we have the pleasure of hosting Sharon Vitti, a Chief Executive Officer with over 30 years of experience in healthcare. Sharon is passionate about expanding access to high-quality and affordable care for more patients. She currently serves as the CEO of ATI Physical Therapy, following her successful tenure as the Senior Vice President at CVS Health and President of MinuteClinic, where she led various aspects of care delivery, business operations, and strategic development.

During our conversation, we delve into several compelling topics with Sharon. Firstly, we explore what drew her to healthcare, physical therapy, and ultimately her role at ATI. From her early days as a candy striper to her unwavering passion for working in healthcare, Sharon shares her journey and the factors that shaped her professional path.

Accessibility to high-quality and affordable physical therapy care is a prominent theme we discuss. Sharon emphasizes the importance of getting people to think "PT First" for musculoskeletal-related injury care and prevention. We also explore how improving access to care benefits both patients and providers and how the expansion of telehealth plays a vital role in enhancing accessibility.

Moreover, we delve into what ATI Physical Therapy is doing to advance the cause of accessibility. Sharon sheds light on initiatives such as making it easier to schedule appointments with providers in their clinics or through telehealth. Additionally, we explore ATI's efforts to improve access to quality care in underserved communities, as well as their plans to expand their telehealth offering.

Throughout our conversation, Sharon also addresses her role and responsibilities as one of the few female CEOs in the healthcare industry. She credits her mentors at Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS, highlighting the significance of their guidance and support. Sharon further discusses the gender disparity in healthcare leadership roles and shares eye-opening statistics from the World Health Organization and Becker's.

Join us as we gain insights from Sharon Vitti's impressive background and discover the superpowers she acquired from each role she fulfilled. Prepare to be inspired by her dedication to expanding access to care, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of accessibility in the healthcare landscape.