In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Bo Bartholomew (EvidenceCare) talks with Jason Zachariah (EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Lifepoint Health) about the real-world mechanics of running a distributed system: connecting data across settings, improving flow from ED to inpatient to post-acute, clarifying ownership around bed management and transfers, and building an inclusive culture that enables teams to execute.

They also touch on the leadership journey—what scales, what doesn’t, and how to balance mission and margin without losing sight of the frontline. Recorded live during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025.

• Why a diversified footprint (acute, rehab, behavioral) strengthens access, continuity, and system performance
• How clinician-centered innovation helps with earning adoption by solving workflow friction first
• Building a “control-tower” view of patient flow, bed management, and inter-facility transfers
• Maintaining operating discipline while expanding access in a rural strategy
• How leadership behaviors translate to quality, experience, and retention

• Diversification as strategy. Integrated acute, rehab, and behavioral services make the system more resilient and patient pathways clearer.
• Adoption beats aspiration. Solutions stick when they reduce friction for nurses and physicians.
• See the whole system. Real-time visibility and clear ownership improve throughput, LOS, and handoffs.
• Rural doesn’t mean rudimentary. Disciplined operations and connected data can raise the floor for access and experience.
• Lead with heart and clarity. Culture is an operating asset when it’s built intentionally.

Jason Zachariah Bio:

As executive vice president, chief operating officer, Jason leads operations for Lifepoint’s key lines of business, including acute care hospital operations, rehabilitation, behavioral health operations, quality and clinical support, and Medical Group Services.

Zachariah most recently served as president, integrated solutions, a role in which he led rehabilitation and behavioral health operations, joint venture services, physician services, information technology, marketing, business transformation and development initiatives.

Before joining Lifepoint, he served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Kindred Healthcare, where he led the company’s hospital division, rehabilitation services and behavioral health operations. Prior to that, he served as president of Kindred’s rehabilitation services and in various roles in the company’s hospital division, including COO and executive director for the division’s California/Arizona district. During his tenure with Kindred, he drove a culture of patient advocacy, quality outcomes, employee engagement and operational efficiency and demonstrated a passion for innovation, care enhancement and diversity, equity and inclusion.

He earned his MBA with Distinction from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Northwestern and a bachelor’s degree with distinction in biology and a chemistry minor from Duke University.

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In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Amy Deaton (EvidenceCare) sits down with Dr. Edmund Jackson (UnityAI) during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025 to talk about where AI is delivering dependable value in healthcare operations today, and how to deploy it safely and responsibly.

Drawing on Edmund’s experience leading data science at HCA Healthcare and now building AI for clinical operations, they dig into why AI succeeds (or stalls), how to move beyond pilots, and what it looks like to deliver measurable value—not only in hospitals but across the broader healthcare ecosystem.

• Operational AI first. Scheduling and access are ripe for agents; keep clinical decision-making out of scope.
• Voice + reasoning changed the game. Natural conversations + better research/reasoning models enable reliable, patient-friendly interactions.
• Trust is built with process. Humans-in-the-loop, transparent transcripts, and outcome monitoring make governance real—not just a checklist.
• Start small, de-risk. Target low-risk workflows (e.g., referral follow-ups, reminders) to prove value and earn expansion.
• Serve more than hospitals. Balance health system partnerships with ambulatory and other settings to learn faster and scale sustainably.

Dr. Edmund Jackson is the CEO and Co-founder of UnityAI. With expertise in data science and machine learning across healthcare, biotech, and finance, he has led innovations that improve healthcare quality and efficiency.

Previously, as Chief Data Officer at HCA Healthcare, Edmund spearheaded AI initiatives that enhanced clinical practices and saved thousands of lives. A visionary leader and mentor, he is dedicated to leveraging AI to transform healthcare and drive meaningful impact.

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EvidenceCare’s VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, sits down with Darin Gordon—Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies, President & CEO of Gordon & Associates, and former Director and CEO of TennCare—to break down what the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) means for hospitals and Medicaid programs across the country. Drawing on his decades of public service and national consulting work, Darin explains how OBBB impacts Medicaid eligibility, funding, and operations—and what hospital leaders must do to stay ahead of these sweeping changes.

The conversation covers critical topics like new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, the strain of provider tax reductions, looming DSH cuts, and the urgent opportunity for states and hospitals to collaborate on the $50B Rural Provider Relief Fund. Darin offers practical advice for hospital executives and Medicaid leaders navigating limited resources, policy uncertainty, and the push for sustainable innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Medicaid enrollment surged during COVID due to paused eligibility checks; OBBB initiates a major reset.
• Hospitals must act quickly to engage with their state agencies to access Rural Provider Relief Funds.
• Provider tax caps and DSH cuts will significantly pressure state budgets and hospital revenue streams.
• Hospitals should prioritize early engagement with Medicaid agencies and hospital associations to influence decisions.
• While OBBB doesn’t mandate value-based care, budget pressure may accelerate adoption of innovative models.

Darin Gordon Bio:

Darin Gordon is the Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies and President & CEO of Gordon & Associates. He previously served as the Director and CEO of TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, where he led one of the most operationally successful and fiscally sound Medicaid programs in the country. Today, he advises state agencies, hospitals, and health plans nationwide on Medicaid strategy, financing, and reform. View full bio

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EvidenceCare’s Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviews Dr. Michael van Duren, current Medical Director at Providence Health Plan and an expert clinical advisor to multiple companies and health systems over the years.

They discuss how health systems can approach the difficult but necessary work of reducing unwarranted clinical variation with practical strategies that engage physicians at an individual level and also make a system-wide impact.

Drawing from his experience at multiple hospitals, Dr. van Duren shares lessons learned from building variation reduction teams, introducing unblinded peer metrics, and helping physicians reflect on practice patterns—without damaging trust or autonomy.

Key Takeaways:

• Clinical variation often stems from well-intentioned physicians lacking the right feedback, not bad actors.
• Peer comparisons can be powerful—but only when backed by clear methodology, timely data, and psychological safety.
• The key to behavior change is curiosity, not control.
• True progress happens when clinicians lead the variation reduction conversation themselves.

Dr. Michael van Duren Bio:

Dr. Michael van Duren is the Medical Director for Medicare/Medicaid & Health Equity at Providence Health Plan. He previously served as a Chief Medical Officer and VP of Variation Reduction at Sutter Health and has advised multiple organizations—including EvidenceCare—on leveraging unblinded metrics and physician engagement to drive sustainable quality and cost improvements.

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EvidenceCare’s Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviews Dr. Walker Keach, Medical Director of Hospital Care Management and Patient Flow at Denver Health.

Dr. Keach shares how his team successfully reduced length of stay (LOS) by launching a multimodal improvement initiative—without compromising patient outcomes. Dr. Keach walks us through the urgent 100-day challenge issued by Denver Health’s CEO, how they targeted specific DRGs, leveraged internal data tools, and changed the cultural conversation around LOS. He also addresses common concerns about readmissions and explains why Length of Stay Index (LOSI) is a more actionable metric than average LOS alone.

Key Takeaways:

• A system-wide LOS improvement can start with executive urgency and a focused timeline to drive alignment and momentum.
• LOSI is a more precise, risk-adjusted benchmark that helps identify where excess days truly exist.
• A deep dive into internal analytics enabled care teams to act quickly and target the right cases.
• Reducing LOS didn’t increase readmissions or worsen outcomes, dispelling a common myth about efficiency efforts.
• Sustaining progress depends heavily on team engagement, transparency, and embedding LOS ownership into everyday workflows.

Dr. Walker Keach Bio:

Joseph “Walker” Keach, MD, is the Medical Director of Hospital Care Management and Patient Flow at Denver Health and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He led a length of stay research initiative titled, Reducing Hospital Length of Stay: A Multimodal Prospective Quality Improvement Intervention, published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

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EvidenceCare’s VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, leads a discussion on mastering change management and process improvement in hospitals. Panelists Candice Powers from USA Health, Jason Metcalf from CommonSpirit, and Ryan Schultz from UAB Medicine share their insights into effectively managing change in complex healthcare environments and the nuances of choosing the appropriate project management methodologies.

The conversation highlights the importance of communication, measurement, and cultural understanding in facilitating successful project implementation and ensuring changes stick.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective change management in healthcare relies on strategic communication, process monitoring, and understanding the "why" behind changes.
• Different project management methodologies such as Scrum, Waterfall, and A3 adhere to specific needs and challenges in healthcare projects.
• Involving frontline workers and other key stakeholders is essential for successful project execution and fostering a culture that embraces change.
• Benchmarking against existing data and industry standards helps identify performance gaps and informs improvement opportunities.

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EvidenceCare’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviewed four digital health experts in their respective areas – Dr. Aaron Wilcox from Kaiser Permanente, Meghan Huffman from Novant Health, Dr. Jordan Messler from Glytec, and Dr. Rich Loomis from Elsevier.

In this episode, we cover helpful digital health strategies for hospitals, specific use cases for AI in clinical care, approaches to reducing clinical burden and burnout, and what areas of healthcare our guests most wish to fix.

Key Takeaways:

• Integration of Digital Health – Dr. Aaron Wilcox explores how digital solutions enhance patient care journeys and support health beyond medicine.
• Smart Room Technology – Meghan Huffman shares how Novant Health is using smart room technology to improve patient experience, boost retention, and enable remote capabilities.
• AI in Healthcare – Dr. Richard Loomis highlights the rapid adoption of AI, its role in reducing clinician burnout, and its seamless integration into workflows.
• Improving Diabetes Management – Dr. Jordan Messler discusses technology for safer, more effective insulin management in hospitals, reducing preventable errors.

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In this special episode, guest host, Dr. Rex Hoffman (Providence) facilitates a conversation with Dr. Doug Koekkoek and Dr. Mark Olszyk on how to be a successful hospital Chief Medical Officer.

All 3 of our guests have extensive experience as CMOs and have collaborated together on books and presentations to help other aspiring CMOs to succeed in their positions. Most recently, Dr. Rex Hoffman authored, I Want to be a Chief Medical Officer: Now What?

In this episode, they share some of the insights from that book and their own experiences of leading from the CMO position.

Key Takeaways:

• When and how to transition from a clinical role to Chief Medical Officer, including recognizing the right time and gaining the right experience.
• The essential skills for success, from balancing clinical expertise with leadership to fostering a team-oriented environment.
• How to approach your first 90 days, focusing on relationship-building, understanding organizational dynamics, and setting yourself up for long-term impact.
• Key leadership strategies, including managing relationships with hospital executives, setting clear expectations, and maintaining transparency.
• How to align personal and organizational goals to create meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy.

Dr. Rex Hoffman Bio:

Dr. Hoffman is the Chief Medical Officer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He earned his medical degree at Tulane School of Medicine and is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He has served in many clinical leadership roles across Providence Health System for over a decade.

Dr. Doug Koekkoek Bio:

Dr. Koekkoek has served as Chief Medical Officer at Providence St. Joseph Health and as the Chief Physician Executive at PeaceHealth. He received his medical degree from the Oregon Health Sciences University. His clinical practice in internal medicine included inpatient and outpatient care before transitioning fully to Hospital Medicine and then moving into administrative and physician leadership roles.

Dr. Mark Olszyk Bio:

Dr. Olszyk is the Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs for Carroll Hospital in Westminster, Maryland. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He also wrote the book, The Chief Medical Officer’s Essential Guidebook.

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EvidenceCare’s CEO, Bo Bartholomew, interviews Scott Becker, Founder, Publisher, and Chief Content Officer for Becker's Healthcare.

Scott shares stories and examples of bringing entrepreneurship to large organizations, how clinical leaders can build great teams and avoid burnout, and innovative approaches to some of healthcare’s biggest issues such as physician shortages and rising costs.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurial Drive: Lessons from Scott's journey from law to healthcare media on using entrepreneurial spirit to innovate within established industries.
• Building Great Teams: Success in any field requires cultivating and working with talented teams; a key theme Scott emphasizes.
• Healthcare Innovation: There is a critical need for innovative thinking in healthcare to address issues such as workforce shortages and rising costs.
• Leadership Characteristics: Effective leaders are not only competent but also likable, striking a balance that helps sustain long-term success.
• Continuous Learning: Scott shares the importance of lifelong learning and adapting, especially for clinician leaders transitioning into executive roles.

Scott Becker Bio:

Scott Becker is the founder, publisher, and chief content officer of Becker's Healthcare, a leading healthcare media company. Scott is also a long-time partner at McGuireWoods.

He hosts the highly ranked Becker's Healthcare Podcast and Beckers Private Equity Podcast. He is also the author of several books, a regular speaker on business and healthcare trends, a proponent of physical and mental health as a foundation to life, and an active investor in private equity and venture capital funds and companies.

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Scott's New Book, The Entrepreneur's Edge

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In this episode of The Better Care Podcast, EvidenceCare's VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, hosts a live panel of experts on regulatory updates and strategies for health systems related to Medicare Advantage and the two midnight rule to assure compliance and optimize revenue capture.

Guests:

• Jackie Kimmell, Senior Director of Strategy Catalyst, The Health Management Academy
• Dr. Adam Fall, Corporate Medical Director of Utilization Management, Erlanger Health System
• Dr. Jeny McNair, President and Chief Physician Advisor, Physician Advisory, Med-Metrix

Key Takeaways:

• Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are set to grow significantly, prompting policy changes to control federal spending, such as the Version 28 HCC Model and adjustments to star ratings.
• Hospitals are encountering increased payer friction, with a significant rise in MA denials and a need for robust strategies to manage Medicare patient classifications.
• Proper documentation and understanding of payer rules, including the CMS two midnight rule, are paramount to minimizing administrative burdens and ensuring appropriate reimbursements.
• The importance of contract negotiations, advocating for shorter contract terms and clear terms regarding the use of AI in care management.
• The potential impact of the Chevron ruling on medical necessity appeals could lead to significant legal and operational shifts in how hospitals manage and appeal payer decisions.

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