The CereCore Podcast

AI is going to change our entire healthcare system, and so are strategic approaches to EHR optimization and continuous improvement. Darrell Bodnar, CIO of North Country Healthcare, unpacks top of mind healthcare leadership topics from operationalizing new technologies like AI and machine learning to optimizing the EHR for clinical efficiencies and workflow optimization. Hear practical leadership advice for navigating today’s cost pressure challenges and creative approaches to employee development and satisfaction. And, hear how Darrell’s career pivot from culinary arts to CIO comes full circle with his passion today for hospice care and giving back to the community.

Key topics:

- Adoption of AI and ambient listening

- CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program

- Aligning technology with organizational goals

- Challenges and lessons learned with merger and acquisition

- Empowering employees and satisfaction with Yellow Belt training

- Importance of partnership

Focus on what’s most important for a health system. That’s what Kevin Olson, CIO at Jupiter Medical Center, explains as he talks about their Epic implementation, the challenges and opportunities of unifying fragmented systems, and governance in IT decision-making. Kevin also delves into the role of AI in healthcare, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and much more in this conversation. Listen for practical advice from a healthcare IT leader with 20+ years of experience and whose heart runs deep in serving others.

Key topics include

- Epic implementation and legacy EHR support

- The important role of governance in IT project prioritization and execution

- Practical applications and governance of AI in healthcare

- Understanding AI models, bias, and risk management

- Market dynamics, competition and its impact on IT strategy

- Recharging during intense IT projects

- The value of mentorship, peer collaboration, and continuous learning in healthcare IT

How can we make the EHR implementation process less manual? Krischan Krayer, VP of Expanse Implementation & Operations at HCA Healthcare, discusses ways healthcare organizations can evaluate and use automation for EHR implementations. He shares experiences working with stakeholders and teams to educate them on what’s possible with automation. Hear more about EHR adoption trends, insights from his role as physician advocate and IT “translator” and career advice.

Key topics include:

- Improving the EHR experience for physicians

- Why use automation for EHR implementation

- How to evaluate the value and potential use of automation

- Evolution of EHRs and the effect of generational changes on adoption

Automation is a solid strategy for scaling IT services and resources whether focused on an EHR implementation or other more day-to-day IT operations. Tune in to hear leadership perspective from Krischan who stands in the gap and serves as liaison between healthcare providers, operations and technology—with the goal to leverage EHR technology to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to communities.

Dr. Patrick Woodard is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Monument Health. Monument Health operates the busiest ER in South Dakota, serving a remote area where the nearest comparable trauma center is over 300 miles away. In this episode, hear how Dr. Woodard’s background as practicing internist ignited a passion for healthcare technology and health policy. He discusses how healthcare technology like policy can impact thousands of patients, emphasizing the importance of reliability, invisibility and quality IT support.

Key topics

- The evolution of healthcare technology and its adoption by physicians

- Balancing clinical practice with IT leadership

- The role of AI in improving documentation and reducing physician burnout

- Strategies for effective healthcare IT support

- The importance of listening to frontline caregivers to drive meaningful tech improvements

Dr. Woodard's personal anecdotes provide a compelling look at the intersection of medicine and technology. Whether you're a healthcare professional, IT specialist, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers real world insights on the critical role of clinical IT support.

Tune in to hear how Monument Health is leveraging technology to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to its diverse patient population.

Dr. Aaron Parker Banks, Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) at UK St. Claire Healthcare treats patients in the clinic four days a week and he's using technology throughout the day to help him provide the best care to his tight-knit community in Kentucky. Listen to this “day in a life” episode to hear how this CMIO led physicians, nurses and staff through technology change during their EHR go-live. Dr. Banks shares personal stories that will leave you inspired by his passion for taking care of his community and encouraged in the ways you serve yours.

Key topics:

- Physician experiences with technology in patient care

- Maximizing use of technology

- Patient-centered decision making

- Rural and community healthcare

- Bridging the generational technology gap

A highly customized EHR in need of costly updates challenged the new CIO at Oklahoma Heart Hospital (OHH) to evaluate the technology stack he inherited and chart a new course at this award-winning healthcare organization. In this episode, we talk with David Miles, Chief Information Officer of OHH, and Jim Wetzel, the facility’s director of clinical systems. The duo shared valuable insights from their recent Epic implementation that was completed in just 11 months (earlier than the 12-month goal established at the onset of the project).

Key topics:

- Guiding principles for evaluating your healthcare technology stack

- Keys to OHH’s Epic implementation timeframe

- What’s next at OHH

“Every project you might be involved in is still a business project at the end of the day,” says Nayan Patel, CIO at Upson Regional Medical Center. Nayan explains how simple tools like a top 10 list can foster transparency and trust, highlighting technology’s impact on and value to healthcare projects. During this conversation, Nayan shares examples from the decades he has spent leading organizations during times of growth and transition. How does a health IT professional earn a seat at the executive table? What makes or breaks IT governance? Stream this episode for leadership advice you can apply in your healthcare organization.

Key topics

- How to align with the business

- Using governance to guide strategy and priorities

- Why technical debt and application rationalization deserve attention

- Mentoring others and professional development

Ajai Sehgal, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Mayo Clinic, discussed the building blocks of healthcare data strategy and the value of data analytics from examples of physicians and patients who experienced better care, time savings and reduced cost. “Early detection of disease is a way of both curing patients and delivering better healthcare, but also scaling our physicians,” said Sehgal in this interview. Hear more about Mayo Clinic’s approach to data governance, stewardship and literacy programs, and physician engagement. If you’re wondering where to begin or how your healthcare organization can take advantage of data analytics, stream this episode for Sehgal’s advice.

Key topics:

- Career highlights and transition to healthcare at Mayo Clinic

- Data management and governance principles

- Examples of solving health problems with data and early disease detection

- Strategic direction, data governance and physician engagement

- Quantifiable value of data analytics

- Startup principles apply to data analytics

- Advice for managing technology change

Listen to this masterclass in healthcare IT leadership from Marty Paslick, retired SVP and CIO of HCA Healthcare. He shares experiences from his nearly four decades in HIT and covers topics from workplace culture where “technologists see themselves as healthcare professionals first,” to financial and operational resiliency during adversity. He's not shy about sharing what worked and didn't work when mentoring leaders. Plus, he explains his approach to achieving innovation and quiet operations, authentic communication and three fundamental leadership principles.

Key topics

00:02:12 - Becoming a CIO

00:06:10 - Quiet Operations and Continual Improvement

00:10:10 - Evolution of Healthcare IT and CIO Role

00:11:38 - Building Authentic Relationships

00:14:03 - Communication Strategies

00:17:09 - Leadership Style and Flexibility

00:18:05 - Storytelling in Leadership

00:20:44 - Final Words of Wisdom

Strategic plans and EHR technology fueled with data are key for rural healthcare operations today. And what else? Step into the shoes of Alma Alexander, CFO from Cuero Regional Hospital. In this conversation, Alma shares what she’s learned as a healthcare finance leader in both large health systems and rural healthcare settings and how each are different and unique.

How does a chief financial officer (CFO) tackle top challenges in rural healthcare today? What’s the secret to financially preparing for and managing large IT investments like EHR systems? Alma gives practical advice on using strategic plans as communication tool to align C-suite leaders and the board of directors. Hear first-hand CFO advice as Cuero embarked on a multi-year process to prepare, plan and implement a modern EHR.

Key Topics

00:05:04 - Financial operations across different healthcare settings

Alma compares financial operations in reference labs, metropolitan, and rural hospitals.

00:08:16 - Top challenges for rural healthcare leaders

Alma talks about specific challenges faced in managing finances in a rural healthcare setting.

00:10:35 - Technology's impact on healthcare

Discussion on how IT advancements like AI and telemedicine are influencing rural healthcare.

00:14:43 - EHR implementation and strategic planning

Alma discusses the strategic planning and implementation process for a new EHR system.

00:18:37 - Decision making in EHR modernization

Hear about key decisions and pivotal moments in the EHR modernization process and what success looks like from a CFO perspective.

00:22:40 - Maintaining leadership alignment

Learn how this leadership team maintains alignment and communication regarding strategic plans.

00:25:59 - Closing thoughts and advice

Alma offers final thoughts and advice about the people side of healthcare.