Advancing Health Podcast

The nation’s population of older adults is increasing, but the system of emergency medicine isn’t optimally designed for their specific, complex and multi-layered needs. So what can the field do to better adapt to an aging population? Medical support frameworks for older adults remain inadequate, particularly in the emergency department. In today’s discussion about older adult care in the ED, Marie Cleary-Fishman, AHA’s vice president of clinical quality, is joined by Dr. Kevin Biese. Dr. Biese serves as the University of North Carolina Hospitals Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, as well as its Co-Director of the Division of Geriatric Emergency Medicine.

As the health care field continues to undergo significant change in its business and care models, it’s clear there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to facing the future. Communities of different sizes have different needs. Scale is important, and that’s where health systems have much to offer. On this Leadership Dialogue Series podcast, AHA Board Chair Wright L. Lassiter III is joined by Eugene Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gene is also a former chair of the AHA Board of Trustees.

Wright and Gene talk about the role of health systems within the U.S. health care system today, and how the scale they offer can benefit communities and foster innovation. And in this time of significant financial and workforce challenges facing hospitals and health systems, the two health care leaders discuss the impact of these challenges and how Atrium Health is addressing them. Gene also shares examples of how Atrium Health teams continue to explore innovation and partnerships across different sectors.

Everyday hospitals and health systems are doing some of the most innovative work in America, finding new ways and new partners to collaborate with to advance the health of their communities. Today on the podcast, Dr. Ana Calderon Randazzo, executive director of the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Broward Health, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida chats with the AHA about the Center's Continous Care program and how it's making a difference. The Center’s Continuous Care Program was among five programs honored by this year’s NOVA Award.

Rural America is in crisis. A spike in suicides and deaths by substance abuse has strained communities already struggling with a lack of clinical and inpatient resources. But there is hope.

In part two of this special podcast series, John Supplitt, senior director of Rural Health Services, AHA and Jordan Steiger, senior program manager, AHA clinical affairs and workforce, are joined by Stephanie Greer, president of Cannon Memorial Hospital, an Appalachian regional behavioral health hospital and critical access hospital in Newland, North Carolina.

Listen to how Cannon Memorial succeeded in obtaining an unprecedented Medicare waiver that allowed it to expand the inpatient capacity for psychiatric services in the community.

Welcome to the American Hospital Association’s new podcast series #JustLead, which highlights how hospitals and health systems that have been recognized with AHA Awards for innovation, collaboration, and health equity, are transforming health care for their communities.

The AHA’s annual Dick Davidson NOVA Awards specifically recognize those programs that are helping to address many of our nation’s most pressing health challenges while creating healthier communities and increasing well-being for their neighbors.

One of the five programs recognized with a 2022 AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award is The Doorway at Cheshire Medical Center, in Keene New Hampshire. The Doorway specializes in substance use disorder, finding new ways to reach out to and treat that vulnerable population. Nelson Hayden leads the program; and Laurie Butz-MeyerRose is a clinician at Doorway.