In this episode of the Healthcare Plus Podcast, Quint Studer is joined by two visionary nurse leaders from Georgetown University: Dr. Roberta Waite, inaugural dean of the relaunched independent Berkley School of Nursing (BSON), and Dr. Stephan Davis, the inaugural executive director of leadership, policy, and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) education and an associate professor at the Berkley School of Nursing.

Together, they explore what the future of nursing looks like and why leadership built on humanity is the most powerful tool we have. Dean Waite and Dr. Davis discuss the qualities that define great nurse leaders today, from courage and compassion to vulnerability and clarity of purpose. They explain why passion for the profession matters, because when leaders love nursing out loud, they inspire others to do the same. They share how empathy remains essential even in the most complex clinical situations and why centering the full humanity of every patient is nonnegotiable.

Listeners will hear:

• Why the three Cs—courage, compassion, and clarity—are foundational to nurse leadership
• How empathy helps nurses provide care without judgment, even when behavior is challenging
• Why AI should be viewed as augmented intelligence: a tool that frees nurses to focus more on patients
• How technology and robotics can reduce administrative and physical burdens, making leadership roles more sustainable
• Why advocacy skills are becoming just as critical as clinical skills, and how nurses can use their voice to influence policy and protect vulnerable populations
• How nursing must shift from using technology to building it, ensuring nurses are shaping the tools that will shape care

This episode is a powerful reminder that while technology may transform how nursing is delivered, it will never replace the human connection that defines the profession. It’s a must-listen for any current or future nurse leader who wants to influence how care evolves and ensure compassion stays at the center of it all.

In this episode of the Healthcare Plus Podcast, Quint Studer talks to Dr. Heather Resseger and Jonna Taylor, two powerhouse leaders at NorthBay Health, a health system in Solano County, California.

Dr. Heather Resseger, senior VP, chief hospital operations officer, and chief nursing officer, and Jonna Taylor, recently promoted to director of acute care services, walk listeners through the systemwide cultural transformation that’s rewiring leadership, restoring joy to the front lines, and reconnecting teams to their purpose. Together, they’ve built a workplace characterized by trust, ownership, and relationship-building. Best of all, it’s producing measurable gains in employee engagement, patient experience, and safety.

Jonna shares how one powerful reframe (asking patients, “What is your biggest worry or concern right now?”) led to a 70-point leap in patient experience scores within one month. She also explains how her team drove down patient-handling injuries to zero.

From skill-building rounds to a peer-led safety culture to values-based mentoring to a bold approach to performance accountability, this conversation offers practical takeaways for any leader working to create a culture of excellence. It’s a glimpse at what’s possible when you truly invest in your people and trust them to do their work well.

Bios

Heather Resseger, DNP, RN, CNL, CPHQ, NEA-BC, is a strategic and results-driven healthcare executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience in hospital operations, nursing, and quality improvement.

As senior vice president, chief hospital operations officer, and chief nursing officer at NorthBay Health, Dr. Resseger leads transformative initiatives focused on acute care strategy, patient experience, and operational excellence. She is widely recognized for her role in achieving Magnet designation with distinction and for consistently delivering high-quality clinical outcomes.

Dr. Resseger brings deep expertise in high-reliability practices, employee engagement, and cost reduction. Her leadership has also been instrumental in advancing infection prevention protocols, behavioral health planning, and crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She holds a doctor of nursing practice in executive leadership and is deeply committed to fostering strong, values-based healthcare cultures. Her approach is grounded in real-world experience navigating complex health systems and a steadfast dedication to improving patient care.

Jonna Taylor, RN, BSN, MS-HCA, NE-BC, is the director of acute care services at NorthBay Health.

Jonna-Lynn Taylor began a dedicated career in oncology nursing, serving patients and supporting care teams from 2004 to 2013. In 2013, she transitioned into a nurse leadership role, bringing a passion for clinical excellence and team development to the forefront. In 2017, Jonna advanced to a Nurse management position, where she led initiatives to improve patient outcomes and staff engagement. She assumed the role as Nurse manager at NorthBay in 2023. Most recently, in June 2025, Jonna was appointed Director of Acute Care Services, where she continues to drive high-quality, patient-centered care across acute care settings.

In this episode of the Healthcare Plus Podcast, host Dan Collard speaks with Don Taylor and Kurt Scott, co-creators of From Healer to Leader: The Path to Physician Leadership, a unique new leadership development program designed specifically for physicians.

Together, they explore why physician leadership is more essential than ever—and why so many physicians find themselves in leadership roles without the preparation or support they need. Drawing from years of experience in academic programs, military leadership, and physician career development, Don and Kurt talk about the serious gap in physician leadership training and what they’re doing to close it.

Listeners will hear:

• Why a certificate isn’t enough—and why the real outcome should be a personalized leadership plan for each physician
• What makes physicians different from other emerging leaders—and how to support them with the right level of challenge and psychological safety
• How their rolling cohort model and flexible structure honors physicians’ time while still building powerful peer connections
• Why organizations that invest in physician growth see stronger retention and better outcomes
• How leadership development is also a strategy for physician well-being and renewal

Whether you’re a physician, a hospital executive, or someone passionate about building strong clinical leaders, this episode offers smart, strategic insights into what physician leadership training should look like today—and how we can do it better.

For more information about the physician leader development course, please visit: https://www.plc-network.com/the-path-to-physician-leadership/

Don Taylor, Director of the Alliance for Physician Leadership and Professor of Practice at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas

At the Alliance for Physician Leadership, Don’s focus is on cultivating physician leaders who can navigate the complex dynamics of organizational change and healthcare management. Through their programs, they empower physicians with the knowledge to lead cultural shifts and respond to financial challenges in the medical field. As a professor of practice at UT Dallas, Don is dedicated to fostering innovation in healthcare. The team’s work centers on providing executive physicians with a deep understanding of themselves and the healthcare landscape, ensuring that learning is at the heart of health.

Kurt Scott, Founder & CEO, The Physician Leadership Career Network

With over 35 years of experience building and leading successful physician and physician executive recruitment programs, Kurt has dedicated his career to fostering meaningful connections between healthcare organizations and the leaders who drive them forward. In 2019, he recognized a gap in the field—a lack of a dedicated space for physician leaders to connect, grow, and advance their careers. To address this, Kurt founded the Physician Leadership Career Network, creating a platform that bridges this gap and empowers physician leaders to thrive.