Digital Health Leaders Podcast

“You’re in healthcare for a reason, and it’s about the mission. It’s about the fact that we can save lives with everything we do…” – Linda Stevenson “I truly believe anything you put out in the environment, healthcare at large, you also benefit from as part of the ecosystem.” – Saad Chaudhry On this Digital Health Leaders podcast episode, Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, interviews freshman Board of Trustees members, Linda Stevenson, Chief Information Officer at Fisher-Titus Health, and Saad Chaudhry, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Luminis Health, on the state of digital health today and why they choose to give back to healthcare by volunteering their time with CHIME. Listen to this podcast episode as two talented senior digital health leaders undergo a little good-natured “freshman hazing” from Russ, share their perspectives on everything from AI and emerging new technologies to workforce shortages and the cyber environment today. Learn from their advice related to significant trends in healthcare and how to harness the talent of the “now generation”. Listen to more

Unlocking the Magic of ViVE: Fostering an Atmosphere of "Access" I feel like I have a place at the table... Where does one find enriching interactions and significant dialogues with digital health trailblazers from various aspects of the industry? ViVE is the answer. On the final day of ViVE 2024, Russ Branzell, CEO and President of CHIME, engaged with Rich Scarfo, President of HLTH, to unveil the secret sauce of ViVE—what sets this event apart? “The one thing I hear from attendees over and over—that I think is a sign of hitting the mark—is that they got to talk to leaders in the space that they otherwise would not have access to, and I think that’s where the magic happens.” – Rich Scarfo ViVE aspires to establish an environment where crucial segments of the healthcare landscape converge to deliberate on today’s challenges and opportunities. It serves as a platform where leaders and experts convene, dedicating ample time and space to pivotal discussions that propel healthcare's progression. A myriad of diverse voices from the industry (many that have not previously had a seat at the table) converge in this inclusive setting, fostering genuine discourse and advancing healthcare’s progress. Listen to this CHIMECast episode for deeper insights into the efficacy of ViVE, highlights from the event, and why your presence at ViVE 2025 is imperative.

It can feel like improvements are needed in nearly every aspect of digital healthcare; from cybersecurity and clinical optimization to a focus on patient and consumer engagement and revenue cycle… How can we address vital digital health enhancement opportunities and not only survive, but thrive? “I think it really comes down to prioritization.” This installment of the Leader to Leader podcast, hosted by Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, and featuring Peyman S. Zand, the Chief Strategy Officer at CereCore, hones in on the value of precision and prioritization. The digital health arena is vast, with areas ripe for optimization and enhancement constantly evolving. How can we improve digital healthcare in a way that is efficient and practical? The answer: you develop a strategy of prioritization and focus on key areas that need systematic advancement the most. Discover strategies for achieving greater precision and strategic focus in driving improvements within your healthcare institution by engaging with this podcast episode now.

Each year, the Baldrige Foundation recognizes leaders in several industry sectors through an awards program known as the Baldrige Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence. CHIME is pleased to announce that three of our own have received the honor of recognition through this prestigious awards program for their work in the cybersecurity sector. On this Trailblazers podcast episode, Russ Branzell, CEO and President of CHIME, celebrates these three recipients of the Baldrige Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence in Cybersecurity: Mari Savickis, VP of Public Policy, CHIME, Carter Groome, CEO, First Health Advisory, and Greg Garcia, Executive Director, Health Sector Coordinating Council Cybersecurity Working Group. Listen to this episode to hear from these three cybersecurity trailblazers on what this award means to them, the importance of protecting digital health infrastructure, the cyber attack on Change Healthcare, as well as the recent work they’re doing through CHIME.

Can science be applied to tackling change within an organization? Are there tools, strategies, and approaches that can make change productive rather than overwhelming? Can leaders reshape “failure” into “learning” and encourage their people to embrace innovation? The idea that organizations can use science to harness change features heavily on today’s Leader to Leader podcast discussion between Russ Branzell, president and CEO of CHIME, and Joe Grinstead, Chief of US Operations, Divurgent. “Things are going to change, and that’s okay. But we need to help people through change.” One thing everyone agrees on is that change is happening everywhere in healthcare, but especially when it comes to healthcare technology. Joe Grinstead has over 25 years of experience in the health IT industry, and he acknowledges that the rapid pace of technological advancements today is unique—change is the new norm! There are ways to approach and embrace the latest developments and help your organization evolve to better deliver healthcare to the people we all serve. Listen to the episode for details on how to be a better leader during periods of growth, uncertainty, and challenges.

Navigating Change: How to Embrace and Harness It The healthcare industry is going through a period of rapid growth and change. Workforce shortages, AI implementations, innovative technologies, changes to workflows, and more are stirring up the waters. Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME, quizzes Mark Burgess, President of AGFA HealthCare, NA, on how he and his organization are adapting to this period of uncertainty. Mark shares over 25 years of insights on how to embrace change, achieve success, and ultimately get where you need to go. “You can embrace change, or you can resist it. You need to have a model. It’s very important for people to understand their role during change. And it’s important for you to have the right mindset. You need to know where you’re starting from and where you’re trying to go. There will be deviations from the flight plan on the way, but you need to remain focused on the destination." Listen now for more insightful tips from Mark on traversing the current healthcare IT’s ever-changing landscape, how to lead and develop people, and “how to start with the end in mind”.

Can compassion relieve burnout? Is the healthcare professional’s cup half empty, half full, or refillable? Can AI help doctors return to better quality patient care? Russ Branzell, CHIME’s President and CEO, welcomes Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, Co-President and CEO, Cooper University Health Care, to CHIME’s newest Trailblazers podcast. Dr. Mzzarelli is the author of two books related to compassionate healthcare, Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference as well as Wonder Drug. Together, they unpack “compassionomics”, the data behind this practice, and how it can truly revolutionize the healthcare industry as well as the world. They discuss the importance of connecting with others and being “other-focused” rather than self-focused. They agree that compassion is good medicine, not a “side dish” as it can be taught in medical school. Listen now to learn more about incorporating true compassion into healthcare and the benefits that result.

The experience of participating in a CHIME Boot Camp is unlike any other educational experience. The people and lifelong connections make it exceptional. Join Russ Branzell, CHIME’s President and CEO, as he interviews two brand new CIO Boot Camp graduates: Mike Mosquito, SVP, Digital Strategy & Innovation, Northeast Georgia Health System, and Maureen Nylin, Portfolio Manager at Oracle Corporation (Clinical Nursing Informatics Specialist). During the episode, both Mike and Maureen share their thoughts on their experience attending the CHIME Boot Camp program in a classroom of 50+ colleagues they know and respect. Russ also picks their brains on industry trending hot topics: AI and telemedicine. PLUS, stay tuned after Russ wraps the podcast episode for a special surprise announcement! You don't want to miss it!

Join two seasoned healthcare experts as they delve into the hottest topics in the industry today—AI, machine learning, workforce strategies, cybersecurity, and the crucial value of connections and communication. Russ welcomes Ed Ricks, Managing Director at Baker Tilly, to the podcast booth to discuss pressing healthcare workforce challenges and how organizations can achieve more with fewer resources. Ed sheds light on the myriad ways AI and automation tools enhance the quality of care provided by healthcare workers. Learn from Ed's experiences as a former CIO (plus find out the ONE thing he does NOT miss), how he stays abreast of industry changes (with a nod to CHIME), and why he emphasizes the significance of business models for healthcare organizations' success. Don't miss out—listen in for valuable insights now!

When most of us think of AI, we envision automation, robotics, virtual assistance, and more. However, in today's episode, Russ Branzell, CEO and President of CHIME, engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Shafiq Rab, MD, LCHIME, FCHIME, CHCIO, EVP, Chief Digital Officer and System Chief Information Officer at Tufts Medicine, to explore his unique perspective—the human side of AI. Dr. Rab, honored as the CHIME 2024 CIO of the Year, challenges the traditional perception of AI as a mere automation tool and instead refers to it as "the fourth window of humanity." Join Russ and Dr. Rab as they explore the uncharted territories of AI together, contemplating its profound impact on patient care, addressing biases, and facilitating continuous monitoring to reshape healthcare with a human touch. As a visionary leader, technology evangelist, and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CHIME, Dr. Rab draws upon his track record of transformative leadership and deep digital health expertise to offer insights into a future where AI redefines the intersection of innovation and compassionate healthcare delivery.

When most of us think of AI, we envision automation, robotics, virtual assistance, and more. However, in today's episode, Russ Branzell, CEO and President of CHIME, engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Shafiq Rab, MD, LCHIME, FCHIME, CHCIO, EVP, Chief Digital Officer and System Chief Information Officer at Tufts Medicine, to explore his unique perspective—the human side of AI. Dr. Rab, honored as the CHIME 2024 CIO of the Year, challenges the traditional perception of AI as a mere automation tool and instead refers to it as "the fourth window of humanity." Join Russ and Dr. Rab as they explore the uncharted territories of AI together, contemplating its profound impact on patient care, addressing biases, and facilitating continuous monitoring to reshape healthcare with a human touch. As a visionary leader, technology evangelist, and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CHIME, Dr. Rab draws upon his track record of transformative leadership and deep digital health expertise to offer insights into a future where AI redefines the intersection of innovation and compassionate healthcare delivery.

ScaleHealth Workforce Challenge Showcase at CHIME23 Fall Forum. The event in which Keith Fraidenburg and Taylor McPartland explain the Challenge Series and introduce the finalists and honorees of the Workforce Challenge.

Imagine a future where 95% of the administrative tasks nurses handle are automated. According to CHIME's President & CEO Russ Branzell, this future is not so distant—he predicts it will be a reality in as little as five years. On today's Leader to Leader podcast episode, Russ is joined by two leaders from the prestigious Cook Children's team, Charity Darnell, Vice President and Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, and CHIME’s 2023 CIO of the Year, Theresa Meadows, who weigh in on this bold vision. They also provide their own insights on how emerging technology will be leveraged in the future to reduce nursing burdens and ultimately drive better clinical outcomes for patients. During this insightful episode, Charity and Theresa offer a glimpse into the innovative strategies Cook Children's is adopting and exploring to address nursing shortages and combat burnout, aiming to enhance overall experiences for providers and patients alike. From virtual assistants to ambient listening, they outline opportunities for leveraging emerging technology to decrease the operational burden on nurses and improve communication pathways. The conversation also delves into the significant role that mentoring and ensuring alignment between IT and operations plays in an organization's ability to effectively address the challenges posed by the nursing shortage. Join us as we unravel the future of healthcare and how emerging technology, in the hands of forward-thinking leaders, has the power to revolutionize patient care and nurse well-being.

With critical workforce shortages rampant, how can digital health leaders reduce burnout of their teams? Can leaders help their teams be productive but also satisfied in their work? Is it possible to teach the workforce to prioritize their mental health and well-being? This week’s unique CHIMECast episode focuses on the human side of healthcare. You don’t want to miss out on this podcast featuring CHIME23 Fall Forum keynote speaker, Jennifer Moss. She’s an award-winning writer, an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, a leading voice in workforce well-being, and she’s here to share profound insights and practical tips on how you and your team can stay healthy and happy in the workplace. Listen now as Russ Branzell, CEO & President of CHIME, obtains a sneak preview of Jennifer’s valuable advice on workforce wellness—don’t forget to take in her highly anticipated keynote address at CHIME23 Fall Forum in Phoenix, Arizona in just TWO short weeks!

Data, analytics, and AI continue to be hot topics in healthcare, with digital health leaders scrambling to make use of new AI technology and the vast stores of data being collected in healthcare. How do we extract meaning from data? Can we use AI to help us with that? Once we derive meaning from the data, how can we use it to improve patient outcomes, experiences, and costs? This is what Phillips is focused on and these are the questions that Dr. Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Enterprise Informatics, Chief Business Leader at Phillips and Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME discuss. Gain valuable insights into the world of data, analytics, and AI from the perspective of a leader in innovation at Phillips by listening to this podcast episode. “There is real opportunity, it’s tangible and real for taking clinical data…and extracting meaning so that you can predict things, intervene earlier, improve quality of care, at a reduced cost, with better human experience.” - Dr. Shez Partovi

Digital health leaders have many different titles and responsibilities, but their roles, skills, and goals are always intended to improve their organizations, patient satisfaction and outcomes, and healthcare as a whole. Russ Branzell, CHIME President & CEO, sat down with Stacy Rasmussen, Vice President, IS Business Relationship Management, Planning, and Growth, UW Health, at the Healthtech Leader 3.0 event at the Cleveland Clinic. Together, they explored the following questions: Explore these topics alongside Russ and Stacy by listening to this week’s Digital Health Leaders podcast episode.

As a follow up to a recent thought leadership roundtable, this week’s Leader to Leader podcast episode focuses on how healthcare leaders can work to solve the “big four” top challenges in digital healthcare today: financial pressures, labor/workforce issues, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, meets with Divurgent’s Executive Vice President of Delivery, Joe Grinstead, MBA, Healthcare Technology, and Divurgent’s Vice President of Delivery, Dana Locke, to get their opinions on resolving today’s difficult healthcare challenges. Joe and Dana share their perspectives with Russ related to healthcare’s reliance on technology and how to cut costs, such as through application rationalization. They discuss leveraging telemedicine, rethinking operating models, and developing a digital competency program to train the workforce. They also talk about the rapid changes in technology, how to keep up, and how to balance innovation and controls on technology. Plus, tune in to hear their thoughts on ChatGPT and the best-case uses for it in healthcare applications!

On this week’s Leader to Leader podcast episode, Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME, discusses how to create a thriving workforce with Andy Smith, CFCHE, Managing Partner and Founder of Impact Advisors. Andy has a 30+ year career in the industry and Impact Advisors was recently recognized as the #2 best place to work by Consulting Magazine. Together, they review the state of the industry today, some of the challenges in healthcare, particularly in workforce recruiting, hiring, and retention. They consider the question: What’s important to the next generation of leaders and workers? Andy shares the work Impact Advisors is doing to boost employee morale and improve engagement. The company employs a “happy-ologist” (this is a real thing!) and they have a “No Jerks Rule”. Listen to the episode for more information on shifting to a human-centric approach to a happy and healthy workforce, on the benefits of career coaches, and on how to develop a more positive work environment for employees.

Artificial intelligence has been around for years, so why is the health tech community suddenly abuzz about it? Because there’s a new type of AI known as “generative AI”, and it’s shaking up the world as we know it. Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME, sits down with Sumit Ganguli, CEO, GS Lab | GAVS Technologies, to chat (no pun intended) Chat GPT and other forms of generative AI. What is it; why it’s not just a passing fad; the difference between analytical (regular) AI and generative AI; and specific uses for this new, trendy technology. Can it really help the healthcare community? Tune in to find out Sumit’s thoughts and learn how 80% of the workforce might just benefit from a form of AI that’s able to “create”.

Burnout is having a major negative impact in healthcare, and this issue is global. Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME, meets with BJ Schaknowski, CEO of symplr and proud Georgia Bulldog, to address tackling burnout through technology. While most organizations are dedicated to patient care, symplr is focused on the healthcare worker. Their goals include helping the overworked healthcare workforce by reducing burnout through technology. Technology can automate processes, remove obstacles, integrate systems, and ultimately reduce the time healthcare workers spend at a computer instead of with their patients. Symplr is a software company that “endeavors to have their users spend the least amount of time as humanly possible in their tool.” Learn about symplr’s mantra “transparency at all costs, and also be nice to people at all times” plus learn how to apply this philosophy at your organization. Listen now!