In this episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo sit down with Eric Cole, Corporate Senior Vice President of HR at Scripps Health in San Diego. With a unique background in finance and hospital administration, Eric shares how blending operational insight with HR strategy has transformed leadership and culture at Scripps.

Key highlights include:

• Operations in HR: A Game-Changer – Eric discusses why HR pros need ops experience to drive strategy, especially when workforce costs hit 65% of expenses. Thought-provoking question: Are you bridging the gap between HR and operations in your organization?
• Stellar Engagement Results – Scripps jumped to the 86th percentile in employee engagement and 85th in belonging via Press Ganey surveys. Secrets? Multi-channel communication, staff-led problem-solving, and a focus on respect, recognition, and involvement.
• Building Trust Through Crises – From COVID to cyber attacks, Eric reveals how empowering teams and fostering relationships turned challenges into trust-building opportunities. Reflect: How prepared is your team to lead without a playbook?
• Leadership 101 (or 501?) – Insights on avoiding micromanagement, leveraging diverse skills, and using surveys as living tools for improvement. Eric emphasizes: Let staff own solutions—leaders remove barriers.

This episode challenges HR leaders to rethink trust, involvement, and continuous improvement. What small change could spark big cultural shifts in your healthcare system?

Don't miss ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah, May 17-19—register at ashhra.org!

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Join hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo for a lively episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, where they chat with Victor Gaines, AVP of Talent Acquisition at Wellstar Health System. Kicking off with NFL banter and a playful scoop on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's "engagement" (spoiler: it's all in good fun), the conversation quickly dives into Victor's eclectic career journey—from finance and TV to healthcare, pizza at Papa John's, and bourbon at Sazerac—now circling back to innovative TA in healthcare.

Victor shares how his cross-industry experience (spanning high-volume hiring at Comcast and Papa John's to specialized roles at Fiserv and McKesson) equips him to tackle post-pandemic challenges like agility, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. The trio explores the transformative power of AI in TA: from automating scheduling and screening to combating bias and "hallucinations." Thought-provoking questions arise—can AI eradicate human biases, or does it amplify them? How close are we to AI-driven individualized learning or even clinical efficiencies?

Key takeaways:

• Diverse Backgrounds Fuel Innovation: Victor's non-traditional path highlights why healthcare is increasingly recruiting external talent for fresh perspectives.
• AI's Double-Edged Sword: Essential for high-volume tasks but demands a "human in the loop" to mitigate risks like unintended bias or outdated data.
• Future-Proofing TA: Insights on pre-boarding, ambient listening in clinics, and ethical AI use—could we see 30%+ efficiency gains in five years?

Victor's wisdom: "We've seen unprecedented change; now it's about agility to persevere." Whether you're in HR, TA, or curious about AI's role in work, this episode sparks debate on balancing tech with human judgment.

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or visit ashhra.org/ashhra-podcast. What biases lurk in your processes? Share your thoughts!

From Our Sponsors...

Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits
Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits.
Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Streamline HR Compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare
Simplify screening, credentialing, and compliance for healthcare HR. oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global offers a tailored solution to keep your workforce compliant and efficient. Built for healthcare leaders, it’s your all-in-one compliance tool.
Get Started here - https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show

In this special edition of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with three powerhouse voices from RxBenefits—Rhiannon Klein, Sarah Hearn, and Sarah McHale—to unpack the latest seismic shift in the 340B Drug Pricing Program and what it means for hospitals, health systems, and the communities they serve.

What’s at Stake?
HRSA’s newly announced pilot rebate model for 340B—initially affecting 10 IRA drugs—threatens to upend the way covered entities access drug discounts. Instead of receiving upfront savings, hospitals must now purchase at Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) and then request rebates from manufacturers. That shift could mean:

• Increased administrative burden and FTE needs
• Delayed cash flow—up to 55 days before rebate funds are received
• Expanded manufacturer access to sensitive claims data
• Greater leverage for drug companies to deny rebates or restrict program access

Why Healthcare HR Leaders Should Care
This is more than a pharmacy or finance problem. The ripple effects of reduced 340B savings could force rural hospitals to cut services—or close entirely—impacting patient access, workforce health, and community stability.

Key Insights from the Conversation:

• How the rebate model could snowball to cover more drugs and further erode 340B benefits
• Why data transparency requirements may be a double-edged sword for covered entities
• The connection between Medicaid disenrollment under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and loss of 340B eligibility
• The growing threat to rural healthcare sustainability, with hundreds of hospitals already at risk of closure

Call to Action:
The panel urges healthcare leaders to educate themselves, cross-collaborate internally, and engage in advocacy now. With HRSA accepting comments on the pilot program until September 2, there’s still a window to voice concerns—both formally and publicly.

Listen to Learn:

• The mechanics of HRSA’s rebate pilot and why it’s controversial
• The likely financial and operational impacts for hospitals of all sizes
• Advocacy strategies that have the power to influence policy outcomes

📢 This episode is a must-listen for healthcare executives, HR leaders, pharmacy directors, and policy advocates who want to protect access to affordable care and preserve the safety net for vulnerable populations.

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