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

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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/

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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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In this powerful episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, Luke Carignan sits down with Kelly Martin, Vice President and CHRO at Texas Health Resources, to explore what it truly takes to lead large-scale HR transformation in one of the nation’s largest health systems.

With over 23 years at Texas Health Resources, Kelly has grown from an entry-level employee relations role to the organization’s top HR leadership position. Now, she’s spearheading a bold “HR Evolution”—centralizing transactional functions into a service center, building a competency-based career pathing system, and positioning HR as a true strategic partner to operations.

Kelly pulls back the curtain on:

• First-Year Retention Challenges – Why retention rates for new hires, especially nurses, remain a critical concern across healthcare, and how Texas Health is tackling it head-on.
• Recalibration Over Layoffs – How she managed to restructure over 180 HR roles without mass job loss, creating new opportunities and clear development pathways for her team.
• Balancing Technology and People – Implementing systems like ServiceNow while ensuring the human side of HR remains central to workforce engagement and culture.
• Partnering with Operational Leaders – Aligning HR goals with business outcomes to improve culture, engagement, and retention.
• Leading with Empathy and Accountability – Delivering tough messages with compassion and transparency while keeping focus on the future vision.

From building trust with leaders to forecasting workforce needs, Kelly shares the practical strategies and leadership mindset required to thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape. She also offers candid reflections on resilience, adaptability, and “playing offense” in HR rather than staying reactive.

Whether you’re a healthcare HR leader, executive decision-maker, or operations partner, this episode delivers actionable insights on workforce strategy, change management, and the critical role HR plays in organizational success.

📢 Quote to Remember:
"We cannot fail at this. It’s too big. And with the right team and leadership support, we won’t." – Kelly Martin

🎧 Tune in now to learn how bold vision, strategic alignment, and genuine care for people can transform HR into a driving force for healthcare excellence.

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Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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In this powerful episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Carrie O'Dell, Chief Human Resources Officer at Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, for a candid and inspiring conversation about what it truly means to lead with courage, authenticity, and vision in today’s healthcare environment.

With over 25 years of progressive HR leadership, Carrie brings a grounded, people-first approach to shaping cultures that thrive, even in times of crisis. From redefining onboarding to confronting workplace trauma and burnout, her leadership philosophy is rooted in creating space for transparency, vulnerability, and action.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🛠️ From Reaction to Reimagination
Carrie shares how her team moved from putting out fires to building long-term people strategies aligned with organizational values and why HR can’t sit back and wait for change.

💬 Communication as a Leadership Imperative
Carrie unpacks her team’s approach to courageous conversations, fostering an environment where listening, speaking up, and mutual trust are prioritized.

💡 HR's Role in Organizational Healing
Whether navigating the fallout of a tragic workplace incident or responding to systemic burnout, HR has a crucial role to play in helping teams heal. Carrie shares what worked, what didn’t, and why showing up matters.

🧩 Designing HR With Intentionality
From recruitment to retention, Carrie discusses how her team evaluates every process through the lens of employee experience, and how this mindset shift drives engagement and retention in the post-COVID healthcare era.

🌱 Personal Growth as a Leadership Tool
Carrie gets real about her own leadership evolution, stepping into uncertainty, managing self-doubt, and learning to lead with heart while driving measurable outcomes.

💬 Memorable Quote:
"People aren't just looking for a job anymore. They're looking for purpose, safety, and a place they can be heard. HR leaders have the power to build that."

🎧 Tune in now to hear how courageous HR leadership can shape the culture, resilience, and future of healthcare organizations across the country.

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Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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In this deeply moving and high-impact episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, Bo and Luke are joined by Maureen O’Brien, CEO of the Global Wisdom and Leadership Forum, keynote speaker, cancer survivor, and self-proclaimed “Sales Sage.” Together, they explore the powerful intersection of leadership, sales, mindset, and purpose in healthcare HR and beyond.

This is not your typical sales conversation.

Maureen shares transformative insights on how HR professionals can build internal sales acumen to effectively pitch strategic initiatives to executives like CEOs, CFOs, and Boards. She introduces the concept of the “18-inch vertical drop”… connecting head and heart, and how tapping into authentic communication is key to winning support for HR-led projects in today’s complex healthcare environment.

💥 What You’ll Learn:

• Why every HR leader is in sales (even if you don’t call it that)
• How to use empathy and active listening to influence key stakeholders
• Tactical advice for presenting ideas that stick, without 900-word slides
• The critical role of discovery before design or delivery
• The risk of relying too heavily on relationships in vendor partnerships

Maureen’s powerful perspective as a stage-four Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor brings unmatched depth to her philosophy of living and leading with intention. She shares her commitment to honoring “one more day,” offering a blueprint for resilience, gratitude, and making every conversation count.

Whether you’re a CHRO presenting a benefits overhaul or a talent acquisition pro trying to align leadership on a tech investment, this episode will elevate your approach. You'll walk away with actionable tools to lead with heart, speak with clarity, and drive real outcomes—no matter your job title.

🔑 Key Quotes:

• “Sales is just a swear word for service.”
• “Mindset is your superpower—use it with intention.”
• “Discovery is the most important part of the process. Design and delivery should never come first.”

🎯 Perfect For:

• Healthcare HR professionals
• Organizational leaders managing change
• Sales professionals in complex B2B environments
• Anyone seeking purpose-driven leadership development

🎧 Tune in and learn how to shift your seat to the other side of the table, speak the language your stakeholders understand, and ultimately become the kind of leader (and human) who gets the right things done for the right reasons.

📖 Bonus: Maureen’s book, 26 Points of Light, shares her journey through cancer, featuring contributions from her caregivers and family. All proceeds support cancer research and patient care.

From our sponsors...

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Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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Healthcare HR is at a crossroads, and Michael Olson is one of the leaders showing the way forward. In this future-focused episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Michael, VP of HR Operations at Avera Health, to explore what it truly means to operate HR as a strategic business partner in today’s high-stakes healthcare environment.

🚨 Spoiler alert: HR can’t afford to be reactive anymore. It must be data-informed, operations-savvy, and ready to influence 50% of a hospital’s budget—labor costs.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔹 Why the “HR-as-Operations” model is the future
Michael shares his unique career journey from finance and IT to senior care ops to HR, and how his diverse background helps him bring a business-first approach to people strategy.

🔹 How HR leaders can manage $1B+ labor budgets
Hear how Michael is hiring HR talent who can speak the language of CFOs and help manage labor spend at scale.

🔹 The power of walking the floors
Whether you're in recruiting, systems design, or strategic leadership, shadowing your clinical teams leads to better design, empathy, and ultimately better hiring and retention strategies.

🔹 AI, automation, and HR’s identity shift
Michael, Bo, and Luke discuss how HR roles are being recalibrated—not eliminated—by AI. Those who thrive will be the ones who lead with data and understand the operational heartbeat of healthcare.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✅ HR must stop building processes for HR’s convenience and instead design for operational efficiency.
✅ Go beyond awareness—get fluent in your health system’s P&L, balance sheets, and reimbursement models.
✅ Every HR professional should learn how to leverage data, ask better questions, and act as an internal consultant.
✅ There’s no “career fairy.” Growth happens when you take initiative, seek mentorship across departments, and stay curious.

📢 Quote to Remember:
“There is no career fairy coming to save you. You have to go learn, go ask, and go connect.”

Whether you’re an HRBP, recruiter, or CHRO, this episode delivers a compelling vision for the modern HR function—one rooted in business acumen, empathy, and bold leadership.

🎧 Tune in to start thinking like an HR operator, not just a practitioner.

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Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

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In this uplifting and honest conversation, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Staci Taylor, a seasoned HR executive, musician, and passionate people champion to unpack what it really means to lead with heart in today’s healthcare landscape.

With a rich background leading human resources for some of the nation’s largest health systems, Staci brings a refreshingly candid take on servant leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the simple (but not easy) practice of treating people like… people.

🧠 Key Themes Explored in This Episode:

🌟 Leadership Is a Calling, Not a Title
Staci believes great leaders are grounded in humility, service, and kindness. She shares powerful personal stories about what shaped her view of leadership and how anyone, from a floor nurse to a facilities engineer, can be empowered to lead.

🛠️ Developing the Mid-Level Bench
Too often, healthcare systems invest in their senior leadership while overlooking the frontline leaders running the show at 2 AM. Staci outlines how building a collaborative leadership pipeline at the manager level can transform retention, morale, and succession planning.

🤝 HR + Finance: A Critical Partnership
Whether she’s building rapport with the CFO or sneaking into the "wrong" conference room to understand the business side of care delivery, Staci is a firm believer that HR professionals must understand… and speak… the language of finance to effectively advocate for people strategies.

🎸 Authenticity at Work
From her love of rock music and restoring a 1971 Chevelle to giving a struggling high school student the confidence to pursue tattoo artistry, Staci embodies what it means to connect with people beyond job titles. Her leadership philosophy? Remove the leash. Empower the person.

💡 Tactical Takeaways for Healthcare HR Leaders:

• Replace micromanagement with trust and clear expectations.
• Prioritize leadership development at every level—not just the top.
• Invite your CFO to lunch. Learn their language.
• Celebrate the whole person, not just the employee.
• Don’t force leadership paths on those who don’t want them. Instead, cultivate influence without formal authority.

📣 Quote to Remember:
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek (shared by Staci Taylor)

If you're craving a reminder of why you chose a career in HR—or need the motivation to lead more authentically—this episode will leave you both energized and reflective.

From our sponsors...

Unlock Pharmacy Plan Potential!

Your employees expect top-tier medical benefits, like comprehensive care access. But how can you balance these expectations against rising costs, across your full benefits portfolio? Did you know that hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions each year than other industries? How can you tell if all those prescriptions were needed, or if you could have had significant cost savings by filling at your own hospital pharmacies?

Contact RxBenefits today to learn more: https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN

Simplify screening, credentialing & compliance with oneBADGEhealthcare from ISB Global. Built for healthcare HR leaders. Learn more & get started here: https://isbglobalservices.com/onebadgeunitedstates/ashhra/

Support the show