In this episode of HWL Talks, we sit down with Dr. Akram Boutros, a leader who has spent his career bridging medicine, business, and innovation. Now the founder and CEO of Nexus Bedside, Dr. Boutros is pushing the boundaries of what inpatient care can look like through virtual nursing models and advanced multimodal AI.

Dr. Boutros shares why traditional healthcare leadership often stalls innovation, how fearlessness (not recklessness) drives meaningful progress, and why fixing the nursing crisis requires more than staffing—it requires rethinking the entire care environment. He also breaks down real outcomes from Nexus Bedside, including major reductions in documentation burden, improved nurse experience, and measurable gains in patient safety.

This conversation offers a candid look at leadership, risk-taking, and the future of high-touch, technology-supported care. For executives, clinical leaders, and innovators looking beyond incremental change, this episode provides a clear view of what bold transformation can look like.

In Episode 11 of HWL Talks, host Tommy Binner sits down with Shane Jackson—President of Jackson Healthcare, author, philanthropist, and leadership thought leader.

Shane shares insights from his new book, This Is the Thing, and opens up about the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare leaders today. From navigating the rapid rise of AI and its impact on healthcare staffing, to fostering cultures that prioritize retention over reaction, Shane delivers candid perspective on what it takes to lead during times of uncertainty.

Whether you’re a healthcare executive, workforce strategist, or simply passionate about leadership, this episode offers powerful takeaways on staying grounded in your values while embracing innovation.

In this episode of HWL Talks, host Tommy Binner sits down with healthcare pioneer Joane Goodroe—a nurse, administrator, entrepreneur, and national thought leader who has testified before Congress on healthcare cost models.

Joane shares her remarkable journey from the ICU to shaping Medicare pilot programs, pioneering gainsharing, and challenging the long-held belief that lowering costs means lowering quality. Together, Tommy and Joane explore:

• Why healthcare costs have skyrocketed from $725 billion in 1990 to $4.9 trillion today—and where they’re headed
• How bundled payments and gainsharing created new models for cost savings without sacrificing quality
• The impact of regulations, drug pricing, and chronic disease on the future of healthcare access
• Why retaining nurses and empowering frontline staff is critical to solving today’s workforce crisis
• Fresh perspectives on pharmacy disruption, telemedicine, and what really needs to change

Joane also shares a personal story of resilience through her son’s journey with autism, highlighting how perseverance and innovation can reshape possibilities in healthcare and beyond.

Tune in for an inspiring and eye-opening discussion on the urgent need to rethink cost, quality, and workforce sustainability in healthcare.

On this episode of HWL Talks, host Amanda Wheeler, VP of Insourcing at HWL, sits down with two powerhouse leaders: Laurie DiMarzio, SVP of Client Services at HWL, and Darlene Souza, SVP & CHRO at South Shore Health. What started as a high-stakes workforce challenge during the height of the pandemic evolved into a true partnership built on trust, transparency, and transformative collaboration.

Together, they explore:

• The “likeability dilemma” women face in leadership—and how to rise above it
• What it really means to be kind (but not necessarily nice) in business
• How vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and active listening can build lasting partnerships
• Tips for fostering connection and respect—even in moments of disagreement

This episode is a candid conversation about breaking molds, supporting other women, and redefining what leadership looks like in healthcare. Whether you're a seasoned executive or emerging leader, you’ll walk away with inspiration—and actionable takeaways—for building stronger, more collaborative teams.

In this episode of HWL Talks, host Tommy Binner sits down with Amanda Wheeler, RN, BSN, MBA — HWL’s Vice President of InSourcing and a fourth-generation nurse — to unpack the complex state of the nursing workforce.

From the lasting impact of burnout to the importance of flexible staffing models, Amanda shares insights drawn from her extensive clinical and executive experience. The conversation explores how healthcare systems can transition from reactive crisis management to proactive, sustainable workforce strategies — with a special focus on the value of internal contingent models, predictive analytics, and Gen Z’s evolving expectations.

You’ll hear:

• Why healthcare must prioritize workforce well-being to improve patient care
• How flexible internal staffing models reduce turnover and burnout
• Strategies for bridging the generational gap in nursing
• What it means to move from “just-in-time” to “ready all the time”

Whether you're a nurse, healthcare executive, or industry observer, this episode offers a candid, experience-rich perspective on reshaping the future of nursing.

In this special sponsored episode, produced in collaboration with AONL, Bill Klaproth steps in as host to interview Amanda Wheeler, Vice President of InSourcing at HWL. 

Together, they explore proactive and sustainable strategies for tackling the ongoing nursing workforce crisis—a challenge expected to escalate as more than 600,000 nurses are projected to exit the profession by 2030. Amanda shares innovative approaches that prioritize flexibility, internal mobility, and retention of experienced clinicians, offering hospital leaders real-world tactics to strengthen their nursing teams in today’s volatile healthcare landscape. 

In this episode, Jeff Niles, Chief Revenue Officer at HWL, sits down with Sandro Altherr, Vice President of Provider Recruitment at RWJBarnabas Health, to discuss physician recruitment in one of the most competitive healthcare markets in the U.S.

Recruiting in a Crowded Market: How RWJBarnabas Health sets itself apart amid dense provider competition in the New York metro area.
Culture as a Magnet: The vital role of organizational culture, reputation, and word-of-mouth referrals in attracting top physician talent.
Tailored Opportunities: Creating diverse practice environments—from academic to community-based—to match physicians’ career goals.
Strategic Locums Use: When and why locum tenens play a pivotal role in meeting patient care demands across a large health system.
Streamlining Through HWL: How HWL’s centralized platform simplified processes, reduced administrative burden, and aligned stakeholders system-wide.

Sandro shares real-world insights into physician workforce challenges and the benefits of a unified staffing strategy in a complex, multi-entity health system.

Tune in for a grounded and practical conversation about physician recruitment, organizational growth, and operational excellence.

In this episode, Trevor Strauss, FACHE, Senior Vice President at HWL, sits down with Carey Goryl, CEO of AAPPR, and Liz Mahan, Director of Professional Development and Solutions at AAPPR, to explore the evolution of physician and provider recruitment and the critical role of professional communities in healthcare.

• Strengthening Recruitment Networks: How AAPPR fosters a community that empowers recruiters to navigate industry challenges.
• Leading Through Change: Strategies for adapting to healthcare's evolving landscape, from post-COVID realities to shifting immigration policies.
• Strategic Storytelling: Why physician recruiters must advocate for their work and build partnerships with the C-suite.
• Thriving in Uncertainty: Building resilience and the importance of self-care for recruitment professionals facing external disruptions.

Carey and Liz share powerful insights on leadership, community building, and sustaining momentum in a complex healthcare environment.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about advancing the future of physician recruitment through collaboration and innovation.

In this episode, Trevor Strauss, FACHE, Senior Vice President at HWL, sits down with Aidan Hettler, MSHCT, CEO of Sedgwick County Health Center, to discuss his extraordinary journey into healthcare leadership and the challenges of leading a rural hospital.

• Breaking Barriers: How Aidan became the youngest hospital CEO in the country at just 22 years old.
• Servant Leadership in Action: His approach to meeting staff where they are and fostering a culture of inclusion.
• The Power of Relationship-Centered Care: Why patient and provider connections are key to a thriving healthcare system.
• Innovating in Rural Healthcare: The unique challenges and opportunities of leading a critical access hospital.

Aidan shares his perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of rural healthcare, offering valuable insights for both current and aspiring healthcare leaders.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leading with purpose and making an impact in healthcare.

In this episode, Trevor Strauss, FACHE, Senior Vice President at HWL, sits down with Dr. Josh Hargraves, MD, FACEP, Divisional President at ApolloMD, for an insightful discussion on the challenges and future of emergency medicine.

• The Reality of Emergency Medicine: Why delivering patient care remains as challenging today as it was 30 years ago.
• Lessons from the Past: A TIME article from the ‘90s highlights ER struggles that still persist—what’s changed and what hasn’t?
• The Role of Technology: AI, ambient listening, and other innovations are shaping the future, but can they truly ease provider burdens?
• Looking Ahead: What’s next for emergency medicine, hospital systems, and the clinicians on the front lines?

Dr. Hargraves shares his perspective as a practicing emergency physician and healthcare leader overseeing 25 emergency and hospital medicine programs across multiple states.

Tune in now to gain valuable insights into the state of emergency medicine and what’s needed to drive real change.

https://time.com/archive/6714962/medicine-do-you-want-to-die/