The Backstory

By Jarrard Inc.News Business News

The Backstory episodes

December 04, 202412. From Life Flight Nurse to the Healthcare C-Suite, with Tim Johnsen
Anne Hancock Toomey dives deep into the inspiring journey of Tim Johnsen, a seasoned healthcare leader and current SVP & COO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Tim’s story takes us from his early days as a guitar instructor in St. Louis to a transformative career in healthcare leadership. Along the way, he shares personal anecdotes, like how his father’s sudden passing shaped his career choice and his frontline experiences as a critical care and flight nurse.
This episode explores pivotal moments, including Tim’s transition to administrative leadership, his approach to balancing personal and professional priorities and the lessons learned from successes and setbacks – like handling a radioactive incident. Johnsen also reflects on building strong teams, navigating leadership in rural vs. urban settings and maintaining well-being in a demanding career. Stick around for the lightning round, where Tim shares quick takes on leadership, growth and life outside the office.
03:07 Early Life and Influences
09:56 A Pivotal Moment: Choosing Healthcare
17:27 Transition to Administrative Leadership
22:50 Balancing Leadership in Rural and Urban Areas
27:58 Building Strong Teams and Lifelong Connections
29:12 Learning from Mistakes: A Radioactive Incident
34:20 Effective Leadership Traits
36:02 Areas for Improvement in Leadership
37:42 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions

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41 min
November 13, 202411. From Journalist to Foremost Healthcare Communications Guru, with David Jarrard
In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with her longtime colleague and co-founder David Jarrard, a former journalist, public affairs counselor and founding CEO, now serving as executive chairman of Jarrard Inc. David shares his unique journey from growing up in East Tennessee and working the police and theater beats as a reporter to becoming one of the most influential communications leaders in the healthcare industry. He delves into his early career in journalism, lessons learned from leaders and his parents and how these experiences shaped his visionary leadership style. David reflects on the importance of an integrated life, his passion for team synergy and the need to have balance between humility and confidence for effective leadership. The conversation concludes with a lightning round, offering personal insights and a glimpse into David's life outside of work.
02:44 Early Life and Influences in East Tennessee
05:11 Lessons from Journalism and Early Career
07:10 Transition to Corporate Communications
16:57 Reflections on Career Choices and Leadership
23:26 Founding Jarrard, Phillips, Cate and Hancock
26:03 The Importance of Relationships and Team Chemistry
28:11 Leadership Philosophy and Values
31:44 Balancing Work and Personal Life
35:52 Recognizing and Addressing Weaknesses
37:22 Healthy Habits for Effective Leadership
38:56 Lightning Round: Personal Insights
42:25 Final Thoughts on Leadership

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43 min
October 23, 202410. From the Broadcast Booth to Duke Health HR Leader, with Rhonda Brandon
In this week’s episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Rhonda Brandon, the dynamic Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System. Rhonda’s unconventional and remarkable journey takes us from her roots in Richmond, Virginia, through pivotal roles at IBM, Nike and Colonial Pipeline, to her transformative work at Duke Health. With humor and heart, Rhonda reveals how faith, family and fierce determination shaped her career, highlighting key moments such as a game-changing revelation at IBM, balancing burnout at Nike and navigating change management at Duke University Health System. Through personal anecdotes, Rhonda emphasizes authenticity and the necessity of nurturing one’s spirit. The episode concludes with a fun lightning round, providing a glimpse into her personal quirks and inspirations.
Tune in for laughs, leadership lessons and a lot of heart!
03:44 Lessons from Parents and Early Career
06:04 First Job Experiences
09:40 Defining Moments at IBM
13:19 Career at Nike and Burnout
18:26 Joining Colonial Pipeline
21:29 Transition to Healthcare
25:28 Building a Cohort and Embracing Change Management
27:15 Key Principles of Change Management
29:13 The Call from Duke and Defining the Job
36:16 Family, Faith, and Personal Reflections
44:17 Lightning Round: Fun and Personal Insights

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49 min
October 09, 202409. From Tossing Dough to Leader of Leaders, with Michael Wiechart
In this power-packed episode of The Backstory, Michael Wiechart, President of TEAMHealth, opens up about his journey from small-town Ohio to becoming a healthcare leadership powerhouse. Mike’s story is anything but ordinary – from almost becoming a priest to working at – and quickly getting fired from – a family-owned pizza joint before taking the fast track to healthcare.
By just 26 years old, Mike was already a CFO, navigating the complexities of major healthcare systems like Lifepoint Health and overcoming the tough moments of two CEO losses. Tune in to hear about his authentic leadership approach, lessons that shaped his career and his personal favorites – from influential books to memorable experiences.
02:25 Early Career and Influences
03:59 First Job and Professional Growth
09:03 Transition to Healthcare Leadership
14:30 Challenges and Tragedies at LifePoint
18:56 Joining Team Health
21:00 Reflections and Accomplishments
22:09 The Unforeseen Crisis
24:49 Reflecting on Mistakes
28:21 The Role of Faith in Leadership
30:15 Balancing Career and Personal Life
33:30 Leadership Qualities and Challenges
37:37 Lightning Round

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45 min
September 25, 202408. From Private to Public to Non-Profit Visionary, With Van Ton-Quinlivan
In this episode of The Backstory, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health, for a wide-ranging conversation on workforce development and leadership. Van takes us through her incredible journey, starting with her escape from the Vietnam war and growing up in Hawaii, and into her career that has spanned education, government and healthcare. She highlights the art of building coalitions, the importance of lifelong learning and the power of unlocking doors for others. To top it off, the episode wraps with a fast-paced lightning round, where Van shares personal habits, new projects and sharp advice for future leaders.
01:13 Van's Podcast: Workforce Rx
05:54 Career Beginnings and Mentorship
09:39 Workforce Development at Pacific Gas &Electric
12:52 Public Sector Leadership and Workforce Initiatives
15:57 Founding Futuro Health
18:50 The Highs & Lows of Futuro Health
20:39 Leadership Insights and Personal Reflections
24:27 Family and Work-Life Balance
33:05 Lightning Round

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38 min
September 11, 202407. From Appalachian Roots to Rural Healthcare Champion, with Joann Anderson
In episode 7 of the Backstory, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with Joann Anderson, a 45-year veteran in healthcare leadership and a relentless advocate for rural healthcare. Anderson shares her journey from growing up in forest of rural Kentucky to becoming a bedside nurse. She describes her rapid ascent through the ranks of major healthcare organizations like Humana and HCA, eventually becoming President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern. Anderson reflects on her roots and the influence of the Frontier Nursing Service, which ignited her passion for healthcare. She discusses key leadership lessons, the importance of resilience, community engagement, and the values instilled in her by her family. These lessons came into play during a devastating fire at her organization’s cancer center and, later, as she guided Southeastern through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation wraps up with a lightning round of personal insights, revealing Anderson's favorite books, athletes, and recent endeavors in the culinary world. Join in for an enriching conversation filled with wisdom on effective leadership and the relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence in rural communities.
02:11 Early Life in Rural Kentucky
05:38 First Job as Switchboard Operator and Early Career Influences
07:41 Lessons in Leadership and Communication
13:03 Rapid Rise in Healthcare Leadership
20:25 Executive Team Decisions
22:04 Relocating for Career Growth
24:44 Proud Achievements and Challenges
29:49 Balancing Family and Career
33:15 Effective Leadership Traits
34:31 Maintaining Personal Well-being
36:17 Lightning Round

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41 min
August 28, 202406. From Harvesting Crops to Growing Successful Companies, with Phil Roe
Join host Anne Hancock Toomey as she chats with Phil Roe, esteemed healthcare executive, former CEO and current senior advisor at Martin Ventures. From his humble beginnings on a Texas farm to leading major healthcare organizations like Vanguard Health System, Roe spills the secrets behind his success and his perspectives on effective leadership.
Discover the power of relationship-building, ethical decision-making and impactful leadership qualities, and dive into how a busy healthcare exec balances mission work, personal life, career and family.
Episode Highlights
01:10 Roe’s Early Career
03:59 Upbringing and Family Life
06:01 Lessons from Roe’s Father
07:38 Influential Leaders
09:55 Transition to Healthcare
17:08 Building Vanguard Health System
20:29 Leading Martin Ventures
22:54 Evaluating Healthcare Leaders
24:06 Transitioning to Board Roles
25:09 Proudest Career Accomplishments
27:48 Mission Work and Service
29:59 Leadership Insights and Challenges
35:06 Lightning Round
37:51 Final Thoughts and Advice

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39 min
August 14, 202405. From Lifeguard to Chief Physician Executive, with Dr. Shlomit Schaal
This week, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, of Houston Methodist. Dr. Schaal serves as Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist; President and Chief Executive Officer, Houston Methodist Physician Organization; Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Houston Methodist Academic Institute; and Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell College of Medicine.
Dr. Schaal is an accomplished ophthalmologist, retinal surgeon, researcher and executive, but her life and passions extend far beyond the lab and operating room. In this conversation, we hear about her inspiring journey from growing up as a child in Israel to moving to the United States. She describes how a young leader influenced her life immeasurably and how her trepidation around water turned into a first job as lifeguard and, ultimately, influenced her career.
The conversation dives into her transformative role leading the UMass Chan Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (read the case study here), and her current focus on physician well-being at Houston Methodist.
Dr. Schaal also emphasizes the importance of role models, mentorship, and intentional investment in professional development, offering insightful advice for aspiring women leaders in healthcare.
02:35 – Growing up in Israel
05:09 – First job as a lifeguard and early influential leader
08:11 – Journey into Medicine and Ophthalmology
10:56 – Moving to the United States
14:19 – Turning Around UMass Ophthalmology Department
22:56 – Transition to Houston Methodist
25:23 – Focusing on Physician Wellbeing
29:39 – Elevating Women in Healthcare Leadership
34:06 – Balancing Career and Personal Life
36:18 – Characteristics of Effective Leaders
40:05 – Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts

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44 min
July 31, 202404. From Patching Divots to Corporate Pivots, with Bill Southwick
Today, host and Jarrard Inc President Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Bill Southwick, the "Physician Whisperer" and a titan in healthcare leadership. Southwick dives into his 25-year journey of turning struggling companies into success stories, highlighting his recent triumph in transforming Querm into QualDerm.
He underscores the power of relationship-building, culture and leadership in driving success. Southwick also shares vibrant anecdotes from his upbringing in Shelter Island, New York, his early days in financial planning and his pivotal shift into healthcare.
Get ready for sharp insights on effective leadership, emotional intelligence and the importance of transparency and trust. Southwick also discusses balancing a high-intensity career with family life, and his dedication to mentoring future leaders. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable takeaways on leadership, resilience and personal growth.
02:41 Early Life
04:12 Lessons from Competitive Golf
05:59 Influential Figures
07:51 Transition to Healthcare
10:10 Building and Transforming Healthcare Companies
13:49 Challenges and Successes at ReDoc
16:09 Return to Physician Practice Management
21:13 Physician Whisperer Reputation
23:26 Proud Moments and Leadership Reflections
24:45 Learning from Mistakes
27:23 Traits of Effective Leaders
32:14 Balancing Work and Life
36:27 Lightning Round
38:03 Final Thoughts on Authentic Leadership

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40 min
July 17, 2024 03. From Front Line Customer Service to Leading Healthcare Strategist, with Sheri Shapiro
Join host Anne Hancock Toomey as she sits down with Sheri Shapiro, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CommonSpirit Health. Shapiro shares her impressive journey from learning customer service and breaking bad news at a dry cleaner, to healthcare consulting to leadership roles at organizations like Trinity Health and CommonSpirit Health. Throughout the conversation, Shapiro comes back to the foundational ideas of authentic leadership, effective communication and empathetic management. She also delves into her experiences outside healthcare, including pharma (Pfizer) and automotive (Ford Motor Company), and the lessons in branding, marketing and consumer-centric thinking learned along the way. Shapiro opens up about balancing a demanding career with family life, offering insight into her personal challenges and triumphs. Oh, and her middle name is Grit. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with valuable takeaways on leadership and personal growth.

01:26 Meeting Sherry Shapiro
02:14 Shapiro’s Emphasis on Authentic Leadership
03:22 Early Life and Career
04:15 First Job Lessons
05:30 The Power of Grit
06:37 Influential Leaders
08:39 Career Journey: Consulting to Healthcare
17:52 Transition to Trinity Health
21:18 Teamwork and Strategic Planning
22:58 Key Ingredients for Successful Change Management
25:54 Transition to CommonSpirit Health
28:36 Balancing Leadership and Family Life
34:13 Effective Leadership Traits
37:43 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

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43 min