Lead Without Guessing: An FQHC Leadership Podcast

FQHC Growth Done Right: Partnerships, Data and Culture at CHAS Health (John Browne)

In this episode of our FQHC leadership podcast, we sit down with John Browne, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer at CHAS Health, to unpack what it takes to scale a Federally Qualified Health Center in today’s challenging environment. John shares his two‑decade journey at CHAS Health and offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at how the organization grew from a two‑exam‑room clinic into a multi‑state system serving more than 130,000 patients annually. We discuss intentional growth, building strong community partnerships, integrating behavioral health through CCBHCs, and how CHAS continues to move forward despite financial and workforce pressures facing health centers nationwide. This conversation is packed with practical insights for FQHC CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and senior leaders, including: * How to approach growth when margins are shrinking * Why community partnerships are essential to sustainability * Lessons learned scaling culture across 1,800+ employees * Using dashboards and data visibility to drive performance * Why CFO experience is powerful preparation for operational leadership * Developing confident future leaders inside your organization If you’re navigating uncertainty, thinking about growth, or trying to lead with clarity in complex times, this episode offers real‑world perspective from the field.

The FQHC CEO as Systems Architect with Manal El Harrak

In this episode of our FQHC leadership podcast, Karen Hughes sits down with Manal El Harrak, CEO of Sadler Health Center, to discuss what it means to lead a growing health center through complexity, expansion, and operational pressure. Manal shares her perspective on the CEO role as a systems architect—building the structure, accountability, and alignment that make strong performance sustainable across an organization. The conversation explores leadership systems, decision-making, culture, accountability, and how FQHC leaders can create consistency even during periods of uncertainty. Drawing from her experience leading a multi-service community health center, Manal discusses the realities of balancing patient demand, workforce challenges, financial pressure, and evolving healthcare policy while staying grounded in mission. Topics include: * Leadership systems in FQHCs * CEO decision-making and organizational design * Accountability and culture as operating systems * Scaling access while maintaining quality * Navigating growth and operational complexity in community health centers If you lead, advise, or work within Federally Qualified Health Centers, this conversation offers practical insight into building organizations that rely less on constant problem-solving and more on strong systems. #FQHC #HealthcareLeadership #CommunityHealth #CEOLeadership #PrimaryCare #HealthcareOperations

How FQHCs Scale Without Losing Their Mission (Alice Riener, CEO of CrescentCare)

This episode explores how FQHC leaders can scale their organizations without losing their mission.Karen Creveling-Hughes and Joel Hughes speak with Alice Riener, CEO of CrescentCare in New Orleans, about the real challenges of growing a community health center, managing rapid expansion, and aligning funding with long-term strategy.If you are an FQHC CEO or healthcare leader dealing with growth, operational complexity, or financial pressure, this conversation will give you practical insight.Topics covered include:Transitioning into an FQHC and managing growthBalancing mission vs margin in community healthStrategic grant funding and sustainabilityBuilding internal systems to support scaleAdvocacy and navigating changing federal health policyThis is part of The Link Podcast, focused on leadership, financial strategy, and operational clarity for community health centers.If you lead an FQHC and want to strengthen financial performance and decision-making, follow along for more conversations like this.

Rural Physician Shortage: How FQHCs Can Solve the Workforce Crisis (Dr. Ted Epperly)

This episode focuses on one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today: the rural physician shortage and what FQHC leaders can do about it.Karen Creveling-Hughes and Joel Hughes speak with Dr. Ted Epperly, CEO of Full Circle Health, about building sustainable workforce solutions through residency programs, physician training, and community-based care models.If you lead a community health center or rural healthcare organization and are struggling with staffing, recruitment, or long-term workforce strategy, this conversation will give you practical direction.Topics covered include:Addressing the rural physician shortage through FQHC modelsBuilding and scaling residency programsTraining refugee and international physiciansTransitioning to FQHC status to expand accessLeading healthcare change through collaboration and policy alignmentThis episode is part of The Link Podcast, focused on leadership, financial strategy, and operational clarity for FQHCs and community health centers.Follow for more insights on how healthcare leaders can strengthen access, workforce, and long-term sustainability.

From Manager to CEO: How FQHC Leaders Actually Rise and Succeed (Janelle Dunn)

This episode explores what it really takes to grow into a CEO role within an FQHC and lead a community health center effectively.Karen Creveling-Hughes and Joel Hughes speak with Janelle Dunn, CEO of True Health in Central Florida, about her path from center manager to CEO and the leadership lessons learned along the way.If you are an FQHC leader navigating growth, team development, or community engagement, this conversation offers practical insight.Topics covered include:Transitioning from operations to executive leadership in an FQHCBuilding strong community partnerships to expand impactFundraising strategies for community health centersLeading through crisis, including COVID-19 responseStaying connected to mission while managing organizational growthThis episode is part of The Link Podcast, focused on leadership, financial strategy, and operational clarity for FQHCs and community health centers.Follow for more insights designed for CEOs and leaders working to strengthen access, performance, and long-term sustainability in healthcare.