how leaders establish credibility as they transition from the operating room to the boardroom. Key Points: 02:43 Impact of Ambient Clinical Documentation 05:51 AI and Large Language Models in Healthcare 10:27 The Role of CMIO in Digital Transformation 15:05 Leadership and Credibility in Healthcare 24:51 Speed Round: Personal Insights X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stan

June 24, 2025: Mathew Moss, SVP and CIO at New England Donor Services, joins Sarah to discuss the amazing stories and stubborn challenges in the world of organ donation. When hospitals process over 100,000 death referrals annually, how do cutting-edge systems determine which cases have life-saving potential? The conversation delves into the sobering reality that less than 50% of organ donors are registered, leading to hundreds of preventable deaths on waiting lists, while exploring how machine learning and real-time data streaming are revolutionizing a field where every minute counts. As Mathew shares the emotional weight of working with families on the worst day of their lives and the rush of innovating with technology that enables organs to be pumped outside the body for extended viability, listeners gain insight into a world where compassion meets precision engineering. Key Points: 03:13 Technology Integration in Organ Donation 08:30 The Emotional and Logistical Side of Donating 12:06 Community Out

June 23, 2025: Chris Plummer, Senior Cybersecurity Architect from Dartmouth Health, discusses the realities of defending healthcare systems against sophisticated threats. Chris shares his path from childhood computer enthusiast to cybersecurity leader, including the surprising story of how he discovered a major Google security flaw that made national headlines. Why do over 6,000 hospitals still fight cyber battles independently when other sectors have found strength through consolidation? Chris and Drex examine whether AI can truly become the force multiplier cybersecurity teams desperately need, or if current limitations keep it relegated to assistant roles. From burnout stories to breakthrough moments, this discussion reveals both the struggles and innovations shaping healthcare cybersecurity today. Key Points: 03:19 Career Beginnings and Challenges 10:39 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity 21:46 Building Networks and Information Sharing 23:59 The Google Bug Story 28:20 The Blue Sky Viral Post X: T

June 19, 2025: In this webinar re-run Jill McCormick, Co-Founder and EVP of Design and Product Development at Pixel Health, and Daniel Small, Vice President of Digital Services at Hartford HealthCare, discuss the process of creating a world-class patient experience. The conversation explores Hartford HealthCare's bold approach to reimagining digital and physical spaces, where defining the experience vision precedes technology decisions. Through human-centered design methodologies, they navigate the complex challenges of aligning stakeholders, excavating outdated technologies, and creating a "digital campus" that extends care beyond facility walls.    Key Points: 02:55 Improving Patient and Provider Experiences 08:06 The Importance of Intentional Design 13:12 Aligning Vision and Technology 25:07 Human-Centered Design in Healthcare 43:36 Q&A and Final Thoughts   X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

June 18, 2025: Glenn Wirick, Chief Commercial Officer at Clearsense, explores how freeing up your data allows for a new world of innovation. How can health systems transform their bloated application portfolios while cutting millions in unnecessary costs? Glenn unpacks the journey from basic data archiving to creating unified patient records that power advanced analytics and AI innovations. The conversation examines practical approaches to application rationalization, sustainable governance frameworks, and how smaller health systems can leverage these strategies despite economic constraints.  Key Points: 05:40 Legacy Data Management and Archiving 08:32 Clinical Impact and Data Governance 14:27 Data Sets Up Innovation 21:43 Future Trends  25:23 Lightning Round X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

June 16, 2025: Corina Clark, COO at Gardner Health Services and one of Becker's "COOs to Know," discusses her transformative journey as a leader in communal, equitable healthcare. Drawing from influential mentors who shaped her leadership philosophy, Corina discusses how equity must serve as "the lens through which we look at clinical decision-making" rather than just a checkbox exercise. She offers practical strategies for balancing operational excellence with personal sustainability, including implementing scheduled "no meeting zones" and leading impromptu zumba classes that reconnect her team to their core purpose. Corina’s forward-thinking vision for community health aims to transcend traditional care models, reimagining spaces where prevention, wellness, and trust-building form the foundation of truly patient-centered care. Key Points: 03:47 Leadership and Equity in Healthcare 09:44 Operational Challenges and Innovations 15:42 Mentorship and Personal Influences 23:02 Innovating in Community Hea

June 12, 2025: Jennifer Stemmler, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Adventist Health, opens up about orchestrating one of healthcare's largest EHR migrations—transitioning 28 hospitals and 400 clinics from a decades-old Cerner system to Epic. Guided by the mantra "on time, on budget, on Epic, on us," how does she maintain control without micromanaging every decision? When groups push back on standardization or value-based care teams clash with implementation timelines, what framework actually works to resolve conflicts? Jennifer reveals her benefits realization scorecard approach and discusses the real challenge behind any major transformation: how do you ensure the organization owns the change rather than waiting for someone else to save them?   Key Points: 03:09 Strategic Planning and Key Objectives 06:25 Guiding Principles and Pre-Planning Phase 17:44 Managing Internal Tensions and Lessons Learned 25:56 Post-Go-Live Success and Future Planning 34:36 Final Thoughts and Advice for Ot

June 10, 2025: Reid Stephan, VP and CIO of St. Luke’s, and Dr. Spencer Dorn, Vice Chair & Professor of Medicine at UNC, tackle the reality behind AI's promise in healthcare, exploring why only one in three clinicians actually stick with AI scribes despite the initial enthusiasm. As they navigate between "AI doomers" and "techno-utopians," the conversation reveals what's working and what isn't in current implementations. How do we avoid repeating the overpromising mistakes made with electronic health records? Cut through the hype and get into real solutions.   Key Points: 00:53 AI Headlines - Fact or Fiction 06:01 The Human Element 12:27 AI's Near-Future Impact 19:49 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations   X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

June 6, 2025: Timothy Boettcher, SVP, Head of GTM Strategy North America for AvePoint, discusses the often-overlooked sensitive information spread across Microsoft 365 environments, particularly as departments independently adopt AI tools. Drawing from his experience across Australia, Japan, and the US, Timothy examines why information governance challenges continue to be the primary barrier to AI implementation and explores the balance between clinical innovation and maintaining necessary security standards. What does effective data governance look like when anyone can now create automated workflows through simple AI interactions, and how do organizations turn governance from an overwhelming challenge into a strategic foundation for their AI initiatives? The conversation is just beginning! Join the “Building Responsible AI in Healthcare” Webinar on June 12th for a deep dive into better implementation: https://carahevents.carahsoft.com/Event/Details/618554-thisweekhealth Key Points: 02:49 Introducing Ave

June 5, 2025: Bill Russell sits down with Erica Olenski, VP at Finn Partners and Founder of August’s Artists, Ironman athlete, and board-certified patient advocate, who brings a unique perspective from navigating the healthcare system through hundreds of overnight hospital stays with her son August, a four-time brain cancer survivor. Why does a family with an extensive hospital history still get treated like first-time visitors at check-in, and how might HIPAA compliance be unintentionally creating barriers to human connection in care? The conversation explores whether patients should control their complete medical records to share with AI assistants, the reality of managing a 60,000-page medical record delivered on CD-ROM, and practical solutions like reimagining emergency department processes for complex care families.    Key Points: 02:02 Erica's Son's Health Journey 09:08 The Role of Patient Advocates 13:41 Using AI as a Patient 21:54 August Artists: A Nonprofit Initiative 27:43 Rapid Fi

May 29, 2025: Bridgett Ojeda, CIO at Bryan Health, pulls back the curtain on the challenges facing the healthcare CXO, where every dollar must stretch between innovation, cybersecurity, and keeping the lights on. From physicians declaring that ambient listening technology has become a "career extender" to the shocking reality that fax machines still dominate patient care coordination in 2025, this conversation exposes the fascinating contradictions of healthcare technology. How does a health system successfully serve both urban populations and remote rural communities while battling interoperability and retention challenges? Bridgett reveals the strategies, setbacks, and surprising victories that define healthcare IT leadership in an era where technology must finally deliver on its promise to restore joy to medicine. Key Points:03:40 Balancing Innovation and Security09:45 Digital Transformation Initiatives14:41 Addressing Geographic and Access Disparities17:49 Pressing Issues for Healthcare CIOs21:4

May 28, 2025: Deshan Kennedy, Director of Application Development and Analytics at Broward Health, and Casey Post, SVP of Sales & Client Services at 314e discuss their rapid archiving go-live, finishing weeks early. What prompted Broward Health to make the bold decision to extract data directly from their data centers rather than waiting for database copies? The conversation reveals valuable insights into building trust between organizations, managing risk during system transitions, and establishing partnerships that extend beyond single projects.   Key Points: 03:24 Challenges and Strategic Decisions 05:05 Communication and Collaboration 09:38 Achieving Early Go-Live 12:33 Managing Live Data and Risk 15:25 Leadership and Team Dynamics 18:43 Future Partnerships and Final Thoughts   X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

May 27, 2025: Molly Zimmer, Director of Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at St. Luke's Health System, discusses how their AI class has attracted thousands of voluntary participants. Molly reveals her team's philosophy of making "new and scary feel like business as usual" through hands-on learning experiences with Microsoft Copilot, where teams tackle real pain points together. They unpack the critical balance between AI's capabilities and human accountability in healthcare, the strategic value of team-based training to create "behavior contagion," and how ambient documentation gives physicians back their freedom of choice in how they spend their time.  Key Points: 03:24 Hands-On AI Learning  05:31 Balancing AI Excitement and Concerns 12:55 Historical AI and Future Directions 22:17 St. Luke's Culture of Innovation and Change 26:12 Lightning Round X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

May 26, 2025: Dennis Leber, Cybersecurity Executive with a rich military and CISO background, discusses the current healthcare landscape. Dennis shares his unique journey from police officer to cybersecurity leader, challenging common assumptions about career paths in the field. As boards increasingly face responsibility for security breaches, what fundamental communication strategies should security leaders employ when explaining complex technical risks to non-technical executives? The conversation explores the gap between security professionals and boardrooms, with Dennis advocating for a "basic life-saving skills" approach to organizational security. Through personal anecdotes and pragmatic insights, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, talent development, and the evolving responsibilities of today's security executives.Key Points:01:29 Military Background and Transition to IT04:59 CISOs and Board Interaction11:11 Cybersecurity Fundamentals13:08 Lightning RoundX: This Week HealthLink

May 22, 2025: James Bowie, VP and CISO of Tampa General Hospital, and Mick Coady, CTO at Armis, join Drex for this webinar re-run. Discover how asset visibility exposes unused medical equipment, saving hundreds of thousands in unnecessary purchases. James shares how quantifying a vulnerability in the “language everyone speaks”, money, sparked immediate executive action and reduced millions in risk. The experts navigate the delicate balance between security and uninterrupted patient care, challenging the traditional view of cybersecurity as merely defensive. Reframe security from an obstacle to an operational ally and gain a fresh perspective on how modern healthcare organizations can leverage security investments to drive clinical and financial efficiency.   Key Points: 05:57 Asset Management and Efficiency 20:33 Defining Resilience 25:53 The Role of Cyber Programs in IT 30:46 Risk Quantification and Decision Making 39:16 Integrating Questions 43:11 Prioritizing Security Investments  

May 19, 2025: Tovia Marinstein, Senior Talent Intelligence Analyst at LevelUP HCS, explores the challenges of finding balance in our hyper-connected world. Tovia shares her strategies on establishing boundaries between work and personal life, especially in the age of remote work, where lines increasingly blur. Through candid insights about decision-making, managing anxiety, and returning to the basics of self-care, Tovia offers a refreshing perspective on creating a life framework of balance and fulfillment.    Key Points: 03:06 Impact of Helicopter Parenting 06:05 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 11:26 Making Important Life Decisions 16:54 The Art of Unplugging 29:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections   X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

May 15, 2025: Reid Stephan, VP and CIO of St. Luke's Health System, explores the constant battle for prioritization in healthcare. The discussion delves into the tension between vendor partnerships and innovation, challenging the notion that vendor alignment equals strategic vision. Satya Nadella claims "AI hasn't delivered much yet" while Bill Gates predicts AI replacing doctors within a decade. Reid offers a nuanced perspective, suggesting, "People aren't wanting tools that look smart. They want tools that are simple... that get out of the way and just get to work."    Key Points: 06:42 Innovation vs. Standardization  22:21 Simplify Your “Smart” Tools 23:09 The CIO Escape Room 30:28 In-house Development  33:22 Mentorship and Emerging Technologies   X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

May 14, 2025: SHI’s Kris Nessa, CTO, and Lee Ziliak, Field CTO and Managing Director of Architecture, dive into their cutting-edge AI lab. What if healthcare providers could test AI solutions before committing millions to infrastructure? Lee and Kris reveal their rapid six-week approach to validating AI use cases while addressing critical staffing shortages and operational challenges across revenue cycle management, medical imaging, and patient engagement. From saving a client from a nine-figure mistake to accelerating innovation across healthcare systems, discover how this playground for AI experimentation might revolutionize healthcare technology implementation without breaking the bank. Key Points: 01:50 SHI's AI and Cyber Lab 07:30 Success Stories and Use Cases 20:08 Engagement Process and Timeline 24:29 Future Developments and Conclusion X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer