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 takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• HRBP Evolution: Shift from transactional ER to strategic advising—build trust through rounding and proactive support.
• Workforce Planning: Focus on succession, internal mobility, and new business lines; partner with operations for talent pipelines.
• Talent Shortages: Address nursing/tech gaps with education investments, global sourcing, and retention strategies—emphasize culture over perks.
• AI in HR: Use for efficiency (e.g., chatbots, screening) but preserve human elements; frees time for high-impact work like development.
• Employee Engagement: Leverage surveys, DEI, and perks (e.g., pet insurance, tuition); prioritize mental health and flexibility.
• Industry Insights: Innovate amid change—share ideas via networks like ASHHRA for collaborative solutions.

A must-listen for HR driving strategic impact in healthcare. Erica's journey inspires adaptability!

Join ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah! Register here.

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In this lively episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo welcome Michelle Nicholl, CHRO in Las Vegas, NV. With a diverse career spanning call centers, hospitality, banking, and 15 years in healthcare, Michelle shares her unscripted journey—from building and dismantling an HR department during an FDIC closure to tackling talent shortages in Vegas' competitive market. Amid casino perks and nursing gaps, she discusses innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, and employee well-being.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• Talent Competition in Vegas: Battle hospitality giants with flexible benefits like pet insurance and tuition assistance; leverage internal mobility and education partnerships to fill gaps.
• Nursing Shortages: Address 30-40 open RN roles with targeted sourcing, traveler conversions, and residency programs—focus on retention to combat burnout.
• Employee Engagement: Implement rounding, "lunch and learns," and DEI initiatives; prioritize mental health and work-life balance to boost morale.
• AI & Tech in HR: Use AI for efficiency (e.g., chatbots, screening) but maintain human touch; explore tools like Workday for streamlined operations.
• Diverse Backgrounds: Bring non-healthcare experience for fresh perspectives—adapt hospitality's customer service focus to patient care.
• Personal Touch: Foster trust through visibility and empathy; celebrate wins with events and perks to build a supportive culture.

A must-listen for HR navigating competitive landscapes and shortages. Michelle's real-world wisdom inspires resilience!

Join ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah! Register here.

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/

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In this insightful episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo welcome Cyann Peterson, Recruiting Operations Lead at Tenet Healthcare. With a unique journey from agriculture and NASCAR roots to agency recruiting at Apex Systems, Ascension, HCA, and now Tenet, Cyann shares her evolution into TA Ops. She dives into optimizing processes, tech stacks, and team enablement in large-scale healthcare recruiting—drawing from experiences like boosting Ascension's career site to millions of applications via Google for Jobs.

Cyann emphasizes curiosity, problem-solving, and bridging gaps between recruiters and leaders to drive efficiency amid talent shortages.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• Path to TA Ops: Start in recruiting, show curiosity in processes—titles vary (e.g., TA Partner, Project Manager); leverage skills like SEO and tech integration for growth.
• Tech Stack Essentials: Use ATS (e.g., Workday) for compliance, CRM (e.g., Phenom) for personalization; integrate AI for efficiency without replacing human touch.
• Process Optimization: Focus on root problems—streamline requisitions, enhance candidate experience; prioritize user-friendly tools to reduce recruiter admin time.
• SEO & Visibility: Optimize job postings with keywords, FAQs, and schema markup; aim for Google for Jobs dominance to attract passive talent.
• Team Enablement: Train recruiters on tools; foster collaboration between TA Ops and leaders for scalable solutions—curiosity drives innovation.
• Career Advice: Network, ask questions; TA Ops offers exposure across HR/IT—ideal for process-driven pros seeking impact.

A must-listen for HR transforming talent acquisition in healthcare. Cyann's practical wisdom inspires actionable change!

Join us at ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah! Register here.

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/

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In this energizing episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo chat with Shaina Lane, Senior Leadership Development Specialist at AccentCare. With a background in sports medicine and healthcare operations, Shaina shares her pivot to HR and her passion for building better leaders. Drawing from her book Leadership Is Easy, Said No One Ever: 11 Habits to Learn Early So You Can Lead Expertly, she tackles common pitfalls like reactive "shitty" leadership and offers actionable strategies for proactive growth.

Shaina emphasizes shifting from task management to people development, especially in healthcare's high-pressure environment. From promoting technical experts without mindset training to fostering curiosity and vulnerability, her insights empower HR pros to create resilient teams amid talent shortages.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• Mindset Shift: Promote experts into leadership? Train them on proactive habits like curiosity, vulnerability, and self-awareness to avoid reactive pitfalls.
• 11 Essential Habits: Build routines for meaningful 1:1s, difficult conversations, feedback, and professional development—free guides available at shainalane.com.
• ROI on Development: Unskilled managers cost $126K/year in turnover and conflict; invest early to boost retention and productivity.
• Curiosity & Vulnerability: Encourage leaders to ask questions and admit gaps—fosters innovation and trust in fast-paced healthcare.
• Resources Galore: Grab Shaina's book for practical tools; pair with classics like Crucial Conversations for comprehensive growth.
• Self-Start Leadership: Don't wait for org-wide programs—HR can drive change with simple habits and data-backed business cases.

A must-listen for HR navigating leadership challenges in healthcare. Shaina's real-talk approach inspires immediate action!

Register for ASHHRA 2026 in Savannah at ashhra.org!

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/

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In this captivating episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Dr. Tali Lando, a board-certified pediatric otolaryngologist at Westchester Medical Center Health Network in New York. Dr. Lando shares her inspiring path to medicine, from volunteering in NICUs and sign language interpreting to rigorous training at Cornell, Columbia, and CHOP. Now a mother of three, she balances high-stakes surgeries with family life, offering raw insights into the demands of pediatric ENT surgery.

Dr. Lando discusses her new book, Breathless: Surgical Tales from the Brink (and Back), blending gripping stories of life-saving procedures, like removing a button battery from a child's esophagus, with personal reflections on burnout, motherhood, and resilience. From COVID challenges to the joy of hard work, her experiences highlight the human side of healthcare, reminding HR leaders of the dedication behind clinical roles.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR professionals:

• Path to Passion: Early volunteering sparked Dr. Lando's career; encouraging similar opportunities to inspire future clinicians amid talent shortages.
• Work-Life Balance: As a surgeon-mom, she stresses self-care, boundaries, and finding joy in the process… lessons for supporting overworked staff.
• Surgical Realities: Hear about airway emergencies and the emotional toll; HR can foster empathy through cross-departmental storytelling.
• Dedication & Perseverance: In a fast-paced world, emphasize hard work over quick rewards to build resilient teams.
• Book Insights: Breathless humanizes medicine; use it for team discussions on compassion and innovation.
• Fun Tip: Lululemon's first-responder discounts… perfect for healthcare perks!

A must-listen for HR pros supporting clinical heroes, blending inspiration with practical wisdom. Tune in for tales that bridge the gap between HR and the OR.

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

Kick off your week with the inaugural "News Drop" episode of The ASHHRA Podcast! Hosts Luke Carignan, Bo Brabo, and new co-host Jeremy Sadlier (ASHHRA CEO) deliver a fresh weekly roundup of top healthcare HR headlines. From critical staffing shortages to AI's role in HR, they break down trends, stats, and implications—sparking discussions on innovative solutions for HR pros.

Key headlines & insights:

• Staffing Shortages Escalate: Physician gap hits 124K by 2033; need 200K nurses yearly, with 450K RN deficit by 2025. Factors: Aging population, limited nursing schools, burnout (30% of nurses eyeing exits). Impact: 12% higher mortality per extra patient/nurse. Call for university partnerships and global talent pipelines.
• AI in HR: Boon or Bust?: 83% of HR leaders lack right tech; only 59% use analytics, 54% automation. Debate on AI reducing admin vs. risking impersonal HR—emphasize freeing staff for meaningful support.
• Burnout & Mental Health: 58% of employees burned out; 45% report mental health decline. Build cultures of trust and flexibility to retain talent.
• HR Visibility: Jeremy shares site visit stories—remote HR erodes trust; prioritize on-site presence.

A must-listen for staying ahead in healthcare HR. Tune in weekly for actionable insights!

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 RxBenefits-sponsored episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan explore the dynamic pharmacy benefits landscape with experts Sarah Hearn and Wes Hill (Director of Compliance & Legal Operations). Amid the busiest legislative season yet—over 1,500 bills—they discuss PBM reforms, ERISA challenges, compounding alternatives for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, 340B pricing, and emerging lawsuits. Gain insights on transparency, cost savings, and compliance for healthcare HR pros navigating employee benefits.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• Legislative Surge: 1,500+ state bills target PBMs, carriers, and more; expect increased reporting burdens but better data for informed decisions.
• ERISA Erosion Risks: States challenge federal uniformity—multi-state plans face conflicting laws; monitor for compliance headaches.
• Positive Reforms: New mandates empower plan sponsors with PBM data; leverage 340B and coupons to cut costs (e.g., Wegovy from $1,000 to $100/month).
• Compounding & Innovation: Affordable GLP-1 alternatives via telehealth, but ensure safety and avoid controlled substance pitfalls.
• Lawsuits to Watch: Oklahoma ERISA win; Arkansas PBM permit ban challenges interstate commerce—outcomes could reshape operations.
• Action Steps: Demand vendor transparency; align with ERISA; educate teams on benefits to prevent misuse and optimize savings.

Essential listening for HR managing rising pharmacy costs and regulations. Spark curiosity—reach out to RxBenefits for guidance!

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 inspiring episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, hosts Luke Carignan and Bo Brabo welcome Lisa Kemph, CHRO at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL. With 30 years in HR across six industries, Lisa shares her journey from logistics to healthcare, emphasizing emotional intelligence, leadership development, and building a people-first culture amid rapid organizational growth.

Lisa offers timeless advice on work-life balance, including marriage tips like maintaining humor, giving grace, and ditching the "50/50" myth—lessons that echo in professional relationships. She dives into Brooks' focus on recruitment, retention, and skilling up talent through a holistic career development strategy aligned with employee needs and organizational values.

Key takeaways for healthcare HR leaders:

• Recruitment & Retention: Keep the focus sharp; align initiatives with being an employer of choice and best-in-class HR.
• Leadership Development: Start with a comprehensive strategy via surveys and leader input; use a buy/build approach with blended learning (e-learning, in-person, self-directed).
• Emotional Intelligence: Certify and integrate EQ for self-awareness and better team dynamics—essential in high-stakes healthcare.
• Growth Mindset: Skill up existing talent amid shortages; revise strategies annually to fill gaps and support career seasons.
• Work-Life Parallels: Apply grace and 100/100 effort from personal life to leadership; break negative cycles proactively.
• Awards & Recognition: Celebrate teams like Learning & Development for impactful contributions.

A must-listen for HR pros seeking actionable strategies on talent development, culture building, and personal growth. Lisa's insights remind us: Work the plan to advance your goals.

Listen now on ASHHRA.org or Apple Podcasts. Join us at the ASHHRA Conference in Savannah, May 17-19, 2026! (register here)

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