Patients Come First

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Ruth Felsen, Medical Director of Breast Surgery at CJW Medical Center. In recognition of World Cancer Day, she joins us for a conversation about the breast cancer continuum of care from risk assessment and screening through diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention strategies. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kelsey Salley, and endocrinologist who volunteers with the Health Brigade in Richmond through the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. She joins us for a conversation about endocrinology as a specialty, her work and volunteerism, and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Virginia Health Catalyst Executive Director Victor McKenzie Jr. for a conversation about his professional journey and the organization’s policy priorities during the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session and beyond. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features VHHA Vice President of Government Affairs Julie Dime for a conversation previewing the Virginia General Assembly 2026 legislative session when the legislature will work with a new Governor to adopt a two-year state budget and deal with scores of other bills impacting healthcare and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. David Bruno, a transplant surgeon and Director of the VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. Under his leadership, Hume-Lee is achieving national firsts and reshaping transplant medicine through innovations like fully robotic living-donor liver transplantation, advanced options for patients with chronic pancreatitis, and a new lung transplant program. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Anthony White, a hospital mechanic at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. In addition to his day job, White is also known for the colorful holiday murals he creates to brighten the halls and lift the spirits of patients and staff. This conversation cover his career, artistry, the impact of his work on the hospital community, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features features Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Acute Care Market President for the Sentara Health Eastern Market. He joins us for a conversation about his work and professional journey, the Sentara’s CARES team, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Stacy Gradowski, Director of Business Development at the Michigan Health Council, who joins us for a conversation about health care workforce development, the ACEMAPP platform to support providers with clinical rotation planning and scheduling, partnering with VHHA Solutions, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Tucker Smith, a future physician and student at the VCU School of Medicine who moonlights as a high-flying acrobat with Cirque du Soleil, an international company of modern circus performers who delight and dazzle. Our conversation covers Tucker’s unique path to medicine as well as aerial acrobatics and much more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Kim Penberthy and professor at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Penberthy is a researcher, professor, and innovator who joins us for a conversation about her work, the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and tips for those impacted by it. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kristin Anderson, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology at the University of Virginia, for a conversation about her research, her personal journey with cancer, and how those experiences have shaped her life and her work. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Chester Sharps, an orthopedic surgeon with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He’s with us to tell us about himself and his path to medicine, educate us about an innovative procedure known as vertebral body tethering, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. William Cooper, a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, and a healthcare entrepreneur. He joins us for a conversation about his new role as medical director of cardiovascular surgery at HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Center. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Martin O'Grady, Medical Director of the Trauma Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, for a conversation about the hospital recently earning a Provisional Level III Trauma Center Designation from the state, the work that went into that, and what that means for patient care. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Phlow Corp., a pioneering public benefit pharmaceutical company. Dr Edwards is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit scheduled for Nov. 5-7, 2025 in Hot Springs, VA. The conversation with Dr. Edwards covers his work as a clinician and entrepreneur, efforts to boost production of essential medicines in the U.S., and preview his remarks at the upcoming Summit. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kevin Johnson, a retired teacher and cancer survivor who is active in expanding Man Up To Cancer support groups in Virginia. He joins us for a conversation about his post-retirement medical challenges, collaboration with the Sentara Health Brock Cancer Center, and the work to grow Man Up To Cancer chapters to support men facing cancer diagnoses. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features a return guest, Dr. Deepak Talreja, who is a cardiologist with Sentara Health and a real-life Good Samaritan. He’s here to talk about his life and career, plus a recent situation where he selflessly intervened to help a stranger in serious trouble. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Kyle Dodd, a heart transplant recipient and U.S. Army Veteran who recently represented Team USA at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Germany. He joins us for a conversation about his military service, heart transplant procedure, participation in World Transplant games, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Sarah Hale, a Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator with Ballad Health, for a conversation about her work and what inspires it, Ballad Health’s Camp Firefly initiative that helps children navigate grief and loss, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.

This episode of VHHA’s Patients Come First podcast features Dr. Daniel Cohen, Chief of Neurology for Sentara Medical Group, for a conversation about his work, depression and mental health awareness, the importance of self care in mental wellness, which for Dr. Cohen includes DJing as a hobby, and more. Send questions, comments, feedback, or guest suggestions to pcfpodcast@vhha.com or contact on X (Twitter) or Instagram using the #PatientsComeFirst hashtag.