Digital Health Leaders Podcast

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Adam Gale, Founder and CEO of KLAS Research, and Dr. Richa Gupta, Vice President of Care Transformation at Ambience Healthcare to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare operations. As recipients of the CHIME and KLAS Trailblazer Award, Ambience Healthcare represents a new generation of technology companies recognized not just for innovation, but for measurable outcomes inside health systems. Together, the leaders explore how ambient AI is evolving beyond documentation support into broader clinical and operational intelligence—impacting coding accuracy, compliance, and revenue integrity. Key Takeaways:How health systems are redefining AI maturity as they move from experimentation to enterprise-scale deployment across clinical and operational workflows.Why ambient AI is expanding beyond clinician documentation to influence coding accuracy, compliance, and revenue integrity across health systems.The organizational conditions required to successfully scale AI initiatives, including workflow integration, leadership alignment, and clinician adoption.What separates high-performing healthcare AI vendors from early-stage solutions that struggle to move beyond pilot programs.How digital health leaders can balance innovation, governance, and trust as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in core healthcare operations.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, welcomes Dr. Jacob Strand, Chair of Palliative Care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Enterprise Chair for the Palliative Care Specialty Council to the show for a conversation that challenges how health systems think about care delivery for patients with serious illness. Together, they examine how digital health leaders can move beyond traditional models of specialty care to build scalable systems that connect data, clinical insight, and operational accountability, ensuring the right care reaches the right patient at the right time.How predictive analytics can help health systems identify patients with serious and complex illness earlier, enabling more proactive and coordinated care.Why designing scalable clinical workflows is essential for improving outcomes and managing rising healthcare complexity.The role digital health leaders play in connecting data, clinical teams, and operational strategy to support more patient-centered care models.Practical ways health systems can use data and digital tools to align care delivery with what matters most to patients and families facing serious illness.Lessons from Mayo Clinic’s approach to integrating palliative care insights across the enterprise to support clinicians and improve patient experience.

In this episode, Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, speaks with PV SubbaRao, President of Healthcare Provider at NTT DATA, about what it truly takes to operationalize AI for lasting transformation. Together, they discuss the leadership decisions, governance structures, and workflow redesign required to scale AI responsibly while driving measurable improvements in financial sustainability, operational resilience, and care delivery.Key Takeaways:Why AI represents a structural shift in healthcare operations and the signals that indicate organizations have reached a true transformation inflection point.The governance, data architecture, and investment decisions required to successfully move AI initiatives from pilot programs to enterprise-scale deployment.How leading organizations are redesigning clinical and operational workflows, roles, and decision-making structures as AI becomes embedded into everyday work.What distinguishes true AI-enabled revenue cycle transformation from traditional automation efforts and how it can support long-term financial sustainability.The leadership, cultural shifts, and performance metrics required to align the C-suite and measure the real impact of AI-driven transformation across the enterprise.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Abdul Shaikh, Global Leader for Digital Health at Amazon Web Services, for a forward-looking conversation on what it takes to scale artificial intelligence responsibly across healthcare. Drawing from global experience advising health systems, payors, and governments, Dr. Shaikh shares insights on how leaders can move from AI pilots to accountable, enterprise-level impact while ensuring technology adoption strengthens both care delivery and confidence in the health system.Key Takeaways:How to recognize the moment AI shifts from isolated innovation projects to enterprise-wide operational exposure requiring formal governance and executive oversight.The foundational infrastructure, cloud architecture, interoperability, and cybersecurity capabilities needed to scale AI safely across health systems.What true workforce readiness looks like as AI reshapes clinical documentation, operational workflows, and decision-making responsibilities.The critical questions executives and boards should ask about AI performance, bias, transparency, and long-term accountability.Why patient trust is the ultimate measure of success for AI in healthcare—and how leaders can ensure transparency and confidence as AI becomes embedded in the care experience.

Derrek Hallock, Senior Vice President of Growth at SHI Healthcare, joins Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, to explore what it takes to scale digital health with intention in today’s healthcare ecosystem. Calling on his deep experience in operational leadership, process optimization, and building high-performing teams, Derrek shares his approach to accelerating growth across teams and healthcare systems. Throughout their discussion, they examine how healthcare organizations can responsibly scale technology infrastructure, navigate innovation such as generative AI and next-generation security, and leverage digital health solutions to expand access, advance equity, and improve outcomes across diverse care settings.Key Takeaways:How healthcare leaders can define and pursue growth beyond revenue, focusing on operational efficiency, provider impact, and patient outcomes.Key challenges and opportunities health systems face when scaling digital infrastructure, including AI adoption, hybrid cloud environments, and next-generation security frameworks.Practical guidance for prioritizing innovation so technology investments deliver sustainable value, measurable outcomes, and long-term transformation.Leadership principles that support sustainable growth, including transparent communication, a “no surprises” management style, and a culture of continuous learning and accountability.How digital health strategies can expand access to care, particularly for rural and underserved communities, while aligning with provider priorities around cost, scalability, and resilience.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Melissa Ursi, Chief Executive Officer of Quoris, for a timely conversation on leading with intention during periods of organizational and industry transformation. With more than 20 years of experience across healthcare IT and executive leadership, Melissa shares how Quoris is navigating its next chapter, balancing evolution with the trust, culture, and expertise that leaders and teams rely on. Together, they explore what it takes to sustain alignment through change, translate technology strategy into operational results, and develop future-ready leaders in a healthcare environment defined by complexity, scale, and constant evolution.Key Takeaways:How healthcare organizations can evolve their brand, structure, and strategy without disrupting the culture and trust that underpin long-term client and team relationships.Practical strategies for maintaining clarity, consistency, and shared purpose across distributed teams without sacrificing flexibility.Where healthcare organizations most often struggle to turn technology investments into measurable outcomes and how to close the gap between strategy and execution.What digital health leaders should prioritize beyond implementation to drive long-term adoption, optimization, and sustained value from technology initiatives.The skills, mindsets, and leadership behaviors that will define the next generation of healthcare IT leaders and how today’s executives can intentionally develop emerging talent.

What Keeps You Up at Night? – Tales from the Digital Frontier Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Tim Lankes, Vice President of Healthcare at Rackspace, for a candid conversation on the realities behind cloud modernization in healthcare. Drawing on decades of experience leading large-scale healthcare technology and services initiatives, Tim shares how organizations are balancing innovation with security, cost, and continuity of care amid increasing regulatory and operational pressures.Throughout their discussion, they explore what’s driving successful cloud and multicloud strategies today, including separating hype from practical value in AI adoption to scaling pilots into enterprise-wide impact. Key Takeaways:How digital health leaders can modernize infrastructure, strengthen data accessibility, and align technology with human adoption to deliver outcomes that matter.Where multicloud strategies are creating the greatest operational value and what often gets overlooked.What it takes to move cloud and AI initiatives from pilot projects to sustained, enterprise-wide platforms.How AI is delivering practical benefits today by optimizing cloud environments and supporting data-driven decision-making.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Rick Shepardson, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimum Healthcare IT, for a focused discussion on how healthcare organizations can move beyond implementation to realize meaningful value from digital health initiatives. Together, they explore practical insights on aligning people, data, and strategy to drive measurable progress — examine how digital health leaders are navigating modernization amid operational pressures—leveraging data to empower clinicians and patients, rethinking the role of legacy systems, and evaluating emerging technologies such as cloud, AI, and automation.Key TakeawaysWhere health systems are finding the greatest opportunities to improve clinician performance, patient experience, and operational results through smarter use of data.How healthcare organizations can unlock hidden clinical, operational, and financial value from legacy systems as part of broader modernization efforts.Practical approaches to unlocking value from legacy systems and integrating historical data into modern analytics and AI strategies.Leadership insights on guiding teams through uncertainty while fostering alignment, trust, and continuous learning.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with healthcare leader Clint Drawdy, Chief Executive Officer, for a thoughtful conversation on the evolving state of digital health. With decades of experience guiding teams through transition and transformation, Clint offers perspective on what health systems are facing today — from shifting organizational expectations to the growing influence of AI on workforce development and culture. Together, they explore how leadership, trust, and people-centered decision-making shape the success of digital initiatives, and what it takes to build resilient teams prepared for the future of care delivery.Key Takeaways:The emerging challenges, priorities, and expectations health systems are navigating as digital transformation accelerates.How AI and automation are reshaping talent needs and strategies for fostering a culture where people and technology evolve together.What leaders should prioritize when hiring for innovation, including balancing technical skills with collaboration and human judgment.Strategies for building and supporting the digital health workforce of the future, including critical competencies required for sustained innovation.

What Keeps You Up at Night? – Tales from the Digital Frontier The Case for Audacity in AI and Capacity Management StrategyRuss Branzell welcomes Erik Barnett, Health Partner at Guidehouse and leader of the Health Technology Consulting Practice, for a candid discussion on the realities of AI adoption in healthcare. Drawing on his experience as both a clinician and business leader, Erik shares insights on building trust, establishing governance, and scaling AI initiatives — from optimizing patient flow and care team coordination to ensuring responsible, strategic implementation.Key Takeaways:How gaps in digital maturity and disconnected strategies can create organizational risk.AI use cases that are overhyped versus those with tangible impact on patient care and operations.The role of governance and leadership in operationalizing AI responsibly and building trust.Strategies for selecting partners and scaling innovations effectively across health systems.Why audacious goals and bold bets are essential for meaningful transformation in healthcare.

What Keeps You Up at Night? – Tales from the Digital Frontier  Empowering Providers and Platforms: How Digital Health Must Evolve  Host and Guest: Russ Branzell, CHIME President & CEO  Bob Segert, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Athenahealth Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Bob Segert, Chairman and CEO of athenahealth, for a candid conversation about the complexities, misconceptions, and opportunities shaping today’s ambulatory and independent practice landscape — discussing how technology must evolve to truly support front-line clinicians.From ambulatory care as one of the most overlooked opportunities in U.S. healthcare, to why scalable innovation depends as much on trust and design as it does on data and automation, they explore how policymakers, payers, and tech leaders can better align to strengthen independent practices and why trust remains the most valuable currency in healthcare technology. Key TakeawaysWhat it takes to design technology that truly supports front-line clinicians and daily practice operations.The systemic barriers that limit scalable digital adoption and how industry stakeholders can help remove them.Why trust is central to successful innovation and how tech leaders can earn it through design and delivery.How AI can be applied realistically in independent practices to improve documentation, workflow, and revenue cycle management.

This episode introduces the identity crisis facing healthcare and explores why 80% coverage isn’t the ceiling — it’s just the floor. With a candid conversation between Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, and Clay Ritchey, CEO, Verato, they unpack the future of patient identity, the risks of fragmented data, and why clean, connected, and complete records are essential to transforming care.

What Keeps You Up at Night? – Tales from the Digital Frontier  Trust, Scale, and Strategy: What We Still Get Wrong About Digital Health Execution  Host and Guest: Russ Branzell, CHIME President & CEO  Phil Sobol, Chief Commercial Officer, CereCore Podcast DescriptionRuss Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Phil Sobol, Chief Commercial Officer at CereCore, to explore the real pressures and opportunities facing digital health leaders today. From navigating operational realities and scaling EHR innovations to separating hype from impact in data and interoperability, Phil shares candid insights from the frontlines of healthcare technology. Together, they explore the importance of trust, relationship-driven strategy, and bold investments in people and long-term growth.Key Takeaways:The operational complexities – including staffing shortages and large-scale tech transitions – that are challenging digital health leaders to rethink strategy and execution.Overhyped trends in digital health, and the solutions driving measurable impact inside health systems to improve interoperability and patient care.Strategies for scaling successful pilot programs to enterprise-wide adoption of EHR and other digital initiatives.Best practices for building trust and credibility with healthcare leaders in a crowded technology landscape.Bold leadership strategies to drive sustainable growth and innovation in healthcare services.

In this episode, CHIME President and CEO Russ Branzell is joined by Fran Rosch, CEO of Imprivata. Together, they delve into one of digital health’s most critical challenges: how to secure access in a distributed, digitally dependent, and rapidly evolving care environment.From the growing risks of third-party access to the real-world adoption of passwordless workflows and mobile identity, Fran shares how healthcare organizations can protect patient safety while enabling clinical efficiency. They discuss the imperative need for strategic leadership in times of change, the evolution of digital identity beyond traditional hospital walls, and the innovative solutions shaping the future of trusted access.Key Takeaways:Discover proactive strategies to manage third-party access and reduce risk.Understand the true impact of passwordless authentication on clinical workflows, trust models, and user experience.Hear what successful organizations are doing to implement mobile identity at scale while balancing legacy systems and cultural change.Explore how digital identity is evolving into a strategic asset that supports distributed care and clinical collaboration.Identify the trends shaping the next generation of trusted access, including AI, cloud, and system interoperability.

Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Dr. Okan Ekinci, CMIO & Global Head of Digital Technology at Roche Information Solutions, to explore the evolving roles of digital health in one of the world’s largest biotech organizations. From aligning diagnostics and pharmaceutical innovation to enhancing cybersecurity and unlocking AI’s clinical potential, Dr. Ekinci shares how Roche is navigating digital transformation in healthcare on a global scale. This insightful conversation also addresses the cultural and leadership shifts necessary to sustain innovation and ensure long-term impact in healthcare and life sciences.Key Takeaways:Key challenges and opportunities in integrating diagnostic data with treatment decisions.Emerging frameworks to overcome data silos and drive clinical interoperability.Biotech-specific cybersecurity threats and strategies for balancing protection with innovation.The top technologies transforming patient care and shaping the future of precision medicine.Leadership imperatives for building a culture of sustainable innovation in life sciences.

As healthcare extends beyond traditional walls, leaders are rethinking how, where, and by whom care is delivered. In this episode of CHIMEcast, CHIME President and CEO Russ Branzell sits down with Dr. Ben Zaniello, Chief Medical Officer at Best Buy Health, to unpack the future of Hospital-at-Home and remote care. Together, they explore what it takes to build scalable, tech-enabled care models—from integrated platforms to in-home logistics—while tackling the policy, operational, and cultural challenges leaders must navigate. This is a real-world conversation about leading through transformation, future-proofing care, and staying grounded in the clinical mission. Participants Russ Branzell, CHIME President & CEO (Host) Ben Zaniello, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Best Buy Health 

In the latest Leader2Leader episode, Russ Branzell, President & CEO of CHIME, sits down with John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect at Connection, for a timely conversation on cyber resilience, digital trust, and the future of healthcare security.Together, they explore the evolving cybersecurity landscape, the challenges healthcare organizations are facing, and how leadership, continuous learning, and community engagement are key to staying ahead. From real-world insights to future-forward thinking, this episode is a must-listen for digital health leaders navigating today’s complex threat environment.

In this episode of CHIME’s Leader-to-Leader Podcast, Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME, sits down with Jason Rose, CEO of Clearsense, to explore the evolving role of data in healthcare. Jason shares his insights on data-driven innovation, overcoming security and access challenges, and the importance of leadership in healthcare technology. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of healthcare data and the strategies that leaders can use to drive meaningful change and improve patient outcomes. 

In this episode, CHIME President and CEO, Russ Branzell welcomes Rachael England, Associate Principal of Digital Technologies at Vizient, to unpack the complex realities facing digital health leaders who are driving innovation amid mounting economic pressures. Rachael shares insights from working closely with provider CIOs and IT teams to reduce costs, streamline vendor relationships, and ensure digital strategies align with long-term goals. Together, they explore the balance between visionary leadership and sustainable execution, discussing how strategic partnerships can maximize value without sacrificing agility.Key Takeaways:How digital health leaders are navigating budget constraints, vendor fatigue, and pressures to innovateStrategies to reduce IT spend and complexity leveraging GPOs and strategic partnershipsReal-world use cases for AI in procurement and IT decision-makingHow to overcome hurdles in AI adoption with the right data and collaborationThought leadership principles for maintaining focus, avoiding burnout, and leading effective and sustainable digital transformation

In this episode, Harmeet Chauhan, CEO of GS Lab | GAVS Technologies, shares his insights on the evolving role of AI and data infrastructure in healthcare. He emphasizes the importance of building robust, scalable data foundations before implementing AI and advanced analytics to ensure measurable outcomes. Harmeet discusses his perspective on how emerging trends, such as the integration of unstructured and patient-generated data into AI models, are shaping the future of healthcare.Key Takeaways:Why strong data infrastructure is essential before adopting AI and advanced analytics in healthcare.Proven frameworks for building scalable, healthcare-ready data platforms that can support sustainable AI integration.Strategies for communicating the ROI of foundational data engineering efforts to stakeholders focused on immediate outcomes and short-term results.Emerging trends in AI adoption, including the integration of unstructured and patient-generated data into AI models.Leadership strategies for aligning technical teams and executives to drive successful investments in data infrastructure and AI.