In this episode of HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, is joined by Paula Furcron, director of specialty services at NextGen Healthcare, for a discussion on the growing role of AI in cardiovascular care. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is enhancing patient engagement, streamlining workflows and improving both provider satisfaction and clinical outcomes. From self-scheduling to personalized charting, Paula shares real-world examples of AI making a meaningful impact, without losing the human touch.

In this "Meet the Experts" HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, speaks with Ana Mercurio-Pinto, vice president of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom. With a rich background in academic medicine, cardiovascular service line operations, and research management, Ana shares how her work is reshaping the future of care delivery. From optimizing physician performance and budgets to integrating complex hospital-physician systems, Ana brings a forward-thinking approach to transforming cardiovascular organizations. She also shares pivotal moments in her personal life that have fueled her commitment to innovation and collaboration.

Guest Bio:

Ana A. Mercurio-Pinto
Vice President, Care Transformation Services

As Vice President of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom, Ana applies her wide range of experience in budgeting, forecasting, physician/practice profit and loss reports, clinical and federal/non-federal research operations, new program development, service-line integration, and dyad and other matrixed leadership structures to help cardiovascular organizations transform care. Energized by the possibilities, Ana has a keen interest in helping members better integrate hospital/physician organization, ease faculty transitions, optimize staffing, improve administrative and research operations, and launch startup ventures.

She has extensive professional experience running large, multi-specialized cardiovascular medicine divisions and has had the privilege of working and partnering with some of the industry’s thought leaders, including master clinicians, practice-changing clinical trial investigators, and groundbreaking research scientists. She is dedicated to developing nimble and adaptive organizations that combine the best of traditional practice with the spirit of continuous modernization in the face of evolving and changing times.

Ana has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University Questrom School of Management and a master’s in management with a concentration in healthcare management. Additionally, Ana has pursued certificates in launching new ventures and research administration.

Remote patient monitoring is reshaping chronic care management. On this MedAxiom HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, speaks with Patricia Dickson, director of operations at Capital Cardiology Associates; Jude Hebert, vice president of Clinical Programs at Cardiovascular Logistics; and Samson Magid, CEO and co-founder of HealthSnap. They dive into virtual care tools that help practices stay connected with patients between visits, reduce staffing burdens and drive better outcomes.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/n85VT8P-yQA

What makes the dyad leadership model so effective in cardiovascular care? On this MedAxiom HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, is joined by Joel Sauer, MBA, executive vice president of Consulting at MedAxiom and Jeff Carstens, MD, MBA, FACC, medical director of the Cardiovascular Service Line at UnityPoint Health. They explore how the dyad leadership model influences the design of physician compensation plans and strengthens cardiovascular programs by aligning clinical and administrative expertise.

Watch the episode here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVmLv0

In this "Meet the Experts" HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS is joined by Jaime Warren Ed.D., MBA, BHS, CNMT, NCT, vice president of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom. With over two decades of clinical and executive experience, particularly in imaging services and hospital operations, Jaime shares insights into optimizing cardiovascular imaging spaces to improve workflows and team performance. Learn what motivates Jaime as a leader and what inspires her beyond the workplace.

Watch the episode here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVcgK0

As cardiac rehab evolves, innovative care models are key to better outcomes and financial sustainability. In this special episode of HeartTalk, vice presidents of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom, Denise Busman, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC, and Jenny Kennedy, DNP, RN, CHFN, NEA-BC, FACC sit down with Sarah Shelton, cardiac rehabilitation manager and Rod Roeser, CEO at Heart and Vascular Care (HVC). They discuss how they successfully implemented Intensive Cardiac Rehab (ICR), including their strategies to overcome space and staffing challenges, boost provider and patient engagement, and scale ICR programs for clinical, operational, and financial success.


Watch the episode here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVhS80

In this "Meet the Experts" HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS speaks with Denise Busman, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC, vice president of Care Transformation Services at MedAxiom. With over 30 years of nursing and quality leadership experience, Denise shares her journey into healthcare and what it takes to make clinical transformation truly stick. Get to know Denise’s leadership style—and what fuels her passion both in and outside of healthcare.

Watch the episode here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVgXp0

In this episode of HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, sits down with Alex Struck, chief growth officer, and Dan Jensen, chief financial officer at CardioOne, to explore the growing challenges facing independent cardiology practices. They discuss the shifting landscape of hospital employment and share how CardioOne is helping cardiologists reclaim autonomy while maintaining financial and operational sustainability.


Watch the episode here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVh9r0

Lessons from the football field can translate to healthcare leadership. On this MedAxiom HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, speaks with John Erwin III, MD, MBA, MACC, FACP, FAHA, the chair of medicine at Prisma-Health Upstate, as he explores parallels between successful sports teams and high-functioning healthcare teams. Drawing from his background, they discuss team building, trust, and aligning roles for better patient care.

Watch the video here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVwVs0

Gaps in cardiovascular care have sparked the need for a better solution. On this MedAxiom HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson, MS, talks with Ben Peterson, MD, MPH, Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director at Heart and Vascular Research Institute. They discuss the use of an AI tool to support patient identification and treatment needs, and envision a future of more personalized care.

Watch the video here: https://hubs.li/Q03yVyLJ0