In this returning episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-host Luke Carignan sits down with Jeff Knapp, for a timely and candid conversation about artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and what it truly means to lead with humanity in an age of rapid automation.

Jeff brings a rare and powerful perspective to the discussion. With a career spanning roles at Aramark, Walgreens, PE-backed organizations, nonprofits, and large public companies, Jeff frames AI not as a threat to HR, but as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to refocus the profession on what humans do best.

Key Themes Explored:

• AI in Human Resources: Why generative and agentic AI are best used to eliminate repetitive, transactional tasks so HR leaders can focus on strategy, leadership development, and culture.
• From Deskilling to Reskilling: Jeff challenges the fear-based narrative around AI, arguing instead that HR is entering a reskilling era that demands curiosity, adaptability, and courage.
• The New Role of the CHRO: Today’s HR leaders must be part strategist, part technologist, and fully human. Jeff explains why fluency in AI, data, and change management is now essential for executive relevance.
• Preserving Humanity at Scale: As automation increases, empathy, compassion, and authentic leadership become more valuable, not less. AI should amplify the human experience, not replace it.
• Workforce Planning & Learning Innovation: How AI-driven insights can enable real-time learning, personalized development paths, and smarter workforce decisions.

Throughout the episode, Jeff and Luke emphasize a core truth: the future of HR is not about replacing people with machines, but about freeing leaders to lead more deeply, thoughtfully, and humanely.

Whether you are an HR executive, business leader, or someone navigating organizational change, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight into what’s coming next—and how to lead confidently through it.

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In this week’s Monday News Drop, Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier tackle two headlines that should have every healthcare HR leader paying close attention: reported job eliminations at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a new survey showing more than half of U.S. healthcare workers are considering leaving their roles.

The conversation cuts through headlines and focuses on what HR leaders need to understand, question, and act on.

🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode

VA Job Cuts: What’s Really Happening?
Reports indicate the VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 healthcare positions. Bo, Luke, and Jeremy question whether these are true workforce reductions or long-standing vacant roles finally coming off the books. The discussion highlights why transparency matters, especially for veterans, clinicians, and HR leaders trying to understand the real impact on access to care and workforce planning.

55% of Healthcare Workers Considering a Job Change
A new survey reveals 55% of healthcare workers plan to switch jobs, while 84% feel underappreciated and only 20% believe their employer is invested in their long-term growth. The hosts break down why this isn’t just a retention issue—it’s a leadership and engagement problem hiding in plain sight.

Why Surveys Aren’t Enough
Annual engagement surveys alone aren’t fixing the problem. The episode emphasizes the importance of frequent, real conversations, visible follow-through, and leaders being willing to share results transparently and act quickly before employees disengage or leave.

HR Visibility Matters
With HR teams shrinking and more roles moving off-site or remote, Jeremy underscores the risk of losing connection to frontline staff. When HR isn’t present, stress signals are missed—and engagement declines.

AI Is Already Reshaping Work
The hosts discuss real-world examples of AI in healthcare, including ambient clinical documentation and coding. While AI can reduce administrative burden and improve patient care, it also raises urgent questions about workforce redeployment, career pathways, and change management.

💡 Key Takeaway

Workforce challenges are converging—burnout, perceived lack of appreciation, structural cuts, and rapid technology change. The solution isn’t software alone. It starts with listening, acting, and treating employee engagement as a strategic priority tied directly to patient experience and organizational sustainability.

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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.

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In this week’s Monday News Drop, Co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, along with ASHHRA Executive Director, Jeremy Sadlier, break down the biggest healthcare HR trends and policy changes shaping the road to 2026—what HR leaders need to watch, prepare for, and take action on now. From telehealth reimbursement cliffs to workplace violence standards and double-digit benefit increases, this episode arms you with a strategic playbook for the year ahead.

🔍 Key Topics Covered

1. The 2026 Telehealth Cliff
Major Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire on January 31, 2026, unless Congress acts. HR teams must evaluate which roles, programs, and services rely on telehealth revenue and prepare contingency plans. Telehealth remains essential for rural healthcare access, care continuity, and patient convenience—making this deadline one of the most urgent risk points for 2026.

2. New Workplace Violence Prevention Standards Coming
California’s OSHA will finalize its workplace violence prevention standard by December 31, 2026, setting the stage for national adoption. Even if you’re not in California, expect other states to follow. HR leaders should begin preparing now, focusing on safety protocols, staff training, and readiness for tighter regulatory oversight.

3. The Coming 10% Benefits Cost Surge
Employer benefit costs are projected to surpass 10% increases, driven by GLP-1 medications and catastrophic claim trends. Traditional cost-shifting to employees has reached its limit. HR must pivot to precision benefit design, using data to tailor plan eligibility, target high-cost categories, and protect affordability.

4. Physician Payment Cuts & Retention Challenges
CMS’s 2026 rule includes a 2.5% “efficiency adjustment,” triggering tension between rising admin burden and lower physician compensation. HR will need to rely on non-monetary strategies—flexible scheduling, administrative relief through AI, and culture improvements—to retain clinical talent.

5. Hospital at Home Stability Through 2030
With a five-year extension secured, HR should stop treating Hospital at Home roles as pilots and begin building permanent job codes, staffing models, and career pathways for home-based acute care teams. This is now a core component of the care delivery ecosystem.

6. The Employer Network Problem
As healthcare delivery narrows into high-performance networks, employees increasingly report, “I can’t find a doctor in my network.” HR must ensure access aligns with the organization’s own employee health plans and proactively manage communication around provider availability.

🎧 Why Listen?

This episode gives healthcare HR professionals a clear, actionable forecast of what’s coming—and how to build a strategy before the pressure hits. If you’re preparing budgets, workforce plans, or leadership updates for 2026, this is your essential Monday briefing.

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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.

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In one of our most eye-opening conversations yet, Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with clinical pharmacist Langley Kyle to unpack the truth behind GLP-1 medications—Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, tirzepatide, and their compounded counterparts. Whether you're an HR leader, benefits strategist, or simply trying to understand why GLP-1s dominate workplace conversations, this episode breaks it all down with clarity, expertise, and a surprising amount of laughter.

From skyrocketing utilization to social-media-driven demand, Langley reveals what she’s seeing across employer plans nationwide…and what’s coming next.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1️. Why GLP-1 Coverage Is So Complicated
Only 20–30% of self-insured employers currently cover weight-loss GLP-1s. Langley explains why cost, demand, and new FDA indications (sleep apnea, cardiovascular risk reduction, MASH) are forcing employers to rethink their approach.

2️. Compounded GLP-1s: Benefits, Risks, and the FDA Crackdown
With compounding pharmacies filling the gap during shortages, Langley outlines the regulatory gray zones, quality concerns, and why the FDA is beginning to tighten oversight.

3️. The Retention Strategy No One Expected
Luke and Bo share firsthand experiences using compounded tirzepatide—and reveal why GLP-1 coverage may soon become a powerful recruitment and retention tool, particularly in healthcare organizations competing for scarce talent.

4️. The Real Problem: Maintenance vs. Cure
Most members stay on GLP-1s long-term. Langley discusses behavior change, wellness integration, and why employers must pair medication access with coaching, nutrition, and lifestyle programs to create sustainable health outcomes.

5️. The Future of Pharmacy Costs
From oral GLP-1s to AI-accelerated drug development, the trio explores how innovation—and litigation—may reshape pricing, access, and plan design over the next decade.

💬 Quote to Remember:
“GLP-1s aren’t going anywhere. The conversation just keeps getting louder.”

🎧 Why This Episode Matters
GLP-1s are no longer a fringe benefit topic. They are transforming employee expectations, affecting plan costs, and reshaping how HR leaders think about population health. Langley’s insights provide a roadmap for making smarter, more sustainable decisions in 2025 and beyond.

From Our Sponsor(s)...

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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In this week’s Monday News Drop, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan dive into one of healthcare’s most persistent and pressing issues — the national nursing shortage. But this time, they go deeper than headlines to ask the hard question: Is it really a “trend,” or just a long-term problem we keep failing to solve?

Bo and Luke trace the roots of the shortage through decades of reports and research, revealing that the so-called “hot topic” isn’t new — it’s been part of America’s healthcare conversation for years. Together, they unpack why solutions haven’t stuck and explore how operations, education, and compensation must all evolve to make a real difference.

💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

🩺 Why the Nurse Shortage Isn’t New:
Bo uncovers 15 years of headlines proving this workforce crisis has been ongoing, highlighting how awareness alone doesn’t equal progress.

⚙️ The 28% Problem:
Luke references a past guest’s insight — only 28% of a nurse’s time is spent on direct patient care — and discusses how operational inefficiencies continue to drive burnout and turnover.

🎓 Workforce Innovation at VCU Health:
A spotlight on Virginia Commonwealth University’s proactive model for workforce development, where over 90% of nursing graduates stay and work in-state. Bo and Luke explore how academia and healthcare systems can collaborate to close workforce gaps.

🤖 The Role of AI in Talent Strategy:
The hosts discuss how artificial intelligence can accelerate recruitment, improve retention, and help hospitals compete for top nursing talent — if used strategically.

💬 A Thought-Provoking Takeaway:
“You can’t fix the national nurse shortage alone, but you can control your organization’s piece of the puzzle.”

And because it’s Thanksgiving week, the duo keeps it light too — reflecting on gratitude, football rivalries, and what the world might look like if humans really could live 200 years.

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.

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We're thrilled to share the highlights from a mind-expanding episode featuring Cliff Jurkiewicz, VP of Global Strategy at Phenom, alongside our hosts Luke and Bo.

Dive Into Reality: Are We Living in a Simulation?

The episode kicks off with a wild question: What if there’s a 50% chance we’re living in a simulation, according to Columbia astronomer David Kipping? Cliff explores quantum physics, simulation theory, and how particles defy our ability to understand reality—making us ponder humanity’s limits and possibilities.

AI, Quantum Computing, and the Race for Supremacy

You’ll hear about the jaw-dropping advances in quantum computing: Microsoft’s major leap with their Marjoram chip and how whoever wins the “quantum race” could reshape economies, healthcare, and society itself. Cliff notes that China is currently outpacing everyone due to its aggressive, regulation-free approach. What does this mean for global healthcare? The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Healthcare HR Transformation: Tech Is Here to Help

Forget the fear of robots taking jobs—AI is here to streamline tasks, not replace our humanity. The hosts and Cliff walk through how ambient listening, virtual nursing, and AI-driven medical coding are set to eliminate administrative “bloat” and free up clinicians to focus on meaningful patient care. Expect drastic reductions in cost and a move toward decentralized, personalized healthcare.

Curiosity Is Your Superpower

If you’re wondering how to keep up, Cliff offers sage advice: stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. Whether you’re an HR leader shopping for new tech or a clinician adjusting to AI-powered tools, an “elementary school mindset” is key—embrace curiosity, set your ego aside, and actively participate in this transformation.

The Future of Work and Life: Shorter Workweeks, Longer Lives

Imagine working 20 hours a week—productively—and living for 200 years! With AI and medical innovation, the podcast explores how future generations may move past industrial-age thinking, toward more leisure and true human enlightenment. It’s a bold, optimistic vision for what comes next.

Listener Takeaways:

• AI and Tech are not science fiction—they’re here, now, and reshaping healthcare HR.
• Embrace change and be part of the conversation, or risk being left behind.
• Think big. The possibilities for improving patient care, operational efficiency, and even personal longevity are staggering.
• Be curious. The next era starts with asking the right questions.

Thanks for listening, subscribing, and being curious with us!

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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Welcome to The ASHHRA Podcast! In this episode, hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan sit down with Keith Sorgius, a dedicated hospital advisor at RxBenefits, to dive deep into the world of pharmacy benefits and cost management for hospitals and health systems. With a rich background in pharmacy analytics, PBM consulting, and 340B in-house pharmacy management, Keith Sorgius shares his practical insights on using data-driven strategies to identify savings opportunities and maximize the value of in-house pharmacy operations.

Together, the trio explores the role of predictive analytics in pharmacy plan management, the critical relationship between HR and pharmacy teams, and the importance of transparent communication when rolling out new benefits strategies. You'll learn why benchmarks can be tricky to rely on, how leveraging your own hospital pharmacy can be a game-changer for costs and patient care, and best practices for getting buy-in from employees and their families.

Whether you're in HR, pharmacy operations, or just passionate about controlling healthcare costs, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world stories to help you navigate the ever-evolving pharmacy benefits landscape. Let's get started!

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 week’s Monday News Drop, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan get real about the future of HR — and why the next evolution of workforce planning is already here.

From predictive analytics and skills ontologies to workplace flexibility and AI, Bo and Luke dig into what every HR leader should be thinking about as technology reshapes hiring, training, and team performance.

This episode isn’t just theory — it’s a candid conversation about how data can help HR move from reacting to predicting, and from managing to truly leading.

💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

1️. Predictive Analytics in Action
Bo and Luke break down how predictive analytics is being used to identify top candidates and strengthen workforce pipelines — even drawing parallels to the U.S. military’s use of data to predict Special Forces success rates.

2️. Skills Ontologies and Task Proficiency
The hosts discuss how modern HR systems are learning to measure performance at the task level, helping organizations understand what employees do best — and where their next role might be.

3️. Building Teams Around Strengths, Not Weaknesses
Forget the old “fix your flaws” model. Bo and Luke explain why high-performing teams are built by aligning complementary strengths, not trying to make everyone well-rounded.

4️. The Human Factor in AI
From age and adaptability to personality fit, the conversation explores what AI can (and can’t) measure — and why human intuition still matters in hiring and leadership decisions.

5️. Flexibility, Structure, and Leadership Styles
In one of the episode’s most relatable moments, Bo and Luke compare their own contrasting work styles — one thrives on structure, the other in chaos — proving that balance drives innovation when teams play to their strengths.

💬 “Predictive analytics helps leaders put the right people in the right roles — and that’s where engagement and retention really begin.”

🌟 Why Listen:
If you’ve ever wondered how AI, analytics, and human behavior intersect to shape better workplaces, this episode connects the dots in a way only Bo and Luke can — insightful, practical, and laugh-out-loud relatable.

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