Most clinicians don't need more data. They need data that connects to the patients in front of them.

Tim Coan sits down with Dr. Jill Goldenberg, an internal medicine physician, informaticist, and value-based care leader, to talk about what actually works when presenting data to clinicians.

What you'll learn:

Chapters:

What happens when you need a cardiac test but the nearest cardiologist is hours away?

Tim Coan and healthcare consultant Ron Guillot get into the reality of cardiac care access in America and where things are headed.

What you'll learn:

Whether you're in a rural practice or just trying to keep up with what's changing in cardiac care, this one's worth 20 minutes of your time.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Dena Langan, VP of Revenue Cycle at Frontier Dermatology, to talk about the real-world challenges of automating healthcare RevCycle processes. From coding complexities and payer contracts to prior authorizations, denials, and reporting, Dena shares why some automation promises fall short—and where AI has real potential to make a difference.

00:00 – Welcome to Vital Conversations with Tim Coan & Dena Langan
01:00 – Dena’s background & Frontier Dermatology’s scale
02:35 – AI’s growing role in healthcare RevCycle
03:50 – The goal of automation: freeing humans from tedious tasks
04:40 – Why coding accuracy still needs human oversight
05:50 – The impact of AMA’s 2020 coding rule changes
07:10 – Could ambient listening scribes be the answer?
09:00 – Optimism for AI-driven coding improvements
09:35 – The challenge of automating contract loading
11:25 – Why eligibility & prior auth automation is still tricky
12:48 – The complexities of automating denials & appeals
14:14 – Reporting and analytics: manual bottlenecks
15:18 – Dena’s 12-month automation wish list
16:10 – Closing thoughts on the future of RevCycle automation

AI is changing the healthcare industry, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode of Vital Conversations, guest Jeff Freedman, Director of Private Equity Engagement at ModMed, brings his 30+ years of operational experience to the table to talk through how healthcare organizations can make smarter, more productive use of AI.

In this episode, host Tim Coan sits down with Pete Martinez, a Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) at National Partners in Healthcare, to unpack what happens when private equity (PE) meets healthcare operations.

They explore:
How private equity deals disrupt RCM processes
Why RevCycle gets misunderstood as just “finance”
Common mistakes made post-acquisition
How front desk attrition leads to massive revenue leaks
The importance of aligning operations and RCM
Key KPIs CFOs and RCM leaders must track
Why SOPs often fail in scaling physician practices
Pete’s new training platform: AskCWS.com – built to strengthen RevCycle teams everywhere

Whether you're a CFO new to healthcare, a RevCycle leader navigating PE ownership, or someone trying to stop revenue leaks, this conversation is packed with insights, strategy, and tools you can act on today.

The CEO of Allied Physicians Group, Dr. Kerry Fierstein, joins Vital Conversations host Tim Coan for a talk about the current state of pediatric care. They discuss the challenges faced by pediatricians, particularly around immunizations and the trust issues that have arisen post-COVID. Dr. Fierstein shares insights on recruitment and retention in pediatrics, the financial aspects of running a practice, and the dual roles she plays as both a practicing pediatrician and a CEO. The conversation also highlights the community impact of the Allied Foundation, which addresses critical needs such as diaper distribution and literacy programs for children.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan sits down with longtime friend and public health leader Jim Haveman for an extraordinary discussion that bridges domestic policy and international diplomacy. Jim recounts his unconventional journey from social work to leading Michigan’s $18 billion health department, and eventually serving as the acting Minister of Health in post-war Iraq. His stories go far beyond typical healthcare leadership—he shares how he rebuilt systems, empowered local leaders, and practiced humility while navigating both partisan U.S. politics and the volatile streets of Baghdad.

Listeners will gain rare insights into how to unite people with opposing agendas—whether negotiating Medicaid expansion in a divided legislature or rebuilding a healthcare system with no infrastructure. Jim’s leadership lessons are laced with wit, real-world strategy, and a human-centered approach that feels especially relevant today. Tune in to hear how listening, compromise, and walking the streets—not just sitting in boardrooms—can drive lasting impact.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Bill Duke, CFO of Connecticut Skin Health, to discuss the operational challenges of managing a multi-location dermatology practice. With 10 offices, over 100 employees, and more than 30 providers, Bill shares the complexities of staffing, onboarding, and maintaining consistent patient care across rural and urban locations. He emphasizes the critical role of thorough onboarding and the need for constant communication and coordination among staff to keep operations smooth. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between centralized systems and maintaining a local, familiar feel for patients, while tackling staffing shortages, retention struggles, and increasing demands for operational efficiency.

The discussion also dives into the role of technology and data in synchronizing patient demand, provider capacity, and staffing - revealing that while tools and automation (especially around eligibility verification) have helped, human oversight remains essential. Bill reflects on the financial implications of operational optimization, explaining that consolidating information and streamlining processes across locations significantly improves a practice’s financial health. The episode wraps up with insights on the importance of treating multi-location management as an interconnected system rather than isolated units, showcasing how even small improvements in efficiency can lead to major gains.

In this conversation, Tim Coan interviews Dr. Daniel Urcuyo about functional medicine, exploring its principles, the shift from traditional medicine, and the challenges faced in the healthcare system. They discuss the importance of nutrition and lifestyle changes, the role of technology, and the impact of political influences on the field. Dr. Urcuyo emphasizes the need for a systemic approach to health and the challenges of the current business model in functional medicine.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan dives into the future of AI in healthcare with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the doctor-patient relationship, streamlining medical documentation, and reshaping clinical research and education. Dr. Jensen highlights AI’s potential to reduce burnout, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance medical training while addressing its challenges, such as ensuring evidence-based use. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of technology in patient empowerment and its implications for healthcare professionals. Tune in for a forward-thinking discussion on the intersection of medicine and AI.