Moments Move Us

Rhonda Brandon, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System, champions the power of purpose, resilience, and values-driven leadership in fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen and valued.

In this episode, Rhonda shares her transformative journey, from her formative years at Hampton University to her early career challenges at IBM. Rhonda highlights the nurturing environment of her HBCU alma mater and how it instilled in her a sense of purpose, resilience, and self-worth. 

As Rhonda advanced in her career, she confronted burnout and realigned her values to prioritize faith, family, and fulfillment. She emphasizes leading with love, kindness, and humanity while acknowledging the importance of self-work to build self-worth. Lastly, Rhonda offers insights on overcoming imposter syndrome and the significance of seeing oneself and others for their true value.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Lead with love and toughness to balance care and accountability, creating a valued and resilient team
• Recognize every individual by fostering kindness and inclusion in daily interactions
• Reject imposter syndrome to build confidence and approach challenges authentically

Things to listen for: (00:00) Intro

(01:00) How Hampton University ignites ambition

(04:47) Using setbacks as stepping stones

(09:15) Balancing career and family

(17:03) Leading with love and kindness

(25:47) Imposter syndrome and self-worth

Dennis Pullin, President and CEO of Virtua Health, emphasizes the critical role of health literacy and community-focused care in cutting costs and improving health outcomes.

In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Dennis, whose career in healthcare leadership highlights the power of informed consumers and the need for continuous learning. Dennis shares insights from his experiences, including Virtua's development of "navigators" to guide patients through complex healthcare systems.

Dennis also highlights innovative projects like Virtua's mobile grocery store, which tackles food deserts with the help of employee-driven solutions. His leadership approach is grounded in community engagement, teamwork, and being a supportive, approachable presence for both staff and patients. In this episode, you will learn:

• Empower through education by creating informed healthcare consumers, like Virtua’s "Healthy Schools, Healthy Families," to lower costs and improve care quality
• Be a change agent by advocating for health equity, learning from experiences, and surrounding yourself with a dependable team
• Promote community-centric care by addressing social determinants of health, like food insecurity and health literacy

Things to listen for: 

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) How to raise future leaders

(06:32) The importance of continuous learning

(10:40) Creating a culture of service

(19:32) Health literacy and community wellness

(25:09) Innovative approaches to health equity

(29:31) From doubt to impact

Jeremy Segall, Assistant Vice President and Chief Wellness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, exemplifies the power of small actions and authentic leadership in transforming healthcare. In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Jeremy, whose path weaves through New York's vibrant musical theater scene, hospitality, and life coaching, ultimately leading to a deeply meaningful career in healthcare. Jeremy shares the lessons he’s learned from his unique experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and fostering genuine connections within teams. Jeremy also reflects on the seismic shifts brought by COVID-19, revealing how the pandemic exposed healthcare workers' struggles and spurred crucial conversations around trauma and resilience. His focus on mental health, kindness, and self-care has reshaped workplace culture, reducing burnout and fostering a sense of purpose among healthcare staff. In this episode, you will learn:

• Embrace diverse perspectives to foster innovative problem-solving and stronger team dynamics
• Lead with empathy and kindness by practicing active listening and building personal connections with your team
• Promote psychological safety by encouraging transparency, admitting mistakes, and focusing on recovery and growth

Things to listen for: 

(00:00) Intro

(00:57) The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers

(01:27) Jeremy Segall, from life coach to drama therapist

(03:42) Innovating healthcare with creative arts therapies

(10:13) How to navigate change and build relationships

(13:59) The power of authenticity and vulnerability

(30:01) How to lead with compassion and integrity

(34:25) The importance of recovery and empathy

Chanda Chacón, CEO of Children's Nebraska, navigates pediatric healthcare with not just strategy, but a human touch that changes lives. In this episode, she reflects on the pivotal experiences that ignited her passion for transforming patient care, emphasizing the power of authentic, people-centered leadership.

From navigating culture shifts across diverse healthcare environments to leading with both grit and grace, Chanda highlights the profound impact of putting people first at every level. It’s a reminder of how small, authentic actions can collectively revolutionize healthcare and elevate patient experiences.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Prioritize human connections by fostering genuine relationships that reduce isolation and build a support network through personal engagement and care
• Embrace transparency and authenticity to strengthen trust, improve engagement, and create a culture where people feel valued and motivated
• Balance professional and personal roles with "grit and grace," focusing on what truly matters and embracing imperfection for greater impact in leadership

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:28) Starting a successful professional journey

(03:06) Becoming a change agent in business

(04:01) Leadership strategies for culture transformation

(10:36) How to build a people-first organization

(19:37) Navigating the new normal in the workplace

(23:17) The impact of purpose-driven work

(23:35) Why authentic leadership matters

(23:42) Connecting with and mentoring young professionals

(26:54) How to navigate leadership challenges

(30:40) Embracing individuality and diversity in healthcare leadership

When she first set foot in the United States, Ekta Vyas never dreamed she'd transform entire organizations with her courage, resilience, and strategic vision.

In this episode,  Rebecca speaks with Ekta, Chief Human Resources Officer at Keck Medicine of USC, who has faced and overcome immense adversity to carve her place in the world of HR leadership. Ekta's journey, beginning from her dream of becoming an Indian Administrative Services Officer to relocating to the United States, is filled with moments of vulnerability, persistence, and remarkable courage.

Throughout our conversation, Ekta transparently shares the challenges of navigating workplace politics and presenting bold visions as an emerging young leader. You’ll also hear her valuable lessons in diplomacy, patience, and the art of persuasion to drive transformational change.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Challenge the status quo and take calculated risks to drive transformational leadership.
• Blend positional power for decision-making with personal power to build trust and authenticity.
• Turn seemingly impossible challenges into triumphs through persistence and hard work.

Things to listen for: (00:00) What it takes to be a transformational leader

(03:03) How to navigate academic equivalency

(13:04) Why courage and bravery are crucial traits in leadership

(15:45) How to conquer Stanford's toughest HR Challenges

(20:28) Challenging the status quo fuels success

(27:12) The role of personal power in effective leadership

(37:06) How to integrate cultures in transformations

(43:57) Valuable lessons from a transformation expert

Vulnerability, authenticity, empathy, and connection—these four pillars form the foundation of genuine leadership in the healthcare realm.

As we conclude another inspiring season of insightful conversations with healthcare leaders, we've delved deep into these core themes once again.

For instance, as we explored the defining qualities of excellence in healthcare leadership, it became evident that authentic, vulnerable, and curious individuals are often the ones who put people first.

We've also examined the powerful impact of effective listening and communication strategies, bridging the gap between patients, care providers, and leaders. Understanding the driving force behind leaders' commitment to their teams has been a remarkable journey in itself.

The discussions have reinforced our belief that by nurturing these qualities, not only are the standards of healthcare leadership elevated, but also create a more compassionate and efficient healthcare ecosystem.

Personal experience plays a pivotal role in one’s career path.

The good, bad, and in-between all drive a person toward creating meaningful change.

In this episode, Dr. Airica Steed, Chief Executive Officer and President at The MetroHealth System shares how losing loved ones and experiencing a broken healthcare system fueled her determination to address health inequities and reverse historical injustices.

As the first female, person of color, and nurse in a powerful position, Dr. Steed is dedicated to paving the way for future leaders by amplifying voices and increasing representation.

Regardless of the role, every healthcare professional contributes to the overall mission of providing care and improving patient outcomes.

A large part of making sure their outcomes are reached is by making sure there’s a positive and collaborative environment.

In this episode, Dennis Delisle, Executive Director of University Hospital, Brain and Spine Hospital, & Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center dives deep into how building relationships, valuing diverse perspectives, and prioritizing the well-being of both patients and employees helps accomplish this.

At the heart of every healthcare leader lies a passion for listening. True listening serves as the connection between a patient-provider relationship.

It’s more than the exchange of words; it embraces emotions, fears, and hopes that patients hold.

In this episode, Don Antonucci, CEO of Providence Health Plan, dives deep into the topic.

He shares that when healthcare providers take the time to truly listen, a beautiful connection forms—a bridge between clinical expertise and the lived experiences of patients. This connection opens the door for trust, understanding, and partnership.

It’s only when we challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zones that we experience personal growth.

While personal growth may not seem like something an organization or industry is worried about, it’s growth that equips its employees with the skills, confidence, and capabilities to execute their roles with flying colors.

In this episode of Moments Move Us, Dr. Joanne Conroy, CEO and President of Dartmouth Health, shares the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and how it has made her a better person and leader. Joanne shares two stories that emphasized the importance of personal growth, ranging from vulnerability to the significance of emotional processing.

Dr. Conroy also shares her experience as the founder of Women of Impact, a group that supports women leaders in healthcare and helps them redefine their influence. They discuss the power of identifying one's purpose while using impact statements, as well as the importance of emotional processing in the workplace.