The BetterCare Podcast

Ep 32 – Delivering Care Where It's Needed Most – Dr. DeAnn Bullock (Nashville General)

EvidenceCare's [https://evidence.care/] CEO, Bo Bartholomew, sits down with Dr. DeAnn Bullock, Chief Medical Officer at Nashville General Hospital [https://nashvillegeneral.org/], to discuss clinical leadership at a safety-net hospital. From her background in emergency medicine to her current role overseeing hospital-wide clinical operations, Dr. Bullock shares how Nashville General delivers care to underserved populations while maintaining quality and operational efficiency. The conversation covers Dr. Bullock's journey from emergency department physician to CMO, practical strategies for improving clinician workflows, building equitable care programs that address patient needs beyond medical treatment, managing partnerships with other health systems, and what it takes to balance mission-driven care with operational realities. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Emergency medicine as leadership training. Dr. Bullock's experience as ED medical director taught her to say yes, take on challenges, and support teams—skills that translated directly to hospital-wide leadership. * Clinician-first improvements start with listening. Rather than assuming what providers need, Dr. Bullock spends time with clinicians to understand their challenges and prioritize solutions that improve workflow without adding burden. * Equitable care means meeting patients where they are. Nashville General provides transportation vans, food pharmacies, meds-to-beds programs, clothing closets, and community care teams to address the full spectrum of patient needs. * EMR consolidation improves care coordination. Moving clinics, ED, and hospital to a single EMR improved provider workflow, enabled better communication with other systems, and streamlined patient scheduling. * Simplicity is the magic wand. Healthcare is too complicated for patients and providers—from insurance navigation to prior authorizations. Dr. Bullock advocates for making the system simpler at every touchpoint. Dr. DeAnn Bullock Bio: Dr. Bullock joined Nashville General Hospital in 2007 and was named the emergency department medical director in 2014. In addition to her role as Chief Medical Officer, she continues to serve as the emergency department medical director as well as the medical director for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. Board Certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Bullock earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College before completing her residency in Emergency Medicine as Chief Resident at the Medical College of Georgia. She practiced at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in North Carolina before joining Nashville General. Dr. Bullock works tirelessly in her pursuit to build and lead teams, develop collaborative relationships, mentor, and facilitate change within a landscape inclusive of public, private and academic stakeholders, while at the same time providing excellent patient care to a diverse and largely underserved population. --- The BetterCare Podcast [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast] is produced by EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]. Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/#:~:text=Be%20the%20First%20to%20Listen!] --- Follow Dr. DeAnn Bullock LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deann-bullock-md-mmhc-fache-a4303ab8/] Follow Nashville General LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nashville-general-hospital/] Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidence-care/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@evidencecare] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebettercarepod] X [https://x.com/evidencecare]

Ep 31 – Leading a Diversified Health System – Jason Zachariah (Lifepoint Health)

In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Bo Bartholomew (EvidenceCare) talks with Jason Zachariah (EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Lifepoint Health [https://www.lifepointhealth.net/]) about the real-world mechanics of running a distributed system: connecting data across settings, improving flow from ED to inpatient to post-acute, clarifying ownership around bed management and transfers, and building an inclusive culture that enables teams to execute. They also touch on the leadership journey—what scales, what doesn’t, and how to balance mission and margin without losing sight of the frontline. Recorded live during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025. TOPICS INCLUDE: * Why a diversified footprint (acute, rehab, behavioral) strengthens access, continuity, and system performance * How clinician-centered innovation helps with earning adoption by solving workflow friction first * Building a “control-tower” view of patient flow, bed management, and inter-facility transfers * Maintaining operating discipline while expanding access in a rural strategy * How leadership behaviors translate to quality, experience, and retention KEY TAKEAWAYS * Diversification as strategy. Integrated acute, rehab, and behavioral services make the system more resilient and patient pathways clearer. * Adoption beats aspiration. Solutions stick when they reduce friction for nurses and physicians. * See the whole system. Real-time visibility and clear ownership improve throughput, LOS, and handoffs. * Rural doesn’t mean rudimentary. Disciplined operations and connected data can raise the floor for access and experience. * Lead with heart and clarity. Culture is an operating asset when it’s built intentionally. Jason Zachariah Bio: As executive vice president, chief operating officer, Jason leads operations for Lifepoint’s key lines of business, including acute care hospital operations, rehabilitation, behavioral health operations, quality and clinical support, and Medical Group Services. Zachariah most recently served as president, integrated solutions, a role in which he led rehabilitation and behavioral health operations, joint venture services, physician services, information technology, marketing, business transformation and development initiatives. Before joining Lifepoint, he served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Kindred Healthcare, where he led the company’s hospital division, rehabilitation services and behavioral health operations. Prior to that, he served as president of Kindred’s rehabilitation services and in various roles in the company’s hospital division, including COO and executive director for the division’s California/Arizona district. During his tenure with Kindred, he drove a culture of patient advocacy, quality outcomes, employee engagement and operational efficiency and demonstrated a passion for innovation, care enhancement and diversity, equity and inclusion. He earned his MBA with Distinction from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Northwestern and a bachelor’s degree with distinction in biology and a chemistry minor from Duke University. --- The BetterCare Podcast [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast] is produced by EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]. Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/#:~:text=Be%20the%20First%20to%20Listen!] --- Follow Jason Zachariah LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-zachariah-27587011/] Follow Lifepoint Health LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifepoint-health/] Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidence-care/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@evidencecare] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebettercarepod] X [https://x.com/evidencecare]

Ep 30 – Scaling Operational AI across Healthcare – Dr. Edmund Jackson (UnityAI)

In this episode of The BetterCare Podcast, Amy Deaton (EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]) sits down with Dr. Edmund Jackson (UnityAI [https://www.unityai.co/]) during Nashville Healthcare Sessions 2025 to talk about where AI is delivering dependable value in healthcare operations today, and how to deploy it safely and responsibly. Drawing on Edmund’s experience leading data science at HCA Healthcare and now building AI for clinical operations, they dig into why AI succeeds (or stalls), how to move beyond pilots, and what it looks like to deliver measurable value—not only in hospitals but across the broader healthcare ecosystem. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Operational AI first. Scheduling and access are ripe for agents; keep clinical decision-making out of scope. * Voice + reasoning changed the game. Natural conversations + better research/reasoning models enable reliable, patient-friendly interactions. * Trust is built with process. Humans-in-the-loop, transparent transcripts, and outcome monitoring make governance real—not just a checklist. * Start small, de-risk. Target low-risk workflows (e.g., referral follow-ups, reminders) to prove value and earn expansion. * Serve more than hospitals. Balance health system partnerships with ambulatory and other settings to learn faster and scale sustainably. DR. EDMUND JACKSON BIO: Dr. Edmund Jackson is the CEO and Co-founder of UnityAI. With expertise in data science and machine learning across healthcare, biotech, and finance, he has led innovations that improve healthcare quality and efficiency. Previously, as Chief Data Officer at HCA Healthcare, Edmund spearheaded AI initiatives that enhanced clinical practices and saved thousands of lives. A visionary leader and mentor, he is dedicated to leveraging AI to transform healthcare and drive meaningful impact. --- The BetterCare Podcast [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/] is produced by EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]. Sign up for email updates [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/#:~:text=Be%20the%20First%20to%20Listen!] when new episodes are released. --- Follow Dr. Edmund Jackson LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmundjackson/] Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidence-care/] X [https://x.com/evidencecare]

Ep 29 – Medicaid Reform and the One Big Beautiful Bill – Darin Gordon

EvidenceCare’s [https://evidence.care/] VP of Clinical Strategy, Carol Howard, sits down with Darin Gordon—Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies [https://speirehcs.com/], President & CEO of Gordon & Associates, and former Director and CEO of TennCare—to break down what the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) means for hospitals and Medicaid programs across the country. Drawing on his decades of public service and national consulting work, Darin explains how OBBB impacts Medicaid eligibility, funding, and operations—and what hospital leaders must do to stay ahead of these sweeping changes. The conversation covers critical topics like new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, the strain of provider tax reductions, looming DSH cuts, and the urgent opportunity for states and hospitals to collaborate on the $50B Rural Provider Relief Fund. Darin offers practical advice for hospital executives and Medicaid leaders navigating limited resources, policy uncertainty, and the push for sustainable innovation. Key Takeaways: * Medicaid enrollment surged during COVID due to paused eligibility checks; OBBB initiates a major reset. * Hospitals must act quickly to engage with their state agencies to access Rural Provider Relief Funds. * Provider tax caps and DSH cuts will significantly pressure state budgets and hospital revenue streams. * Hospitals should prioritize early engagement with Medicaid agencies and hospital associations to influence decisions. * While OBBB doesn’t mandate value-based care, budget pressure may accelerate adoption of innovative models. Darin Gordon Bio: Darin Gordon is the Founding Partner of Speire Healthcare Strategies and President & CEO of Gordon & Associates. He previously served as the Director and CEO of TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, where he led one of the most operationally successful and fiscally sound Medicaid programs in the country. Today, he advises state agencies, hospitals, and health plans nationwide on Medicaid strategy, financing, and reform. View full bio [https://speirehcs.com/people/darin-gordon/] --- The BetterCare Podcast [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/] is produced by EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]. Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/#:~:text=Be%20the%20First%20to%20Listen!] --- Follow Darin Gordon LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-gordon-7304494/] Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidence-care/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@evidencecare/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebettercarepod] X [https://twitter.com/evidencecare]

Ep 28 – Confronting Clinical Variation – Dr. Michael van Duren

EvidenceCare’s [https://evidence.care/] Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Fengler, interviews Dr. Michael van Duren, current Medical Director at Providence Health Plan and an expert clinical advisor to multiple companies and health systems over the years. They discuss how health systems can approach the difficult but necessary work of reducing unwarranted clinical variation with practical strategies that engage physicians at an individual level and also make a system-wide impact. Drawing from his experience at multiple hospitals, Dr. van Duren shares lessons learned from building variation reduction teams, introducing unblinded peer metrics, and helping physicians reflect on practice patterns—without damaging trust or autonomy. Key Takeaways: * Clinical variation often stems from well-intentioned physicians lacking the right feedback, not bad actors. * Peer comparisons can be powerful—but only when backed by clear methodology, timely data, and psychological safety. * The key to behavior change is curiosity, not control. * True progress happens when clinicians lead the variation reduction conversation themselves. Dr. Michael van Duren Bio: Dr. Michael van Duren is the Medical Director for Medicare/Medicaid & Health Equity at Providence Health Plan. He previously served as a Chief Medical Officer and VP of Variation Reduction at Sutter Health and has advised multiple organizations—including EvidenceCare—on leveraging unblinded metrics and physician engagement to drive sustainable quality and cost improvements. --- The BetterCare Podcast [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/] is produced by EvidenceCare [https://evidence.care/]. Sign up for email updates when new episodes are released. [https://evidence.care/bettercarepodcast/#:~:text=Be%20the%20First%20to%20Listen!] --- Follow Dr. Michael van Duren LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvanduren/] Follow EvidenceCare LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidence-care/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@evidencecare/] X [https://twitter.com/evidencecare]