Mental health is a top community health need nationwide. In this conversation, John Muir Health's Jesse Tamplen, vice president of care coordination, and Jamie Elmasu, director of community health improvement, explain how community health needs assessments (CHNAs), data-driven planning and nonprofit partnerships are expanding access to patients who need it most. Learn how this health system's community blueprint is leading to better ecosystems of care in Northern California.

When health care emergencies strike in rural America, preparation can make all the difference. In this conversation, Tina Eden, R.N., CEO of Virginia Gay Hospital, and Jacinda Bunch, Ph.D., R.N., assistant professor at the Iowa College of Nursing and senior advisor to Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA), dive into how this mobile clinical education program (SIM-IA) is delivering high-impact simulation training directly to rural hospitals and EMS teams. From pediatric trauma to obstetric emergencies and rare airway procedures, learn why SIM-IA isn’t just about training — it’s a critical patient safety strategy.

What does it take to transform an entire health system into a national leader in patient safety? Hartford HealthCare didn’t just ask the question — they answered it. In this conversation, Stephanie Calcasola, R.N., chief quality officer and vice president of quality and safety at Hartford HealthCare, unpacks the programs, technology and cultural shifts that drove measurable and nationally-recognized results.

To learn about the AHA's Quest for Quality Award and updates about future application periods, please visit https://www.aha.org/about/awards/quest-for-quality

Virtual nursing is changing how hospitals deliver care — but what does it actually look like in practice? In this conversation, Wendy Kim, DNP, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer of the central market at Henry Ford Health, shares how the system's virtual nursing program is reducing documentation burden, improving patient safety and giving nurses more time at the bedside. Learn how this nurse-driven approach to innovation is reshaping inpatient care through virtual nursing and AI-enabled tools.

Thank you for listening to Advancing Health! As we close out 2025, we’re excited to share highlights from two impactful episodes that sparked dialogue around improving health care in America. Advancing Health will return in 2026 with fresh insights and thought-provoking discussions. Until then, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year!

In this special Leadership Dialogue conversation, Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health and outgoing AHA board chair, sits down with Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and incoming 2026 AHA board chair. Together, they reflect on the year’s greatest challenges and achievements — from advances in digital innovation and workforce engagement, to the evolving role of hospitals in their communities. Dr. Boom shares his leadership philosophies, priorities for the year ahead, and his vision for tackling affordability, accelerating innovation, and strengthening collaboration across the health care field.

This podcast has been edited for time. To view the full video conversation, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUsHkHRPcQY

As pharmacy closures accelerate nationwide, M Health Fairview is proving what’s possible when a health system steps up. In this conversation, John Pastor, president of Fairview Pharmacy Services and chief operating officer of Fairview Pharmacy Solutions, shares how the system's expansive pharmacy network, centralized services hub and integrated technology are reshaping medication access Minnesota and beyond.

The future of physician leadership hinges on a skill money can’t buy — social capital. In this conversation, Thomas Lee, M.D., chief medical officer of Press Ganey and editor-in-chief of NEJM Catalyst, explores why social capital is becoming the most critical asset in leadership development, how it can drive organizational performance, and why physicians must act intentionally to enable high-reliability teams.

To learn more about the recent framework for physician leaders, please visit https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.25.0005