In this returning episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-host Luke Carignan sits down with Jeff Knapp, for a timely and candid conversation about artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and what it truly means to lead with humanity in an age of rapid automation. Jeff brings a rare and powerful perspective to the discussion. With a career spanning roles at Aramark, Walgreens, PE-backed organizations, nonprofits, and large public companies, Jeff frames AI not as a threat to HR, but as a o...
In this week’s Monday News Drop, Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier tackle two headlines that should have every healthcare HR leader paying close attention: reported job eliminations at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a new survey showing more than half of U.S. healthcare workers are considering leaving their roles. The conversation cuts through headlines and focuses on what HR leaders need to understand, question, and act on. 🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode VA Job Cuts:...
In this week’s Monday News Drop, Co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, along with ASHHRA Executive Director, Jeremy Sadlier, break down the biggest healthcare HR trends and policy changes shaping the road to 2026—what HR leaders need to watch, prepare for, and take action on now. From telehealth reimbursement cliffs to workplace violence standards and double-digit benefit increases, this episode arms you with a strategic playbook for the year ahead. 🔍 Key Topics Covered 1. The 2026 Telehealth ...
In one of our most eye-opening conversations yet, Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle to unpack the truth behind GLP-1 medications—Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, tirzepatide, and their compounded counterparts. Whether you're an HR leader, benefits strategist, or simply trying to understand why GLP-1s dominate workplace conversations, this episode breaks it all down with clarity, expertise, and a surprising amount of laughter. From skyrocketing utilization to ...
In this week’s Monday News Drop, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan dive into one of healthcare’s most persistent and pressing issues — the national nursing shortage. But this time, they go deeper than headlines to ask the hard question: Is it really a “trend,” or just a long-term problem we keep failing to solve? Bo and Luke trace the roots of the shortage through decades of reports and research, revealing that the so-called “hot topic” isn’t new — it’s been part of America’s healthcare con...
We're thrilled to share the highlights from a mind-expanding episode featuring Cliff Jurkiewicz, VP of Global Strategy at Phenom, alongside our hosts Luke and Bo. Dive Into Reality: Are We Living in a Simulation? The episode kicks off with a wild question: What if there’s a 50% chance we’re living in a simulation, according to Columbia astronomer David Kipping? Cliff explores quantum physics, simulation theory, and how particles defy our ability to understand reality—making us ponder hu...
Welcome to The ASHHRA Podcast! In this episode, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Keith Sorgius, a dedicated hospital advisor at RxBenefits, to dive deep into the world of pharmacy benefits and cost management for hospitals and health systems. With a rich background in pharmacy analytics, PBM consulting, and 340B in-house pharmacy management, Keith Sorgius shares his practical insights on using data-driven strategies to identify savings opportunities and maximize the value of in-...
In this week’s Monday News Drop, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan get real about the future of HR — and why the next evolution of workforce planning is already here. From predictive analytics and skills ontologies to workplace flexibility and AI, Bo and Luke dig into what every HR leader should be thinking about as technology reshapes hiring, training, and team performance. This episode isn’t just theory — it’s a candid conversation about how data can help HR move from reacting to predicti...
In this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Darlene Stone, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Bayhealth, for a powerful conversation about the past, present, and future of healthcare HR. Darlene has seen it all, from the days of typewriters and paper timecards to today’s AI-driven workflows. With over 30 years in healthcare, she’s done every job in HR and brings a uniquely grounded perspective on what truly matters: people. ...
🎙️ Episode 190 – Veterans Day Special: Honoring Service, Saving Lives, and Building Pathways for Veterans In this special Veterans Day episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan pause to honor those who’ve served — and to spotlight a powerful mission that could change the future for Veterans and the healthcare industry alike. This episode is filled with reflection, laughter, and a deep sense of purpose as Bo shares stories from his Army career and the lessons that cont...
In this week’s Monday News Drop, co-hosts Luke Carignan and Jeremy Sadlier dig into a treasure trove of 2025 healthcare HR data points, unpacking what’s really happening across the industry and what the numbers mean for the people on the front lines. From anxiety and depression among nurses to workplace violence and the growing shortage of support staff, this episode shines a light on the challenges healthcare HR professionals must confront head-on. Luke and Jeremy keep it real with practical...
In this eye-opening episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan welcome Kinjal Patel and Brady Heiner from RxBenefits to demystify the complex world of pharmacy benefit management (PBMs). As costs skyrocket, driven by specialty drugs accounting for 50% of spend from just 2% of prescriptions, HR leaders face fiduciary risks, hidden contract clauses, and potential class-action lawsuits. Kinjal and Brady reveal how transparent PBMs differ from traditional models, why "transpa...
Hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Heather Zarzycki, Director of Total Rewards at Adventist Health, for a candid conversation about what’s really changing in healthcare compensation, why transparency isn’t the enemy, and how HR leaders can adapt to the realities of wage compression, remote work, and AI. 💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn: 1️. Transparency Is the New Trust Heather shares how public pay scales, wage laws, and cultural shifts are dismantling the old taboo around “t...
In this lively and thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Elizabeth Babb, System Director of Human Resources at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, for a conversation that blends humor, heart, and hard-hitting insights about modern HR leadership. Elizabeth, a lifelong Spartanburg native and self-proclaimed “hilarious dog mom,” brings her infectious energy and wealth of experience across industries to the table as she dives into the art and science of ...
Monday News Drop: Education Reform, Pharmacy Savings & The Future of Healthcare Workforce This week on The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier tackle three headlines shaking up healthcare HR and workforce strategy: education pipelines, rising benefit costs, and how leadership can get ahead of both. 💡 Inside This Episode: 1️. Healthcare Education Reimagined With healthcare staffing shortages projected into 2030, the hosts explore how health systems can tak...
In Episode 184 of The ASHHRA Podcast, host Luke Carignan sits down with Amanda Ellis, Vice President of Total Rewards at SSM Health, for an inspiring conversation about her dynamic HR journey and innovative approach to total rewards. Amanda shares her story, from her Florida Gator roots to marrying her high school sweetheart and raising a family while climbing the HR ladder. Starting with an internship in Gainesville, she navigated talent acquisition, benefits, and compensation, leading...
We’re excited to bring you the latest episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, where host Luke Carignan sits down with Jennifer Law, CHRO of Vail Health, for a truly heartfelt conversation about the realities—and rewards—of working in healthcare HR nestled in the picturesque mountains of Colorado. Here’s what you’ll find inside this episode: Life & Work in “Paradise” Jen kicks off by sharing what it’s really like working in Vail, Colorado—beyond the stunning views and outdoor perks. From the logist...
Recorded live at the 2025 ASHHRA Executive Summit in Savannah, host Luke Carignan (sans traveling co-host Bo Brabo) sits down with Jaclyn Thomson, Director of Employee & Labor Relations at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Jaclyn shares her unique journey from psychology and counseling to HR mastery, blending empathy with strategic ER. Amid talent shortages and operational challenges, she offers practical wisdom on investigations, union avoidance, and fostering positi...
We’re excited to bring you highlights from this week’s “Monday News Drop” episode of The ASHHRA Podcast! Co-hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo were back in the studio to tackle two of the hottest topics shaping healthcare HR today: a shakeup in leadership expectations and the non-stop momentum of AI. Episode Highlights 1. No One Wants to Lead! Luke and Bo dove into an eye-opening article on “Conscious Unbossing” – a rising Gen Z trend where employees are opting out of formal leadership roles in...
In this engaging solo-hosted episode (Bo's out traveling!), Luke Carignan chats with Erica Samalis, Director of HR Business Partners at Tufts Medicine. Erica shares her pivot from pre-med to HR via business school, her 12 years at Children's National in DC, and her return to New England roots. Amid talent shortages and industry shifts, she discusses elevating HRBPs to strategic roles, workforce development, AI's potential, and fostering engagement in a changing healthcare landscape. Key takea...