Healthcare Policy

Why Rep. Arvind Venkat Says Clinicians Must Lead the Fight for Better Care

AJHCS Team

In this powerful and timely episode, we sit down with Rep. Arvind Venkat, emergency physician and Pennsylvania State Representative for the 30th Legislative District, to explore the growing need for healthcare professionals in political leadership. Drawing from his dual roles in medicine and policy, Rep. Venkat discusses why frontline clinicians are uniquely positioned to drive healthcare reform—especially in areas of access, affordability, and system-level accountability. Topics include unioni

Dr. Donald Berwick on Leading CMS, Medicare Reform, and the Future of U.S. Healthcare

AJHCS Team

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Berwick—Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and former Administrator of CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)—for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. healthcare. Dr. Don Berwick shares firsthand insights on running CMS during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, the founding of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, and what it means to shift an agency’s culture toward qua

Empowering Clinicians with Leadership Skills to Combat Systemic Challenges

AJHCS Team

Join Zach with the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy in this episode of the Clinicians in Leadership podcast series. Zach interviews Dr. Joshua Todd, a nurse anesthetist with an MBA, who shares his extensive experience in healthcare from bedside to boardroom. Dr. Todd discusses the critical importance of accountability in leadership, as well as the concept of socially complex relationships and how they can drive operational efficiency and patient care improvements. Dr. Todd also provides i

How AI and Data Equity Are Reshaping Patient Access: A Candid Conversation with Meghan Gaffney, CEO of Veda Data (Now H1)

AJHCS Team

In this insightful episode, Cole Lyons from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy interviews Meghan Gaffney, CEO of VEDA Data Solutions. Meghan shares her unique journey from healthcare policy in Washington, D.C. to co-founding an AI-driven company aimed at improving access to healthcare. She delves into the challenges and successes of using AI and machine learning to create more accurate and equitable healthcare provider data directories. Meghan also discusses the importance of diverse t

Beyond Traditional Contracts: How Hospitals are Saving Millions with Public-Private Partnerships

AJHCS Team

In this episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, host Cole interviews healthcare consultant John Sun, Chief Growth Officer at Sun Curating Group in San Antonio, Texas. With over 31 years of federal government experience and 22 years in healthcare, Sun shares his insights on the current challenges in healthcare policy, particularly in mental health and telehealth. He emphasizes the importance of aligning policies with community needs and leveraging public-private partnerships to im

Why Environmental Justice and Community Engagement Matter: Lessons from Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, Health Commissioner of Philadelphia

AJHCS Team

In this episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy podcast, host Cole interviews Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, the Deputy Health Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Dr. Nelson discusses her journey from India to becoming a key figure in Philadelphia's public health system, overseeing several programmatic divisions. She emphasizes the importance of environmental justice, equity in health, and the role of community involvement in public health initiatives. The conv

How Leadership and Community Collaboration Drive Significant Health Impact

AJHCS Team

In this episode of the Clinicians In Leadership Podcast series, Zach from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy engages in an enlightening discussion with Dr. Julia Flax, a renowned family physician and the Chief Population Health Officer at Cox Health in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Flax shares her vast experience spanning over 20 years, delving into her clinical and administrative roles, including dealing with the ACA, MACRA, MIPS, and Medicare Advantage plans. She highlights her pivotal w

The Realities of Mental Health Staffing: Addressing the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage

AJHCS Team

In this episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, host Cole Lyons interviews Dr. Damir Utrzan, Chief Compliance and Strategic Development Officer at Horowitz Health. Dr. Utrzan discusses his extensive career in mental health, transitioning from a clinician to a strategic business role. He emphasizes the critical importance of human connection in therapeutic outcomes and explores the challenges and solutions in staff shortages, profitability, and the complex processes of setting up

The Luminis Health Administrative Fellowship with Madhulika Nallani

AJHCS Team

Join Vrushangi Shah from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy as she interviews Madhulika Nallani about her unique journey through applying for and securing a healthcare fellowship at Luminis Health. Madhulika shares her background in healthcare policy and consulting, her passion for health policy, and the significance of intention over numbers in the fellowship application process. She also discusses the structure and benefits of the Luminis Health Administrative Fellowship, along with v

What is Medicare Stars? Part 1: The Basics

AJHCS Team

In this first episode of a special series by the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, host Cole dives into the essentials of Medicare STARS. Joined by Zach Berger from Veracity Consulting Group, they discuss the importance of quality assurance in healthcare plans, the implications of recent downgrades in STAR ratings, and the financial effects of these changes on organizations. Zach provides insightful perspectives on the significance of member experience in achieving higher STAR ratings and

Exploring Fellowship Paths: Sandy Amorado’s Experience and Insights

AJHCS Team

Join Vrushangi on the Fellowship Review through the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy as she interviews Sandy Amorado, an MPH graduate and associate government consultant at Mercer. Sandy shares her journey from her undergrad and grad school at St. Louis University to her fellowship at Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut. She discusses the unique experience of working with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of the fellowship int

Healthcare Marketing: Strategy, Content, and Collaboration

AJHCS Team

In this episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy podcast, host Cole speaks with Christine Slocumb, Chief Growth Officer at Supreme Group, about the vital role of marketing in the healthcare industry. Chris shares her unique journey from engineering to healthcare marketing, and emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing foundations. They discuss various aspects like marketing strategies, thought leadership, dealing with compliance, and preventing marketing failures. Chris also

The Power of Technology in Accessing Medicaid and Public Benefits

The healthcare landscape is on the cusp of a revolution, driven by technological advancements that are set to transform Medicaid forever. As the largest health insurance program in the United States, Medicaid provides essential benefits to millions of Americans, including low-income families, children, and individuals with disabilities. However, the program's complexities and administrative burdens often hinder access to care, leading to poor health outcomes and high costs. The good news is that

Why Behavioral Health Institutions Are Closing Despite Skyrocketing Demand: Lessons in Leadership and Workforce Strategy from Elwyn’s CMO

AJHCS Team

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, a looming behavioral health crisis is on the horizon, and it's essential to stay ahead of the curve. In this video, we'll delve into the insights for 2024, exploring the critical importance of preventive care, health equity, and chronic care management. We'll examine the latest Medicare insights, public health trends, and healthcare innovations that are transforming the industry. From managed care solutions to insurance basics, we'll discuss the c

The Jefferson Health Administrative Fellowship: Victor Rubio

Join Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy as he interviews Victor Rubio, Administrative Fellow at Jefferson Health. Victor shares his journey from earning a bachelor's degree in Health Policy and Administration at Penn State to obtaining his MHA from the University of Central Florida. He discusses his experience as an administrative healthcare supervisor in the Army, the challenges and opportunities faced during his fellowship, and his passion for population health. Victor also

Navigating AI Privacy and Compliance in Healthcare

AJHCS Team

Is AI going to CHANGE Healthcare and Education forever?? In this engaging interview hosted by Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, Nico Addai, an expert in AI privacy and compliance, shares her compelling journey. Starting with her undergraduate studies in neuroscience and sociology at Wellesley College, Nico discusses how computational neuroscience led her to explore artificial intelligence. Inspired by a TED talk by Joy Buolamwini on AI biases, Nico's mission to mitigate AI'

The UC San Diego Administrative Fellowship

In this enlightening episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, Cole Lyons interviews Elizabeth Case, an Administrative Fellow at UC San Diego. Elizabeth discusses her educational background in law and public policy, her pivotal decision to pursue a Master in Healthcare Administration, and how her personal and family experiences influenced her career path. She shares insights from her diverse experiences ranging from volunteering to high-impact internships, and details her reasons f