The BetterCare Podcast tells the stories of clinicians, healthcare leaders, and innovators who are improving the way clinicians work and deliver care. Created by EvidenceCare.
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August 11, 2026Episode 3440 min
Ep 34 - Building Safer Hospital Systems Through Better Data - Dr. Tracey Hoke (UVA Health)
What if the biggest opportunity to improve patient safety isn't fixing people, but fixing the systems they work in? In this episode of The Better Care Podcast, Dr. Brian Fengler speaks with Dr. Tracey Hoke, Chief of Quality and Performance Improvement and Chief of Population Health at UVA Health, about building safer, higher-performing health systems. Dr. Hoke explains why improving systems is the foundation of patient safety, how trusted data can reduce unnecessary variation in care, and why frontline teams are key to lasting innovation. She also explores how leaders should approach healthcare quality ratings and performance measurement. The conversation emphasizes that the future of quality improvement lies in combining innovation and AI with consistent execution of the fundamentals. Tune in to learn how data, frontline leadership, and operational excellence can drive safer, higher-quality care. --- The Better Care Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released . --- Download our A3 framework guide --- Follow Dr. Tracey Hoke LinkedIn Follow UVA Health LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
June 18, 2026Episode 3336 min
Ep 33 – Reducing Clinical Variation with Data, Cost Transparency, and Al. - Dr. Aaron Daley (Riverside Health)
Ep 33 – Reducing Clinical Variation with Data, Cost Transparency, and Al. - Dr. Aaron Daley (Riverside Health) EvidenceCare’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviews Dr. Aaron Daley, Chief Medical Officer and Associate Vice President at Riverside Health. Dr. Daley shares how health systems can use data, evidence-based guidelines, and better operational systems to reduce clinical variation, improve length of stay, and support safer care. He also discusses the role of cost transparency, peer data, and AI in helping clinicians make better decisions. Key Takeaways: Reducing Clinical Variation: Health systems can use data and evidence-based guidelines to reduce unnecessary variation in care. Length of Stay Improvement: Hospitals can improve throughput by focusing on repeatable care patterns, constrained resources, and what truly needs to happen in the acute care setting. Cost Transparency: Giving physicians access to cost data can support more informed decisions about tests, medications, and resource use. Data-Driven Physician Engagement: Peer data can guide better clinical decision-making when it is presented as a tool for improvement, not punishment. High-Reliability Healthcare: Safer care requires more than education; it depends on strong systems, surveillance, checks, and reliable processes. AI in Clinical Practice: Ambient AI can reduce physician burden and improve retention, but it still requires careful governance and review. Dr. Aaron Daley Bio: Dr. Aaron Daley is Chief Medical Officer and Associate Vice President at Riverside Health System, where he provides enterprise-level clinical operations leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety oversight across a multi-hospital health system. He concurrently serves as Chief Medical Officer, Associate Chief Medical Officer, and Associate Vice President, with accountability spanning a 110-bed psychiatric hospital, a 450-bed tertiary hospital, and system-level quality and clinical AI initiatives. His work focuses on translating clinical excellence into operational performance, safer care, and sustainable value. At Riverside Health System, Dr. Daley partners with executive leadership on clinical strategy, operational efficiency, physician enterprise development, clinical governance, and high-reliability system design. His leadership has contributed to significant improvements in patient safety, mortality, readmissions, length of stay, and system-level quality performance. Before Riverside, Dr. Daley served as CCOO of the largest Naval Hospital System in the United States, supporting 350,000 beneficiaries and leading major pandemic response operations, including testing, vaccination, and care delivery infrastructure. __ The Better Care Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Download our A3 framework guide --- Follow Aaron Daley LinkedIn Follow Riverside Health LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
December 16, 2025Episode 3231 min
Ep 32 – Delivering Care Where It's Needed Most – Dr. DeAnn Bullock (Nashville General)
EvidenceCare's CEO, Bo Bartholomew, sits down with Dr. DeAnn Bullock, Chief Medical Officer at Nashville General Hospital , to discuss clinical leadership at a safety-net hospital. From her background in emergency medicine to her current role overseeing hospital-wide clinical operations, Dr. Bullock shares how Nashville General delivers care to underserved populations while maintaining quality and operational efficiency. The conversation covers Dr. Bullock's journey from emergency department physician to CMO, practical strategies for improving clinician workflows, building equitable care programs that address patient needs beyond medical treatment, managing partnerships with other health systems, and what it takes to balance mission-driven care with operational realities. Key Takeaways: Emergency medicine as leadership training. Dr. Bullock's experience as ED medical director taught her to say yes, take on challenges, and support teams—skills that translated directly to hospital-wide leadership. Clinician-first improvements start with listening. Rather than assuming what providers need, Dr. Bullock spends time with clinicians to understand their challenges and prioritize solutions that improve workflow without adding burden. Equitable care means meeting patients where they are. Nashville General provides transportation vans, food pharmacies, meds-to-beds programs, clothing closets, and community care teams to address the full spectrum of patient needs. EMR consolidation improves care coordination. Moving clinics, ED, and hospital to a single EMR improved provider workflow, enabled better communication with other systems, and streamlined patient scheduling. Simplicity is the magic wand. Healthcare is too complicated for patients and providers—from insurance navigation to prior authorizations. Dr. Bullock advocates for making the system simpler at every touchpoint. Dr. DeAnn Bullock Bio: Dr. Bullock joined Nashville General Hospital in 2007 and was named the emergency department medical director in 2014. In addition to her role as Chief Medical Officer, she continues to serve as the emergency department medical director as well as the medical director for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. Board Certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Bullock earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College before completing her residency in Emergency Medicine as Chief Resident at the Medical College of Georgia. She practiced at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in North Carolina before joining Nashville General. Dr. Bullock works tirelessly in her pursuit to build and lead teams, develop collaborative relationships, mentor, and facilitate change within a landscape inclusive of public, private and academic stakeholders, while at the same time providing excellent patient care to a diverse and largely underserved population. --- The BetterCare Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. DeAnn Bullock LinkedIn Follow Nashville General LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
October 29, 2025Episode 3125 min
Ep 31 – Leading a Diversified Health System – Jason Zachariah (Lifepoint Health)
In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Bo Bartholomew (EvidenceCare) talks with Jason Zachariah (EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Lifepoint Health ) about the real-world mechanics of running a distributed system: connecting data across settings, improving flow from ED to inpatient to post-acute, clarifying ownership around bed management and transfers, and building an inclusive culture that enables teams to execute. They also touch on the leadership journey—what scales, what doesn’t, and how to balance mission and margin without losing sight of the frontline. Recorded live during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025. Topics include: Why a diversified footprint (acute, rehab, behavioral) strengthens access, continuity, and system performance How clinician-centered innovation helps with earning adoption by solving workflow friction first Building a “control-tower” view of patient flow, bed management, and inter-facility transfers Maintaining operating discipline while expanding access in a rural strategy How leadership behaviors translate to quality, experience, and retention Key Takeaways Diversification as strategy. Integrated acute, rehab, and behavioral services make the system more resilient and patient pathways clearer. Adoption beats aspiration. Solutions stick when they reduce friction for nurses and physicians. See the whole system. Real-time visibility and clear ownership improve throughput, LOS, and handoffs. Rural doesn’t mean rudimentary . Disciplined operations and connected data can raise the floor for access and experience. Lead with heart and clarity. Culture is an operating asset when it’s built intentionally. Jason Zachariah Bio: As executive vice president, chief operating officer, Jason leads operations for Lifepoint’s key lines of business, including acute care hospital operations, rehabilitation, behavioral health operations, quality and clinical support, and Medical Group Services. Zachariah most recently served as president, integrated solutions, a role in which he led rehabilitation and behavioral health operations, joint venture services, physician services, information technology, marketing, business transformation and development initiatives. Before joining Lifepoint, he served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Kindred Healthcare, where he led the company’s hospital division, rehabilitation services and behavioral health operations. Prior to that, he served as president of Kindred’s rehabilitation services and in various roles in the company’s hospital division, including COO and executive director for the division’s California/Arizona district. During his tenure with Kindred, he drove a culture of patient advocacy, quality outcomes, employee engagement and operational efficiency and demonstrated a passion for innovation, care enhancement and diversity, equity and inclusion. He earned his MBA with Distinction from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Northwestern and a bachelor’s degree with distinction in biology and a chemistry minor from Duke University. --- The BetterCare Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Jason Zachariah LinkedIn Follow Lifepoint Health LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
October 8, 2025Episode 3031 min
Ep 30 – Scaling Operational AI across Healthcare – Dr. Edmund Jackson (UnityAI)
In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Amy Deaton ( EvidenceCare ) sits down with Dr. Edmund Jackson ( UnityAI ) during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025 to talk about where AI is delivering dependable value in healthcare operations today, and how to deploy it safely and responsibly. Drawing on Edmund’s experience leading data science at HCA Healthcare and now building AI for clinical operations, they dig into why AI succeeds (or stalls), how to move beyond pilots, and what it looks like to deliver measurable value—not only in hospitals but across the broader healthcare ecosystem. Key Takeaways Operational AI first. Scheduling and access are ripe for agents; keep clinical decision-making out of scope. Voice + reasoning changed the game. Natural conversations + better research/reasoning models enable reliable, patient-friendly interactions. Trust is built with process. Humans-in-the-loop, transparent transcripts, and outcome monitoring make governance real—not just a checklist. Start small, de-risk. Target low-risk workflows (e.g., referral follow-ups, reminders) to prove value and earn expansion. Serve more than hospitals. Balance health system partnerships with ambulatory and other settings to learn faster and scale sustainably. Dr. Edmund Jackson Bio: Dr. Edmund Jackson is the CEO and Co-founder of UnityAI. With expertise in data science and machine learning across healthcare, biotech, and finance, he has led innovations that improve healthcare quality and efficiency. Previously, as Chief Data Officer at HCA Healthcare, Edmund spearheaded AI initiatives that enhanced clinical practices and saved thousands of lives. A visionary leader and mentor, he is dedicated to leveraging AI to transform healthcare and drive meaningful impact. --- The BetterCare Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. Edmund Jackson LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn X
August 11, 2025Episode 2943 min
Ep 29 – Medicaid Reform and the One Big Beautiful Bill – Darin Gordon
EvidenceCare’s VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, sits down with Darin Gordon—Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies , President & CEO of Gordon & Associates, and former Director and CEO of TennCare—to break down what the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) means for hospitals and Medicaid programs across the country. Drawing on his decades of public service and national consulting work, Darin explains how OBBB impacts Medicaid eligibility, funding, and operations—and what hospital leaders must do to stay ahead of these sweeping changes. The conversation covers critical topics like new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, the strain of provider tax reductions, looming DSH cuts, and the urgent opportunity for states and hospitals to collaborate on the $50B Rural Provider Relief Fund. Darin offers practical advice for hospital executives and Medicaid leaders navigating limited resources, policy uncertainty, and the push for sustainable innovation. Key Takeaways: Medicaid enrollment surged during COVID due to paused eligibility checks; OBBB initiates a major reset. Hospitals must act quickly to engage with their state agencies to access Rural Provider Relief Funds. Provider tax caps and DSH cuts will significantly pressure state budgets and hospital revenue streams. Hospitals should prioritize early engagement with Medicaid agencies and hospital associations to influence decisions. While OBBB doesn’t mandate value-based care, budget pressure may accelerate adoption of innovative models. Darin Gordon Bio: Darin Gordon is the Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies and President & CEO of Gordon & Associates. He previously served as the Director and CEO of TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, where he led one of the most operationally successful and fiscally sound Medicaid programs in the country. Today, he advises state agencies, hospitals, and health plans nationwide on Medicaid strategy, financing, and reform. View full bio --- The BetterCare Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Darin Gordon LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
July 14, 2025Episode 2844 min
Ep 28 – Confronting Clinical Variation – Dr. Michael van Duren
EvidenceCare’s Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviews Dr. Michael van Duren, current Medical Director at Providence Health Plan and an expert clinical advisor to multiple companies and health systems over the years. They discuss how health systems can approach the difficult but necessary work of reducing unwarranted clinical variation with practical strategies that engage physicians at an individual level and also make a system-wide impact. Drawing from his experience at multiple hospitals, Dr. van Duren shares lessons learned from building variation reduction teams, introducing unblinded peer metrics, and helping physicians reflect on practice patterns—without damaging trust or autonomy. Key Takeaways: Clinical variation often stems from well-intentioned physicians lacking the right feedback, not bad actors. Peer comparisons can be powerful—but only when backed by clear methodology, timely data, and psychological safety. The key to behavior change is curiosity, not control. True progress happens when clinicians lead the variation reduction conversation themselves. Dr. Michael van Duren Bio: Dr. Michael van Duren is the Medical Director for Medicare/Medicaid & Health Equity at Providence Health Plan. He previously served as a Chief Medical Officer and VP of Variation Reduction at Sutter Health and has advised multiple organizations—including EvidenceCare—on leveraging unblinded metrics and physician engagement to drive sustainable quality and cost improvements. --- The BetterCare Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. Michael van Duren LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn YouTube X
April 21, 2025Episode 2652 min
Ep 26 – Mastering Hospital Change Management – Live Panel
EvidenceCare’s VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, leads a discussion on mastering change management and process improvement in hospitals. Panelists Candice Powers from USA Health , Jason Metcalf from CommonSpirit , and Ryan Schultz from UAB Medicine share their insights into effectively managing change in complex healthcare environments and the nuances of choosing the appropriate project management methodologies. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, measurement, and cultural understanding in facilitating successful project implementation and ensuring changes stick. Key Takeaways: Effective change management in healthcare relies on strategic communication, process monitoring, and understanding the "why" behind changes. Different project management methodologies such as Scrum, Waterfall, and A3 adhere to specific needs and challenges in healthcare projects. Involving frontline workers and other key stakeholders is essential for successful project execution and fostering a culture that embraces change. Benchmarking against existing data and industry standards helps identify performance gaps and informs improvement opportunities. --- The Better Care Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Download our A3 framework guide --- Follow Jason Metcalf: LinkedIn Follow Candice Powers: LinkedIn Follow Ryan Schultz: LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare: LinkedIn YouTube TikTok X
March 10, 2025Episode 2535 min
Ep 25 – ViVE 2025 Conversations on Healthcare Innovation
EvidenceCare’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviewed four digital health experts in their respective areas – Dr. Aaron Wilcox from Kaiser Permanente , Meghan Huffman from Novant Health , Dr. Jordan Messler from Glytec , and Dr. Rich Loomis from Elsevier . In this episode, we cover helpful digital health strategies for hospitals, specific use cases for AI in clinical care, approaches to reducing clinical burden and burnout, and what areas of healthcare our guests most wish to fix. Key Takeaways: Integration of Digital Health – Dr. Aaron Wilcox explores how digital solutions enhance patient care journeys and support health beyond medicine. Smart Room Technology – Meghan Huffman shares how Novant Health is using smart room technology to improve patient experience, boost retention, and enable remote capabilities. AI in Healthcare – Dr. Richard Loomis highlights the rapid adoption of AI, its role in reducing clinician burnout, and its seamless integration into workflows. Improving Diabetes Management – Dr. Jordan Messler discusses technology for safer, more effective insulin management in hospitals, reducing preventable errors. --- The Better Care Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. Aaron Wilcox: LinkedIn Follow Meghan Huffman: LinkedIn Follow Dr. Jordan Messler: LinkedIn Follow Dr. Rich Loomis: LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare: LinkedIn X
February 17, 2025Episode 2435 min
Ep 24 – How to Be a Successful Hospital CMO – Dr. Rex Hoffman (Providence)
In this special episode, guest host, Dr. Rex Hoffman ( Providence ) facilitates a conversation with Dr. Doug Koekkoek and Dr. Mark Olszyk on how to be a successful hospital Chief Medical Officer. All 3 of our guests have extensive experience as CMOs and have collaborated together on books and presentations to help other aspiring CMOs to succeed in their positions. Most recently, Dr. Rex Hoffman authored, I Want to be a Chief Medical Officer: Now What? In this episode, they share some of the insights from that book and their own experiences of leading from the CMO position. Key Takeaways: When and how to transition from a clinical role to Chief Medical Officer, including recognizing the right time and gaining the right experience. The essential skills for success, from balancing clinical expertise with leadership to fostering a team-oriented environment. How to approach your first 90 days, focusing on relationship-building, understanding organizational dynamics, and setting yourself up for long-term impact. Key leadership strategies, including managing relationships with hospital executives, setting clear expectations, and maintaining transparency. How to align personal and organizational goals to create meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy. Dr. Rex Hoffman Bio: Dr. Hoffman is the Chief Medical Officer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He earned his medical degree at Tulane School of Medicine and is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He has served in many clinical leadership roles across Providence Health System for over a decade. Dr. Doug Koekkoek Bio: Dr. Koekkoek has served as Chief Medical Officer at Providence St. Joseph Health and as the Chief Physician Executive at PeaceHealth. He received his medical degree from the Oregon Health Sciences University. His clinical practice in internal medicine included inpatient and outpatient care before transitioning fully to Hospital Medicine and then moving into administrative and physician leadership roles. Dr. Mark Olszyk Bio: Dr. Olszyk is the Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs for Carroll Hospital in Westminster, Maryland. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He also wrote the book, The Chief Medical Officer’s Essential Guidebook . --- The Better Care Podcast is produced by EvidenceCare . Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. Rex Hoffman: LinkedIn Follow Dr. Doug Koekkoek: LinkedIn Follow Dr. Mark Olszyk: LinkedIn Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn X
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