TCN Talks: Recent Episodes
Chris Comeaux
Welcome to TCN Talks. This podcast is designed to be a pithy, talk of relevant need to know to help you in your role in hospice palliative care serious illness care.
What if the biggest breakthrough in hospice care isn't a new technology—but a better way of focusing on what matters most?
In Part Two of this special conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Kelly McCutcheon Adams and Margherita Labson about how the Four M's Framework—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—is transforming hospice and palliative care into a more reliable, person-centered model.
Together, they explore why exceptional hospice care goes far beyond symptom management to preserve dignity, independence, emotional well-being, and meaningful moments for patients and families.
The conversation dives into practical questions every hospice leader and clinician should be asking:
How can we better address delirium, depression, and cognition at the end of life?
Why should mobility be viewed as preserving independence instead of simply preventing falls?
Is it time to add a fifth "M" to the framework?
What would healthcare look like if every decision truly began with what matters most?
Kelly and Margherita also paint a compelling vision for the future of hospice—one where earlier conversations, better continuity of care, and reliable systems lead to fewer late hospice admissions, better patient experiences, and stronger healthcare organizations.
Their message to leaders is both practical and inspiring: hospice is not something to apologize for—it's one of healthcare's greatest expressions of compassion.
Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care professional, healthcare leader, clinician, nonprofit executive, or someone passionate about improving the patient experience, this episode offers actionable insights that can reshape the way you think about quality care.
In This Episode:
✅ Why Mentation deserves greater attention in hospice care
✅ Looking beyond fall prevention to meaningful Mobility
✅ The debate over adding a Fifth M to Age-Friendly Care
✅ Why earlier hospice conversations improve patient outcomes
✅ Practical leadership advice for creating reliable, person-centered care systems
✅ Resources available through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Guest:
Kelly McCutcheon Adams, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Margherita Labson, President and CEO, MCLabson Consultation and Education Services
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Learn More
➡️ Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI): https://www.ihi.org
➡️ Learn more about Teleios Collaborative Network: https://www.teleioscn.org
🎙️ Subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for conversations with healthcare innovators, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts who are shaping the future of leadership and care.
👍 If you found this episode valuable—Like this video
Share it with your colleagues—Leave a comment: How can healthcare better focus on what matters most?
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
How can hospice and palliative care become more person-centered while also becoming more reliable?
In Part One of this Anatomy of Leadership conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Kelly McCutcheon Adams, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and Margherita Labson, President and CEO of McLabson Consultation & Education Services, to explore the groundbreaking 4 M's Framework and its growing impact on hospice and palliative care.
Originally developed through the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative, the 4 M's—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—provide a practical, evidence-based framework for helping healthcare teams consistently deliver individualized care that aligns with each patient's goals while improving reliability across the care continuum.
During this conversation, you'll discover:
- Why the 4 M's are a framework—not another quality measure
- How "What Matters" transforms goal-concordant hospice care
- Why reliability and individualized care are not mutually exclusive
- How medication decisions should be guided by patient goals—not habits
- What hospice leaders can learn from the science of quality improvement
Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care clinician, healthcare leader, or quality improvement professional, this episode offers practical insights for building care systems that are both compassionate and consistently excellent.
Don't miss Part Two, where we continue the discussion by exploring the remaining 4Ms and practical strategies for implementing this framework within hospice organizations.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Meet Kelly McCutcheon Adams & Margherita Labson
04:14 What is the 4Ms Framework?
06:58 How IHI is Bringing the 4Ms to Hospice Care
09:43 The Mission of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
11:46 Why the 4Ms Work Across Every Care Setting
15:17 Framework vs. Traditional Quality Measures
17:24 What "What Matters" Really Means in Hospice
21:08 Reliable Systems for Individualized Care
26:57 Medication Decisions Guided by Patient Goals
32:12 Hospice, Opioids, and Changing the Conversation
34:37 Coming Up in Part Two
🎙️ Learn more about TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership and by subscribing and following Teleios Collaborative Network (www.teleioscn.org) for more conversations on leadership, hospice, healthcare innovation, and purpose-driven organizations.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Can hospice organizations remain relevant if they only engage patients during the final months of life?
In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Dr. Bethany Snider, exploring why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders and why nonprofit healthcare organizations must rethink the future of serious illness care.
Dr. Snider explains how frail elder practices, value-based care, advanced primary care, palliative care, and hospice can work together as one seamless continuum to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and help older adults age safely in place. She also shares practical insights on reimbursement strategies, accountable care, leadership, emotional intelligence, organizational innovation, and building sustainable care models that preserve the hospice mission for decades to come.
Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit, accountable care organization, or healthcare practice, this episode provides actionable leadership insights on preparing for the next generation of healthcare delivery.
Episode Highlights
- Why traditional primary care often fails frail elders
- The business case for upstream serious illness care
- Building sustainable value-based care models
- Measuring outcomes beyond traditional healthcare metrics
- The future of integrated primary care, palliative care, and hospice
- Leadership lessons on innovation, emotional intelligence, and failing fast
- Why partnerships will shape the future of nonprofit healthcare
Guest:
Dr. Bethany Snider, CMO of Everent Health
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Is traditional primary care failing America's frail elders? As our aging population grows, healthcare leaders face an urgent challenge: today's healthcare system was never designed to meet the complex, long-term needs of frail older adults.
In Part One of this compelling conversation, Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Bethany Snider, Chief Medical Officer of Everent Health, to explore why the future of healthcare requires a new model of care.
Together, they examine the emerging concept of the frail elder practice—an interdisciplinary, relationship-centered approach that goes far beyond traditional primary care by integrating home-based care, caregiver support, palliative care principles, and longitudinal care management.
Dr. Snider explains why traditional primary care, built around brief office visits and volume-driven reimbursement, is increasingly inadequate for patients living with serious illness, multiple chronic conditions, functional decline, and caregiver challenges.
She also discusses why hospice organizations must begin moving upstream as value-based healthcare, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and population health models reshape access to patients and redefine the future of serious illness care.
Whether you lead a health system, hospice, physician practice, nonprofit, or healthcare organization, this episode offers strategic insights into where healthcare is headed—and why organizations that adapt early will be best positioned to improve patient outcomes while advancing their mission.
In this episode, you'll learn:
•Why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders
•What defines a successful frail elder practice model
•How interdisciplinary, home-based care improves quality of life
•Why hospice leaders must rethink their role in value-based healthcare
•How palliative care should be integrated throughout the patient journey
•What healthcare leaders should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow
🎧 Don't miss Part Two, where Dr. Snider shares how healthcare organizations can successfully build, scale, and sustain frail elder practice models.
About TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership
TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership feature conversations with today's most respected healthcare executives, physicians, researchers, and business leaders exploring leadership, innovation, hospice, palliative care, serious illness care, nonprofit management, and the future of healthcare.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to help you lead with greater purpose, compassion, and impact.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What can America learn from healthcare systems around the world? In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Dr. Mark Stoltenberg, a global palliative care physician and educator, exploring how lessons from countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe could reshape the future of American healthcare, hospice, and serious illness care.
From community-based palliative care models in India, Uruguay, and Costa Rica to powerful stories from Rwanda, Kenya, Colombia, Brazil, and Jamaica, Dr. Stoltenberg reveals why the greatest healthcare innovations aren't always technological—they're deeply human.
Together, Chris and Mark discuss trust in healthcare, integrated serious illness care, hospice reform, healthcare leadership, population health strategies, and compassionate care, offering practical lessons every healthcare leader can apply.
The conversation also tackles some of the biggest questions facing the future of American healthcare:
- Should hospice evolve beyond the traditional carve-out model?
- Why is trust one of healthcare's most overlooked leadership challenges?
- What can global partnerships teach us about serving patients with dignity?
- How can nonprofit organizations and healthcare systems better collaborate to meet the needs of an aging population?
Whether you're a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nurse, nonprofit executive, policymaker, or business leader, this episode offers a compelling vision for creating more compassionate, equitable, and patient-centered care.
Episode Highlights
- Why global healthcare offers valuable lessons for the U.S.
- Community-based palliative care models improving access and quality
- The critical role of trust in patient care and leadership
- Leadership lessons from international healthcare partnerships
- The future of hospice, concurrent care, and serious illness care
- Why responding to suffering is the true purpose of palliative care
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more interviews with healthcare innovators and leadership experts. Like, comment, and share this episode with colleagues who are passionate about improving hospice, palliative care, healthcare leadership, and the future of serious illness care.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What can American healthcare learn from global healthcare? In our latest episode, Dr. Mark Stoltenberg, Harvard Medical School professor and Massachusetts General Hospital physician, joins Chris Comeaux to explore global healthcare, palliative care, hospice leadership, healthcare innovation, and the future of serious illness care in America.
Healthcare leaders often assume innovation requires more money, more technology, or more specialists. Dr. Stoltenberg argues the opposite, drawing from his work leading global palliative care programs throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other underserved regions. He shares how resource-limited healthcare systems are pioneering solutions that can improve American healthcare, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and restore compassionate, person-centered care.
Together, Chris and Dr. Stoltenberg discuss workforce shortages, Project ECHO, community-based care, volunteerism, family-centered decision-making, healthcare leadership, and why hospice and palliative care must preserve their founding values while continuing to innovate.
Through moving patient stories—including a remarkable experience in Belize—they reveal why dignity, compassion, community, and purpose remain healthcare's greatest innovations.
If you're a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nonprofit executive, nurse, or business leader, this episode offers practical strategies for improving leadership, building stronger organizations, and delivering more compassionate care.
In this episode you'll learn:
✔ What America can learn from global healthcare systems
✔ Why palliative care is rooted in social justice
✔ How healthcare workforce shortages can be addressed creatively
✔ Why Project ECHO is transforming healthcare education
✔ How community-based care improves patient outcomes
✔ Why family and spirituality remain essential to serious illness care
✔ How great organizations preserve their mission while scaling innovation
👍 If you enjoy conversations about healthcare leadership, hospice, palliative care, leadership development, healthcare innovation, and serious illness care, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for weekly conversations with today's leading healthcare experts.
Guest:
Dr. Mark Stoltenberg
Attending Physician in the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School
Host:
Chris Comeaux
President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What separates great leaders from those who simply manage people? It starts with presence.
In Part Two of Leadership Starts With Presence | The Art of Showing Up, host Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with executive leadership coach David Sachsenmaier to explore how leadership presence, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and authentic leadership shape thriving organizations.
Leaders don't just influence strategy—they shape culture. David explains how unresolved personal patterns affect trust, communication, decision-making, and team performance, and offers practical insights for building healthier, high-performing organizations. Learn why vulnerability is a leadership strength, how to create a culture where people feel both safe and challenged, and why the most effective leaders lead from a place of self-awareness rather than reactivity.
Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this conversation delivers practical leadership wisdom you can apply immediately to build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient organizations.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why leaders transfer their inner world into organizational culture
- How psychological safety improves performance without sacrificing accountability
- Why vulnerability increases—not decreases—leadership credibility
- The difference between executive coaching and therapy
- How self-awareness creates calmer, more effective leadership
- Why authentic leadership builds trust and engagement
- How presence transforms organizational culture and team performance
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations with today's leading thinkers in healthcare, leadership, and organizational excellence.
💬 Share your biggest leadership takeaway in the comments.
🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a new episode.
Highlights
✔ How your inner life becomes your organizational culture
✔ The hidden cost of reactive leadership
✔ Why vulnerability is one of a leader's greatest strengths
✔ Creating psychological safety without lowering expectations
✔ Coaching high performers versus therapy
✔ Leading from identity instead of performance
✔ David's powerful leadership blessing for work
Blog: https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/part-2-leadership-starts-with-presence-the-art-of-showing-up-with-david-sachsenmaier
Guest: David Sachsenmaier, Corporate Executive Coach
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Great leaders don't just show up—they create the kind of presence that changes people.
What separates truly exceptional leaders from those who simply manage? In Part One of this thought-provoking conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with executive coach David Sachsenmaier, whose 30 years of leadership experience and more than 4,000 hours of executive coaching have helped leaders uncover one of leadership's most overlooked truths: the quality of your leadership is shaped by the quality of your inner life.
Together, they explore why presence, self-awareness, and emotional grounding are essential to building healthy teams, resilient organizations, and cultures where people thrive.
David shares powerful insights on why many high-performing leaders unknowingly operate from a place of constant reactivity, how unresolved pain influences decision-making, and why treating people like machines ultimately destroys engagement and innovation. Through memorable illustrations—including his "mason jar" metaphor—he explains why slowing down, becoming more self-aware, and leading from a place of wholeness creates organizations marked by trust, creativity, and lasting impact.
The conversation also explores the unique challenges facing healthcare and hospice leaders who spend their lives caring for others while often neglecting themselves. Transcript- Leadership Starts W…
Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this episode will challenge you to look beyond leadership techniques and consider the deeper work of becoming the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership begins with presence. The healthiest leaders create calm, clarity, and trust instead of spreading chaos and reactivity.
- Self-awareness fuels better leadership. Understanding your own "limps," triggers, and unresolved pain enables you to lead others with greater empathy and wisdom.
- People are not machines. Organizations thrive when leaders recognize the humanity of their teams and create psychologically safe cultures.
- Wholeness precedes performance. Sustainable leadership comes from finding your identity and worth beyond titles, achievements, and external success.
- Healthy leaders multiply healthy cultures. Grounded, emotionally present leadership is contagious, improving engagement, creativity, collaboration, and organizational resilience.
Guest: David Sachsenmaier, Corporate Executive Coach
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Why does the United States spend more on healthcare than any other nation—yet often achieve worse outcomes?
In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Don Berwick—former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), internationally recognized healthcare quality expert, and founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)—joins Chris Comeaux to explore the systemic challenges facing American healthcare and the leadership required to create meaningful reform.
From the evolution of Medicare Advantage to the financial incentives shaping healthcare delivery, Dr. Berwick explains why administrative complexity, payment models, and profit-driven incentives continue to drive costs higher while often failing to improve patient outcomes. Together, they examine the future of healthcare policy, value-based care, healthcare leadership, healthcare reform, Medicare, health insurance, and the role employers may play in demanding a more sustainable healthcare system.
The conversation also turns to one of healthcare’s greatest success stories—hospice and palliative care. Dr. Berwick argues that compassionate, person-centered care isn’t simply a better way to care for people nearing the end of life; it provides a blueprint for improving healthcare across every stage of life. The episode concludes with an inspiring challenge to healthcare leaders: speak up for what is right, lead with courage, and never lose sight of healthcare’s true mission—to heal, serve, and care for people.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, physician, nonprofit executive, health system administrator, board member, or business leader, this conversation offers strategic insights into the future of healthcare—and practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond medicine.
⸻
Episode Highlights
✔ Why Medicare Advantage has drifted from its original mission
✔ The hidden cost of healthcare bureaucracy and administrative waste
✔ The $80 billion debate surrounding Medicare Advantage payments
✔ Why employer-sponsored healthcare may be approaching a breaking point
✔ Lessons the U.S. can learn from healthcare systems around the world
✔ Why hospice and palliative care represent a model for all of healthcare
✔ The moral responsibility of healthcare leaders to speak with courage
⸻
If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with your leadership team, colleagues, board members, and friends. Every conversation helps us build stronger leaders and healthier organizations.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, hospice, palliative care, healthcare innovation, nonprofit strategy, and the future of healthcare.
Guest: Dr. Don Berwick, Former Administrator of CMS
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Is American healthcare truly serving patients—or has the system lost sight of its purpose?
In this powerful episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Don Berwick, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), President Emeritus and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and one of the world’s foremost experts in healthcare quality improvement.
Together, they explore what’s broken in American healthcare, why healthcare reform is urgently needed, and how leaders can build a system that delivers better patient outcomes, higher quality care, health equity, value-based care, and a more sustainable future for healthcare organizations. They also discuss the evolution of the Triple Aim into today’s Quintuple Aim, the growing influence of private equity in healthcare, the impact of healthcare policy, and why restoring purpose—not simply profitability—must become the foundation of modern healthcare leadership.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, hospital administrator, physician, nonprofit executive, or business leader, this conversation offers practical insights into improving healthcare while protecting the mission that first drew so many people into the profession.
In this episode you’ll learn:
✅ Why the Triple Aim evolved into the Quintuple Aim—and why it matters today
✅ How financial incentives can conflict with quality patient care
✅ Why clinician purpose and workforce well-being are essential to healthcare excellence
✅ The growing impact of private equity and financialization across healthcare
✅ What healthcare leaders can do to improve patient outcomes while reducing waste
✅ Dr. Berwick’s vision for meaningful healthcare reform
This conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a hopeful vision for healthcare leaders who believe patients—not profits—should remain at the center of every decision.
Don’t miss Part Two, where Dr. Berwick outlines the structural changes he believes could fundamentally reshape American healthcare.
Subscribe for More Conversations
If you enjoy conversations about healthcare leadership, hospice, healthcare innovation, leadership development, healthcare policy, and the future of patient-centered care, subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for weekly conversations with the leaders shaping the future of healthcare.
Guest:
Dr. Don Berwick, Former Administrator of CMS
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
AI is transforming healthcare. Medicare policy is evolving. Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. What do these changes mean for healthcare leaders, hospice executives, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare professionals?
In Part Two of this quarterly healthcare leadership update, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner examine the biggest healthcare trends of 2026, exploring how artificial intelligence in healthcare, Medicare policy, healthcare affordability, hospice fraud enforcement, regulatory compliance, and healthcare innovation are reshaping hospice and the broader healthcare industry.
They discuss how AI is changing the healthcare workforce, why quality and transparency matter more than ever, and what healthcare executives should know about the future of hospice care, palliative care, and value-based healthcare.
Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit healthcare organization, or healthcare business, this episode provides practical leadership insights to help you navigate healthcare policy changes, prepare for emerging technology, understand the future of Medicare, and make strategic decisions in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
If you’re interested in healthcare leadership, AI in hospice, healthcare management, Medicare reform, or the future of healthcare, this conversation will help you anticipate what’s next instead of simply reacting to today’s headlines.
Episode Highlights
✔ AI: Augmenting people vs. replacing jobs
✔ Medicare policy and healthcare affordability
✔ Hospice fraud enforcement & regulatory trends
✔ Industry consolidation & nonprofit outlook
✔ Leadership strategies for navigating change
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on healthcare leadership, hospice innovation, and the future of care.
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today
VP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
AI is changing healthcare faster than ever. Medicare is under increasing pressure. Hospice fraud is driving unprecedented regulatory action. The question isn’t whether healthcare is changing—it’s whether leaders are prepared for what’s next.
In Part One of this quarterly TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership special, host Chris Comeaux welcomes healthcare strategist Cordt Kassner to break down the biggest healthcare stories shaping 2026. Together, they examine the trends every healthcare executive, hospice leader, nonprofit executive, and business leader should be watching.
Using Dr. Ira Byock’s strategic framework as their guide, Chris and Cordt explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the growing crackdown on hospice fraud and abuse, Medicare’s financial future, healthcare affordability, quality measurement, workforce transformation, and the continued consolidation of the hospice industry.
They also discuss how AI is likely to augment—not replace—healthcare professionals, why quality and transparency are becoming central competitive advantages, and what nonprofit organizations must do to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
If you’re responsible for leading a healthcare organization, hospice, palliative care program, nonprofit, or mission-driven business, this episode offers practical leadership insights and strategic perspective to help you prepare for what’s ahead.
In this episode you’ll learn:
• Why AI will fundamentally change healthcare leadership
• How hospice fraud is reshaping federal oversight
• What Medicare’s future could mean for providers
• Why quality and transparency are becoming competitive advantages
• How healthcare leaders can prepare for unprecedented industry change
• What nonprofit healthcare organizations must do to remain relevant
Subscribe for weekly conversations with today’s top healthcare, nonprofit, and business leaders as we explore leadership, innovation, strategy, and the future of healthcare.
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today |
VP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Your greatest leadership challenge may not be staffing shortages or AI—it may be leading a multigenerational workforce with vastly different communication styles, expectations, and values.
In Part 2 of Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It, host Chris Comeaux welcomes nationally recognized generational leadership expert Karen McCullough for a practical conversation on multigenerational leadership, workplace culture, leadership communication, employee engagement, burnout prevention, organizational leadership, healthcare leadership, hospice leadership, nonprofit leadership, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Discover why Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z often approach work differently—and how great leaders build trust, improve communication, strengthen workplace culture, and create high-performing teams without stereotyping employees. Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this episode offers actionable leadership strategies for managing generational differences while preserving authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world.
In this episode you’ll discover:
✔ Why generations often clash at work—and how leaders can bridge the gap
✔ How to build a stronger workplace culture through everyday leadership behaviors
✔ Why honest feedback creates trust and improves employee engagement
✔ How AI should enhance leadership—not replace human connection
✔ Practical ways to reduce burnout while strengthening collaboration across generations
Karen also shares why leaders must stop putting people into generational boxes and instead focus on understanding individuals, creating psychological safety, and fostering cultures built on empathy, accountability, and trust.
You’ll also hear a thoughtful discussion about balancing technology with humanity, improving meetings, coaching younger employees, and creating workplaces where every generation can thrive together.
If you’re passionate about leadership development, workplace culture, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, healthcare management, nonprofit leadership, hospice care, employee retention, team collaboration, and the future of work, this conversation is for you.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with another leader committed to building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures.
Guest:
Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Why do generations often clash at work—and what can leaders do to bridge the divide?
In this insightful first installment, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally recognized generational expert Karen McCullough to explore the perspectives, experiences, and workplace expectations that shape Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.
Drawing from more than two decades of research and real-world consulting, Karen unpacks why many workplace conflicts are not personal attacks, but differences in generational perspective.
Together, they examine how communication styles, views on commitment, work-life balance, feedback, technology, and leadership have evolved across generations. Karen shares practical insights for healthcare, hospice, nonprofit, and business leaders who are navigating multigenerational teams and seeking to create cultures where every generation can thrive.
This conversation challenges assumptions, encourages empathy, and provides a framework for leading through one of today’s most significant workplace dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- Generational workplace conflicts are often rooted in differing perspectives, not personal shortcomings or character flaws.
- Communication styles vary significantly across generations, creating misunderstandings around feedback, meetings, and collaboration.
- Generation X leaders are often balancing accountability with a growing need to coach and develop younger employees.
- Millennials and Gen Z have reshaped workplace expectations around purpose, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and work-life balance.
- Great leaders build stronger teams by understanding generational differences, adapting their leadership style, and fostering meaningful conversations.
Guest:
Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
If you’re leading a team across multiple generations, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership, share this episode with your leadership team, and join us for Part Two as we continue exploring practical strategies for building stronger, more connected, and more effective workplaces. Your next leadership breakthrough may begin with understanding a different perspective.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Can healthcare remain compassionate in an age of private equity, artificial intelligence, and growing financial pressures?
In this part two episode, Chris Comeaux continues conversation with Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group, to discuss the future of healthcare, hospice, private equity, artificial intelligence, ethical leadership, and organizational mission.
Drawing from their groundbreaking hospice case study, they explore why private equity has become one of the most controversial forces in healthcare, how AI is reshaping patient care and the workforce, and why measuring quality in hospice remains one of healthcare’s greatest challenges.
This conversation goes far beyond hospice. It tackles questions every healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and business professional should be asking:
✔ Can mission-driven organizations survive growth?
✔ What causes mission drift?
✔ Is healthcare becoming too corporate?
✔ How should leaders balance profits and purpose?
✔ What role should AI play in human-centered industries?
✔ What does a “good death” actually mean?
Our Guest:
Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia
Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / author of The Anatomy of Leadership
👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with colleagues and friends who care about healthcare, leadership, ethics, and organizational excellence.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Few topics spark more debate in healthcare than the intersection of compassionate care, ethical responsibility, and financial sustainability.
Can mission-driven hospice organizations survive—and thrive—in a healthcare landscape increasingly dominated by for-profit providers?
In Part One of this compelling conversation, TCNtalks/Anatomy of Leadership host Chris Comeaux welcomes Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of the Darden Case Writing Research Group.
Together, they discuss the groundbreaking business case developed around Teleios Collaborative Network and the evolving hospice industry. The conversation explores whether nonprofit hospice organizations possess unique structural advantages that can help them compete against larger, investor-backed healthcare models while remaining true to their mission.
Drawing on research, classroom discussions, and real-world leadership experiences, the guests examine topics including community trust, volunteerism, staffing ratios, organizational culture, governance, marketing, and ethical decision-making. They challenge assumptions about nonprofit and for-profit healthcare while offering a thoughtful exploration of what it takes to deliver “care as a relationship, not a transaction” in today’s healthcare environment.
Key Takeaways* Nonprofit hospice organizations may possess structural advantages through community trust, volunteer engagement, and mission-driven cultures that are difficult for competitors to replicate. * The future success of nonprofit healthcare organizations depends not only on care quality but also on effectively communicating their value to patients and families. * Teleios’ hybrid model combines local independence with shared infrastructure, creating opportunities for scale while preserving community relationships. * Quality of care is often reflected in staffing levels, volunteer involvement, and personal relationships that may not be captured in traditional healthcare metrics. * Leadership, culture, and governance—not simply tax status—ultimately determine whether organizations fulfill their mission and deliver exceptional care.
Guest:
Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia
Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if the most important care doesn’t happen in a hospital, hospice, or clinic—but in the moments in between?
In Part Two of The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Bridget Sumser and Sonya Dolan of Mettle Health to explore the often-overlooked gap between medical treatment and the lived human experience of illness. Together, they unpack the role of grief, community, language, and connection in supporting people facing serious illness, caregiving responsibilities, and end-of-life challenges.
This episode challenges traditional healthcare thinking by asking a powerful question: Are we treating diseases while missing the deeper needs of the people experiencing them? Bridget and Sonya share their vision for a future where grief literacy, community support, and compassionate accompaniment become essential parts of care—not afterthoughts.
Highlights from this Episode:
✔ Why the word “hospice” can create unintended barriers to care
✔ The difference between treating illness and caring for the whole person
✔ How grief begins long before death and affects all of us
✔ Why community—not healthcare alone—is the missing middle
✔ The future of serious illness support and human-centered care
✔ How anyone can learn the skills of accompaniment and compassionate presence
✔ Mettle Health’s vision for transforming the way we navigate illness, loss, and mortality
Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.
Guest:
Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health
Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle Health
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What happens after a serious diagnosis—but before hospice care begins?
In this compelling conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Sonya Dolan, Co-Founder of Mettle Health, and Bridget Sumser, Director of Counseling & Programs, to explore one of healthcare’s most overlooked challenges: the “missing middle.”
Drawing from decades of experience in hospice, palliative care, caregiving, and serious illness support, Sonya and Bridget discuss the critical gaps patients and families face as they navigate life-altering diagnoses, caregiving responsibilities, grief, and uncertainty. Together, they unpack why traditional healthcare systems often struggle to address the emotional, relational, practical, and existential realities of serious illness—and how Mettle Health is working to fill that gap through compassionate accompaniment and human-centered care.
This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, nonprofit executives, caregivers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to truly support people through life’s most difficult transitions.
🔹 In this episode:
• What inspired the creation of Mettle Health
• Understanding the “missing middle” in healthcare
• Why caregivers need support in their own right
• The limitations of traditional healthcare and reimbursement models
• The role of accompaniment versus treatment
• Building resilience and coping skills during serious illness
• The evolution of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary care
Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.
🎧 Don’t miss Part Two, where the discussion continues with deeper insights into caregiving, grief, communication, and the future of compassionate care.
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.
Guest:
Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health
Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle Health
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Can consumers really trust hospice quality ratings?
In Part Two of this powerful TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership conversation, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner continue their discussion with nationally recognized hospice researcher and policy expert Dr. Joan Teno.
Building on Part One, Dr. Teno explores how patients and families can make better-informed hospice decisions, why current quality reporting systems often fall short, and how artificial intelligence could transform the future of hospice quality measurement. She also addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: preserving public trust while combating fraud, profiteering, and unethical practices.
Drawing from decades of research and policy leadership, Dr. Teno offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of hospice care, the importance of transparency, and the critical role healthcare leaders must play in protecting the integrity of the hospice mission.
Whether you’re a hospice professional, healthcare executive, policymaker, clinician, or family caregiver, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of end-of-life care.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Why consumers need better tools to evaluate hospice quality
✔ How AI could improve hospice transparency and decision-making
✔ The risks of oversupply, profiteering, and declining public trust
✔ Why quality data should empower both providers and families
✔ The extraordinary impact hospice clinicians continue to make every day
✔ The future of hospice care, accountability, and patient choice
Chapters:
0:00 Welcome And Part Two Setup
0:21 A Better Way To Find Hospice
3:06 Weighting Scores Without Punishing Small Programs
6:01 The Denominator Problem Behind Star Ratings
10:58 Rural Hospice Reality And The Willie Sutton Rule
12:08 AI Can Hallucinate Hospice Quality
16:47 Public Trust And A Saturated Hospice Market
23:36 Ghost Hospices And Which Data To Trust
26:04 Do CAHPS Questions Still Fit Hospice Today
27:44 Concurrent Care And Why Hospice Stays A Hard Choice
33:40 Giving Back Through Mentoring And Substack
35:57 Subscribe And The Brain Bookmark
Guest: Dr. Joan Teno
MD, MS; Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice (Brown School of Public Health); Adjunct Staff, RAND Corporation
Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Are hospice quality ratings really measuring what matters most?
In this powerful episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner sit down with nationally recognized hospice researcher Dr. Joan Teno to uncover the hidden problems behind hospice ratings, quality scores, and public reporting systems.
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience shaping hospice and palliative care policy, Dr. Teno explains why many publicly reported quality measures may fail to capture the true experiences of patients and families. She discusses the challenges of transparency, the unintended consequences of current reporting systems, concerns about fraud and oversight, and how artificial intelligence could help transform the future of hospice quality measurement.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, clinician, policymaker, or nonprofit professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into the complex realities behind quality scores and what must change to better serve patients and families at the end of life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔ Why hospice ratings may not tell the full story
✔ The biggest blind spots in today’s quality measurement systems
✔ How some providers avoid meaningful public reporting
✔ The role of AI and data analytics in improving oversight
✔ What meaningful transparency should look like for consumers
Chapters:
0:00 Leadership Sets The Tone
0:22. Monthly Hospice News And Framework
3:38. Why Oversight Beats Payment Redesign
8:28. Transparency Limits And Small Hospice Loopholes
13:10. Blind Spots In Quality Reporting
18:56 Using AI To Pick A Hospice
23:45. Moratorium And Rebuilding Trust
27:30 Clinicians Needed To Catch What Models Miss
29:18 Part Two Teaser
Guest: Dr. Joan Teno
Adjunct Professor, Brown School of Public Health | Hospice & Palliative Care Researcher | 2023 AAHPM Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
C0-Host: Cordt Kassner,
👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, hospice care, and mission-driven organizations.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Most leadership advice sounds inspiring until you have to practice it with real pressure, real people, and real consequences. Our host, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller, former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling co-author of The Secret and Lead Every Day, to get brutally practical about servant leadership, ego, and why the best leaders stop asking “How do I get more from my team?” and start asking “How do I help my team win?”
They talk about why the servant-leader mindset is hard to adopt in the first place: it often isn’t modeled, it isn’t taught, and our default human setting leans toward “me and mine.” Mark shares research that puts a spotlight on the real obstacle many leaders face, ego, and we explore how it shows up in everyday decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
Mark addresses the tension that trips up even well-meaning managers: how do you serve people while still holding them accountable? Mark makes the case that accountability is not a harsh tool, it’s a gift that helps people reach their potential, and he explains why great leaders keep results and relationships high at the same time.
Mark also dig into Lead Every Day, a leadership operating system built around three disciplines: becoming a better leader, improving team performance, and strengthening the organization, plus the simplest daily push that changes everything: start where you are, use what you’ve got, and do what you can.
If you care about leadership development, team performance, and building a healthy culture that still delivers results, this conversation will give you language, stories, and next steps you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.
Guest:
Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every Day
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What does it take to build a leadership culture that scales across generations, industries, and millions of customer interactions? In this powerful conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with Mark Miller — former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A and bestselling author of The Secret — to explore the principles behind extraordinary leadership.
From his humble beginnings as an hourly team member to helping shape Chick-fil-A’s leadership development strategy, Mark shares hard-earned wisdom about influence, intentionality, and what truly drives organizational growth.
Throughout the episode, Mark unpacks the foundational leadership framework behind the acronym SERVE: See the Future, Engage and Develop Others, Reinvent Continuously, Value Results and Relationships, and Embody the Values. He explains why leadership is ultimately about service — not position — and why organizations that fail to intentionally develop leaders will eventually plateau. Chris and Mark also discuss the tension between results and relationships, the importance of creating a common definition of leadership, and how healthcare, hospice, and nonprofit leaders can prepare for the future by multiplying leadership capacity throughout their organizations.
For leaders navigating complexity, growth, or organizational transformation, this episode offers practical insight and timeless leadership principles from one of the most respected leadership voices connected to the Chick-fil-A legacy.
Key Takeaways
- Great leadership requires balancing both results and relationships— not choosing one over the other.
- Organizations plateau when leadership development does not scale with growth.
- Leadership is fundamentally about serving strategically, not simply being helpful or nice.
- Strong cultures are built when organizations create a shared definition of leadership.
- Continuous learning and reinvention are essential for long-term leadership effectiveness.
If this conversation challenged and encouraged you, share this episode with another leader in your organization. Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations designed to help healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, hospice professionals, and business leaders live and lead with greater purpose, clarity, and impact. And don’t miss Part Two of this powerful discussion with Mark Miller.
Guest:
Mark Miller, Business Leader, Wall Street Journal and International Best-Selling Author, Communicator, and Co-Founder of Lead Every Day
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Hospice has always been about people, but the future of hospice will increasingly be shaped by data—and that shift is both exciting and unsettling.
In Part Two of The Future of Hospice: How HOPE Will Transform Reimbursement & Care, Raianne Melton and Andrea Hale unpack how the HOPE tool could redefine hospice reimbursement, value-based care, and quality measurement across CMS, Medicare Advantage, and health systems.
The conversation explores where hospice measurement may be heading—from symptom impact scoring and burdensome discharges to acuity tracking, HUV utilization, and the growing importance of consistent documentation and actionable clinical data.
The episode also focuses on what hospice leaders can do now to prepare: improving point-of-care documentation, simplifying EMR workflows, leveraging real-time analytics, and exploring AI-powered ambient listening to reduce clinician burden while preserving compassionate care.
Ultimately, this conversation is about helping hospice organizations prove their value with measurable outcomes while staying true to the mission that defines hospice care.
This episode offers practical insights for hospice executives, nonprofit healthcare leaders, clinicians, and anyone navigating the evolving landscape of end-of-life care.
Guest:
Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice
Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
The future of hospice care is changing—and the HOPE assessment tool may redefine how providers deliver care, document outcomes, and receive reimbursement.
Healthcare is entering a new era where quality outcomes, patient data, and accountability are driving the future of care delivery. In this episode, we’re joined by Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice, and Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess, whose expertise and frontline perspective help unpack one of the most significant shifts happening in hospice today—the implementation of the HOPE assessment tool.
Their insight provides valuable guidance for hospice leaders, clinicians, and organizations preparing for the future of reimbursement and patient-centered care.
In Part One of this important conversation, we explore how the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool is poised to transform the hospice landscape. From evolving CMS expectations to the growing emphasis on quality metrics and patient-centered outcomes, this episode breaks down what hospice leaders, clinicians, and healthcare organizations need to understand now.
Join us as we discuss:
• What the HOPE tool is and why it matters
• How reimbursement models are shifting in hospice care
• The operational and compliance challenges providers may face
• Why documentation and quality reporting are becoming more critical than ever
• How organizations can proactively prepare for the future of end-of-life care
Whether you’re a hospice professional, nonprofit executive, healthcare leader, or business decision-maker, this episode provides timely insight into the changing future of compassionate care delivery.
Our Guest:
Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice
Raianne Melton, Director of Clinical Services of Professional Services for Axxess
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on healthcare leadership, hospice innovation, and mission-driven care.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of this powerful TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership conversation, Kim Brandt, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS joins Chris Comeaux to discuss hospice fraud, Medicare risk, AI-driven fraud detection, and the future of healthcare policy. Kim provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how CMS is fighting organized healthcare fraud, protecting Medicare beneficiaries, and preparing hospice providers for a more data-driven future.
The conversation explores lessons learned from the Medicare Advantage VBID hospice carve-in, the challenges facing legitimate hospice providers, and how AI and machine learning are helping CMS detect fraudulent activity in real time. Kim also shares her vision for what compassionate, dignified hospice care should look like over the next 15 years.
Whether you are a hospice professional, healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, policymaker, or business leader, this episode delivers critical insights into the future of end-of-life care, healthcare leadership, and Medicare reform.
Highlights:
✔️ CMS reveals how billions in fraudulent Medicare payments are being stopped in real time
✔️ Inside the growing hospice fraud crisis impacting patients and providers nationwide
✔️ Why AI and machine learning are becoming essential tools in healthcare fraud prevention
✔️ Lessons learned from the Medicare Advantage VBID hospice carve-in experiment
✔️ How legitimate hospice providers can protect themselves during audits and investigations
✔️ The future of hospice care: data, analytics, palliative integration, and patient dignity
✔️ Kim Brandt shares her vision for compassionate end-of-life care over the next 15 years
✔️ A candid conversation on healthcare leadership, accountability, and reform
🎧 Featuring
Guest:
Kim Brandt, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
👉 Subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations with healthcare innovators, policy leaders, and changemakers shaping the future of care.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this compelling first installment, CMS Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt joins Chris Comeaux for a candid conversation about the growing hospice fraud crisis, the financial future of Medicare, and the urgent transformation happening across American healthcare.
Drawing from her leadership role at CMS and firsthand experiences with hospice care in her own family, Brandt shares why hospice remains a critical pillar of compassionate care — while also exposing the alarming abuse threatening the integrity of the system.
The discussion dives deep into the pressures facing Medicare as the nation approaches the “silver tsunami,” with 10,000 new beneficiaries entering Medicare every day through 2030. Brandt explains how CMS is thinking about value-based care, the role of technology and AI in improving patient outcomes, and why hospice and palliative care may increasingly blend together in the future.
From home-based care expansion to quality-driven reimbursement models, this episode offers healthcare leaders a rare inside look at the policy conversations shaping the next decade of healthcare delivery.
Key Takeaways
- CMS views hospice as an essential part of the Medicare ecosystem and is committed to protecting legitimate providers while aggressively combating fraud.
- Medicare faces mounting financial pressure as 10,000 baby boomers enroll daily, accelerating the need for healthcare reform and value-based care models.
- Kim Brandt predicts hospice and palliative care will increasingly integrate, allowing patients to receive supportive care earlier in their illness journey.
- Home-based healthcare, telehealth, AI, and remote monitoring are expected to play a major role in the future of hospice care delivery.
- CMS is shifting its focus from enrollment volume toward aligning incentives with quality outcomes and patient-centered care.
If you’re passionate about the future of healthcare, hospice innovation, and leadership that drives meaningful change, this is an episode you cannot miss. Subscribe to our podcast and share this conversation with your team, and stay tuned for Part Two as we continue exploring the future of Medicare, hospice reform, and value-based care.
Guest:
Kim Brandt: Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Administrator at CMS
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What does the future of hospice care really look like—and who’s shaping it?
In Part Two of this compelling conversation, healthcare leaders Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI and Carole Fisher, President of NPHI, join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner to discuss the future of hospice reform, Medicare modernization, quality care standards, and the challenges facing nonprofit hospice providers across America.
From fraud prevention and workforce shortages to Medicare Advantage and innovative disease-specific care models, this episode delivers an inside look at the policy, leadership, and operational decisions shaping the future of end-of-life care.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice professional, nonprofit leader, policymaker, or business leader, this discussion provides valuable insight into how hospice organizations can remain relevant, sustainable, and mission-driven in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
⸻
Episode Highlights
✔️ Why hospice quality reporting and transparency matter more than ever
✔️ The growing impact of Medicare Advantage on hospice care
✔️ Challenges facing nonprofit hospice organizations
✔️ Innovation in palliative care and disease-specific support models
✔️ How NPHI is advocating for hospice reform and accountability
✔️ The workforce and financial pressures affecting hospice providers
✔️ The truth about the hospice carve-in debate and what the data shows
✔️ Why leadership and mission remain critical in end-of-life care
⸻
Key Quote From The Episode
“The future of hospice and palliative care is making sure we are staying relevant, necessary, and sustainable.” — Carole Fisher
⸻
About This Episode
This episode explores the intersection of healthcare leadership, hospice advocacy, Medicare reform, patient-centered care, and operational sustainability. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preserving the mission of hospice while adapting to changing healthcare systems and patient expectations.
Featured Guests
🔹 Tom Koutsoumpas — National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)
🔹 Carole Fisher — President, NPHI
🎙️ Hosted by Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Co-Hosted by Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care
Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
⸻
Subscribe & Connect
👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, hospice care, and nonprofit strategy.
👉 Share this episode with healthcare professionals, executives, clinicians, and industry leaders.
👉 Learn more about TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership, and NPHI in the links below.
TCNtalks
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
NPHI
https://www.nphihealth.org/
People Over Profits
https://www.nphihealth.org/peopleoverprofits/
Inside View Podcast
https://www.nphihealth.org/podcast/
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part One of Healthcare Leaders Break Down Hospice Reform, Medicare & Quality Care, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally respected healthcare leaders Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder & CEO of NPHI and Carole Fisher, President of NPHI to explore the evolving future of hospice, palliative care, Medicare oversight, and the growing demand for quality-driven, compassionate healthcare leadership.
Together, they unpack the growing challenges facing end-of-life care — from fraud and benefit manipulation to the urgent need for quality transparency and authentic patient-centered care. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, the guests explore how nonprofit hospice organizations are redefining quality while advocating for compassion, integrity, and trust across the healthcare continuum.
The discussion also dives into the emotional and cultural barriers surrounding hospice conversations, the importance of introducing palliative care earlier in serious illness, and why communication remains one of the most powerful tools in healthcare leadership.
Through personal stories, policy insights, and candid reflections, Tom and Carole reveal how mission-driven organizations are creating calm and clarity for patients and families during life’s most vulnerable moments. This episode offers healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, and nonprofit executives a timely and inspiring look at where serious illness care is headed — and what it will take to protect its future.
Key Takeaways
- Hospice leaders are pushing back against fraud, abuse, and “benefit manipulation” that prioritize profits over patient care.
- Earlier integration of palliative care can build trust with patients and families before hospice services are needed.
- One of hospice care’s greatest challenges remains overcoming public fear and misunderstanding surrounding death and end-of-life conversations.
- Nonprofit hospice organizations continue to lead in quality outcomes, staffing, patient support services, and community-based care.
- Quality transparency, collaboration, and meaningful data sharing are becoming essential for the future of healthcare and hospice reimbursement.
🎙 Featured Guests:
- Tom Koutsoumpas — Founder & CEO, NPHI
- Carole Fisher — President, NPHI
Our Host:
Chris Comeaux — President / CEO of TELEIOS, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Cordt Kassner — PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care
Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Virtual reality can feel like a toy until you hear what it does for pain, fear, and the kind of suffering that medication cannot touch.
In this Part Two episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux sits down with Dr. Kathleen Benton, CEO of Hospice of Savannah, and VR healthcare pioneer Teri Yarbrow, Founder & CEO of Magika VRx, to explore how virtual reality in healthcare, hospice care, and palliative care are evolving through immersive technology. Learn how VR therapy is being used to reduce pain, anxiety, and emotional distress in patients facing serious illness and end-of-life care.
They talk data, not hype: peer reviewed research, standards organizations like AMXRA, and real clinical adoption from pediatric programs to large scale international work. Then we narrow the lens to hospice and palliative care where the stakes are personal, exploring how VR can reduce pain, anxiety, and distress, and how it may help patients rely less on medications in day to day symptom management. We also dig into an unexpected outcome many teams report: awe inducing content that creates self transcendent experiences, easing existential distress and helping people reconnect with meaning, purpose, and peace.
Care does not stop with the patient, so we also look at caregiver and clinician support, including burnout relief, respite room use, and what happens when the patient cannot wear a headset but the family in the room needs help coping. Finally, we look ahead to lighter devices, immersive rooms, and the idea of a curated “VR pharmacy” where clinicians prescribe specific experiences for specific needs.
What begins as a conversation about medical virtual reality quickly becomes something deeper—about awe, spirituality, and the human experience at the end of life.
In this episode:
- The growing research and credibility of Virtual Reality in medicine
- Real-world palliative care pilot results and pain reduction
- Neuropathic pain relief when medications fall short
- Awe and self-transcendent experiences in patient care
- Supporting clinicians with burnout and emotional fatigue
- Helping families process grief through immersive experiences
- The future of Virtual Reality in healthcare and the “VR pharmacy” model
This episode highlights how immersive VR is becoming evidence-based care—restoring presence, identity, and dignity when it matters most.
Guest:
Kathleen Benton, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice Savannah, Inc. and Co-Author of the book, Virtual Reality for Serious Illness
Teri Yarbrow, the Founder of "Creating AWE", President of Magika VRx and Co-Author of the book, Virtual Reality for Serious Illness
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / author of The Anatomy of Leadership
👉 Be sure to subscribe to the channel
👉 Share this episode with colleagues in hospice and palliative care
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if some of the most meaningful moments at the end of life could still be experienced—no matter the physical limitations?
In this episode, Kathleen Benton and VR innovator Teri Yarbrow reveal how virtual reality is reshaping hospice and palliative care by restoring something often lost in modern medicine—human experience. As care becomes increasingly clinical and documentation-driven, VR creates space for patients to reconnect with meaning, beauty, and identity beyond their diagnosis.
The impact is rooted in how the brain responds to immersion. Through presence (feeling transported), embodiment (shifting out of “patient” identity), and agency (regaining choice), VR helps reduce pain and anxiety while restoring a sense of control. For patients who can no longer travel, move, or explore, these experiences are not trivial—they are transformative.
The stories are powerful. A hospice patient skydives. An ALS patient explores space. A fragile palliative care patient surfs and leaves with renewed energy. Each moment underscores a critical insight: when experiences are thoughtfully matched to a patient’s emotional state, VR becomes a form of care—not just distraction.
At its deepest level, this work is about awe. The feeling of encountering something bigger than ourselves—oceans, stars, vast landscapes—can bring peace, perspective, and even spiritual grounding. Through VR, awe becomes accessible at the bedside, reminding patients that even in limitation, there is still room for connection, beauty, and meaning.
Highlights:
- VR is emerging as a powerful tool in hospice and serious illness care
- Three mechanisms drive its impact: presence, embodiment, and agency
- Real patient stories demonstrate measurable emotional and physical benefits
- Matching VR experiences to patient needs is key to effectiveness
- Awe is not a luxury—it’s a therapeutic necessity at the end of life
Guest:
Kathleen Benton, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice Savannah, Inc. and
Co-Author of the book, Virtual Reality for Serious Illness;
Teri Yarbrow, Founder of "Creating AWE", President of Magika VRx and Co-Author of the book, Virtual Reality for Serious Illness
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of Future-Proofing Care: The Challenges We Face in Hospice and Palliative Care, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner explore the accelerating forces reshaping hospice and palliative care—from shifting patient demographics to the rapid rise of AI and regulatory complexity.
As the industry transitions to serving a more diverse, resource-variable baby boomer population, leaders are challenged to rethink how care is delivered, personalized, and sustained in an increasingly complex environment.
The conversation dives into the tension between innovation and regulation, the transformative (yet imperfect) role of technology, and the growing mental health crisis impacting patients, families, and care teams alike. With AI poised to revolutionize communication and care delivery—but infrastructure and human connection still critical—the episode emphasizes a central truth: technology must enhance, not replace, the heart of care.
Ultimately, this episode offers a strategic roadmap for leaders navigating uncertainty. Through the memorable framework “Grow, No, Flow, Sow, R&D,” the hosts provide actionable insight into building resilient, future-ready organizations—equipping healthcare and nonprofit leaders to move from feeling overwhelmed by change to actively shaping what comes next.
Key Takeaways
- Demographic shifts—especially the rise of the baby boomer population—are redefining care expectations, financial realities, and caregiver availability.
- Innovation is outpacing regulation, creating friction—but also opportunity for leaders to proactively shape policy.
- AI and emerging technologies will dramatically transform care delivery, but must be used to enhance—not replace—human connection.
- The mental health crisis is increasingly intersecting with hospice and palliative care, exposing systemic gaps and new responsibilities.
- Organizational culture (“reculture”) is the critical enabler—or barrier—to successfully navigating rapid change.
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part One of this forward-looking series, Chris Comeaux unpacks the foundational challenges shaping the future of hospice and palliative care. Drawing from nearly a decade of strategic research and collaboration with healthcare leaders, he introduces a powerful framework built around eight core challenges that every organization must navigate. From intensifying competition to shifting reimbursement models, this conversation equips leaders with a clearer lens to anticipate disruption and respond with intention.
What emerges is not just a list of problems—but a strategic roadmap. Chris explores how “hypercompetition” is reshaping referral patterns, how financial pressures demand organizational agility, and why workforce shortages require a complete rethinking of care delivery. Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on proactive leadership: understanding the forces at play, asking better questions, and positioning organizations to thrive—not just survive—in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Ultimately, this episode serves as a call for healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, and hospice professionals to rethink traditional models. By embracing innovation, diversifying services, and aligning care with what patients truly want, organizations can future-proof their mission and remain deeply relevant in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways
- The future of hospice and palliative care is shaped by eight major challenges, including competition, reimbursement, workforce, and demographic shifts.
- Hypercompetition is accelerating, including both direct competitors and “substitution” models that can divert referrals.
- Reimbursement pressures are expected to tighten, requiring organizations to become more efficient while exploring new revenue models.
- Workforce shortages are a structural reality, demanding an “outside-in” approach that aligns staffing with evolving patient needs.
- Long-term success depends on organizational ambidexterity—the ability to optimize current operations while innovating new care models simultaneously.
If you’re leading in hospice, healthcare, or the nonprofit space, this conversation is just the beginning. Subscribe to the podcast, in Part Two, where we go deeper into solutions and strategies you can apply immediately. Share this episode with your leadership team, and start the conversation: Are we truly prepared for what’s ahead?
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, Chris Comeaux and Robin Heffernan unpack the complex realities shaping the future of hospice under Medicare Advantage.
From the lessons learned in the VBID demonstration to the growing momentum behind “carve-in” models, this episode explores the tension between cost, quality, and patient experience—and what it will take to align all three. At the center of the discussion is a critical question: how do we design a system that truly rewards high-quality care while eliminating inefficiencies and poor outcomes?
The conversation dives into emerging models like concurrent care “bridge pathways,” which challenge the traditional binary transition into hospice and offer a more patient-centered approach to serious illness care.
It also tackles the impact of private equity, consolidation, and payer incentives—raising important considerations about accountability, network design, and the sustainability of mission-driven providers. For leaders navigating an evolving healthcare landscape, this episode provides both clarity and challenge on what comes next.
Key Takeaways
- The VBID demonstration revealed both promise and limitations—strong outcomes are possible, but only with better network control and quality alignment.
- “Concurrent care bridges” may offer a more realistic and compassionate transition into hospice, improving patient experience and outcomes.
- Financial incentives must shift toward total cost of care, not fragmented payment models, to truly drive better patient outcomes.
- Consolidation is likely, but high-quality providers—regardless of size—can still thrive if value and outcomes are prioritized.
- Payer accountability and earlier palliative care engagement are key to reducing costs while improving care quality.
Guest:
Robin Heffernan, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Empassion
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy Of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part One of this thought-provoking conversation, Chris Comeaux and Robin Heffernan explore the evolving intersection of private equity, artificial intelligence, and end-of-life care—raising critical questions about accountability, quality, and the future of hospice under Medicare Advantage. As the healthcare system shifts toward value-based models, the discussion challenges long-held assumptions about whether hospice should remain “carved out” or be fully integrated into payer responsibility.
Robin offers a systems-level perspective, arguing that aligning financial accountability across the entire patient journey—including end-of-life care—could drive better outcomes, reduce fragmentation, and elevate hospice quality. At the same time, Chris voices the concerns shared by many hospice leaders: issues of trust, the deeply human nature of end-of-life decisions, and the risk of reducing care to cost-containment mechanisms.
Together, they unpack the real tension facing healthcare leaders today—how to preserve the holistic, compassionate ethos of hospice while navigating economic realities, emerging AI capabilities, and increasing private equity influence. This episode invites listeners to think critically about what must change—and what must be protected—as the future of serious illness care takes shape.
Key Takeaways
- Alignment drives accountability: Integrating hospice into Medicare Advantage could incentivize payers to prioritize quality outcomes across the full continuum of care—not just upstream services.
- Quality vs. access tension: Without strong network design, “carve-in” models risk perpetuating low-quality providers rather than elevating high-performing hospice organizations.
- The economics are shifting: Value-based and capitated models may ultimately reward high-quality hospice providers more than traditional fee-for-service structures.
- AI will expand early intervention: Predictive analytics and lower-cost engagement tools could identify patients earlier and broaden access to palliative care conversations.
- Trust remains the central challenge: End-of-life care is fundamentally different—patients and families must trust that decisions are guided by care, not cost.
If this conversation challenged your thinking, don’t stop here. Share this episode with a colleague, reflect on how these shifts impact your organization, and join the dialogue shaping the future of end-of-life care. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes that continue to explore leadership, innovation, and purpose in healthcare.
Guest:
Robin Heffernan, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Empassion
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of this forward-looking conversation, Dr. Jean Kutner explores how a landmark $64 million NIH grant is poised to reshape the future of palliative care across the lifespan.
Moving beyond theory, this episode dives into what success actually looks like—more diverse research collaboration, stronger mentorship pipelines, and measurable translation of evidence into real-world clinical practice. The discussion highlights a critical shift: building a system where research and care continuously inform one another to improve outcomes for patients with serious illness.
Looking ahead, Dr. Kutner paints a compelling vision of a more seamless, equitable care continuum—one that begins earlier in the disease trajectory and extends across all stages of life. From addressing gaps between care settings to advancing innovative modalities and policy-relevant research, this conversation underscores the urgency of aligning evidence, reimbursement models, and care delivery.
For healthcare leaders and hospice professionals, this episode offers both a strategic lens and a hopeful outlook on where the field is heading. 
⸻
Key Takeaways
- The future of palliative care depends on expanding research capacity across disciplines, including underrepresented fields like chaplaincy and social work. 
- Stronger collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers is essential to translating evidence into practice and policy change.
- A major goal is creating a seamless care continuum—eliminating gaps between hospice, inpatient, and outpatient palliative care settings.
- Evidence-based care must drive reimbursement and policy models, including potential payment structures for pre-hospice care.
- The field is moving toward earlier, more personalized palliative care interventions across the full lifespan, supported by emerging research and innovation. 
Guest:
Dr. Jean Kutner, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz, Chief Academic Officer, UCHealth and Contact Principal Investigator, ASCENT Consortium
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Why does a $64 million NIH grant matter to every healthcare leader, hospice executive, and care provider in America? Because it has the potential to fundamentally reshape how we care for people at the most vulnerable moments of life.
In this episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Dr. Jean Kutner—one of the nation’s leading voices in hospice and palliative care research—to unpack a historic moment for the field: a $64 million NIH investment designed to transform care for people with serious illness across the lifespan. More than just a funding milestone, this initiative represents a long-awaited convergence of advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and national prioritization of palliative care research.
Dr. Kutner shares how the ASCENT Consortium is breaking down long-standing silos across disease states, research disciplines, and care settings—creating a unified, trans-NIH strategy that connects researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patients in unprecedented ways. From accelerating evidence into practice to reimagining care delivery models, this conversation highlights how the future of serious illness care will be shaped not just by innovation, but by intentional collaboration.
This episode is for healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, and nonprofit executives, this episode offers a compelling look at what’s next: a future where evidence-based, person-centered care is accessible across the full continuum—from diagnosis to bereavement—and where research translates into real-world impact faster than ever before.
Key Takeaways
- The $64M NIH-funded ASCENT initiative is the largest investment in palliative care research to date and marks a transformative moment for the field.
- A major focus is breaking down traditional silos across NIH institutes, enabling cross-disease, lifespan-based collaboration.
- At least half of the funding is directed toward developing the next generation of researchers through pilot grants and scholar support.
- The initiative emphasizes integrating research into real-world care through implementation science and pragmatic clinical trials.
- Key innovation areas include care delivery models, symptom management, caregiver support, and improving access for underserved populations.
Guest:
Dr. Jean Kutner,
Distinguished Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz, Chief Academic Officer, UCHealth and Contact Principal Investigator, ASCENT Consortium
Host:
Chris Comeaux,President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of Private Equity, AI, and the Future of End-of-Life Care, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner dive deeper into the forces reshaping hospice and healthcare. From the growing influence of private equity to the urgent need for systemic reform, this conversation explores the tension between financial performance and mission-driven care. The discussion highlights a critical question: can healthcare balance economic sustainability while preserving dignity, compassion, and patient-centered outcomes?
The episode also examines real-world policy shifts and emerging data—from Medicare payment reform signals to increased regulatory scrutiny aimed at eliminating fraud and protecting vulnerable populations. Beyond policy, the conversation underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in shaping the future of hospice care.
Ultimately, this episode returns to the heart of hospice: humanity. Through powerful stories and examples—like pediatric care innovations and “bucket list” programs—it challenges leaders to reclaim the authentic mission of end-of-life care: honoring lives, supporting families, and delivering excellence at the bedside.
If this conversation challenged your thinking, share it with your leadership team and colleagues. Subscribe to stay ahead of the trends shaping hospice and healthcare—and most importantly, take one idea from this episode and apply it to improve care at the bedside. The future of end-of-life care depends on leaders willing to act.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. healthcare system faces a looming financial and structural crisis, requiring urgent reform focused on transparency, accountability, and population health.
- The role of private equity in hospice remains contested, with concerns about profit-driven models versus emerging data suggesting outcomes may depend on broader operational factors—not ownership alone.
- Regulatory efforts, such as Oregon’s Protecting the Dying Act, signal a growing national push to eliminate fraud and safeguard hospice integrity.
- Data-driven decision-making is becoming essential, with industry reports and analytics shaping how leaders evaluate quality, utilization, and performance.
- Mission-driven innovations—like pediatric programs and life-affirming “bucket list” initiatives—demonstrate how hospice can elevate care quality while reinforcing its core identity.
(This episode is a Top News Stories of Month March 2026)
Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this thought-provoking episode, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner unpack some of the most pressing forces shaping the future of end-of-life care—private equity, rising healthcare costs, and the accelerating influence of artificial intelligence.
Grounded in real-world stories and industry data, the conversation explores a growing tension between the promise of hospice as a gold-standard care model and the operational, financial, and expectation gaps that providers and families are increasingly experiencing.
The discussion dives into systemic challenges, including stagnant reimbursement structures, workforce limitations, and a fragmented healthcare ecosystem that often leaves hospice providers navigating complexity without a clear seat at the broader policy table. As private equity and consolidation trends continue to reshape the landscape, the hosts raise critical questions about whether scale enhances or erodes the deeply human, high-touch nature of hospice care.
Looking ahead, the episode broadens into a philosophical and strategic lens—examining how AI may redefine not only care delivery, but the very meaning of being human in healthcare. For leaders across hospice, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors, this conversation offers both a warning and a call to action: innovate thoughtfully, protect what works, and ensure the future of end-of-life care remains anchored in purpose, dignity, and humanity.
Key Takeaways
- Hospice remains a highly effective and compassionate care model—but growing expectation gaps between families and providers are creating friction.
- Reimbursement and funding structures have not kept pace with inflation, limiting the ability to deliver comprehensive support.
- The healthcare system’s pricing inconsistencies and payer mix distortions are creating downstream pressure on hospice providers.
- Despite consolidation trends, hospice remains a highly fragmented industry, raising important questions about private equity’s role and impact.
- AI is poised to transform care delivery—but also introduces ethical questions about consciousness, purpose, and the human role in care.
(This episode is a Top News Stories of Month March 2026)
Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of this powerful conversation, hospice pioneer Barbara Karnes brings clarity and compassion to one of life’s most misunderstood experiences: the final days of life. With her signature ability to translate complex end-of-life processes into simple, human language, Karnes reframes dying not as a medical failure—but as a natural, deeply human transition. She emphasizes that fear often stems from misunderstanding, and that education is the single most powerful tool to help families navigate this sacred time with confidence and peace.
Listeners will gain profound insight into what actually happens as the body begins to shut down—from changes in eating, sleeping, and socialization to the emotional and spiritual realities unfolding beneath the surface. Karnes challenges common misconceptions, including fears around morphine and pain management, and reminds us that it is disease—not dying itself—that causes pain. Through practical guidance and deeply human wisdom, she equips caregivers and clinicians alike to better support both patients and families.
At its core, this episode is a call back to purpose. Karnes urges healthcare leaders and hospice professionals to resist the pull toward systems, regulations, and business pressures—and instead refocus on the human being at the center. End-of-life care, she reminds us, is not just clinical work. It is sacred work—an opportunity to guide families through one of the most meaningful moments they will ever experience.
5 Key Takeaways
- Dying is often misunderstood — real end-of-life experiences differ significantly from what people expect based on media portrayals.
- Education reduces fear — preparing families with clear, simple explanations helps normalize the dying process and ease anxiety.
- The body follows a natural progression — decreased appetite, increased sleep, and withdrawal are expected and mirror the reverse of birth.
- Pain is caused by disease, not dying — proper use of comfort medications like morphine is essential and often misunderstood.
- Hospice care is sacred, not transactional — the focus must remain on guiding people through a profound human experience, not just managing systems or regulations.
Guest:
Barbara Karnes, End of Life Educator and Hospice Pioneer
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this powerful conversation, hospice pioneer Barbara Karnes joins TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership to unpack with Chris Comeaux what truly happens in the final days of life—and what healthcare professionals often miss.
Drawing from over four decades of bedside experience, Barbara shares how hospice care began as a movement outside the traditional medical model, rooted not in treating disease, but in caring for people and their families during life’s most vulnerable moments. Her insights challenge modern healthcare to return to a more human-centered approach—one that prioritizes presence, education, and compassion.
Barbara offers a deeply practical and emotional perspective on the role of hospice professionals as “invisible conductors,” guiding families through fear, uncertainty, and grief. She explains that while death may be the defining moment, the preparation leading up to it—through education, support, and connection—is what truly shapes the experience for patients and loved ones alike.
This episode also explores the origin story behind her widely influential booklet Gone From My Sight, now distributed in the tens of millions worldwide. What began as a simple response to families’ fear and confusion became one of the most trusted resources in end-of-life care—reminding us that clarity, simplicity, and empathy are essential in moments that matter most.
5 Key Takeaways:
- Hospice should prioritize people and families—not just disease.
- Education reduces fear at end of life.
- Clinicians guide families as an “invisible conductor.”
- Self-awareness is essential for effective caregiving.
- Clear, simple resources empower families.
Guest:
Barbara Karnes, End of Life Educator and Hospice Pioneer
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if your leadership challenges aren’t about skill—but about your story?
In Part Two of The Secure Leader: How Attachment Styles Shape Leadership, Dr. Jaime Goff dives deeper into how your past experiences, internal narratives, and emotional triggers shape the way you lead today.
This episode moves beyond awareness into transformation—helping leaders understand how to rewrite limiting leadership stories, regulate emotional responses, and create environments where teams can truly thrive.
You’ll discover how attachment styles influence leadership behavior, why your brain reacts the way it does under pressure, and how secure leaders build trust, psychological safety, and high-performing cultures.
If you’re a healthcare leader, nonprofit executive, hospice professional, or business leader looking to grow in emotional intelligence and self-awareness—this conversation will challenge and equip you.
⸻
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
• How your leadership story is shaping your decisions (often unconsciously)
• Why emotional triggers live in both your mind and your body
• How to reframe past experiences for growth—not limitation
• What it means to be a “secure leader” in today’s workplace
• Practical ways to regulate emotions and lead with clarity
_______
Guest:
Jamie Goff, Founder and President of The Empathic Leader
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of Leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if the greatest barrier to effective leadership isn’t a lack of skills—but a lack of self-awareness?
In Part One of this powerful conversation, Chris Comeaux sits down with Dr. Jamie Goff, executive coach and author of The Secure Leader, to explore how deeply our leadership is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves. Drawing from her background in psychology and leadership development, Dr. Goff challenges the traditional focus on technical leadership skills and instead shines a light on the internal mindset shifts that truly transform leaders.
Through real-world experience and personal reflection, she introduces the concept of attachment theory in leadership—revealing how patterns formed early in life influence how we lead, trust, and connect with others. This episode offers a compelling invitation for leaders to move beyond surface-level tactics and begin the deeper work of understanding who they are, so they can lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.
Key Takeaways
- Most leadership programs emphasize skills, but overlook the mindset and internal narratives driving behavior
- Leadership effectiveness is deeply influenced by personal history, beliefs, and relational patterns
- Attachment theory reveals three leadership tendencies: secure, avoidant, and anxious
- Self-awareness is the foundation for growth—leaders must examine their internal stories and assumptions
- Coaching and intentional development can help leaders bridge the gap between knowing and doing
If you’re ready to lead with greater self-awareness and impact, this episode is your starting point.
Listen now—and don’t miss Part Two, where we dive even deeper into how to transform your leadership from the inside out.
Guest: Jaime Goff, Founder and President of The Empathic Leader
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership
leadership development, emotional intelligence, attachment styles, executive coaching, healthcare leadership
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping healthcare—and hospice leaders cannot afford to ignore its impact. In this episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with hospice leader and AI innovator Ernesto Lopez to explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the hospice industry.
Drawing from nearly 15 years of operational experience, Lopez explains why hospice needs technology built specifically for its unique clinical, regulatory, and operational realities, rather than tools retrofitted from other healthcare sectors.
The conversation dives deep into the real-world challenges hospice organizations face—particularly around Medicare audits, documentation risk, and operational inefficiencies. Lopez introduces the concept of “hospice-native AI”, technology designed from the ground up to help organizations proactively identify documentation gaps, reduce compliance risks, and improve patient care.
By shortening the feedback loop between documentation and compliance, AI has the potential to give leaders real-time insight into their clinical records instead of discovering problems months or years later during an audit.
But adopting AI requires wisdom. Lopez and Comeaux caution leaders to move forward thoughtfully—focusing on clear use cases, trusted technology partners, and measurable return on investment. AI is not a cure-all, but when used responsibly, it can become a powerful tool to strengthen hospice operations, improve care quality, and support clinicians doing some of the most meaningful work in healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- Hospice needs “hospice-native” technology. Many existing tools are retrofitted from other healthcare sectors, creating inefficiencies and gaps.
- AI can help reduce audit risk. By proactively identifying documentation issues and eligibility gaps, hospices can better prepare for Medicare contractor audits.
- Real-time feedback improves clinical documentation. AI can shorten the compliance feedback loop from months or years to near real time.
- Technical documentation failures are a major risk. Missing signatures, dates, or admission requirements remain one of the most common audit issues.
- Responsible AI adoption requires strategy. Leaders should define a clear use case, vet trusted vendors, ensure data security, and measure ROI before implementation.
About the Guest
Ernesto Lopez is the Founder & CEO of 1520 AI, a company developing artificial intelligence tools focused on hospice quality, compliance, and clinical operations. He previously spent more than two decades leading healthcare organizations across hospice, home health, and hospital settings.
About the Host
Chris Comeaux is the President and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) and host of the TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership podcast. A respected leader in healthcare and organizational strategy, Chris has spent decades helping mission-driven organizations strengthen leadership, culture, and operational excellence—particularly within hospice and serious illness care.
Chris is also the author of The Anatomy of Leadership: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Effective Leadership, where he explores how purpose-driven leadership shapes strong teams and enduring organizations. Through his podcast and writing, Chris equips leaders with practical tools to navigate complex challenges, lead with integrity, and align strategy with mission.
On TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris brings thoughtful conversations with leaders across healthcare, nonprofit, and business sectors—exploring topics such as leadership, innovation, healthcare transformation, and the future of hospice.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering healthcare—but what does it actually mean for hospice leaders?
In this episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy Of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Ernesto Lopez, Founder and CEO of 1520 AI, to explore the real impact of AI in hospice care. Ernesto brings a rare perspective as a registered nurse, healthcare executive, and AI founder, combining decades of hospice leadership experience with formal training in data analytics from Harvard Business School.
Together they unpack what artificial intelligence in healthcare really does, why many leaders misunderstand it, and how hospice organizations can adopt AI responsibly without compromising the human-centered mission of end-of-life care. They also discuss the growing number of AI vendors entering the hospice space, the risks around data security and patient privacy, and why leaders must exercise caution before integrating new technologies.
If you’re a hospice leader, healthcare executive, compliance professional, or nonprofit leader, this conversation will help you understand how to approach AI adoption in hospice, avoid common mistakes, and use technology as an accelerator—not a replacement—for compassionate care.
What You’ll Learn
• What AI actually does (and what it doesn’t)
• How large language models like ChatGPT process information
• The biggest mistakes healthcare leaders make with AI adoption
• Why data governance and security are critical
• How hospice leaders can use AI responsibly to support mission-driven care
About the Guest
Ernesto Lopez is the Founder & CEO of 1520 AI, a company developing artificial intelligence tools focused on hospice quality, compliance, and clinical operations. He previously spent more than two decades leading healthcare organizations across hospice, home health, and hospital settings.
About the Host
Chris Comeaux is the President and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) and host of the TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership podcast. A respected leader in healthcare and organizational strategy, Chris has spent decades helping mission-driven organizations strengthen leadership, culture, and operational excellence—particularly within hospice and serious illness care.
Chris is also the author of The Anatomy of Leadership: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Effective Leadership, where he explores how purpose-driven leadership shapes strong teams and enduring organizations. Through his podcast and writing, Chris equips leaders with practical tools to navigate complex challenges, lead with integrity, and align strategy with mission.
On TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris brings thoughtful conversations with leaders across healthcare, nonprofit, and business sectors—exploring topics such as leadership, innovation, healthcare transformation, and the future of compassionate care.
TCN Talks explores leadership, healthcare innovation, and mission-driven organizations.
👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, and the future of hospice care.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of “Love Hurts: Leadership, Quality, and the Future of Hospice & Palliative Care,” leaders from the GeriPal podcast and TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, continue a thoughtful discussion on the most pressing issues facing hospice and palliative care today.
The conversation explores how waste, fraud, and abuse in isolated cases can tarnish the reputation of an entire field—even when the majority of providers deliver extraordinary care. The panel dives into the evolving landscape of ownership models, from nonprofit and faith-based organizations to private equity–backed providers, raising an important question: does ownership affect quality, or does leadership and accountability matter more?
The discussion also examines structural challenges within the healthcare system, including flawed quality reporting tools like Medicare Compare and the unintended consequences of free-market dynamics in healthcare. With over 300 hospices sometimes operating within a single county, leaders highlight the need for transparency, meaningful quality metrics, and thoughtful regulation such as Certificate of Need laws to ensure resources are distributed responsibly and patients receive the best possible care.
Finally, the conversation pivots to leadership—arguably the most important ingredient in shaping the future of hospice and palliative care. From the principle of “Go See for Yourself” (Gemba Leadership) to the importance of servant leadership, focus, curiosity, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the panel shares powerful lessons for healthcare leaders navigating complex systems while staying grounded in mission-driven care for patients and families.
Key Takeaways
- Fraud and bad actors can damage the reputation of the entire hospice field.
- Ownership models matter less than maintaining high-quality patient care.
- Healthcare markets lack true transparency and informed consumer choice.
- Many hospices still lack meaningful public quality ratings.
- Effective leaders stay close to the mission and frontline care.
(This episode is a Top News Stories of Month February 2026)
TCNtalks:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
TCNtalks Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
GeriPal Podcast:
Dr. Eric Widera, Professor of Medicine and clinician-educator in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and co-host of Geri-Pal Podcast
Dr. Alex Smith, UCSF faculty in the Division of Geriatrics and ) and co-host of Geri-Pal Podcast
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
This episode explores the future of hospice leadership and hospice quality through a collaborative discussion between the TCNtalks and GeriPal podcasts.
TCNtalks host Chris Comeaux and co-host Cordt Kassner join forces with Dr. Eric Widera and Dr. Alex Smith of the GeriPal Podcast , leaders in palliative care and hospice innovation discuss emerging quality measures, data-driven hospice analytics, research challenges, and the leadership needed to guide healthcare organizations through change.
For professionals working in healthcare leadership and serious illness care, the conversation offers valuable insight into the policies, research, and innovations shaping the future of hospice and palliative medicine.
This is a thoughtful roundtable discussion on leadership, quality, and the evolving future of hospice and palliative care. Together, they explore the biggest stories shaping the field—from emerging quality metrics and research priorities to the human side of hospice leadership.
If you’re passionate about improving serious illness care, this conversation is just the beginning. Subscribe to TCNtalks and GeriPal to stay informed on the latest trends in hospice leadership, palliative care innovation, and healthcare policy. Share this episode with a colleague, discuss it with your team, and join the movement to strengthen the mission and future of hospice care.
(This episode is a Top News Stories of Month February 2026)
TCNtalks:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
TCNtalks Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
GeriPal:
Dr. Eric Widera, Professor of Medicine and clinician-educator in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and co-host of Geri-Pal Podcast
Dr. Alex Smith, UCSF faculty in the Division of Geriatrics and ) and co-host of Geri-Pal Podcast
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of Be Where You Are: Leadership, Caregiving, and the Courage to Pause, Carla Davis reflects on a transformative year away from executive leadership—one shaped by caregiving, reflection, and rediscovering her deeper purpose. What began as a pause became a profound reaffirmation of calling. Carla shares how stepping out of the day-to-day demands of leadership gave her clarity around stewardship, alignment, and the responsibility to use her gifts—leadership and mercy—with intention and courage.
Drawing from her personal experience navigating a fragmented healthcare system while caring for her mother, Carla offers an unfiltered look at the gaps in care coordination—and the urgent opportunity hospice and end-of-life leaders have to model something better. Innovation, she argues, isn’t just about big ideas. It’s about tighter coordination, presence, responsiveness, and getting the fundamentals right—because in hospice, we only get one chance to do it well.
At the heart of this conversation is a simple yet powerful leadership mandate: Be where You Are. In a distracted, high-pressure world, Carla reminds healthcare leaders that presence is the ultimate act of service. Whether leading teams, caring for patients, or mentoring the next generation, the future of hospice depends on leaders who choose to fill their time with purpose.
5 Key Takeaways
- Clarity Comes in the Pause – Stepping away from leadership can reinforce—not redefine—your purpose and calling.
- Alignment Drives Leadership Effectiveness – Leaders are at their best when their strengths, values, and roles are aligned.
- Healthcare’s Greatest Innovation is Coordination – True transformation in hospice and healthcare begins with connected, responsive care—not just big, disruptive ideas.
- Presence is Leadership – “Be where you are.” The most powerful leadership moments often come from simple, undistracted presence.
- Legacy is Leadership Multiplication – You’re not truly a leader until you’ve developed leaders who develop leaders.
Guest: Carla Davis, Executive in Residence for Cressey and Company
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this powerful episode on hospice leadership and healthcare leadership development, Carla Davis, Executive in Residence at Cressey & Company, shares what she learned after taking an intentional executive sabbatical to care for her mother.
This conversation explores the intersection of caregiver resilience, leadership and burnout, and rediscovering identity beyond professional titles. For hospice professionals and those serving in end-of-life care, Carla offers thoughtful insight into purpose-driven leadership, sustainable impact, and how stepping away can ultimately strengthen both personal clarity and organizational influence.
Host Chris Comeaux and Carla explore the courage it takes for high-capacity leaders to step off the treadmill of achievement and confront how much of their worth is tied to performance. From intentional solitude and unstructured time to renewed friendships and spiritual grounding, Carla reflects on the rhythms of life, the discipline of rest, and the unexpected joy found in simply “being where you are.”
This episode is for healthcare leaders and hospice professionals who spend their days helping others navigate end-of-life decisions, this episode offers a powerful reminder: the lessons we guide families through are often the very ones we must learn ourselves. This is a conversation about leadership, caregiving, identity, and the sacred gift of time.
Guest: Carla Davis, Executive in Residence for Cressey and Company
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Part Two – Is Your Ladder Leaning Against the Wrong Wall? | Richard Mobley on Leadership and Calling
In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Richard Mobley dives deeper into what happens when success no longer satisfies — and how leaders can unknowingly climb the wrong ladder.
After decades of corporate advancement, Richard reached a season of fatigue and uncertainty. What followed wasn’t a dramatic “eureka” moment, but a squiggly journey of rediscovery. Through consulting, real estate ventures, and personal reflection, he uncovered a deeper truth: fulfillment isn’t found in constant upward motion — it’s found in alignment.
This episode explores:
- Why the line of success is rarely straight
- How leaders develop a false fear of failure
- The difference between healthcare and healthcare finance
- Why “follow your passion” can be misleading advice
- The Hebrew concept of Avodah — work as worship
- How calling happens at the intersection of gifting and need
- The power of evaluated experience over experience alone
Richard challenges leaders to stop measuring success by Wall Street metrics or cultural expectations. Instead, he invites us to ask:
Is my ladder leaning against the right wall?
During the conversation, Richard references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words spoken in Birmingham:
“You don’t have to see the entire staircase in order to take the first step.”
It’s a fitting reminder that calling rarely unfolds in a straight line. Leadership growth is often a squiggle — forward momentum mixed with setbacks, recalibration, and courage. Sometimes the most strategic move a leader can make isn’t climbing faster, but pausing long enough to realign.
If you’ve ever felt successful but unfulfilled, busy but misaligned, or driven but unclear on your deeper why — this conversation will both ground and inspire you.
There is immeasurable joy in making the right difference. The question is: Are you climbing the right wall?
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Guest: Richard Mobley, Founder and Principal of the Seven Four Group, Inc. and the Be Far More! System
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if you spend decades building a successful career—only to realize you were climbing the wrong ladder? In this episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, executive leadership coach Richard Mobley, Founder and Principal of the Seven Four Group, Inc. and the Be Far More! System, joins Chris Comeaux to explore one of the most important questions leaders face: What comes after success?
For CEOs, healthcare executives, and hospice leaders approaching retirement or transition, this conversation centers on the critical shift from achievement to lasting significance—and what it truly means to finish well.
Drawing from his corporate executive background and work with the John Maxwell Team, Richard shares hard-earned lessons about servant leadership, purpose, and finishing well. He unpacks the three stages of life—survival, success, and significance—and explains why many high-achieving leaders struggle when identity is too closely tied to their title.
In Part One, you’ll learn:
- Why success without clarity of calling can leave leaders unfulfilled
- The difference between experience and “evaluated experience”
- How perspective shapes wisdom and better decision-making
- What it really means to move from success to significance
This episode is especially meaningful for healthcare and hospice leaders whose work is deeply tied to purpose. If you’re asking “What’s next?” or rethinking your leadership legacy, this conversation will challenge you to realign your ladder with the right wall.
Part Two releases Friday.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Self-Awareness, Coach Sherry Winn challenges leaders to look beyond strategies and performance metrics to examine the internal patterns, beliefs, and identity that ultimately shape their impact. This powerful continuation moves from awareness to transformation—showing how lasting leadership growth begins within.
Coach Winn unpacks how mindfulness helps leaders recognize excuses before they become entrenched beliefs, and why self-judgment only slows progress. She reframes accountability as a deep act of care—not control—and explains how great leaders hold others responsible because they believe in their potential. Through stories from coaching elite athletes and high-level executives, she illustrates how vision must be more than words on a wall; it must be vivid, emotional, and consistently reinforced.
The conversation also explores authenticity and energy in leadership—why people don’t buy into what you do, they buy into who you are. When your words align with your internal growth, people feel it. And when pressure rises, leaders have a choice: view it as stress, or reframe it as purpose and privilege.
You’ll learn:
- How to interrupt limiting thought patterns before they become beliefs
- Why accountability builds trust instead of fear
- How to create a winning vision people can feel and own
- How to reframe pressure in mission-driven work
- Why identity—not achievement—is the foundation of lasting success
Powerful closing reminder:
“You don’t get what you want, you get who you are. To get what you want, you must change who you are.”
If you’re leading in hospice, healthcare, business, or any mission-driven field, this episode will challenge you to grow into the leader your calling requires.
Guest:
Coach Sherry Winn, CEO of The Winning Leadership Company
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part One of this conversation, Chris Comeaux is joined by leadership coach, former Olympic athlete, and longtime collegiate coach Sherry Winn for a deeply personal and practical exploration of leadership that begins from the inside out. Sherry challenges traditional, performance-driven leadership models by naming self-awareness as a true leadership superpower, sharing how it transformed her own life—from depression and despair to purpose, clarity, and impact.
Drawing from her Olympic experience and decades of coaching leaders in sports, healthcare, and corporate environments, Sherry explains why leaders cannot give what they do not have. She emphasizes that personal growth, emotional awareness, and intentional self-reflection are foundational to effective leadership—not optional extras. Through vivid stories and real-world examples, she illustrates how unexamined habits, emotional addictions, and limiting beliefs quietly shape how leaders show up, often keeping them stuck in stress, frustration, and overwhelm.
A central theme of Part One is Sherry’s reframing of fear as the absence of love. Rather than dismissing fear, she invites leaders—especially those in high-stakes fields like healthcare and caregiving—to examine what they are feeding their minds, how they relate to pressure, and whether they are leading from compassion, empathy, and responsibility instead of blame or control. The conversation also explores accountability as a source of power, not punishment, and highlights the long-term, often invisible victories of leadership that show up years later in the lives of others.
Part One sets the foundation for a two-part conversation by establishing a core truth: leadership transformation doesn’t start with changing circumstances—it starts with changing how leaders see themselves.
Guest: Sherry Winn, CEO of The Winning Leadership Company
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What gets measured shapes how patients experience the final chapter of life. In Part Two of Measures That Matter: How Better Metrics Can Transform End-Of-Life Care, hospice and healthcare leaders explore how focused, meaningful metrics—not check-the-box measures—can improve quality, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and strengthen value-based end-of-life care.
Hosted by Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of Teleios, and Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO & Founder of Hospice Analytics, this episode brings together national experts to examine which hospice measures truly differentiate quality.
Featured guests
- Bob Tavares, VP & General Manager, HealthPivots
- Robin Heffernan, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO, Empassion
- Mindy Stewart-Coffee, National Vice President, Palliative Care, Optum Home & Community
The conversation highlights a small, high-impact set of indicators that better reflect real-world hospice performance—such as visits in the last days of life, live discharges and burdensome transitions, gaps in nursing visits, access to higher levels of care (GIP and Continuous Home Care), and patient experience, including the simple but powerful question: “Would you recommend this hospice?”
A central takeaway is nuance: more is not always better. High-quality hospice care lives within healthy ranges and must be interpreted in clinical, geographic, and population context—not through rigid or one-size-fits-all targets.
The episode also highlights the critical role of palliative care upstream from hospice. Earlier, multidisciplinary engagement helps align goals, manage symptoms proactively, and reduce crises and late referrals—ultimately redefining value at the end of life as goal-concordant care delivered at the right time, in the right setting, at a sustainable cost. Hospice and palliative care are not peripheral to value-based healthcare—they are foundational to it.
Great end-of-life care isn’t accidental—it’s designed, supported, and measured well.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Top News Stories of the Month, January 2026
At the end of life, quality matters—but too often, the metrics used in hospice and palliative care fail to reflect the care patients and families actually experience.
In Episode One of Measures That Matter: How Better Metrics Can Transform End-of-Life Care, TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership explores why fewer, clearer quality measures are essential for reducing variability, improving patient outcomes, and supporting value-based care at the end of life.
This episode introduces the Measures That Matter initiative through the lens of experience, data, and leadership responsibility. Bob Tavares explains how decades of healthcare analytics revealed a fundamental problem in hospice quality measurement: an abundance of metrics that fail to differentiate performance. Many current measures cluster nearly all providers at the top, making it difficult for patients, payers, and value-based organizations to identify true centers of excellence or address variability that puts patients at risk.
From the provider and network perspective, Robin Heffernan and Mindy Stewart-Coffee highlight the real-world consequences of that variability. Across thousands of hospice and palliative care providers nationwide, quality is inconsistent—even within the same organization across different markets. Staffing changes, lack of collaboration with risk-bearing entities, and late referrals all contribute to uneven patient and family experiences, reinforcing the need for fewer, clearer, and more actionable measures.
Episode One ultimately reframes measurement as a leadership issue—not a compliance exercise. Great hospice and palliative care, the panel argues, doesn’t happen by accident. It is intentionally designed, supported by the right systems and processes, and continuously measured to reduce variability and honor patient goals. This opening episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the specific metrics that matter most—and how leaders can use them responsibly to improve care where it matters most.
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today
& CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Guest:
Bob Tavares, VP & General Manager, HealthPivots
Robin Heffernan, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Empassion
Mindy Stewart-Coffee, National Vice President, Palliative Care
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part Two of Protecting Patients at the End of Life: Why CON Still Matters, host Chris Comeaux continues the conversation with two of the nation’s most respected hospice policy leaders—Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.
This episode moves beyond regulatory theory and into the real-world patient and family experience—especially in states without hospice Certificate of Need (CON) laws. Drawing on decades of leadership, personal stories of loved ones in hospice, and data-informed insights, Paul and Tim explore what families actually face when hospice markets are oversaturated, fragmented, or poorly regulated.
The conversation examines how too many choices can overwhelm families, how small, unsustainable hospice programs can dilute quality, and how fraud and inappropriate enrollments disproportionately affect vulnerable populations—often stripping patients of access to Medicare benefits when they need them most.
Listeners also gain a deeper understanding of how Florida and North Carolina use CON to balance:
- Access to hospice care
- Program sustainability and scale
- Rural and underserved community coverage
- Inpatient hospice availability
- Protection against bad actors
The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what principles—not politics—should guide states that are reconsidering or redesigning hospice CON laws today.
This is an essential conversation for healthcare leaders, policymakers, hospice executives, board members, and anyone committed to protecting quality end-of-life care.
Guest:
Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association
Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Protecting Patients at the End of Life: Why CON Still Matters / Part ONE
Certificate of Need (CON) laws are among the most debated—and misunderstood—regulatory frameworks in healthcare. In this timely Part One conversation, host Chris Comeaux is joined by two of the most respected voices in hospice policy and advocacy: Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.
Together, they unpack why CON laws were originally created, what problems they were designed to solve, and why hospice continues to raise unique concerns that set it apart from other healthcare services. Drawing on decades of leadership and real-world experience, Paul and Tim explain why hospice does not function like a traditional free market—highlighting fixed reimbursement rates, demographic-driven demand, and the responsibility to serve entire communities, including rural and complex patient populations.
This episode explores what actually happens in states without hospice CON: oversaturation in urban markets, reduced access in rural areas, fragmented care, and increased vulnerability to fraud and abuse. The discussion challenges common assumptions about competition and access, using data, policy insight, and firsthand examples to illustrate the unintended consequences of deregulation.
Part One lays the foundation for a deeper conversation about quality, equity, and patient protection at the end of life—and why thoughtful oversight still matters in preserving the integrity of the hospice benefit.
👉 Don’t miss Part Two, where the conversation continues with a closer look at quality outcomes, bad actors, and what states can learn from one another moving forward.
Guest:
Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association
Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In Part One, organizational behavior scholar Colin M. Fisher dismantles the myth of the lone genius, showing that performance is shaped less by individual talent and more by the groups people belong to. He reframes leadership around social norms, group dynamics, and collective context—arguing that leaders often misdiagnose performance problems by focusing on people instead of the group system they operate within.
Part Two builds on that foundation with practical guidance for leaders. Fisher explains why teams frequently underperform—not because of effort or ability, but because organizations are designed to reward and manage individuals, not collective work. He introduces the concept of relaunching teams, offering a roadmap for resetting goals, norms, and roles so groups can move from friction to true collaboration. The episode closes with a powerful shift in perspective: sustainable performance improves when leaders stop fixing individuals and start strengthening the group.
Episode Highlights
• Why teams often perform worse than individuals—and how leaders can change that.
• The 60–30–10 rule that explains what really drives team performance
• How to relaunch a struggling or inherited team
• The role of shared goals, norms, and “superpowers” in building trust
• Moving from me vs. you to us vs. the problem
Guest: Colin M. Fisher, Ph.D. author of the book,
The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups
Host, Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of Leadership.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux is joined by Colin Fisher, professor, researcher, author, and jazz trumpeter, to explore what decades of research reveal about how groups really work—and why so many teams struggle to reach their potential.
Drawing from his book The Collective Edge, Colin challenges the myth of the “lone genius” and reframes leadership as a discipline of design. Instead of motivating harder or managing individuals more closely, leaders are invited to think like architects—intentionally shaping team size, structure, norms, and psychological safety so collaboration and learning can emerge naturally.
This conversation dives into why most teams are too large to function effectively, how hidden norms silently shape behavior, and why harmony is often mistaken for real collaboration. With practical examples from healthcare, hospice, and other mission-driven environments, the episode offers research-backed insight into building teams that learn, adapt, and perform under pressure.
Episode Insights
•Why teams are often less than the sum of their parts
•How team size and structure impact decision-making
•What psychological safety really looks like in practice
•Why disagreement is essential for strong teams
•How leaders can unlock collective intelligence—not suppress it
If you lead teams, sit in meetings, or want collaboration to actually work, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about leadership and group performance.
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, systems, and human behavior.
👍 Like & share if this episode helped reframe how you think about teams
Guest: Colin M. Fisher, Ph.D. author of the book, The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode, Part 2 of Top News Stories from 2025, and Predictions for 2026, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner break down the most important healthcare and hospice stories from 2025—and share clear, grounded predictions for what’s coming in 2026. Rather than headline-driven chaos, 2025 revealed a year of incremental change, with persistent challenges around staffing, Medicare Advantage, hospice quality, reimbursement pressure, and cautious AI adoption shaping the landscape.
Looking ahead, 2026 is framed as a hinge year for healthcare leadership. Policy decisions made today—including the long-term impact of healthcare legislation, reimbursement shifts, and political volatility leading into the midterms—are expected to create pressure without immediate resolution. This episode explores why 2026 may feel turbulent, yet ultimately serves as the setup year for deeper structural change across healthcare and hospice in 2027 and beyond.
Chris and Cordt also examine emerging trends in healthcare technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality training, workforce models, and quality transparency. Rather than rapid disruption, they argue that healthcare—especially hospice and palliative care—will adopt these tools deliberately, balancing efficiency with trust, ethics, and human connection.
At its core, this conversation is about leadership in uncertain times. As systems grow more complex, leaders must navigate policy, technology, and workforce challenges while staying anchored to mission and care quality. This episode offers insight for healthcare executives, hospice leaders, clinicians, and anyone shaping the future of care.
🔍
Topics Covered
• Top healthcare & hospice stories of 2025
• Predictions for healthcare and hospice in 2026
• Medicare Advantage trends & reimbursement pressure
• Workforce challenges and staffing models
• AI, technology, and innovation in healthcare
• Leadership in complex systems
Host: Chris Comeaux
Co-Host: Cordt Kassner
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Part 1 | Top Stories from 2025, and Predictions for 2026 by Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner
This episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership brings together a year-in-review and a forward-looking conversation, as Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner reflect on the most important healthcare and hospice stories from 2025 and share their predictions for what lies ahead in 2026.
In Part One, Chris and Cordt review key headlines from late 2025, connecting policy shifts, technology trends, workforce realities, and financial pressures to the everyday leadership decisions facing hospice and healthcare organizations. Rather than reacting to news in isolation, the discussion focuses on how these forces intersect at the front lines of care.
A central theme throughout the episode is the role of technology and artificial intelligence. While AI continues to gain momentum, the conversation reinforces a critical insight: technology is an accelerator, not a solution. Leadership, governance, and values ultimately determine whether innovation strengthens care or amplifies existing challenges.
The episode also examines hospice-specific issues, including Medicare Advantage pressures, care pathways in skilled nursing facilities, financial strain on nonprofit providers, and the often underutilized role of volunteers in extending care and culture.
The discussion concludes by framing 2026 as a hinge year—one where deeper forces are shaping the future beneath the surface. While change may come incrementally, the choices leaders make now will influence care delivery, trust, and sustainability in the years ahead.
Episode Continues in Part II - Dropping Friday, January 16th, 2026
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President/CEO of TELEIOS
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today
& CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
A new year often feels like a clean slate, yet most resolutions fade because they add complexity instead of clarity. In this episode, Chris Comeaux makes the case for a simpler, more enduring tool: choosing One Word as your theme for the year. A single word sharpens focus, clarifies priorities, and guides daily decisions without a bloated checklist. Leadership is about changing trajectories—not reacting to noise—and a clear theme helps leaders stop drifting and lead with intention.
The process begins with reflection, not prediction. Look back before you look forward. Review the past year for lessons and patterns, revisit your mission, and clarify your role—not as a job description, but as the part you are meant to play in the story. Deeper questions like Why am I alive? and What am I willing to die for? cut through distraction and reveal what truly matters. From that clarity, a word emerges that helps you say yes faster and no sooner.
Once chosen, the word becomes a companion for the year. Document it, return to it, and allow its meaning to deepen as circumstances change. Pair it with rhythms of rest and intentional time, because sustainable leadership requires margin. When your word and your time align, leadership shifts from reaction to design. Choose the word. Live the word. Let it change your trajectory.
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/choose-a-word-change-your-trajectory-lead-with-intention
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
A Year of Insight, Impact, and Leadership in Hospice & Palliative Care. As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to say thank you—to our listeners, leaders, clinicians, and partners who make this work meaningful. This special Christmas Eve episode is our gift back to you: a highlight reel of the most impactful, downloaded, and talked-about TCNtalks episodes of the year.
With nearly 45,000 total downloads across TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, this milestone reflects a shared commitment to thoughtful leadership, courageous conversations, and care as it should be. We’ve curated standout moments from episodes that challenged assumptions, clarified complexity, and pointed toward a better future for serious-illness care.
🎧 Why This Episode Matters
This highlight episode isn’t just a recap—it’s a reflection of where hospice and serious-illness care has been, where it is, and where it must go next. These conversations underscore the urgency of leadership rooted in clarity, compassion, and courage.
Whether you’re revisiting a favorite or discovering an episode you missed, we hope this collection sparks insight, conversation, and renewed purpose as we head into 2026.
Top Episodes Featured
The Healing of America
Guest: T.R. Reid, Author of the NY Times Best Selling book The Healing of America
A powerful exploration of what the U.S. healthcare system can learn from global models. Reid shares firsthand experiences and data that reveal why covering everyone improves outcomes and lowers costs—and why healthcare reform is no longer optional.
Key Themes:
Universal coverage and outcomes
Cost transparency
Healthcare as a moral imperative
The Healthcare Customer of the Future
Guest: Marcus R. Escobedo, Vice-President of Communications and a
Senior Program Officer at The John A. Hartford Foundation
A deeply human conversation on aging, family caregivers, and the realities of an age-diverse America. This episode introduced many listeners to the 4Ms Framework and reframed how we talk about older adults.
Key Themes:
Ageism and language
Family caregivers
Preparing for an aging population
No BS Marketing
Guest: Dave Mastovich, CEO and Founder of MASSolutions
A fan favorite that demystified marketing for healthcare leaders. Dave reframes marketing as a leadership and effectiveness function, not a tactical afterthought—and challenges organizations to trade jargon for authenticity.
Key Themes:
Marketing vs. sales
Brand storytelling
Authentic communication
A Strategic Path Forward for Hospice & Palliative Care
Guest: Dr. Ira Byock, A leading Palliative Care physician, author, and public
advocate for improving care through the end of life
A candid and courageous deep dive into the current inflection point facing hospice and palliative care. Dr. Byock calls the field to reclaim its moral center while confronting corporatization, complacency, and courage.
Key Themes:
Mission vs. margin
Quality and accountability
Reclaiming purpose in care
The Complexity of Multi-Service Organizations
Guests:
Rebecca Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of Housecall Providers
Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive of St Helena Hospice, based in Colchester, England
A forward-looking discussion on leading increasingly complex care organizations. As hospice leaders expand into palliative care, home-based primary care, and community services, this episode explores culture, risk, and resilience.
Key Themes:
Multi-service leadership
Organizational culture
Sustainable growth
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if aging services led the way in redesigning care—combining smart technology with deeper human connection? That’s the challenge Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge, brings to the table as we unpack the data, the headwinds, and the promise across nonprofit senior living, home-based care, and hospice.
Katie, also brings a powerful blend of policy insight, sector leadership, and human-centered vision to a wide-ranging conversation about the future of aging, workforce challenges, technology, dementia care, and the urgent need to break down silos across the continuum of care.
Together, Chris and Katie explore how collaboration, innovation, and values-driven leadership can reshape aging services to better serve older adults—and those who care for them. Join us, it is a great listen.
Guest:
Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President/CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this crossover episode TCNtalks and Anatomy Of Leadership, Andrew Reed, CEO and Chief Teaching Officer of Multiview Incorporated, shares his journey as a recording artist with Universal Virgin Music Groups and his experiences in the music industry.
He discusses with Chris Comeaux his unique podcast, "What Are You Willing to Throw Your Life Away On?", where he offers practical advice and philosophical insights. Andrew reflects on his bold life, marked by significant achievements and catastrophic losses, and how these experiences have shaped his music, public speaking, business ventures, and his consulting in the hospice field.
The conversation delves into the importance of quality, leadership, and the balance between art and science in both personal and professional realms especially in hospice and palliative care.
Guest:
Andrew Reed, CEO & Chief Teaching Officer Multi-View Incorporated & Recording Artist with Universal/Virgin Music Groups
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner reflect on the significance of hospice and palliative care, especially during the holiday season. They discuss the evolution of the field, the importance of fostering well-being for patients, and the transformative impact of hospice on healthcare.
Dr. Ira Byock, a pioneer in the field, shares insights on the need to reframe the narrative around hospice, emphasizing its role in life completion and the importance of strategic planning for the future. The conversation highlights the overwhelming positive feedback received on Dr. Byock's strategic framework for hospice and palliative care, showcasing the ongoing relevance and necessity of these services in modern healthcare.
In this conversation, Ira Byock discusses the importance of equity in palliative care, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and a rethinking of existing frameworks to better serve diverse populations.
He addresses barriers to quality care, the role of health plans in ensuring quality, and the necessity of implementing clear standards for hospice and palliative care. Byock also advocates for a compassionate approach to dying, celebrating life while acknowledging the challenges of mortality.
Guest:
Dr. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Co-Host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode Scott Tarde talks about how a lab breakthrough became a lifeline for families, and why immersive reminiscence, caregiver coaching, and data-driven collaboration can change dementia care.
Tarde, is the CEO of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, emphasizes the significance of collaboration over competition in business, particularly in the healthcare sector. He advocates for organizations to support one another and engage in meaningful discussions to foster community and transformation within healthcare.
Tarde believes that there is ample opportunity for synergy among organizations, and that intentional conversations are crucial to prevent individuals from being left behind in the evolving landscape of healthcare. He also covers the incredible innovative model that the Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers has implemented for dementia care and is now franchising nationwide as Town Square. Join us, it is a great listen.
Be sure to subscribe to both of our podcast, Anatomy of Leadership and TCNtalks.
Some Highlights
• Origins of Glenner Centers and caregiver-first mission
• Town Square immersive reminiscence model and design
• Virtual Glenner Care to upskill family caregivers
• Reducing ER visits and hospitalizations with coaching
• Franchising strategy with local adaptation and standards
• Data, EHR, and AI for trend spotting and prevention
• Leadership practices: expectations, accountability, consistency
Guest: Scott Tarde, CEO of the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
This TCNtalk episode explores the multifaceted role of thrift stores in hospice care, highlighting their impact on community engagement, grief support, and economic sustainability.
Our guests, Lin Sue Flood, Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley, and Mark Cohen, retired Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications, discuss how thrift stores serve as vital assets for hospices, providing not only financial support but also fostering community connections and environmental sustainability.
They reveal how these stores generate essential financial support, strengthen community ties, provide meaningful volunteer opportunities, and even offer gentle pathways through grief. You’ll hear how mission-aligned messaging, environmental stewardship, and a new generation of thrift-loving shoppers are reshaping the future of hospice support.
Lin Sue and Mark share how purposeful messaging can ignite the interest of younger generations, who aren’t just hunting for treasures— they’re seeking ways to make their shopping choices count for something bigger.
It’s an inspiring look at how everyday purchases can make an extraordinary impact. Join us — this is truly a conversation worth hearing.
Guest:
Lin Sue Flood, Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley
Mark Cohen, retired Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-hidden-value-of-thrift-stores-in-hospice-care
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this week’s special joint episode of TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Andrew Molosky, President and CEO of Chapters Health System. Together, they explore what it means to lead with perseverance, authenticity, and vision in times of change.
Andrew shares powerful insights on cultivating culture, navigating uncertainty, and the role of vulnerability in leadership. The conversation provides a thoughtful examination of how clarity of mission and purpose can guide teams through even the most challenging seasons.
Guest:
Andrew Molosky, President and CEO of Chapters Health System
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Top News Stories October 2025
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories of October, focusing on AI in healthcare, innovations in hospice care, and the impact of personal experiences on healthcare practices.
They explore the ethical implications of AI surrogates in life-or-death decisions, the importance of equitable access to hospice care, and the role of technology in improving care delivery.
The conversation also highlights the significance of personal stories in shaping healthcare perspectives and the ongoing challenges in the hospice industry.
Co-host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes back Jason Bradshaw, a seasoned benefits consultant with USI Insurance Services.
Together, they unpack why healthcare premiums are rising, where volatility is coming from, and how employers can regain control without gutting benefits. Jason shares practical funding models, transparency tools, and a playbook for building a cost culture that actually moves behavior.
Also, they delve into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare insurance market, discussing the key drivers of rising premiums and the challenges employers face in managing costs while maintaining competitive benefits.
Jason shares insights on innovative plan designs and funding models, emphasizing the importance of developing a cost culture within organizations. Tune in to explore strategies for balancing affordability and sustainability in healthcare benefits..
Guest:
Jason Bradshaw, Benefits Consultant with USI Insurance Services
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Khai Nguyen, a geriatrician and age-friendly care champion. They discuss the 4Ms framework for age-friendly care, which includes what matters, mentation, medications, and mobility.
Dr. Nguyen shares his personal journey into geriatrics, inspired by his father's health challenges, and emphasizes the importance of integrating the 4Ms into healthcare practices, particularly in hospice and home health settings.
The conversation highlights the need for a paradigm shift in care, focusing on quality and patient-centered approaches.
Be sure to hit that subscribe button. Pay this one forward, especially to your friends, your co-workers, your colleagues. We want the forums to catch on like wildfire, so we can make a significant difference as we go forward into this future.
Guest:
Dr. Khai Nguyen, Geriatrician and Age-Friendly Care Champion for Care-At-Home with CHAP - Medical Affairs & Innovation at Community Health Accreditation Partners.
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this conversation, Peter Benjamin and Chris Comeaux discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates, particularly the concept of 'death pull forward' and its implications for hospice care.
Peter highlights the significant role of assisted living facilities in hospice days and explores macro trends in healthcare, emphasizing the shift from vertical to horizontal care models.
The discussion also covers the evolution of palliative care, frail elderly practices, and institutional special needs plans (iSNPs), while stressing the importance of measuring quality of care, particularly in pain management.
The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of healthcare and the necessity of collaboration across various care models.
Guest:
Peter Benjamin, Partner, The Huntington Consulting Group
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/conspiracy-of-verticals-rethinking-healthcare-models-with-peter-benjamin
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
As the seasons shift, so do the conversations shaping Hospice and Palliative Care. In this week’s episode, host Chris Comeaux and Hospice Analytics expert and co-host Cordt Kassner explore the latest headlines, challenges, and innovations impacting Hospice and Palliative Care.
Together, they provide timely insights and thoughtful reflection on what matters most right now for providers, patients, and families, with discussion on the latest trends and insights in Hospice and Palliative Care.
Covering a range of topics, including the impact of AI on Hospice Care, the importance of end-of-life visits, and the challenges of Hospice utilization trends. Also highlights significant events and stories from the Hospice community, such as the launch of a new nursing scholarship program and the impact of Hurricane Helene one year later.
More than just a news recap, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a reminder of why Hospice and Palliative Care are both urgent and deeply meaningful. Whether you’re a healthcare leader, frontline caregiver, or simply someone passionate about end-of-life care, this conversation will keep you informed and inspired as we enter the fall season.
Highlights
• Projected RN, LPN, NP shortages through 2032 and what that means for bedside care
• Waste, fraud, abuse headlines and the urgency of last week's visit quality
• Byock’s four pillars as a roadmap for standards, data, competition, and brand
• Mental health in palliative care and dignity therapy as practical tools
• HOPE implementation and iQIES readiness across hospices
• Scholarships and legacy programs to build CNA-to-RN pipelines
• AI use cases, editing pitfalls, and critical thinking guardrails
• PACE vs hospice at end-of-life and “rehab to death” incentives
• Utilization trends, COVID death pull-forward, and state disparities
• Disaster preparedness lessons when communications fail
• Leadership training gaps and the masterclass: return to fundamentals
Co-host:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network, Teleios Consulting Group
Please subscribe, share TCN Talks with a colleague, and help us reach more hospice and palliative leaders
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Are we headed for a healthcare train wreck? The warning signs are flashing: skyrocketing premiums, looming Medicaid cuts, significant reductions in home health funding, and major insurers experiencing substantial stock losses. These aren't isolated issues but symptoms of fundamental structural flaws in our healthcare system.
Rita E. Numerof, co-founder and president of Numerof & Associates, returns to TCNtalks with a powerful analysis of the healthcare industry's trajectory and a bold vision for transformative change. As an "equal opportunity critic" with over 30 years of experience spanning the entire healthcare ecosystem, Numerof offers a uniquely comprehensive perspective on why our current system is failing and what must change.
Host Chris Comeaux and Rita explore the pressing issues facing the healthcare industry and the train wreck they foresee in 2026 and 2027, but this may be the opportunity to finally fix healthcare for our country. From policy reform to consumer empowerment, with her extensive experience, Rita offers a visionary perspective on how to reform healthcare, despite its complexities, and to truly create meaningful change.
Guest: Rita E. Numerof
Co-founder and President of Numerof & Associates
Host: Chris Comeaux
President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Hospice and palliative care face significant challenges amid broader failures in the healthcare system, with experts anticipating a critical opportunity for reform by 2026-2027 as Medicare faces potential bankruptcy and employers confront double-digit premium increases.
Join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in hospice care. From the impact of AI to the importance of research and innovation, this episode covers it all.
The healthcare system stands at a critical inflection point. With Medicare facing potential bankruptcy in the 2030s and employers confronting double-digit premium increases, experts suggest that we may be approaching a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally reform healthcare by 2026-2027.
Explore how the hospice field is evolving and its implications for both providers and patients.
Co-host
Cordt Kassner
PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host
Chris Comeaux
President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
The healthcare landscape is transforming before our eyes, shifting away from hospital-centered care toward home-based models. This fundamental change raises urgent questions about Medicare's outdated reimbursement systems, particularly for hospice providers facing the reality of a mere 2.6% rate increase while battling significant inflation.
Join us in this illuminating conversation and in-depth discussion with industry experts Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC, as they sit down with Chris and explore the complexities of the final 2026 Hospice Wage Index and its impact on hospice organizations.
Discover the challenges and opportunities within the current regulatory framework and gain valuable insights into strategic actions for the future. So join us, this is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. This is timely and relevant.
Guest
Annette Kiser
Chief Compliance Officer with TELEIOS
Judi Lund Person
Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC
Host
Chris Comeaux
President / CEO of TELEIOS
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
"Connection isn't new, it's just neglected. And it's neglected now more than ever." These powerful words from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ryan Jenkins set the stage for a transformative conversation about what might be our most critical yet overlooked human need.
Despite our hyperconnected world of social media, texting, and endless digital communication, genuine connection continues to slip through our fingers. Jenkins reveals the crucial distinction between mere communication and true connection – explaining how our brains process these experiences differently and why it matters so profoundly.
The stakes couldn't be higher: lacking social connection is actually more harmful to your health than smoking twenty cigarettes daily for forty years.
In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership, Ryan also discusses the critical importance of connection in leadership and the workplace. He emphasizes that connection is often neglected despite being a fundamental human need.
The conversation explores generational differences in experiencing loneliness, the challenges of remote work, and the innovative AI tool Rivet designed to foster connections.
Jenkins shares actionable insights for leaders to cultivate meaningful relationships within their teams, highlighting the necessity of being intentional about connection in an increasingly digital world.
Guest: Ryan Jenkins, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Leadership Author and Keynote Speaker
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy Of Leadership
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-future-of-work-prioritizing-human-connection
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
The Path to the Future May be the Un-obvious - Top News Stories, July 2025
The future of hospice care hangs in the balance as providers navigate a perfect storm of challenges and opportunities. From financial pressures closing hospice houses to unprecedented Medicare fraud schemes, from technological disruption to changing consumer expectations – the hospice field stands at a critical inflection point that demands both reflection and action.
Join hosts Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in Hospice and Palliative Care, discussing key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the field.
This episode covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of healthcare layoffs, disruptive innovations, and the importance of disaster preparedness.
They also discuss the evolving landscape of Hospice Care, the role of technology, and the significance of maintaining an authentic brand in the field. Join us.
Host
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
Cohost
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-path-to-the-future-may-be-the-un-obvious-top-news-stories-july-2025
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What does it take to lead in one of the most complex corners of healthcare?In this crossover episode with TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, we delve into the complexities of leadership in healthcare, particularly in Hospice and multi-service settings.
Rebecca Ramsay and Mark Jarman-Howe, two dynamic leaders who are navigating the evolving world of Hospice and multi-service healthcare with vision and heart, share their experiences in managing diverse service lines, emphasizing the importance of culture, workforce resilience, and community engagement.
Rebecca and Mark discuss the challenges of balancing mission and margin while fostering innovation and collaboration. The conversation underscores the importance of strategic planning, mentorship, and understanding regulatory frameworks to navigate the healthcare landscape effectively.
Highlights:
- Leading through culture and community
- Managing diverse service lines under pressure
- Innovating within regulatory constraints
- The power of mentorship and planning for long-term impact
This episode is a powerful listen for anyone passionate about healthcare leadership.
Guest:
Rebecca Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of Housecall Providers in Portland, Oregon
Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive of St Helena Hospice, based in Colchester, England
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Is Hospice Care losing its soul? Dr. Ira Byock thinks so, and after months of soul-searching work, he's offering us the roadmap back to our roots.
In this episode, Dr. Ira Byock discusses the current state of Hospice and Palliative Care, emphasizing the need for reform and improvement in the field. He and Chris spend time unpacking Dr. Byock’s recently released seminal work, “A Strategic Path Forward for Hospice and Palliative Care: A White Paper on the Potential Future of the Field.
This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truth: corporatization is eroding the core values of our field. Dr. Byock highlights the challenges posed by the corporatization of healthcare, particularly in hospice and palliative care, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality care for patients and their families. Dr. Byock presents a strategic framework that all of us in hospice and palliative care can draw from to chart a path forward. That framework includes:
- Publishing clear clinical and programmatic standards
- Making meaningful data readily available
- Driving quality-based competition
- Embracing the field’s authentic brand of expert care that fosters well-being for patients and their families
This episode is more than a discussion—it’s a wake-up call for every leader, clinician, and team member in Hospice and Palliative Care. Listen now. Share it with your Board. And be part of the movement to safeguard the future of this essential work.
Guest: Dr. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM, is a leading palliative care physician, author, and public advocate for improving care through the end of life
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/a-strategic-path-forward-for-hospice-and-palliative-care-with-dr.-ira-byock
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if everything you thought you knew about marketing was completely wrong? Dave Mastovich, founder and CEO of MASSolutions and author of the Amazon bestseller "No Bullshit Marketing," challenges conventional wisdom in this eye-opening conversation about the true nature of effective marketing.
Dave emphasizes the need for organizations to understand their customers deeply and to gather insights systematically to craft compelling marketing strategies. The discussion also highlights the significance of storytelling in marketing and how aligning the organization's purpose with customer needs can lead to more effective marketing outcomes.
Chris and Dave also discuss the importance of aligning client expectations with strategic execution, the necessity of authentic messaging, and the unique challenges faced in healthcare marketing.
The conversation concludes with actionable insights on leveraging customer voices and the power of compound messaging to drive growth. Join us, this is a great listen.
Guest: Dave Mastovich, founder and CEO of MASSolutions
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/no-bs-marketing-with-dave-mastovich
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What makes Hospice special isn't magic—it's the masterful implementation of coordinated care plans that align interdisciplinary teams with patient priorities. This month's deep dive into June's most critical Hospice and Palliative Care developments explores how this "secret sauce" remains simultaneously the heart of our philosophy and our most common survey deficiency.
In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, discuss relevant top news stories in Hospice and Palliative Care for June.
They also explore technology's dual-edged potential, suggesting that AI and robotics should enhance, rather than replace, the human elements of Hospice Care. As Daniel Pink notes, "if a robot can replace you, you should be"—allowing us to focus our irreplaceable human capacity on meaningful connection rather than routine tasks.
Dr. Ira Byock's strategic framework for hospice's future emerges as perhaps the most significant development of the month, offering four concrete paths forward: establishing clear clinical standards (like appropriate caseload sizes), creating meaningful data transparency, driving quality-based competition, and embracing our authentic brand as specialists in fostering well-being through the end of life.
Subscribe to TCNtalks for monthly insights. Additionally, we explore leadership strategies for growth and the necessity of a strategic path forward in Hospice and Palliative Care, emphasizing the importance of quality and ethical practices in the field. We respect your time while keeping you informed on what truly matters. Join us.
Guest:
Cordt Kassner
PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux
President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/plans-of-care-ethics-robotics-and-more-top-news-stories-june-2025
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Is America’s Healthcare System Beyond Repair? Rita Numerof Doesn’t Think So.
In this powerful crossover episode of TCNTalks and Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux sits down with healthcare strategist and thought leader Rita Numerof, Co-founder and President of Numerof & Associates. Together, they pull back the curtain on one of today’s most urgent crises: the deeply flawed business model driving healthcare in America.
Rita offers a bold diagnosis, explaining how misaligned incentives, opaque pricing, and outdated payment systems have derailed care. But she doesn’t stop there. With clarity and conviction, she lays out a path forward: a market-based model that ties payment to performance, empowers consumers, and demands transparency and accountability from every player—from providers to payers to policymakers.
The episode dives into:
- Why the current system resists change—and how to break through
- The role of technology in reshaping care delivery
- How insurance companies contribute to the dysfunction
- What real consumer responsibility in healthcare could look like
Rather than offering quick fixes, Rita champions systemic reform with optimism and urgency.
🎧 Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation. It’s a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of healthcare.
Guest: Rita Numerof, Co-founder and President of Numerof & Associates
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/redesigning-healthcare-a-path-to-value-based-care
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, Marcus Escobedo, Vice President of Communications at the John A. Hartford Foundation, joins Chris Comeaux to discuss the future of healthcare for aging populations.
Marcus shares how the Foundation’s Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative transforms care for older adults through the evidence-based 4Ms framework: focusing on what matters to older adults, medication management, cognitive health, and mobility.
The conversation dives into the impact of ageism in healthcare and the importance of reshaping language and practices to serve older adults better. Marcus and Chris explore how healthcare systems can elevate the voices of older adults, address the unique challenges of the workforce, and promote age-friendly practices that honor each person’s dignity and preferences.
They also tackle communication barriers surrounding serious illness and hospice care, offering valuable insights and resources for enhancing these vital conversations. Given the growing demographic of baby boomers, who comprise most of those served in healthcare, this episode is essential listening for anyone committed to creating better systems for aging with grace and dignity.
Guest:
Marcus Escobedo, MPA, Vice President of Communications at the John A. Hartford Foundation
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-healthcare-customer-of-the-future
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What happens when artificial intelligence meets end-of-life care? How do we reconcile private equity's profit motives with hospice's mission-driven ethos? These questions took center stage in this month's roundup of hospice news with host Chris Comeaux and guest Cordt Kassner.
The May edition of TCNtalks' top news stories reveals a healthcare sector at a fascinating crossroads. AI has emerged as both a tantalizing promise and a practical challenge for hospice providers. As Chris notes, "We live in a time where people use sensationalized language for everything," yet the revolutionary potential of AI in healthcare deserves the hype. Meanwhile, some hospices struggle with basic internet connectivity, creating what Chris calls a "weird dichotomy" reminiscent of the 1920s when modern conveniences existed alongside homes without electricity.
In this episode of TCN Talks, hosts Chris Comeaux and Cord Kastner reflect on Memorial Day and discuss significant news stories from May, including the complexities of thanking veterans for their service, the role of artificial intelligence in hospice care, and the importance of honest conversations about racism in healthcare.
They also explore the leadership skills necessary for healthcare CEOs, the challenges of dementia care, and the implications of private equity in the healthcare sector. Chris also introduces a new initiative called Brain Bookmarks, which aims to provide quick leadership insights. Join us.
Guest:
Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/storm-clouds-on-the-horizon-for-reimbursement-top-news-stories-may-2025
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What happens when ancient philosophical questions about "the good life" collide with modern healthcare regulations? In this compelling episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes hospice leaders Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC, for a deep dive into the regulatory crossroads facing hospice providers.
In this episode, we discuss the FY 2026 Proposed Rule, which focused on implementing the HOPE initiative, and two RFIs (Requests for Information) that were part of it. Also, discuss how important it is for us in the hospice field to give CMS feedback via these RFIs. These will impact the Future Quality Measure Concepts for the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, and CMS is asking for input on three concepts for theHQRP Hospice Quality Reporting Program:
- The Challenges of Interoperability,
- The Evolving Quality Measures related to Patient Well-Being
- Nutrition, including Safe Eating Habits, Exercise, Nutrition, and Activity appropriate for end-of-life care
Last, they discuss a separate RFI related to the Advanced Digital Quality Measurement (dQM) in the HQRP (Hospice Quality Reporting Program) and the data standards of Health Level Seven® (HL7®) and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources® (FHIR®).
Annette and Judi have a wealth of experience and knowledge. This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations to become more educated about the tracks being laid with the proposed 2026 Wage Index. This show is timely and relevant, so join us.
Guest:
Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios
Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/navigating-the-future-hope-wage-index-and-cms-quality-measures
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode, Daniel H. Pink, the world-renowned author of seven bestselling nonfiction books, discusses his interdisciplinary approach to understanding human motivation and the evolving work landscape in the AI age.
Pink emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and the need for individuals to augment machine intelligence rather than compete with it. He also explores the role of technology in healthcare, particularly in Hospice Care, and the significance of human connection and listening in providing care.
The discussion highlights AI's potential to enhance human capabilities while also addressing its challenges. Daniel and Chris Comeaux also explore the essential skills and mindsets needed for hospice leaders to future-proof their organizations, particularly in the face of advancing AI technologies.
The discussion culminates in a reflection on the evolving nature of leadership in an AI-driven world, urging leaders to remain curious and focused on their core values.
Join us, this is a great listen.
Guest:
Daniel H. Pink, Author of the NY Times Bestselling book A Whole New Mind
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/a-whole-new-mind-with-daniel-h.-pink
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What defines quality in end-of-life care? How are hospice organizations navigating workforce challenges? And why has medical aid in dying become such a critical conversation? These questions take center stage in this data-driven exploration of April's most impactful Hospice and Palliative Care news stories.
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories from April, focusing on hospice and palliative care. They explore personal aspirations, data insights, the impact of spiritual care, emerging categories in news reporting, and key themes such as reimbursement and workforce challenges.
The conversation also touches on mission moments, regulatory changes, technology innovations, and the evolving nature of leadership in healthcare, particularly in the context of AI and human skills.
The conversation also explores the increasing demand for senior living and the legislative changes impacting hospice care, including the ban on for-profit hospices in New York and the introduction of psilocybin access in New Mexico. Cordt closes the show with a Master's Class reviewing the National Hospice Locator, a valuable tool for finding high-quality hospice care anywhere in the country. Join us.
Guest: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Ketamine – a medicine long used as an anesthetic – is finding a powerful new purpose in hospice and palliative care settings. Dr. Rohini Kanagante, a physician with expertise spanning both Hospice Care and Integrative Psychiatry, unveils the remarkable potential of this medication in our latest episode of TCNtalks.
Chris Comeaux invites Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, a hospice physician, to delve into the incorporation of ketamine in hospice and palliative care. They examine the notion of total pain, how ketamine aids in addressing pain and mental health challenges at the end of life, and the practical applications and regulatory factors involved in its use.
Dr. Kanniganti shares her experiences and insights on how ketamine can offer relief to patients in hospice care, highlighting the significance of meticulous administration and a comprehensive approach to patient care. They explore the ethical considerations of ketamine use, its potential future acceptance in hospice environments, and the necessity of empowering staff and leaders to improve patient care.
The conversation highlights the importance of a compassionate approach to end-of-life care, emphasizing the well-being of patients and their families in conjunction with this innovative treatment method.
This is a great listen for your clinical staff and leaders. Join us - this is a timely and relevant event.
Guest: Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, MD, MSPH, HMDC, Hospice Physician
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/breaking-barriers-ketamines-role-in-hospice-medicine-with-dr.-rohini-kanniganti
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Rebecca Ramsay, CEO of House Call Providers. Rebecca shares her unique journey in healthcare and emphasizes the importance of nonprofit organizations in delivering quality care.
Rebecca discusses the evolution of House Call Providers, the significance of home-based primary care, and the interdisciplinary approach required to meet the needs of patients with complex conditions.
She also advocates for hospice organizations to expand into home-based primary care, highlighting the growing demand and the gaps in current services. Chris and Rebecca explore the challenges of maintaining a stable workforce, the complexities of payment structures, and the importance of a steady referral stream for viable home-based primary care.
Rebecca shares her vision for the future of care, emphasizing the need for integrated services and support for caregivers. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of healthcare. This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and hospice and palliative care organization boards. Join us; this is timely and relevant.
Guest: Rebecca Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of Housecall Providers
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/rebecca-ramsay-on-home-based-primary-care
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, leverage their data and extensive experience to identify key hospice headlines, articles, research, and social media posts that are driving change and transforming end-of-life care and healthcare in America.
They share personal experiences with hospice care, emphasizing the importance of social work and discussing the challenges of healthcare reimbursement. The conversation also touches on MedPAC recommendations, new social media trends, and highlights from recent research articles.
The hosts explore pressing issues in healthcare, such as workforce challenges, patient demographics, regulatory changes, and the impact of technology. They address the implications of the aging baby boomer population for healthcare services, the influence of corporate interests on healthcare spending, and the critical role of leadership in navigating these challenges.
Their discussion underscores the need for innovative solutions and the role of technology in improving care delivery. It also emphasizes the importance of preparing for upcoming Medicare and home-based care changes. The episode concludes with a Masters Class from Chris on what leadership is and why it is so needed during these times. Join us.
Guest: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/transforming-healthcare-hospice-in-the-news-march-2025
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this crossover show of TCNalks / Anatomy Of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux interviews NY Times bestselling author T. R. Reid. They discuss T. R. Reid’s experiences and insights from researching healthcare systems around the world, particularly focusing on the need for universal coverage and the various models of healthcare delivery.
T.R. emphasizes the importance of a key principle in any functional healthcare system at a national level: healthcare for everyone. He wrote about this in his NY Times bestselling book The Healing of America. Some of the key discoveries in the book are the inefficiencies of the U.S. healthcare system compared to others worldwide and the potential benefits of adopting a government-run healthcare model similar to Medicare and the VA. Reid also critiques the profit-driven nature of American health insurance and advocates for reforms prioritizing patient care over profits.
T.R. and Chris then discuss the unique window of opportunity in 2025 and the need for a new framing of universal healthcare, suggesting alternatives in language around 'Medicare for All.' T.R. emphasizes the importance of price controls in reducing administrative costs and improving efficiency in healthcare systems. Reid also addresses the role of innovation in healthcare, arguing that high costs do not necessarily lead to better medical advancements. He cites several excellent examples of recent innovations, all from outside the U.S.
This is a great listen as the U.S. spends more on healthcare, yet we are not even in the top 10 in the world. It’s hard to make one aspect of healthcare successful, like Hospice and Palliative Care, if the broader ecosystem it resides in is flawed and unsustainable. Join us; this is very timely.
Guest: T.R. Reid, Author of the NY Times Best Selling book The Healing of America
Host: Chris Comeaux, President/CEO of TCN/TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-healing-of-america-with-t.r.-reid
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
This show is dedicated in memory of Tali Sutton, who unexpectedly died the week of February 3rd. Tali was an upcoming leader in hospice and palliative care in New York State as CEO of CareFirstNY.
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux speaks with Jeanne Chirico, the President and CEO of Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS), about the unique challenges and opportunities facing hospice care in New York State. Many of us think of New York City when we think of New York yet the entire state with New York State is a picture of many of the challenges we will face in healthcare for the country as a whole in the future.
Chris and Jeanne started the show remembering Tali Sutton, who unexpectedly died the week of February 3rd. Tali was an upcoming leader in hospice and palliative care in New York State as CEO of CareFirstNY.
Jeanne shares her extensive background in hospice and palliative care, highlighting the complexities of providing care in a state with diverse cultural and economic landscapes. The conversation delves into regulatory challenges, workforce issues, and the importance of advocacy in ensuring quality end-of-life care. Jeanne emphasizes the need for innovative service lines and the role of technology in adapting to changing customer demographics. The episode concludes with a call to action for hospice leaders to engage in advocacy and community partnerships to navigate the future of healthcare effectively and to do that at a grass roots level.
This episode is a great summary of the challenges facing all hospice and palliative care programs. This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Board’s of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest: Jeanne Chirico, , HPCANYS President/CEO
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-challenges-ahead-with-jeanne-chirico
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
The latest episode dives into important topics affecting hospice and palliative care today, shedding light on key trends from February’s news. Our hosts emphasize how personal experiences shape their perspectives on the challenges and innovations within the field.
• Overview of TCN Talks and its purpose
• Discussion on meaningful personal experiences in hospice care
• Key February news stories impacting hospice leadership
• Overview of workforce challenges faced in hospice
• Exploration of technology's role in hospice care advancements
• Insights into improving access to high-quality end-of-life care
• Predictions for the future of hospice and palliative care
• Importance of continuous learning and innovation in leadership
• Encouragement for audience engagement and dialogue
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Bree Owens, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of The Holding Group. They discuss Bree’s journey in the healthcare field, particularly in palliative care.
Bree shares insights on having learned the importance of having meaningful conversations with patients and families about their care options, which led her to the unique model of The Holding Group. Her organization has held space, hence the name The Holding Group, for a patient-centered approach, helping patients and their families find the right care at the right place at the right time. Bree emphasizes the significance of informed consent and the role of social workers in facilitating these discussions to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Chris and Bree also delve into the evolution and current state of palliative care, highlighting the challenges and innovations in the field. Bree emphasizes the importance of integrating social work into healthcare, particularly in serious illness and dementia care. They also discuss the upcoming GUIDE model, which aims to provide comprehensive support for dementia patients and their caregivers.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of Hospice and Palliative Care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest: Bree Owens, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Founder of The Holding Group
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, PhD, publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, begin a new format for the “Top News Stories of the Month.” Cordt joins, stepping in for Mark Cohen, and brings the statistics from the daily newsletter Hospice & Palliative Care Today.
Chris and Cordt explore key trends in hospice news, challenges in reimbursement, competition, workforce issues, and the impact of technology on the field. They also touch on demographic trends, regulatory issues, and predictions for the future of hospice care.
Their dialogue highlights the challenge of filtering vast information and the excellent service provided to hospice and palliative care leaders. This podcast and Hospice & Palliative Care Today are for the leaders in the hospice and palliative care field.
Join us. This is a must-attend opportunity for Hospice and Palliative Care leaders. It’s a one-stop shop for catching up on all the essential and relevant news articles and information impacting the field today and tomorrow.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Guest: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-january-2025
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What happens when you blend nearly 25 years of legal expertise with the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare? Join us as we welcome Meg Pekarske, head of the Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group at Hush Blackwell, who shares her remarkable journey and insights into hospice law. From her early mentorship under Mary Michael to leading a dynamic team of 15 professionals, Meg's story is one of adaptability and growth. As we navigate the complexities of the evolving healthcare market, Meg's unique blend of analytical and creative skills provides invaluable perspectives on fostering resilience and innovation in hospice care.
Discover the strategies for financial sustainability in the hospice industry as we explore the significance of revenue diversification. With traditional Medicare reimbursement for palliative care falling short, there's a pressing need for creative financial strategies tailored to organizational needs. You'll learn about the potential of innovative care models and the increasing appeal of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) as we discuss substantial investment and staffing requirements. This conversation emphasizes the urgency for leaders to be agile and inventive in meeting the needs of the community and patients effectively.
Our exploration doesn't stop there. We tackle the intricacies of legal structures in healthcare, the resurgence of Independent Practice Associations, and the active landscape of healthcare antitrust concerns. Meg's insights guide us through the potential future of Hospice care, advocating for a broader approach that prioritizes upstream interventions and interdisciplinary care. As we ponder the evolving role of professional skills in the age of AI, don't miss our reflection on the enduring importance of human empathy and emotional intelligence. This episode promises a thought-provoking journey that challenges conventional methods and inspires a broader vision for serving our communities.
Guest:
Meg Pekarske, Partner and Head of the Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group at the Law Firm of Husch Blackwell
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/meg-pekarske-on-model-considerations-for-the-future
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux, Mark Cohen, and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories in hospice and palliative care for December 2024. This episode marks the end of Mark’s two-year run of partnering with Chris to review the month’s top stories, with Cordt taking on that role going forward, along with his colleague at Hospice & Palliative Care Today, Joy Berger.
Mark’s takes a deeper dive into three big news events in December, Cordt looks at the most-viewed articles from both December and all of 2024, and Chris, as usual, highlhights articles of particular import to hospice C-Suites. Among the biggest stories from December, they reflect on the significance of President Jimmy Carter's hospice journey and the pre-Holiday release by CMS of the 50 lowest quality hospices nationwide. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proactive communication strategies and the need for hospice organizations to be transparent and accountable.
This is a do not miss opportunity for Hospice and Palliative Care leaders.
Our Guest
Cordt Kassner, PhD
Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today
Mark Cohen
Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Show Host
Chris Comeaux
President / CEO
Teleios Collaborative Network / Teleios Consulting Group
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-december-2024
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this crossover podcast episode, host Chris Comeaux does a recap of the top podcasts of 2024. First for TCNtalks with amazing guests like New York Times best-selling author John Burke, Peter Benjamin, Dr. Ira Byock, and Judi Lund Person.
Chris then does a recap from our first year of our new podcast, the Anatomy of Leadership, with great guests such as Quint Studer, Meridith Elliott Powell, John Locke, and Brian Jaudon.
Additionally, Chris introduces the intriguing concept of the "One Word," which serves as a thematic or guiding principle for the upcoming year. This is a great piece of wisdom Teleios and many of it’s members practice every year. This is a much more powerful way to set the tone and intention for your upcoming year and is much more useful than a New Year’s Resolution which seem to wane about thirty days into the New Year.
By looking back on the past year and gazing forward, individuals can gain clarity about their personal causes and purposes. Selecting a One Word for the year can offer a focused and directional approach to both personal and professional life.
Host: Chris Comeaux, MLAS, CPA; President/CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network and Teleios Consulting Group
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Unlock the transformative potential of palliative care as we sit down with Torrie Fields, the innovative founder and CEO of TFA Analytics. Torrie's unique blend of expertise as a health economist and actuary is driving new approaches to palliative care, particularly through the use of data analytics. Join us as Tori shares her journey from a C-TAC conference meeting to reshaping Medicare guide programs and creating comprehensive care models for patients with serious illnesses. Her insights are changing the way healthcare providers think about aligning patient care with personal goals and reducing unnecessary treatments.
Explore the future of palliative care reimbursement and the significant strides being made by pioneering figures like Janet Bowles and Diane Myers. With an eye on 2025, we delve into the exciting developments in healthcare policy and innovative payment models. Discover how collaborative efforts with CMS are shaping a new era in community-based palliative care, and why hospice leaders must urgently adapt to these changes. We dive into the bipartisan nature of palliative care and the importance of educating health insurance companies on its value, ensuring a seamless integration into standard healthcare practices.
Witness the evolution towards a co-management model in palliative care, as specialists and primary care providers navigate the challenges of large patient panels. Torrie and I discuss the need for a multidisciplinary approach that supports overwhelmed providers while delivering tailored care. We explore the complexities of integrated healthcare systems and the essential role of palliative care in improving patient experiences and outcomes. Through engaging stories and thought-provoking discussions, this episode celebrates the visionary leaders pushing the boundaries of healthcare solutions, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if the future of Hospice and Palliative Care depends on understanding the intricacies of integration and regulation in the hospice sector? Join us for an insightful journey through November's most compelling stories that have captured the attention of Hospice and Palliative Care Today's readership.
Our conversation reveals the significant impact of national events, from elections to regulatory changes, on shaping news cycles and industry priorities. Also, rising workforce demands and political changes, such as immigration restrictions, paint a concerning picture for the future labor pool in Hospice Care.
We provide a comprehensive analysis of the month's key themes that may have been missed, like tackling issues from CMS payment cuts to the Justice Department's stance on UnitedHealthcare Group's acquisition of Amedisys.
This episode is a must-listen for those seeking a deeper understanding of the critical yet often overlooked issues in Hospice and Palliative Care today, and Mark delivers another excellent masterclass on creating compelling headlines.
Guest: Mark Cohen,
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-november-2024
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Maria Warren, Vice President of McBee, part of NetSmart, joins us to unravel the intricacies of hospice care audits. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of how these audits, intended to curb fraud and waste, often end up as resource-draining obstacles that detract from essential patient care. Maria shares her personal journey from starting as an entry-level consultant to leading teams that navigate the complex landscape of compliance and documentation, providing a critical perspective on the balance between regulation and care.
The conversation then shifts to the transformative potential of technology in hospice care. With insights from Betsy Hansen, we explore how electronic medical records (EMRs) are not just digital tools but catalysts for improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. You’ll learn about the exciting possibilities of EMRs in enhancing compliance and care quality, as well as the challenges organizations face in adopting innovative yet user-friendly systems. Our discussion underscores the importance of high standards and creative problem-solving in addressing staffing challenges and maintaining a compassionate care environment.
In our final segment, we navigate the future of hospice care, emphasizing the need for advocacy and increased awareness to better integrate hospice services into the broader healthcare system. The visionary interdisciplinary approach of hospice is celebrated, along with the call for improved coordination across healthcare services and leveraging technology for better care. We reflect on the importance of staying informed, continuously learning, and adapting to serve the hospice field more effectively. Join us for an episode filled with actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies to enhance care in this vital area of healthcare.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What prompts someone to pivot their career path entirely? For Dr. Kyle Lavin, it was the compassionate care he witnessed during his mother's illness that led him to psychiatry and palliative care, despite initially resisting following in his father's footsteps. This episode spotlights Kyle's emotional journey, sparked by personal family challenges, including his mother's battle with severe health issues and substance use disorder. His story is one of resilience and determination, ultimately leading him to champion the integration of behavioral health into serious illness care, aiming to bridge the gap in our fragmented healthcare system.
As we navigate through the complex challenges faced by patients trying to access behavioral health services, Kyle underscores the systemic issues within mental health care. T he difficulties of seeking help in a siloed system, especially during vulnerable times, are significant. We dissect these hurdles, discussing the critical shortage of mental health providers and the urgent need for a more integrated approach, particularly for the aging population. By examining collaborative care models and the potential role of non-licensed providers, we highlight innovative strategies for expanding care availability and ensuring each team member operates at their fullest potential.
In a world increasingly reliant on technology, we explore how AI is reshaping patient experiences, particularly in hospice and mental health services. From AI-enhanced patient intake platforms to the benefits of telehealth, the discussion highlights the transformative potential and ethical challenges of incorporating technology in high-touch fields. We reflect on maintaining a balance between technology and human touch, emphasizing the need for compassionate care. Join us as we delve into the evolving perceptions of mental health, drawing parallels to advancements in palliative care, and consider the future landscape of healthcare in an age of rapid technological change.
Guest: Dr. Kyle Lavin, MD. MPH. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UNC Chapel Hill and Chief Clinical Officer of Cerula Care
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-mental-and-behavioral-health-challenge-with-kyle-lavin
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
How do leaders rise to the occasion when crises strike? We are joined by Jeannee Parker Martin, the remarkable President and CEO of LeadingAge California, who has blazed a trail in international healthcare and pioneered the first AIDS home care and hospice program in the U.S. Jeannee shares her insights on the power of networking and connectedness in leadership, and her story underscores the vital role of empathy and strategic thinking in serving communities during challenging times. Together, we express gratitude for the extraordinary support in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which profoundly impacted hospices in Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Virginia.
The landscape of senior living and healthcare is rapidly changing, and we're examining the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Leadership, as we discuss, is often more about experiencing and learning in the moment than formal teaching, especially during recovery efforts after natural disasters. Demographic shifts and a shrinking workforce present both hurdles and possibilities, and we explore innovative approaches like "crinking" to navigate these dynamics. The conversation touches on how organizations can strategically plan for the future while embracing new technologies and methods to reshape the industry.
Artificial intelligence and adaptability are revolutionizing leadership. Tools like ChatGPT are being harnessed to enhance efficiency, from legal consultations to creative team communications. We delve into the importance of youthful flexibility in adopting new technologies and adapting to post-COVID changes in Medicare hospice benefits. We also reflect on the core attributes of exceptional leaders, from empathy and accountability to strategic vision. With personal anecdotes and valuable advice, we provide guidance for leaders in hospice and palliative care to remain vigilant and proactive in a dynamic and evolving environment.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if the future of hospice care hinges on resilience and adaptation in the face of natural disasters? Join us as we explore how hospices from Western North Carolina to Virginia are navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene with remarkable tenacity. Hear firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by organizations like Four Seasons, Amorium, and CCWNC Compassionate Care, and discover the critical role of community support in their recovery efforts. We'll also shed light on the pressing news from September and October—including significant legislative proposals and industry mergers—that are reshaping the hospice sector.
In this episode, we tackle the multifaceted landscape of healthcare, focusing on the nuances of Medicare reimbursements, the implications of the recent dip in MA star ratings, and the emergence of "healthcare deserts" that threaten rural hospitals. You'll hear about President Carter's inspiring hospice journey and the broader impact on palliative care, as well as the ongoing legal challenges surrounding Medicare Advantage plans and the controversial Chevron ruling. These discussions highlight the evolving dynamics that healthcare providers must navigate to ensure sustainability and quality care.
Communication is key, especially in disaster-prone areas. Discover effective strategies for hospices to connect with their communities, build trust, and prepare for crises. We'll also touch on technological innovations like AI and robotics that promise to revolutionize at-home care. Together, we explore how these advancements, coupled with a proactive approach to emergency preparedness, can strengthen the hospice industry's resilience. Join us for insights into a healthcare landscape that's as complex as it is promising, and learn how leaders can steer their organizations through times of change.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
While taking a much-needed break from the demanding world of Hospice Care, I stumbled upon the inspiring works of John Burke, bestselling author of "Imagine Heaven" and "Imagine the God of Heaven." This serendipitous discovery provided a fresh perspective and renewed hope during a time of deep reflection. In this heartfelt episode, we express gratitude for the overwhelming community support extended to hospices in Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Virginia, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. John shares his deeply personal journey with hospice care during his mother's battle with Alzheimer's and his father-in-law's struggle with brain cancer, highlighting the critical support these facilities offer during end-of-life journeys.
Prepare to have your understanding of consciousness and the afterlife challenged as John Burke and I discuss the intriguing phenomena of near-death experiences (NDEs). We explore compelling personal accounts, such as that of Mary in London, whose experience of observing her surroundings while clinically dead offers potential evidence of consciousness beyond physical existence. We also touch on the perspectives of medical professionals like Dr. Pim Van Lommel, who provide insights that question traditional brain-based explanations. These stories, along with scholarly research, present a compelling case for rethinking our perceptions of life, death, and consciousness.
Finally, we turn our focus to the spiritual dimensions of NDEs, drawing connections with biblical texts and exploring overarching themes of love and interconnectedness. By examining the Apostle Paul's potential near-death experience and the moving testimonies of individuals like Santosh and Vicki, we discover the transformative power of viewing life through a broader lens. As we conclude, we emphasize the universal importance of love, faith, and hope, encouraging listeners to seek a deeper understanding and live purposefully, making a positive impact in their communities.
Guest
John Burke, New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of HeavenHost
Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of Teleios
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/imagine-heaven-with-john-burke
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Is the future of nonprofit healthcare on the brink of transformation? Join us as we hear from Rich Church, Parkview Health's Chief Growth and Strategy Officer, who shares his fascinating journey from the halls of a prestigious legal firm to a leading role in healthcare. Rich opens up about the challenges nonprofit healthcare systems face, such as escalating costs and shrinking reimbursements, and the innovative strategies needed to ensure high-quality care remains accessible. Discover the potential of partnerships between healthcare systems and hospice providers as we explore new ways to lighten the financial load on communities without sacrificing the mission of compassionate care.
Imagine a world where nonprofit healthcare systems act like savvy investors, strategically using their assets to foster innovation. Rich Church and our hosts discuss how healthcare systems can emulate universities by investing in promising startups and supporting them with invaluable expertise. Through a blend of internal and external innovation, these systems can forge impactful collaborations that drive regional healthcare improvements.
Guest: Richard Church, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, Parkview HealthHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Private Equity’s Impact on Hospice Care, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Private Equity
Private equity firms are quietly reshaping the healthcare landscape, but at what cost? Today, we sit down with Laura Katz Olson, a distinguished professor of political science at Lehigh University and author of "Ethically Challenged," to uncover the unsettling truths behind private equity's involvement in healthcare. Laura's decades of research on aging and healthcare provide an eye-opening perspective on how these firms operate with minimal transparency, often at the expense of patient care.
Throughout our discussion, Laura breaks down the financial strategies these firms employ, like debt-loading and real estate selloffs, that jeopardize the long-term sustainability of the organizations they target. We contrast the profit-driven motives of private equity with the mission-oriented focus of nonprofit organizations, shedding light on the stark disparities in quality. From the aggressive expansion of private equity into sectors like home healthcare and student loans to the alarming rise in healthcare bankruptcies, the discussion paints a vivid picture of the ethical and operational challenges facing the industry.
We also explore the broader implications of private equity across various industries. As we wrap up, we celebrate the unsung heroes within the hospice community, whose dedication and compassion starkly contrast with a profit-driven approach.
Join us for a compelling conversation.
Guest: Laura Katz Olson, Professor of Political Science at Lehigh University
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/private-equitys-impact-on-hospice-care-with-laura-katz-olson
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Uncover the hidden challenges and triumphs of the hospice industry in our latest episode of TCN Talks. Join us as we, alongside Mark Cohen, dissect John Oliver's hard-hitting report on hospice fraud, abuse, and neglect, aired on HBO's "Last Week Tonight." Learn how this exposé could potentially widen the gap between for-profit and non-profit hospice sectors, but also serve as a rallying point for reputable providers to safeguard the integrity of hospice care. We also bring you the hottest topics from Hospice and Palliative Care Today, including insights on the CMS's 2025 Hospice Final Rule and alarming reports on fraudulent hospices targeting the most vulnerable.
Navigate the stormy waters of media influence with us. We discuss how persistent negative stories can cast a long shadow over the good work being done by many hospices. Discover strategies for dealing with negative media coverage and the vital role of transparency and communication in turning the tide. Through personal stories and analogies, we shed light on the importance of balancing negative narratives with positive mission moments, even in a landscape where traditional media outlets are scarce.
Lastly, we explore the future of hospice care and its evolving dynamics. From the spread of cancer care deserts in rural areas to the introduction of innovative tools like the HOPE tool for patient satisfaction, we cover the key trends shaping the industry. Learn about strategic crisis communication for healthcare organizations and the importance of having a professional PR agency on retainer. Tune in for a comprehensive snapshot of the current healthcare landscape, filled with valuable insights and strategies for hospice leaders and staff.Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris interviews Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios and Judi Lund Person, Principal with Lund Person & Associates LLC. The conversation covers the need to know around the final published 2025 Wage Index for Hospices. Some of the key points discussed are:
- The rate increase of 2.9%.
- The CBSA is an important factor in determining rates for Hospices, and changes can significantly impact reimbursement.
- The CAHPS Hospice Survey is undergoing changes, including the introduction of online survey options and revisions to the survey questions.
- Hospices need to stay informed about these changes and adjust their operational planning to ensure compliance and quality care. The lag in reporting data can result in a delay of several years before the public sees the results of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program.
- Understanding and addressing patient care preferences is crucial for providing individualized and high-quality Hospice Care.
- Increased participation in the CAHPS Hospice Survey is necessary to gather valuable feedback from families and improve the quality of care.
- The implementation of the HOPE tool brings significant changes to the hospice industry, including additional questions and visits to assess symptom impact and social determinants of health.
- Regulatory changes regarding certification of terminal illness and the election statement provide clarity and align different sections of the Hospice Conditions of Participation.
- The future of Hospice Care involves a shift towards value-based arrangements and the collection of more detailed data to measure outcomes and improve quality of care.
The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of hospice care and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Annette and Judi are a wealth of experience and knowledge. So join us, this is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations to become more educated about the changes that are coming and the tracks being laid with the 2025 Wage Index. This is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios Collaborative Network
Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-need-to-know-on-the-2025-hospice-wage-index
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Prepare to gain unparalleled insights into the current state of hospice care and healthcare. On this episode of TCN Talks, we promise to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate today's healthcare complexities. From the latest updates on the NAHC-NHPCO Alliance's comments on the Hospice Care Act to the evolving trend of green burials, we've got the crucial news stories that matter. We'll also unpack the financial struggles facing for-profit healthcare systems and how community health systems are responding.
Ever wondered how private equity's growing influence is reshaping healthcare? Laura Katz Olson's eye-opening book "Ethically Challenged" serves as our starting point as we explore this provocative issue. Hear firsthand accounts and regional examples illustrating the delicate balance between necessary capital investment and its potential negative impacts on service quality and community trust. The discussion extends to rising unionization among healthcare workers and whether similar unrest is brewing in the hospice sector.
We don't shy away from the hard-hitting topics. From the destabilizing effects of removing large trauma centers to controversies around nonprofit hospitals' tax-exempt status, you'll get a comprehensive look at the challenges public hospitals face. We spotlight recent hospice fraud cases, revealing their devastating consequences on families and Medicare, and offer effective strategies for healthcare providers to maintain integrity and service quality. Additionally, Mark explores impactful healthcare marketing strategies, stressing the importance of skilled writing and editing in creating engaging content. Tune in for a deep dive into the multifaceted issues shaping today's healthcare landscape.
Guest
Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-july-2024
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Can accountable care organizations (ACOs) truly revolutionize the healthcare landscape? Join us on TCN Talks as we welcome Larry Preston, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Silver State ACO. With an astounding 51 years of experience in healthcare, Larry takes us on a journey from the early days of ACOs in the 1970s to the present. Listen as he recounts Silver State ACO’s remarkable story of overcoming initial setbacks, including a failed partnership, and how leveraging the right IT and legal expertise has been pivotal in managing a minimum of 5,000 Medicare lives.
Our discussion continues with an exploration of the strategies that have driven Silver State ACO to achieve consecutive savings for eight years—a notable accomplishment among nearly 1,000 ACOs in the nation. Learn how strong hospital partnerships, strategic hiring, and meticulous compliance and clinical auditing have paved the way for success. Larry dives into the importance of being present in physician offices to ensure adherence to required formats and standards, a critical factor in maintaining high performance and quality care.
Lastly, we delve into the evolution of healthcare risk models and the transformative power of technology in patient care. From the initial 50-50 savings split to riskier models like the 75-25 plan, discover the financial and operational adjustments that Silver State ACO has undertaken. We also discuss the integration of hospice care within the ACO framework and future innovations in healthcare analytics. Larry’s insights are sure to inspire healthcare professionals to reflect on their own practices and the future of patient care in an ever-changing environment. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable knowledge from one of the leading minds in healthcare management.
Guest: Larry Preston, CEO and Co-founder of Silver State ACO
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-dl-on-acos
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if you could transform healthcare quality and reduce costs simultaneously? Join us in this riveting episode as we welcome Dr. Will Faber, a family practice doctor and former hospice director, to unravel the complexities and potentials of Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) in healthcare, particularly for hospice and palliative care providers. Dr. Faber shares his wealth of experience, shedding light on how these legal entities empower independent providers to collaborate effectively, meet Federal Trade Commission criteria, and stand strong against larger, for-profit healthcare entities.
Creating a successful CIN is no small feat. Listen to Dr. Faber discuss the critical steps beyond basic mergers, from establishing robust legal and operational frameworks to developing clinician-led governance structures. We emphasize the importance of a unified culture, inclusivity, and collaborative goal-setting in fostering true integration. Dr. Faber also highlights the rewarding nature of this endeavor and the importance of a supportive, non-punitive environment to achieve high-quality outcomes.
As we shift focus to driving quality within CINs, Dr. Faber explores the evolving landscape of healthcare goals, from the triple aim to the quintuple aim. We delve into the dynamic interplay between large organizations and disruptive innovators, and discuss the impact of for-profit motives on hospice care quality. Finally, we underscore the importance of measurement in leadership and management, sharing thought-provoking insights from industry experts on how effective metrics can lead to positive, tangible results in healthcare. Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights and actionable strategies for building and sustaining high-quality, cost-effective healthcare networks.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Guest: Dr. Will Faber
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/is-your-organization-truly-clinically-integrated
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Join us for an enlightening exploration of the latest advancements in hospice and palliative care. Discover the heartfelt stories of D-Day veterans, the remarkable journey of a terminally ill teen who became an honorary sheriff, and the impactful efforts of U.S. Representative Elizabeth Ann Van Duyne in combating hospice fraud. We also discuss the pressing issues surrounding advanced care planning for late-stage cancer, the increasing mental distress among older adults, and a critical report on Medicare and the healthcare delivery system.
Our conversation goes further into the evolving landscape of hospice care, examining the impact of Medicare Advantage plans, the growth of Silverstone Health, and significant ownership changes in California hospices. Learn about the collaborative affiliations between NOC and NHPCO, the Medisys divestiture, and the bold suggestion to abolish the 5% volunteer rule in hospices. We also highlight the importance of caring for LGBTQ+ patients and expand on Community Hospice's recent growth efforts, while considering the influence of private equity on hospice valuations.
Delve into technology's transformative role in healthcare, from addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in rural hospitals to the ethical implications of AI in hospice care. Hear thought-provoking discussions on the mental health challenges faced by hospice staff and the rising concern of CEO burnout in the healthcare industry. Finally, find motivation to embrace life changes, with inspiring insights on the joy of vacations and the perfect timing for new beginnings. This episode is packed with valuable information and heartfelt stories that will resonate deeply with hospice and palliative care leaders and staff.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Guest: Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-june-2024
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if you could stay ahead of the curve in hospice care while balancing inspiration and regulatory updates? On this special episode, guest host Mark Cohen, stepping in for Chris Comeaux, engages in a rich conversation with Cordt Kassner and Joy Berger from Hospice and Palliative Care Today. We dive into their meticulous process for curating news, offering insights into how they select articles that resonate with a diverse audience, ranging from C-suite executives to frontline clinicians. Joy Berger highlights their interdisciplinary approach and the importance of balanced content to keep hospice professionals well-informed about the latest industry trends.
Discover the top healthcare trends from our May podcast as we cover everything from regulatory updates and mission moments to reimbursement challenges and workforce issues. Learn about the latest developments from CMS and HHS, and be inspired by stories like a 98-year-old Marine veteran earning his high school diploma. We also address the pressing challenges of nursing shortages and the impact of unions, while examining how big companies are entering the healthcare space and the demographic shifts influencing the care of an aging population.
In another compelling segment, we explore the broader implications of years-long stories like the rise and fall of stories VBID and retail health clinics and whether the media covered these well. Understand the effects on local healthcare ecosystems and the emergence of pharmacy and hospice deserts. This episode underscores the necessity of proactive issues management in healthcare to stay ahead of sociopolitical trends and stakeholder expectations. Join us for an insightful and heartwarming discussion that sheds light on the critical issues shaping the hospice and palliative care landscape.
Takeaways
- Issues management is crucial for healthcare organizations to anticipate and respond to emerging trends and changes in the sociopolitical environment.
- Staying informed about competition, workforce challenges, patient demographics, regulatory issues, technology and innovations, and more is essential for Hospice decision makers.
- Understanding different perspectives and engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration is key to effective issues management.
- Subscribing to Hospice newsletters and and listening to podcasts like this are the foundation of a solid issue management program.
Guest:
Joy Berger, Editor in Chief, Hospice & Palliative Care Today
Cordt Kassner, Owner / Publisher of Hospice and Palliative Care Today
Guest Host:
Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Biography
Blog page: https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-may-2024
Chapter Markers0:01 Brevity in Hospice News Publishing
17:02 Top Trends in Healthcare Articles
32:49 Fluctuating Trends in Healthcare Environment
49:40 DeltaCareRx Sponsorship and Services
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Can technology truly revolutionize home care? Join us as we chat with Betsy Hansen, a senior advisor from Lincoln Intelligence Group, who brings her extensive experience from digital strategy consulting for hospitals to the ever-evolving post-acute and home-based care sector. Betsy shares her journey and provides a unique perspective on how insights from acute care can be adapted to improve hospice and palliative care. She dives deep into the rapid acceleration of technologies that enhance electronic medical records in home care, shedding light on the role Lincoln Intelligence Group plays in identifying these transformative trends.
Facing the dual challenge of a staffing crisis worsened by COVID-19 and the aging baby boomer population, Betsy discusses how innovative technology can address these issues. Discover how AI and predictive analytics are now pivotal in managing seriously ill populations by enabling earlier interventions and reducing caregiver burdens through automation. Betsy explores the evolving demands of the baby boomer generation for more consumer-focused solutions, emphasizing the importance of technology in recruitment, retention, and team coordination within the post-acute care space.
What will the future hold for healthcare technology? Betsy shares her expert insights on the anticipated advancements in the next three to five years, particularly focusing on the role of generative AI in sectors like hospice, palliative care, and home health. Discussing the necessity of strategic implementation, she underscores the potential of AI to significantly enhance patient care and workforce efficiency. However, Betsy reminds us that despite these technological advancements, the essence of human touch in healthcare is irreplaceable. Tune in to learn how to wisely leverage technology to optimize care without losing the compassionate soul of caregiving.
Guest: Betsy Hansen, Senior Advisor - Lincoln Intelligence Group
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/anatomy-of-emerging-technologies-in-homecare
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Ever wondered how community paramedicine is revolutionizing patient care? Join us in this episode of TCN Talks as we sit down with Mike Campbell, the Training Division Chief at Stanley County EMS in North Carolina, to explore this innovative healthcare model. Mike shares his journey and reveals how highly trained paramedics are now delivering advanced medical services right in patients' homes, drastically reducing the need for hospital visits. We'll discuss the remarkable benefits of this approach, especially for hospice and palliative care patients, who can now spend their final days surrounded by loved ones.
Curious about the financial and operational dynamics that make community paramedicine possible? Mike unveils the fascinating story of how Stanley County EMS secured initial funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield to combat the opioid crisis and expanded through county support and hospital partnerships. Discover the shift towards proactive care that helps prevent high-risk readmissions and the unique training community paramedics undergo to meet specific local needs. We'll also address the ongoing challenge of attracting new talent into EMS and the concerted efforts to ensure job satisfaction and career longevity for paramedics.
Education is the cornerstone of any successful healthcare initiative, and this episode highlights the critical role of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) in fostering the next generation of EMTs and healthcare professionals. Learn how North Carolina high schools are integrating EMT training into their curriculums, sparking a passion for public safety among students. Mike also shares his personal and professional insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. From combating the opioid crisis to enhancing hospice care, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the transformative power of community paramedicine.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Dive headfirst into the complex world of hospice pharmacy care with Drew Mihalyo, the President of Pharmacy at Delta Care Rx, guiding us through the intricate landscape of medication procurement and cost-saving strategies. Drew's dedication to transparency has transformed how hospices purchase prescriptions, allowing them to pass on substantial savings to those facing life's final chapter. Our conversation lays bare the concept of 'hospice pharmacy deserts' and underscores the pivotal role of Delta Care Rx's transparent policies in setting new industry standards for end-of-life care.
As we chart the journey of Delta Care Rx from its inception to its strategic merger with StateServe, Drew opens up about the evolution of pharmaceutical care within the hospice sector. With the unification of these two dynamic companies, a beacon of growth signals enhanced services and broader horizons. Drew's perspective on the need for pharmacists to gain provider status with CMS reveals a deep understanding of the potential impact on patient care, leaving us contemplating the future of hospice pharmaceuticals.
Our dialogue takes a turn towards the ongoing challenges of national drug shortages and the rise of pharmacy deserts, particularly in under-served rural communities. The conversation becomes a narrative of resilience and ingenuity, as Drew highlights non-traditional solutions such as mail-order services and Comfort Care Kits that offer a lifeline where traditional pharmacy access falls short. The episode culminates with an exploration of the philosophy of innovation, encouraged by a compelling quote from Jeff Bezos, reminding us that the path of progress is often paved with the stones of misunderstanding. Join us for this insightful expedition through the trials and triumphs of hospice pharmacy care.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Discover the pulse of hospice and palliative care as I, alongside Mark Cohen, unravel the complexities and triumphs of the industry's latest happenings. We've curated a compelling lineup of topics that promise to enrich your understanding of the field, from the stark disparities in cancer rates within the LGBTQ+ community to the ongoing struggles Black Americans face in serious illness care. As local newsrooms face cutbacks, we shed light on alternative ways hospice providers can remain influential in their communities, and we don't shy away from the gritty reality of legislative changes impacting hospice care.
Navigating the turbulent waters of healthcare, we dissect the seismic shifts from nonprofit hospitals to concierge care and the potential upheavals of Cigna's and Humana's corporate dance. The conversation takes a deep dive into the workforce crisis plaguing nursing, revealing the burnout, financial strains, and the surge in unionization that are reshaping the landscape. Mark Cohen's insights illuminate the monumental wage suit victory for Providence employees, and the implications these tides of change could have on early-career doctors and the patients they serve.
In our final chapter, we explore the avant-garde of healthcare regulations and innovation, analyzing the Labor Department's new overtime rule, Medicare and Medicaid missteps, and the proposed 2025 hospice rule changes. We venture into the realm of technological advancements, discussing cutting-edge tools enhancing senior care and the pivotal role of telehealth in rural caregiving.
As we close, remember: Effective media relations are vital for hospices, and I offer pearls of wisdom on staying visible in the media fray, inspired by George Eliot's belief in the power of small, consistent efforts.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Judi Lund Person, former vice president of regulatory and compliance at NHPCO, shares her journey into the hospice industry and her passion for ensuring patients and families receive the care they need and want.
Judi emphasizes the importance of addressing bad hospice care and uncovering fraud and abuse in the industry. She discusses the proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions, including the implementation of the HOPE tool and the revised hospice cap survey. Also, Judi highlights the sunset of the VBID demonstration and the need to focus on accountable care organizations and quality reporting.
The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of putting patients and families at the center of hospice and palliative care. The discussion highlights the need for personalized care and the role of volunteers in providing support. The conversation also touches on the potential for innovation and collaboration with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. The wage index and its impact on hospice reimbursement rates are discussed, along with the potential for value-based purchasing arrangements in the future.
Takeaways
- Ensure patients and families receive the care they need and want.
- Address bad hospice care and uncover fraud and abuse in the industry.
- Stay informed about proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions.
- Prepare for the implementation of the HOPE tool and revised hospice cap survey.
- Stay engaged with accountable care organizations and quality reporting Patients and families should be the focus of hospice and palliative care, with personalized care tailored to their needs.
- Volunteers play a crucial role in providing support and should be integrated into hospice programs.
- There is potential for innovation and collaboration with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans to improve care delivery.
- The wage index and its impact on reimbursement rates for hospice services should be carefully considered.
- Value-based purchasing arrangements may be a future direction for hospice care.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Here’s a great quote from the discussion: “You never know when something you do or somebody you talk to changes the course of your life." Join us, this is timely and relevant.
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/judi-lund-person-unleashed
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this week’s podcast Mark Cohen joins me once more for the Top News Stories for the prior month. This is a new format as Mark has retired from publishing the Hospice News Today as he has transitioned it to Cordt Kassner and the daily publication has been rebranded as Hospice and Palliative Care Today. You can subscribe for free here: https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/
With this new format Mark and Chris highlight the top news stories you should not have missed each from their different perspectives Mark as an editor, news aggregator, and longtime marketing Executive focusing on the quantitative data provided by Cordt’s team regarding the most clicked on and read stories, and Chris as a C-Suite leader of Hospice and palliative care.
Join us as we explore in this episode topics such as rising suicide risk among seniors, HHS Secretary Becerra's testimony, MedPAC's payment policy report, and technical corrections to the CAHPS Hospice Survey. They also categorize the articles into themes such as mission moments, reimbursement challenges, competition, workforce challenges, patient and family demographics, regulatory and political issues, technology and innovations, and more. Mark also provides a master class on the use of stock photography in hospice marketing.
Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that intertwines personal experiences, industry insights, and forward-looking predictions, all contributing to a must-listen episode for healthcare professionals and enthusiasts alike. You won’t want to miss this.
Guest: Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
www.teleioscn.org
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
When Samira K. Beckwith graces our mic, you're not just hearing from a healthcare visionary; you're learning from a powerhouse who transformed her battle with Hodgkin’s disease into a beacon of hope for hospice and palliative care. Her journey, shaped by personal trials and the work of legends like Kubler-Ross and Dame Cicely Saunders, has redefined what compassionate care looks like at life's end. Join us as Samira unfolds the narrative of her life's work, mentoring future leaders and innovating patient care to resonate profoundly with those in their twilight chapters.
There's a revolution brewing in elder care and hospice services, and it's one that Samira has been at the forefront of. The pioneering PACE program and the evolution of Hope Hospice into Hope Healthcare serve as testaments to the changing landscape of community-centric care. In this episode, we reveal how initiatives like 'Dancing with the Stars' are more than glitter and glam; they're strategic engagements that knit the community closer, fostering an ecosystem where leadership transcends tasks and becomes a symphony of hope and holistic care.
As we wrap up, we cast a gaze toward the horizon where palliative care and the funeral industry intertwine in the concept of Celebration of Life Centers. Samira and I discuss the essentials of maintaining the sanctity of hospice in the midst of such transitions, embracing innovation while safeguarding the soul of whole-person care. We invite you to lean in, subscribe, and join the conversation that looks to the future without losing sight of the hospice heritage—a delicate dance of mission and business, ensuring the heart of care remains beating strong.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Discover the transformative power of hospice and palliative care as Dr. Katy Lanz, a pioneer in the field, joins me, Chris Comeaux, for a riveting conversation on the industry's future. As the founder of TopSite Partners, Dr. Lanz offers her wealth of knowledge, taking us through the industry's evolution with a particular focus on how "substitution competition" is paving the way for innovative collaborative opportunities. Her insights provide a roadmap for navigating the changing tides with ingenuity, highlighting the crucial role of personalized patient engagement and the integration of primary care with social support systems.
Embark on a journey into the heart of healthcare innovation as we discuss the "blue oval" of creativity that lies beyond the confines of traditional healthcare silos. Our discussion illuminates the impact of characters like Susan, who embody the bridge between patients and providers, offering a model for seamless care coordination. We challenge mission-driven healthcare organizations to think outside the box, forge alliances, and pool resources to create indispensable, value-centric care for homebound individuals, turning potential competition into collective success stories.
We scrutinize the delicate dance between developing in-house capabilities and forming strategic partnerships for securing contracts with major healthcare entities. The episode culminates with an inspirational call to action, urging healthcare providers to engage with patients early and integrate deeply into their lives, to remain an essential part of the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Join us for this profound exploration that prepares us to meet the demands of a new era in healthcare.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Navigating the complexities of hospice and palliative care takes a special blend of compassion and knowledge. Join us as Cordt Kassner, a true pioneer with a career spanning over a quarter of a century, shares his experiential treasure trove. Cordt, now at the helm of Hospice and Palliative Care Today, brings his research acumen from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center to the forefront, discussing the vital role of daily newsletters in keeping industry professionals at the cutting edge.
This episode peels back the layers of healthcare's pressing issues, spotlighting stories that might otherwise slip through the cracks—such as the nuances of hospice facility closures and the ripple effect of private equity in healthcare. Through Cordt's lens, we gain a fresh perspective on these underreported narratives and their far-reaching implications. As he weaves personal tales of hiking and pickleball into our conversation, it's a poignant reminder of the human element that lies at the heart of hospice care.
Wrapping up with a dose of daily inspiration, we reflect on the wise words of historical figures and their enduring influence on our mission in healthcare. Cordt leaves us with a poignant quote, a beacon of motivation that echoes long after our chat concludes. So, pour a comforting beverage, settle in, and let this dialogue stir both mind and spirit, reminding us why we wake up each day to serve those at life's final chapter.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Join us on TCNtalks as we welcome back one of the most sought after consultants in the serious illness space, Peter Benjamin, partner at the Huntington Consulting Group, for a compelling discussion on the pivotal shifts occurring in hospice care.
Listen in as Peter, with his 45-year tenure mirroring the evolution of hospice in the United States, offers his seasoned perspective on how these community-based providers can navigate and flourish through the transformative years ahead. His reflections on the hospice benefit's origins and the urgent need for an evolved approach to end-of-life care set the stage for a thought-provoking session.
This conversation ventures into the intricacies of leadership within hospice and palliative care, stressing the urgency for professionals to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging care models. With a lens on the future, we examine the 'Buy, Build, Partner' framework as healthcare organizations grapple with market changes and the complex decisions they face. The talk further unfolds the evolving business models in senior housing and the importance of understanding the nuanced dynamics of the industry to maintain relevance during this critical time.
Wrapping up our enriching exchange, Peter imparts career advice to young healthcare professionals aspiring to make an impact, emphasizing the importance of aligning with organizations at the forefront of industry transformation.
Key Takeaways
- Hospice and palliative care programs need to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape to remain relevant.
- Understanding emerging models of care, such as Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans, is crucial for hospice leaders.
- Building, buying, or partnering with other organizations can help hospice programs navigate the evolving healthcare market.
- Young professionals should consider a career in end-of-life care and be prepared to embrace change and innovation.
- Leadership is essential in times of change and can help hospice programs thrive in the future. Medicare Advantage plans are not going away and will continue to play a significant role in the future of hospice care.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Guest: Peter Benjamin, , Partner, The Huntington Consulting Group
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this week’s podcast, Mark Cohen joins Chris Comeaux again for the Top News Stories of the prior month. This is a new format as Mark has retired from publishing the Hospice News Today as he has transitioned it to Cordt Kassner and the daily publication has been rebranded as Hospice and Palliative Care Today. You can subscribe for free here: www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com
With this new format, Mark and Chris highlight the top news stories you don't want to miss, each from their different perspectives. Mark is an editor, news aggregator, and longtime marketing Executive, and Chris is a C-Suite leader of hospice and palliative care.
Join us as they explore the dynamic shifts within the hospice industry. Their conversation celebrates impactful 'mission moments' within hospice care, sharing heartfelt stories that exemplify the profound connection between caregivers and patients and address the financial and operational challenges hospices face today.
Listen in as they tackle the critical issues in healthcare, from the effects of Medicare Advantage on hospice reimbursement to the concerns of data breaches and AI evolutions. They engage with the complexities of an industry under the microscope of private equity and regulatory scrutiny and highlight the inspiring ways technology is reshaping care delivery. The discussion with Mark extends to the closure of rural hospitals.
Also, for a fun twist this month, Mark and Chris highlight their predictions and trends we will see over 2024. As we gaze into the future, they share predictions for the healthcare trends of 2024, anticipating collaborative networks, the consequences of pharmacy deserts, and the enduring struggles of the healthcare workforce.
Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that intertwines personal experiences, industry insights, and forward-looking predictions, all contributing to a must-listen episode for healthcare professionals and enthusiasts alike. You won’t want to miss this.
Guest:
Mark Cohen
Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications LLC
Biography
Host:
Chris Comeaux
President & CEO
Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
When the ideals of hospice care—the very essence of compassion and dignity at life's end—are at stake, it's time for a hard look at the truths we're facing. That's just what we do as I sit with Dr. Ira Byock, a visionary in hospice and palliative care, to address the heartache and hope within this critical healthcare sector. Dr. Byock, with his transformative book "The Four Things That Matter Most," guides us through the noble roots of hospice care and into the thick of its current crisis, urging us to acknowledge the flaws and fight for the reform this field so desperately needs.
Amidst our candid talk, we confront the sobering inconsistencies in care quality that too many patients endure. Sharing firsthand accounts, we discuss the reality of stretched-thin staff, emergency response shortfalls, and the emotional toll on families, juxtaposed with the defensive postures of industry bodies resistant to change. Dr. Byock insists on the power of apology and transparency in the journey toward healing and betterment, sparking a conversation on the complex dynamics of non-profit and for-profit models and the overarching need for accountability.
The call to action is clear: rekindle the hospice community's commitment to its foundational values and ensure that every caregiver and patient experiences the excellence they deserve. We underscore the intertwined fates of caregiver wellness and service quality, scrutinize the controversial metrics of pain as a quality indicator, and envision a hospice future where excellence in care is the norm, not the exception. It's an episode that not only honors the profound impact hospice care has on families but also champions a vision where such care is a guarantee for all in their final chapters.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
As the year winds down, Mark Cohen joins me once more, bringing the warmth of the holidays to our discussion before we peer into the shifting tides of hospice and palliative care. Our conversation begins with the merriment of jazz in Montreal and quickly pivots to the sobering realities of the healthcare sector. From the scrutiny of nursing homes to the reshaping forces of industry mergers, we unpack the transformative events that are molding the future of end-of-life care.
Mark and I then cast a light on the healthcare headlines that have captivated our attention. We tackle the severe nursing shortage, navigate the complexities of medical marijuana policies, and honor the unsung heroes of healthcare—volunteers. As we pay homage to the lifelong dedication of Rosalynn Carter to caregivers, we also scrutinize the rising influence of for-profit providers in a field traditionally driven by a mission to serve.
The final moments of our masterclass with Mark are spent reflecting on the essence of what we do. We consider the weight of words in the hospice community, challenging the term "industry" for its inability to capture the movement's roots and its mission-focused spirit. We wrap up with an honest look at the financial sustainability of non-profit healthcare, invoking Sister Irene Krause's wisdom: "No margin, no mission." It's a poignant reminder that to care for others, we must ensure the stability of those who serve.
Join us for an episode that celebrates the holiday spirit, confronts the challenges of healthcare, and honors the individuals dedicated to making a difference.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Join the celebration as we mark a monumental year at TCN Talks, hitting an impressive 5,000 listeners milestone! This episode is a heartfelt thank you, packed with gratitude for your steadfast support, and a retrospective of the most powerful moments and conversations that have shaped the past year. Sheila Burke's expertise sheds light on staffing challenges within hospice care, while Peter Benjamin offers a glimpse into the future of our industry. Katie Lanz's innovative consulting work, including projects with household names like Dollar General, comes into the spotlight, as does Quint Studer's vital discussion on leadership and mental health. We're also discussing the crucial importance of personal growth and research, and Carla Davis shares her insights on hospice care's evolving landscape from her vantage point with the nation's leading provider.
As we wrap up another enriching chapter and look ahead, we're focusing on the transformational power of selecting just one word to guide the upcoming year. We're embracing the wisdom found in Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," and discussing how to script our lives with intention. Whether you're a CEO or cherishing your role in the family, this episode explores how a singular word can distill your mission and sharpen your focus. And as the holidays draw near, I'm thrilled to give you a sneak peek of the trailblazing guests we have in store for upcoming episodes of TCN Talks and Anatomy of Leadership. Remember Dolly Parton's advice as we enter the new year: to know who you are and live it purposefully. Until next time, keep seeking inspiration in every conversation.
Chris Comeaux, MLAS, CPA
President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network and Teleios Consulting Group
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Get ready to redefine your understanding of healthcare as we engage in a stimulating discussion with Bob Tavares, the Chief Commercial Officer at HealthPivots. With over 25 years of experience and a firm focus on serious illness care, Tavares enlightens us about the transformative powers of technology, particularly within the realm of hospice care. As we dissect the crucial role of data in service improvement and the importance of fostering data literacy among HealthPivots clients, you'll gain a deep appreciation for the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data.
Our discourse further plunges into the indispensable role of process design in hospice and home care. Unravel the essence of a holistic patient care approach through a model centered around service, quality, cost, and employee experience. As we uncover the link between sales reps' compensation and patient outcomes, we emphasize the dire need for effective systems within organizations. The reality is, superior patient care hinges on well-designed and consistent processes that are continually optimized.
As we traverse the changing landscape of healthcare, we dive into the world of Medicare ACOs and their pivotal role in value-based care. We debunk misconceptions, clarify the rise of Medicare Advantage, and underline the vital role of hospice and palliative care within ACOs. Our conversation extends to the importance of metrics like HCC scores and county rates, crucial tools for understanding ACOs. As we wrap up, we muse about the trials and triumphs in innovation, reinforcing the resilience and determination required for success. Tune in as we decode the future of healthcare with Bob Tavares.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Do you ever sense déjà vu when reading hospice news? Is the content so monotonous that it feels like you are on a never-ending treadmill? That's what Mark Cohen and I, Chris Comeaux, explore this month on TCNtalks, specifically focusing on Hospice Month and the need to transform dull writing into impactful narratives. We delve into the importance of seasoned writers and the power of mentorship in creating engaging articles.
As the conversation unfolds, we focus on the significant healthcare stories that made headlines - everything from long-term care to labor and employment. We offer our in-depth analysis on hot topics like mandatory staffing in nursing homes, recent mergers, and the rise of death doulas. But that’s not all; we also touch upon the less-than-favorable publicity hospitals are receiving and shed light on labor and employment news.
Before we sign off, we take a moment to reflect on our journey, expressing gratitude for this platform that allows us to shed light on crucial matters. I want to thank Mark for his invaluable insights that enrich our discussions. This episode is a goldmine of insights for leaders or staff in the hospice and palliative care field, or anyone interested in the healthcare landscape. We hope to spark thoughts, ignite conversations, and inspire you with our dialogues. As John Maxwell said, "Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It's about one life influencing another," and we strive to do just that.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
The healthcare landscape is evolving, and at the center of this transformation is a renewed focus on that which should be most important: the patient and family we serve. This podcast episode's primary theme features Carole Fisher, President of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), and Bill Keane, Vice President and Director of Strategy at Emergence.
The conversation delves into the current state of healthcare, particularly end-of-life care, and the need for a paradigm shift in how we view and manage it. One of the significant points highlighted in this riveting discussion is the importance of putting people before profits. This notion should be at the heart of any healthcare discussion, but with today’s challenges and pressures, non-profits are spearheading the call to return to the most important one.
Recently, NPHI partnered with Emergence to publish a report titled “People Over Profits.” The report highlighted many significant findings that have the potential to guide serious illness providers through the challenges of the future. Here’s a great quote from the Executive Summary of the report that we unpack and discuss, “Community-based mission-driven organizations can offer a new narrative of what healthcare can and should be.” The report included a section on the identified top concerns about aging, which are critical if serious illness providers want to understand the evolving landscape, desires, and needs of those we serve. In the last portion of the episode, Carole and Bill directly speak to hospice and palliative care leaders and their advice to them, given the findings of this groundbreaking work.
Join us. This podcast episode is not only insightful but also thought-provoking. It offers a fresh perspective on the future of healthcare and the potential of hospice and palliative care organizations to lead the way into the future.
Guest
Carol Fisher
President, National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation Senior Advisor, Healthsperien Executive Coach, Speaker and Podcaster
Bill KeaneVP and Director of Strategy at Emergence
Host
Chris ComeauxPresident / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris continues the monthly program that will be airing throughout 2023. Mark Cohen is the Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, an essential news and issues management briefing published 365 days a year for hospice leaders.
Cohen is also the Principal of his strategic communications firm, Cohen-Fyfe Communications. Mark spends hours each day reviewing and abstracting articles that make up his daily news brief, Hospice News Today. In this monthly podcast, Chris and Mark highlight the top 10 news stories of the prior month.
This monthly episode is an excellent resource for busy hospice and palliative care leaders, staff, and the Board. Mark’s perspective is unique, given his purview of the volume of articles as he scours 100’s of news sources to produce Hospice News Today.
Chris’s perspective is what hospice and palliative care leaders need to know to help lead their organizations and teams today, but also what they need to know in order to prepare for tomorrow as well.
Both perspectives make for an enlightening show, so enjoy this podcast as Mark and Chris highlight their picks for the top 10-ish news articles for the past month (along with their honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut).
This is a great listen. Join us; this is timely, relevant, and packed with need-to-know information.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of TCN
Guest: Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and
Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In the realm of healthcare, the need for specialized care for Alzheimer's and Dementia patients has never been more pressing. As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of these conditions, innovations and shifts in care models are needed. In this podcast episode imagine a future where Alzheimer's and Dementia care is not just an afterthought but a priority. This episode will take you on an insightful journey into the world of Dementia care, spotlighting the groundbreaking work of MemoryCare, a nonprofit organization based in Asheville, North Carolina dedicated to empowering patients and caregivers. Our guests, Dr. Stelley Gutman, a seasoned geriatric specialist, and Elizabeth Lackey MSW, Lead Care Manager, guide us through the labyrinth of Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, from diagnosis to innovative care models.
Are you aware of the toll caregiving can take on one's health? We explore this with Dr. Gutman and Ms. Lackey, delving into the significant health impact of caregiving and the potential solutions offered by their program. They also shed light on their view on the collaborative role of hospice and palliative care for afflicted families and the patient. We also touch on the utilization of hospice facilities and their potential for respite care. In the final segment of our conversation, we discuss CMMI’s proposed GUIDE model. Reflecting on the importance of collaboration in healthcare.
Tune in to this enlightening episode and emerge with a richer understanding of Dementia care, the promising strides being made in the field, and most importantly for our listeners the potential collaboration opportunities. You won't want to miss this. Join us.
Guest:
Dr. Stelley Gutman, Staff Physician at MemoryCare
Elizabeth Lackey, Lead Care Manager, MemoryCare and The SECU Center for MemoryCare
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Imagine having an intimate chat with Dr. Joan Teno, a leading adjunct professor at Brown University, and one of the long-standing researchers in the hospice and palliative care space. In this podcast we shed light based on research and data regarding quality and satisfaction in hospice. It's not every day you get the chance to dig into such a vital topic with someone of her caliber. In our candid conversation, Dr Teno shares her extensive career experiences, incredible research findings, and highlighting her unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of hospice healthcare professionals and researchers. We venture into the heart of hospice care, examining the significance of prioritizing quality over profits and the essential role multidisciplinary teams play in delivering exceptional care.
As we navigate further into this enlightening discussion, we examine the intricate details of quality care in hospice settings. Drawing insights from Dr. Teno's student's senior thesis, we uncover how even minute variations can profoundly impact the quality of hospice care. We delve into the value of the CAHPS survey, shedding light on the pivotal role of the family in the care experience. We then shift our focus to Medicare Advantage plans and their relationship with hospice care. We discuss the Quality Bonus Plan for Medicare Advantage plans, underscoring the need for transparency and precision in data. This compelling conversation concludes with Dr. Teno's profound reflection on the significance of acknowledging patients' perspectives on their needs. Y ou don't want to miss this insightful journey through the world of hospice care.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and even Board’s of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us; this is timely and relevant.
The importance of patient’s own views on what they need. - Dame Cicely Saunders
In this era of evolving value-based medicine, where value is determined by costs and quality. We need to stay true to the words of Dame Saunders and don’t forget the quality side of the equation. – Dr. Joan TenoGuest: Dr. Joan Teno
Adjunct Professor of Health Services Policies
and Practices at Brown University
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/measure-what-matters-and-what-really-matters-is-the-close-of-life
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Ever wondered about the implications of 'no comment' during a media frenzy? Our enlightening podcast with Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications, is set to shed some light on this. We dissect the fallout of negative press and how the refusal to engage can paint an unintentional picture of guilt. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive review of the September's top news stories in the hospice and palliative care space, including the CMS requirements on staffing minimums in long-term care, public opinion on nursing homes, and the dire need for more staff to carry out state-level inspections.
Are you up-to-speed with the latest hot topics in healthcare? We've got you covered! This episode takes a deep dive into some riveting discussions around healthcare trends, such as the potential of hospital-at-home programs and the role of Medicare Advantage in homecare services. We call out the complex web of regulatory issues impacting hospice and home health care. Furthermore, we examine the most expensive states to die in and the dominance of Epic in the hospital EHR market.
Lastly, how well do you understand your market and competition? Together with Mark, we explore the importance of market potential and competition. We stress the significance of competitive intelligence and staying ahead of the game, drawing wisdom from Mary Ellen's insightful quote. Tune in and gain insights that are need-to-know for you as a healthcare leader.
Special Guest:
Mark Cohen,
Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
TCNtalks Host:
Chris Comeaux,
President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
www.teleioscn.org
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
A heartfelt reunion with Julie Kennedy Oehlert, a DMP RN and Chief Experience and Brand Officer at ECU Health, sparks an illuminating discussion on love and leadership in healthcare. Having once shared the corridors of Studer Group, our professional paths converge again as we delve into Julie's profound impact on the healthcare sector. Her keynote speech at MPHI's Las Vegas summit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” forms the fulcrum of our conversation, underscoring the significance of producing impacting experiences amidst challenging times.
Our conversation meanders through the complex labyrinths of healthcare, highlighting the influential role of relationships. We challenge the dominance of data and measurements, advocating for a balanced approach that also considers relationships and power dynamics. Julie's insightful commentary revisits the cultural transformation theory, reminding us to be mindful of the relationships we nurture as they shape our culture.
As we traverse the terrain of leadership strategies, Julie exposes the pitfalls of traditional power structures in healthcare organizations. She advocates for empathetic leadership styles and the necessity of comprehending the intricate power dynamics within organizations. We also explore the concept of organizational listening as a tool to achieve this understanding. The culmination of our discussion emphasizes the importance of self-love and nurturing patient-provider connections in complex healthcare organizations, leaving you with two motivating quotes to fuel your optimism for the future of healthcare.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Ever wondered how important effective communication is within hospice and palliative care? In this fascinating discussion with our esteemed guest, Mark Cohen, we unravel this mystery, highlighting the indispensability of proficient writing resources in hospice organizations. Mark offers insightful suggestions on acquiring these resources, even in resource-constrained times, and we explore the pyramid style of journalism, identifying poorly written press releases, and the need to champion excellent writing.
We embark on a journey into the art of summarization, understanding how the 'need to know' concept can boost efficiency within your organization. As we scrutinize the 73 flagged articles this month and my top 10 themes, we underscore the significance of staying abreast of the news. Next, we focus on elder care and staffing in hospice, illuminating former President Jimmy Carter's remarkable six-month tenure on hospice care. We decode the latest Medicare regulations, hospice program integrity recommendations, and analyze how the current market is impacting skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Mark graciously shares his wisdom on how to stay current with hospice news and get access to the articles we discuss. We reflect once more on the transformative impact of former President Jimmy Carter's hospice care milestone on changing perceptions within the field. Drawing our enlightening conversation to a close, we underscore the power of focusing on the good to enhance growth. Get ready for a compelling discussion that could change how you see hospice and palliative care!
Guest: Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and
Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-of-august-2023
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if you had the power to shape the future? Our latest conversation with business growth strategist, Meredith Elliott-Powell, will equip you with the insights to do just that. Meredith, a Hall of Fame speaker and award-winning author, lends her expertise on the profoundly transformative impacts of exceptional leadership. Brace yourself as we navigate the thrilling journey of leadership, its role in unlocking individuals' potential, and the courage it demands in prioritizing the wellbeing of others.
We delve into the heart of leadership, exploring pivotal aspects like vision casting, effective communication, and embracing accountability. Meredith also introduces us to the concept of a future-focused workforce. She shares strategies on fostering a proactive culture that anticipates disruption and champions change even before it becomes a necessity. Moreover, she offers practical tips on setting your team on a successful path amidst inevitable industry shifts.
In the end, Meredith illuminates the necessity of adjusting values and embracing change without losing sight of the company's core mission. We tackle the vital task of continuously revisiting goals and values to align them with the organization's vision. This riveting conversation concludes with a powerful thought: Leaders shape the future and transform their teams. Join us in this profound discussion that will push you to introspect your leadership skills and prepare you to navigate the ever-evolving marketplace of today.
Guest:
Meridith Elliott Powell, Business Growth strategist and award-winning
author, and a Hall-of-Fame speaker
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/how-to-thrive-no-matter-what-the-future-brings
Podcast Sponsor:
Delta Care Rx
https://www.deltacarerx.com/
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey toward the future of hospice and palliative care! We're thrilled to bring you along as we chat with our distinguished guest, Marian Grant. As an accomplished palliative care nurse practitioner and consultant for industry powerhouses like C-TAC, CAPC, and NPHI, Marian has a wealth of experience and unique insights to share.
First, we'll explore Marian’s fascinating career transition from the world of advertising to the front lines of nursing. What inspired such a change? And how does her diverse background inform her approach to patient care? We'll delve into these questions and more.
Marian also shares her visionary ideas for a possible revamp of the hospice benefit system. Picture this: care that is tailored to individual needs, enabling patients to access palliative services wherever they feel most comfortable. We'll also discuss the pressing need for more adaptable services, along with innovative strategies to identify individuals who might require care earlier than the typical six-month prognosis.
As we venture further, we navigate the crossroads of palliative care and a host of specialties such as oncology, heart failure, and dialysis. We dig deep into the compelling evidence showing the cost benefits and overall impact of integrating palliative care alongside ongoing treatments.
A discussion with Marian wouldn't be complete without marketing insights from Marian, a seasoned consultant, who highlights the importance of showcasing the true benefits of palliative care. Instead of spouting off impersonal statistics, we learn to tell heartening stories that truly illuminate the transformative power of palliative care for those contending with serious illnesses. Tune in, learn, and be inspired!
Download: Serious Illness Messaging Toolkit
Guest
Marian Grant,
A consultant who works with CTAC, CAPC,
and NPHI on policy and with others on Messaging
Host
Chris Comeaux,
President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/rethinking-and-redesigning-the-future-of-hospice-and-palliative-care
Podcast Quote:
"Stop using old hands as the visual for palliative care." - Marian Grant
Podcast Sponsor:
Delta Care Rx
https://www.deltacarerx.com/
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Have you ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes of hospice care and the innovative approaches being taken to improve patient and caregiver wellness? This episode might just be what you're looking for! Joined by our guest, Mark Cohen, we take you through July's hospice care news, reflecting on a quieter month compared to June. Mark shares his unique hospice story which began in 1995, and the importance of field-shadowing for admin staff. We also discuss the declining coverage of physician-assisted suicide, medical aid in dying, and medical marijuana legalization.
Mark identifies ten themes from the recent news that we explore in detail. These range from futuristic articles to innovative remembrance services. Mark and I also delve into the impact of diminished news coverage on the hospice sector and the state of news pitching. The discussion takes an interesting turn as we look at the emerging attention to hospice care for the urban homeless population, and legislation like the Palliative Care and Hospice Education Training Act.
There's more! Mark and I highlight top stories that have made headlines, including abuse allegations against Papa and the rising influence of private equity in healthcare. We also talk about the pressing staffing challenges in hospice care and the innovative solutions being implemented to address them. As we conclude, we reflect on the effects of diminished news coverage on the hospice sector and the current state of news pitching. Trust us, you do not want to miss this episode if you're looking to stay informed about the latest in hospice care news.
TCNtalks Guest:
Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
TCNtalks Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if there was a tool that could transform the way we deliver healthcare? That’s the question we explore with Dr. Harry Feliciano and Rhonda Oaks in this riveting discussion about the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Dr. Feliciano, a seasoned geriatrician and former senior medical director, brings a rich history of experience in public health and preventive medicine to the table. He shares invaluable insights from his time on the front line of healthcare, as well as his personal journey as a family caregiver.
On the other hand, Rhonda, a certified hospice and palliative care nurse, divulges her expertise on classification systems in healthcare. She illustrates how the ICF can be instrumental in stratifying dementia patients, tracking health outcomes, and considering the impact of social determinants and family care on a patient's prognosis. We also venture into some forward-thinking ideas about the integration of artificial intelligence and digital media with the ICF to capture classes of information. Listen in, it's not every day you get to peek into the future of healthcare delivery.
Guest:
Dr Harry Feliciano
Former Senior Medical Director for Palmetto GBA
Rhonda Oakes
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse serving as Community Clinical Liaison at Four Seasons
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
How would you feel if you had the chance to bring peace, comfort, and a sense of closure to someone at the end of their life? Join me as I sit down with Carla Davis, a senior vice president of Hospice and Palliative Care Operations and Business Development for LHC Group, who was moved by this exact idea as a teenager. Carla shares her inspiring journey to hospice care and helps us to unravel the implications of the recent acquisition of LHC by Optum Health Services for the aging U.S. population. As we explore the compelling power of hospice and palliative care, I am sure you will appreciate the transformative impact it has on lives.
We also take a closer look at the recent research findings on hospice and palliative care reimbursement rates. Delving further, Carla and I discuss the implications of fraud and abuse in the sector, even while providing quality care to patients. You wouldn't want to miss Carla's poignant personal story about her father and how hospice care brought comfort and peace in his final days. As we ponder on the future of hospice care and its integration, I invite you to tune in and uncover its profound potential to enrich lives.
Guest:
Carla Davis,
SVP of Hospice and Palliative Care Operations and Business Development for LHC Group
Host:
Chris Comeaux,
President/CEO of TCN
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Ever wondered how the media shapes our understanding of hospice care? Pull up a chair as my guest, Mark Cohen, and I dissect the top stories from the past month. Mark, a relative newcomer to the hospice field, enlightens us on the intricacies of marketing, PR, and external communications - essential tools for navigating the news. We scrutinize the whirlwind of dueling offers for a medecist option care and Optum, the controversy over Alive Hospice in Nashville, and the damaging coverage of hospital chain HCA.
Switch gears with us as we plunge into the latest news on physician-assisted suicide, medical aid, and dying. We examine a gamut of developments, from expanded eligibility in Oregon and Vermont to the eye-opening documentary, Last Flight Home. Mark and I also delve into the poignant world of grief and bereavement, offering insights into a variety of personal grief journeys. Hear my perspective from the top of the corporate ladder on the most impactful happenings of June.
Fasten your seatbelts as we race through the latest hospice-related news, shedding light on studies that link hospice care to significant savings. We discuss the merits of the Medicare hospice benefit and the projected cost of hospice care by 2032. We shine a spotlight on the importance of dying with dignity and debunk some common myths about death. We also tackle the issue of staffing shortages in nursing homes and the impact of green card processes on this sector. Lastly, we wrap up with a lively chat on leadership quotes and the challenges of fostering effective teamwork. Mark and I are excited to take you on this enlightening journey through the labyrinth of hospice care news, so tune in and join the conversation.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
What if AI could cure healthcare of burnout? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jack Neil, CEO of HANK AI, as we uncover the incredible potential of AI and machine learning in the healthcare industry. From Jack's personal journey into this fascinating field to his favorite books that shaped his leadership style, this episode is a treasure trove of insightful information.
Discover how AI is revolutionizing various aspects of healthcare, from the revenue cycle, precision medicine, to computer vision. We also touch on the effects of technology, including the internet and social media, on our lives and mental health. As medical professionals, we discuss the importance of using technology as an accelerator to enhance processes, rather than completely transforming them.
As we dive into automation and its implications for the future of work, we explore how AI can help streamline communication and find commonalities in our conversations. This technology has the potential to reduce the need for certain tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on what truly matters: the art of healthcare. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the remarkable opportunities AI offers in the world of healthcare and beyond.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Guest: Jack Neil, MD, CEO of Hank.ai
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the challenges that come with leading hospice and palliative care programs? Join us for this episode as Chris Comeaux, TCNtalks Host, talks about passion for hospice and palliative care, and explore the complexities of leadership within this industry. With his 28 years of experience and authoring a book on leadership, tackles a unique Future External Environmental Scan (FEES) process, a sophisticated way to plot your course for the future and guide your decision-making.
Navigating the challenges in the healthcare industry can seem like a daunting task, but we're here to break it down for you. From demographic and workforce obstacles to reimbursement, EMR, and regulatory challenges, Chris discusses ways to access capital, maximize fundraising, and leverage philanthropy efforts to overcome these hurdles. With the added impact of COVID-19, the looming insolvency of Medicare, and the influence of private equity on healthcare, we provide valuable insight into customers' perceptions of healthcare, tax status of hospitals, nonprofit governance, and the effects of private equity on competition and substitution.
But it's not all challenges and obstacles; Chris also explores reculturing our organizations and creating a defensible moat to stand strong against competition. Highlighting the importance of a strong company culture that reflects its leadership, as well as the concept of 'digging a moat' to protect your business. Remember, life is either a daring adventure or nothing, so come along for the ride as we help hospice and palliative care leaders navigate the ever-changing landscape of this vital industry.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
Are you interested in the latest developments in hospice care? Join us and our insightful guest Mark Cohen as we explore May 2023's top news stories in the healthcare industry, focusing on hospice providers, labor and employment, physician and nursing, end of life care, palliative care, and the hospice business. Mark shares his valuable experience in corporate philanthropy and its impact on his work in healthcare, providing us with a unique perspective on these crucial topics.
Together, we discuss long-term care, physician-assisted suicide, merger and acquisition news, local hospice providers, labor and employment news, and end-of-life care, delving into the recent reaction to rumors about the potential sale of Nashville's nonprofit Alive Hospice. Furthermore, we examine not-for-profits investing in the future through simulation labs, unionization activities, nurse burnout, staffing ratios, nurse shortages, and fraudulent nursing diploma mills. Don't miss this engaging episode packed with essential information and valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare industry news.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Janelle McCallum, Chief Clinical Operations Officer with TCN and Alan Seivers, Partner with B2B CFO®. Years ago, there was a great TV series called “Diagnosis Murder” with Dick Van Dyke where he, as a super sleuth, could solve any challenge, riddle, and murder.
Using this as a metaphor, Chris discusses with Janelle and Alan how they use their skill set to diagnose Hospice and Palliative Care programs. Janelle and Alan share statistics, measures, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that staff, leaders, and Boards should know about their organizations.
Chris rounds out the show with one key measure the TCN team has identified in the numerous assessments they have done and he also shares some key measures that can be used to diagnosis palliative care programs.
*This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Quote: Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. - John Doerr*
Guest:
Alan Seivers, Partner with B2B CFO ®
Janelle McCallum, Chief Clinical Operations Officer with TCN
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/diagnosis-hopsice
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Quint Studer, Co-Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group and one of Chris’ long-time and favorite mentors. Quint and Chris discuss many areas, but they start off with the recent Models of Care Insight Study that Healthcare Plus Solutions Group conducted on the workforce and staffing challenges that all of healthcare is facing. Here is a link to the outcomes of that study.
The study received a response rate of almost 99% validity with over 3,300 participants. One key finding was that managers see the environment differently from frontline employees. Another finding was that organizations should not assume that there is more readiness for change than there is. Therefore, Quint advises that everyone in the organization, including frontline managers, should become an expert in change management. The study also found that people are desperate for skill training and that organizations need to connect the dots for employees to feel supported in their career development. Finally, the study suggests that organizations should re-recruit retired nurses and have mentors who understand the training and development process.
Quint and Chris then discussed a blog Quint recently wrote titled, “Change Is Hard. Be Kind to Yourself as You Bounce.” (Link to blog) Quint emphasizes the need to move out of the valley of despair and into informed optimism. He believes that most people want to do a good job, but it may be a skill issue rather than a will issue. Therefore, digging into the details of what skills employees need to acquire and how they learn best is essential for development. Quint also suggests that organizations should simplify their processes and focus on what employees can do less of to improve consistency and outcomes. Finally, he advises asking patients about their biggest worry or concern to improve patient care.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest: Quint Studer, Co-Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Quote from podcast:
*What this thing called leadership is all about: working within the organization to maximize the human potential inside of it. – Quint Studer
Sponsor*Delta Care Rx
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris continues the monthly program that will be airing throughout 2023. Mark Cohen is the Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, an essential news and issues management briefing published 365 days a year for hospice leaders. He also is Principal of his strategic communications firm, Cohen-Fyfe Communications. Mark spends hours each day reviewing and abstracting articles that make up his daily news brief, Hospice News Today.
In this monthly podcast Chris and Mark highlight the top 10 news stories of the prior month. This monthly episode is a great resource for busy hospice and palliative care leaders, staff, and Board.
Mark’s perspective is unique given his purview of the volume of articles as he scours 100’s of news sources to produce Hospice News Today. Chris’s perspective is what do hospice and palliative care leaders need to know to help lead their organizations and teams today but also what they need to know in order to prepare for tomorrow as well.
Both perspectives make for an enlightening show, so enjoy this podcast as Mark and Chris highlight their picks for the top 10-ish news articles for the past month (along with their honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut). This is a great listen. Join us, this is timely, relevant, and packed with need-to-know information.
Guest:
Mark Cohen,
Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
TCNtalks Host
Chris Comeaux
President & CEO
Teleios Collaborative Network
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-stories-of-the-month-april-2023
Quote:
Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one. - AJ Liebling
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Katy Lanz, Founder and Principal of TopSight Partners, a boutique advisory innovation partner, focusing on care at home. Dr. Lanz started out her career as a hospice nurse and helped build one of North Carolina’s first palliative care programs in the early 2000s.
She later became the Chief Clinical Officer of Aspire, and led through partnerships with over 20 health plans, in 28 states. Katy has led two CMMI demonstrations, an ACO Reach practice and she is now one of the country’s most sought after thought leaders on innovative healthcare projects and the future of serious illness.
Chris and Katy discuss many topics that hospice and palliative care leaders and Boards need to be thinking about like Medicare Advantage Plans, how disruptive innovations and substitution competition could and are impacting hospice and palliative care, and what they should be doing to position their organizations into the future. Katy also talks about the competency of managing risk and how important this competency is to the future. She does an incredible job breaking this down for staff by the bedside to understand what that means and how important our interdisciplinary team members are to that competency, which is going to get even more important in the future. This one segment of the podcast is one you will want to pay forward to all your hospice and palliative care staff and also your Board.
Chris and Katy also discuss some of the interesting innovative projects that are emerging and she gets exposed to, including a project with Dollar General. Did you know that nearly all Americans are within 5 mile radius of a Dollar General? And did you know they are thinking about how to help their customers and their healthcare needs? That and many more pearls are waiting for you in this episode.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Board’s of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Dr. Katy Lanz, Founder & Principal of TopSight Partners
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Podcast quote:
"If we want the rainbow we have to put up with the rain."
– Dolly Parton
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/reading-the-tea-leaves-and-practical-advice-for-the-future
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Mary Mihalyo, CEO & Co-founder of Delta Care RX. Mary has a rich history of teaching and helping to improve the care delivery of the hospice and palliative care segment via pharmacotherapy management, options and expertise.
Mary through her expertise and then later through helping to co-found Delta Care RX has helped hospice and palliative care organizations since 1999 save dollars and at the same time improve quality hospice care. This win-win has enabled hospice programs to reinvest in their missions in significant ways. Mary also shares some future innovations in the pharmacotherapy area that we might look forward to.
A great quote from the podcast from Mary, “The more things change in hospice pharmaceutical care the more they stay the same. Many of the national medication related issues we are dealing with today are the same as what we dealt with decades ago. Hospices with a solid pharmaceutical care infrastructure likely fare better.”
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Board’s of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
"It is not immoral or unethical to think about the cost of therapy. In fact, the cost of therapy should be recognized regardless of the environment of care." – Mary Mihalyo
Guest: Mary Mihalyo, PharmD, BCPS; CEO & Co-founder of Delta Care RX
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
www.teleioscn.org
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris continues the monthly program that will be airing throughout 2023. Mark Cohen is the Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, an essential news and issues management briefing published 365 days a year for hospice leaders. He also is Principal of his strategic communications firm, Cohen-Fyfe Communications. Mark spends hours each day reviewing and abstracting articles that make up his daily news brief, Hospice News Today.
In this monthly podcast Chris and Mark highlight the top 10 news stories of the prior month. This monthly episode is a great resource for busy hospice and palliative care leaders, staff, and Board. Mark’s perspective is unique given his purview of the volume of articles as he scours 100’s of news sources to produce Hospice News Today. Chris’s perspective is what do hospice and palliative care leaders need to know to help lead their organizations and teams today but also what they need to know in order to prepare for tomorrow as well.
Both perspectives make for an enlightening show, so enjoy this podcast as Mark and Chris highlight their picks for the top 10-ish news articles for the past month (along with their honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut). This is a great listen.
Join us, this is timely, relevant, and packed with need-to-know information.
Guest: Mark Cohen, Editor and Publisher of Hospice News Today, , and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-march-2023
Podcast quote:
"Our individual faiths are linked, our futures intertwined. And if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit together, as the Bible says we can move mountains."
– Jimmy Carter’s State of the Union Address January 19, 1978
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Jay Cushman, President and Founder of HealthPivots, a healthcare analytics provider.
Jay is trained as a physicist but has been looking at data in the hospice and palliative care segment going back to the 1990’s. In this podcast, Jay shares macro trends he sees in the data going back over these many years taking us to present day. Then Jay shares what he sees where things are headed. Chris and Jay then end with a fascinating conversation regarding how COVID created a huge challenge from a data standpoint due to the black swan event it was in relation to fairly predictable trends in deaths and other population factors. This is a great listen chock-full of pearls that Jay has gleaned from the data over the years and that he sees for the future.
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Board’s of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Jay Cushman, President and Founder of HealthPivots
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
www.teleioscn.org
Quote in podcast:
In God we trust; all others must bring data. – Edward Deeming
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Peter Benjamin, Partner with The Huntington Consulting Group. The themes from this podcast are Movement, Market, and Metamorphosis.
Peter has a rich history in hospice having worked for the first for-profit hospice in the US and has been consulting in the hospice segment since 1996. Chris asks Peter to reflect back and name two or three things that have gotten us to where we are today for the hospice segment. Then they shift the discussion to where things are going as Peter is requested to speak to many boards in the nonprofit segment about what hospices are facing going forward. Peter cites the S-curve theory as a way for hospice leaders and Boards to grasp the challenge that is before us and where we are in our life cycle.
Peter recently wrote a white paper he was inspired to craft after these multiple presentations to Boards he speaks to, and he shares some of what is in that white paper along with his prognostication of where he sees things going for our hospice segment. Peter and Chris finish the podcast by talking about innovation and how iterative vs completely new innovations are going to be called for in order to navigate the challenges and changes that are imminent for the hospice segment.
A great quote from the podcast from Peter, “I hope that as we experience the metamorphosis that is here, we can continue to remember as much as possible about what underlay the hospice movement; a profound wish translated into action that communities could experience end of life care in a better way. While all hospice providers may not (probably won’t) survive the metamorphosis it will be ‘OK’ if the end result is continued to improve [RL1] [CC2] in the movement founders’ wish. After all, the hospice movement wasn’t an incremental change…”
This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts. - Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Guest: Peter Benjamin, Partner, The Huntington Consulting Group
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris continues the monthly program that will be airing throughout 2023. Mark Cohen is the Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, an essential news and issues management briefing published 365 days a year for hospice leaders. He is also the Principal of his strategic communications firm, Cohen-Fyfe Communications. Mark spends hours each day reviewing and abstracting articles that make up his daily news brief, Hospice News Today.
In this monthly podcast, Chris and Mark highlight the top 10 news stories of the prior month. This monthly episode is a great resource for busy hospice and palliative care leaders, staff, and Board. Mark’s perspective is unique given his purview of the volume of articles as he scours 100s of news sources to produce Hospice News Today. Chris’ perspective aligns with what hospice and palliative care leaders need to know to help lead their organizations and teams today but also what they need to know in order to prepare for tomorrow. Both perspectives make for an enlightening show, so enjoy this podcast as Mark and Chris highlight their picks for the top 10-ish news articles for the past month (along with their honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut).
This is a great listen. Join us, this is timely, relevant, and packed with need-to-know information.
Guest: Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Quote to Remember
You need to remember what happens in you is more important than what happens to you. – John Maxwell
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Marisette Hasan, CEO with Lifesprings Consulting Group. In honor of Black History month, Chris and Marisette start with why it is important for all Americans and hospice and palliative care team members to know and reflect upon Black History. Marisette then shares some of her heroes from Black History. What she shared was inspiring!
Chris and Marisette discussed Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) and why hospice and palliative care organizations need to have this on their top priority list. Marisette also shared some thoughts regarding some longer-term strategies hospices should be considering for their DEIB journey. There is an eight to ten minute segment here that you will want to listen to over and over again especially for your own organization’s DEIB strategy pathway. This is a great discussion chock-full of great wisdom and practical steps hospice and palliative care teams and DEIB committees can utilize to focus and accelerate their organizations’ journey. Join us.
Guest: Marisette Hasan, CEO with Lifesprings Consulting Group
Host: Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of TCN
This episodes quote: "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
This month we are starting a monthly Top News program that will air throughout 2023. Mark Cohen is the Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, an essential news and issues management briefing published 365 days a year for hospice leaders. He also is Principal of his strategic communications firm, Cohen-Fyfe Communications.
Mark spends hours each day reviewing and abstracting articles that make up his daily news brief, Hospice News Today, to inform hospice leaders of relevant news and need-to-know trends to help them navigate their jobs today and into the future. It occurred to our host Chris Comeaux over the Holidays that it would be a great service to hospice and palliative care leaders to produce a podcast at the beginning of each month highlighting the top news stories of the prior month.
So enjoy this podcast as Mark and Chris highlight their picks for the top 10-ish news articles for the past month (along with their honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut).
This is a great listen for leaders and staff to see what trends are emerging for the hospice and palliative care sector. Join us, this is timely, relevant, and packed with need-to-know information.
Guest: Mark Cohen, Editor & Publisher of Hospice News Today, and Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Quote for podcast
If you focus 20% externally and 80% internally you will rot from the inside out.
- Martin Eakes
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Sheila Burke, Senior Public Policy Advisor at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, and Research Faculty / Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard University.
Chris and Sheila discuss the staffing challenge and whether it is going to get better or worse during 2023. Sheila and Chris discuss a research article from a colleague of Sheila’s, Peter Buerhaus, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FAAN (article) which reviews past staffing challenges and some that were considered a staffing crisis. Professor Buerhaus’ article utilizes Category 5 language (drawing an analogy from the hurricane scale) to discuss staffing challenges vs those that are deemed a staffing crisis. Given Sheila’s extensive years of experience working with the Senate and her public policy work, Chris asks if anything can be done on a national and or state level to prevent the staffing challenge from devolving into a long-term crisis. Sheila’s answer is a segment you will want to play over and over again as it is a platform of innovative ideas and public policy strategies to help alleviate the staffing challenge and ensures we don’t find ourselves in a long-term staffing crisis.
A great quote from the podcast Sheila says, “With pending retirements, we are losing an enormous reservoir of experience… the question is how do we utilize that resource and keep those retirees engaged and involved so we don’t lose all that experience… we need to rethink where and how we train.” This is one of several pearls from this podcast.
This is a great listen and thinking opportunity for staff and leaders as there probably is no greater challenge in all of healthcare today and going into tomorrow than staffing. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, our first of 2023, Chris interviews Tom Koutsoumpas, President and CEO of Capital Caring Health & CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and Carole Fisher, President of the NPHI.
Recently, ProPublica and The New Yorker published an article by Ava Kofman titled, “How Hospice Became a For-Profit Hustle.” This article put hospice in the news quite a bit toward the end of 2022 and unfortunately it did not differentiate the very real variances between for-profit hospices, which are the hospices the article was highlighting, and nonprofit community-based mission focused hospices like NPHI members and Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN) members. Chris quoted a great op-ed from Timothy Noah, staff writer with The New Republic. The op-ed was responding to the ProPublica article by drawing a sharp comparison of for-profit hospice to nonprofit hospice. Tom and Carole responded to the ProPublica article and the op-ed, they further highlighted the differences of nonprofit and for-profit hospice via a study NPHI commissioned by Milliman. Carole then went on to share a new study NPHI commissioned on Americans’ views on the US Healthcare system, aging, and end-of-life care. Carole shared the fascinating outcomes from the study and how community-based nonprofit hospices can leverage this information.
This is great listen with some great data and learning regarding how community-based nonprofit hospices can build on their care models to further differentiate themselves from the horrible examples in the ProPublica article which aren’t even in the same universe of what community-based nonprofit hospices are providing to their communities. This is a great listen for leaders, team members, and board members of the hospice and palliative care movement. This episode will inform and challenge listeners regarding our evolution and allowing our serious illness organizations to stand apart for those needing our services tomorrow and into the future. Join us.
Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
Guest:
Carole Fisher, President of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)
Tom Koutsoumpas, President and CEO of Capital Caring Health & CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI)
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris reviews the TCN Talks podcasts from over 2023. He also shares a great piece of wisdom Teleios and many of it’s members have practiced each year, “One Word.” This is a much more powerful way to set the tone and intention for your upcoming year and is much more useful than a New Year’s Resolution which seem to wane about 30 days into the New Year. TCN just released a related blog titled One Wordas well.
Chris also shares some wisdom called “The Rhythms Of Life And Work Life Blend,” in fact this also was a recently released blog from TCN (link to blog). The concluding segment has some great wisdom to aspire to in order to create a better rhythm and joy in all roles of your life as we enter into 2023.
This is a great listen and way to wrap up your 2022 with an eye towards 2023. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Quotes:
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. – Adidas
If you talk about it, it's a dream. If you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real. – Tony RobbinsHost:
Chris Comeaux, CEO / President of Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Cameron Muir, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Innovation Officer for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation & Principal and Founder, Cameron Muir Consulting, LLC.
Chris and Dr. Muir talk about why hospices should innovate and how necessary it is today given the changes in the payer landscape and broader healthcare landscape. Dr. Muir shares two core areas, or launching pads, by which hospices must think about innovation. He then shares four specific innovations which are great areas for every hospice and palliative care organization to be thinking about. He shares strategies we should consider going forward and ties it all together with a great patient story that connects with the heart of what we do while casting a vision of where innovation could take us.
A great quote from the podcast from Dr. Muir, “These are scary, uncertain yet exciting times in health care… Stay focused on your mission, and the beneficiaries that you set out to serve… and for which you took your oath as a health care professional… lead with your heart and serve boldly.” Words of wisdom for us all.
This is a great listen and thinking opportunity for staff and leaders as evolving and innovating the care models of our organizations is essential to our future and, more importantly, the future patients and families we will serve. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Dr. Cameron Muir, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Innovation Officer for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation & Principal and Founder, Cameron Muir Consulting, LLC.
**Host:
Chris Comeaux, CEO / President of Teleios Collaborative Network
https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-future-serious-illness-continuum-of-care**
Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast
In this podcast, Chris Comeaux interviews Tina Gentry, Chief Administrative and Advancement Officer at Teleios Collaborative Network. As we approach the end of the year this is a great time to talk about philanthropy, but not just for end-of-year purposes. On TCNtalks, we have had several shows this past year focused on the challenges facing the hospice segment. Given the many challenges, hospices are looking for the magic bullet that can help alleviate the many other pressures.
Philanthropy, while not a magic bullet, can be a major opportunity for hospices, through donors, to partner in this meaningful work that we do at a very critical time.
Tina discusses the art & science of philanthropy and shares 5 things philanthropy departments/ development teams can do to up their game. This is also a great listen for board members and perhaps for donors as a primer for an investment in your mission.
As we approach the holidays, join us for this timely and relevant discussion.
Host: Chris Comeaux, CEO & President of TCN
Guest: Tina Gentry, Chief Administrative and Advancement Officer at Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / www.teleioscn.org
In this podcast, Chris interviews Michelle Webb, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Certified Cultural Intelligence Facilitator, and Unconscious Bias Coach for Duke University School of Nursing.
Chris and Michelle talk about the reality of the staffing crisis and how it is not going to improve. They discuss, given this reality and challenge, what it will require of leaders: a polarity of thinking. Think both/and, not either/or thinking. Chris draws the comparison of how polarity of thinking is like an analogy Teleios uses often which is the Vision of the Eagle, thinking on two different axes at once.
For staffing, leaders need to think differently in order to ensure nurses perform to the maximum extent of their license. This will also require thinking and anticipating the systemic impacts of that occurring, which may result in new disciplines being developed. Also, it will require of leaders and staff to think about how we innovate care models. All of this sounds difficult, maybe even impossible, but the necessity of the ongoing staffing challenge today and in the future must be met by leaders and staff together. All of this type of thinking is going to be required.
A great quote from the podcast Michelle says, “We must look where we have abundance?” That’s a great thought prodder given the staffing challenges that exist throughout the hospice and palliative care segment but right on point. The same ole thinking of “we are short staffed, and we look forward to it just getting better,” is not going to get you there. This is a great listen and thinking opportunity for staff and leaders as there probably is no greater challenge in all of healthcare today than staffing. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Michelle Webb
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Certified Cultural Intelligence Facilitator and Unconscious Bias Coach for Duke University School of Nursing
Host:
Chris Comeaux
CEO / President of Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / www.teleioscn.org
In this podcast, Chris interviews Meg Pekarske, Partner with Husch Blackwell. Meg and Chris discuss a guide to Hospice Networks that Husch Blackwell put together to help guide the thinking of hospice leaders and their Boards.
Meg shares some key need to know regarding why hospices should be thinking about some type of model given the challenges heading our way in the hospice and palliative care field. Meg also shares a unique perspective regarding what the future might hold for the field.
This is a great listen and learning opportunity for staff, leaders, and Board members who want to know what they should be paying attention to and what they might do given those coming future challenges. Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest: Meg Pekarske, Partner with Husch Blackwell
Host: Chris Comeaux, CEO & President of Teleios Collaborative Network
Teleios Collaborative Network / www.teleioscn.org
In this podcast, Chris interviews Gloria Brooks, founder of G. Brooks & Associates LLC. Gloria and Chris discuss some of the fascinating research Gloria has done regarding hospice networks and combinations in the nonprofit hospice space. Gloria shares 5 key competencies that she has found in her research that are critical for networks or combinations to be successful.
This is a great listen and learning opportunity for staff, leaders, and Board members who want to understand, based on data and research, why networks or combinations must be considered for hospices to survive the future coming challenges. Join us for this timely and relevant discussion.
Guest: Gloria Brooks, Founder of G. Brooks & Associates LLC
Host, Chris Comeaux, CEO & President of TCN
In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Will Faber. Dr. Faber is a Primary Care Physician, full-time healthcare business consultant, and a TCN Board member. As healthcare accelerates towards value-based care and reimbursement, hospice and palliative care organizations are well-positioned to be part of the solution to where the puck is going. However, to be optimally positioned, we must understand what value-based care is and how it will impact all aspects of healthcare including the future of hospice and palliative care.
Dr. Faber’s 25 years of experience working with Clinically Integrated Networks gives him a wealth of knowledge on what value-based care means for every service provider in the healthcare continuum. This is a great resource for leaders, staff, and even board members in the hospice and palliative care space which will help shift the personal and organizational thinking of those who want to remain relevant in the future, especially given the impending volume of aging baby boomers. Dr. Faber also shares how outcomes data is going to be the currency of the future, especially amidst ever-increasing competition. Just like reading reviews while shopping on Amazon, healthcare outcomes will lead consumers to “vote with their feet.”
This information will also greatly influence referral sources and payers. This is a great listen to gain a better understanding of where the puck is headed for healthcare as a whole and to prod your thinking regarding your own hospice and palliative care organization.
Join us in this insight-filled learning opportunity.
Guest:
Dr. William K. Faber, MD, MA, MHCM
Director in Guidehouse’s Value Transformation healthcare practice
Host:
Chris Comeaux, PRESIDENT / CEO of TCN
In this podcast, Chris interviews Lara McKinnis, MS, MT-BC, Music Psychotherapist and Professional Development Specialist for TCN about the alarming trend of staff exhibiting the effects of trauma due to the last two years of overwhelm largely impacted by COVID, at work and at home. In Spring 2021, TCN launched TCNtalks with a series of podcasts related to mental health and wellbeing tools for leaders and their staff. Now that we are living in a post-pandemic world with lasting implications and ongoing challenges from COVID, we are hearing more and more from leaders that they are worried and concerned about their staff. This discussion seems even more timely now that we are in 2022.
We have heard leaders say, “I know something is wrong, but I don’t know what to do for my team.” Well, you have come to the right place to help you begin to understand that trauma is real. And its impacts on your team and you are just as real. Lara discusses the definition of trauma, names the primary responses you are probably observing but perhaps could not put words to with your team or with yourself, and then shares what can we do to help promote healing. Earlier this year Quint Studer was on TCNtalks and his parting comment nailed where we are, “tools for mental health or emotional health are no longer nice to have tools for leaders, they are essential.” Join us, this is timely and relevant.
Guest:
Lara McKinnis,
MS, MT-BC, Music Psychotherapist
and Professional Development Specialist for TCN
Host:
Chris Comeaux
CEO / President of Teleios Collaborative Network
In this podcast, Chris interviews Andrew Molosky and Chuck Lee regarding their recent merger of Chapters Health System and Cornerstone Hospice. Andrew is the President and CEO of Chapters Health System & Chuck Lee is the Chief Administrative Officer and President of Hospice Operations and Board Chair of all Hospice Affiliates for Chapters Health System. Andrew’s and Chuck’s organizations coming together (Chapters and Cornerstone) are early movers in what is sure to be a trend throughout the non-profit hospice sector.
Andrew and Chuck share why their organizations chose to come together, and they share some of the quick wins they are looking for their organizations. They also share some of the challenges they anticipate and their vision for the future. Finally, they share some advice for others considering combos of their own. This is a great educational listen for leaders and team members who are considering or might be considering or should be considering combinations of their own. Join us.
Guest:
Andrew Molosky, President and CEO of Chapters Health System
Chuck Lee, Chief Administrative Officer and President of Hospice Operations and Board Chair of all Hospice Affiliates for Chapters Health System
TCNtalks Host:
Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Quotes:
An effective strategic vision creates shared purpose, inspires passion and interest, conveys values, and guides decision-making and strategy.
– Disney Institute
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
– T.S. Eliot
In this podcast, Chris interviews Carole Fisher. Carole is the President of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI). These are challenging times for community-owned, mission-driven nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations, and there are more storm clouds gathering. Carole shares from her unique perspective the elements of this perfect storm that we are already in and continues to head our way. This is a great listen for leaders and team members of the hospice and palliative care movement. This episode will inform and also challenge listeners with what we will need to be prepared to navigate today and tomorrow. Join us.
Quote:
Transition differs from change. Change is a shift in people's situations; transition is the psychological reorientation that they make to come to terms and deal effectively with the change. - William Bridges
Our Guest: Carole Fisher, President of NPHI
www.hospiceinnovations.org
Our Host: Chris Comeaux, CEO & President of TCN
www.teleioscn.org/tcntalks
In this podcast, Chris interviews Christopher Morrissette. Christopher is the COO of Serious Illness Care and Chief Strategy Officer for Teleios Collaborative Network. This is a great listen to understand the challenges facing our country due to the rising costs of healthcare and why palliative care and serious illness care is part of the solution. Christopher lays out how innovation, technology, and serious illness care will play a role in a brighter future for healthcare.
Our Guest
Christopher Morrissette
COO of Serious Illness Care and Chief Strategy Officer
Teleios Collaborative Network
Bio
Christopher Morrissette, MBA over 20 years of extensive operational experience within Serious Illness Care including Palliative Care, hospice, homecare and long-term care. Christopher joined TCN when founded in 2017 and has supported the development of serious illness care models, payer strategy, Business Intellegence and the formation of the Clinically Integrated Network.
Tools from this podcast:
Some applicable stats:
The year 2030 marks a demographic turning point for the United States.
- Beginning that year, all baby boomers will be older than 65 years of age.
- This will expand the size of the older population so that one in every five Americans is projected to be of retirement age.
- The Gross Domestic spending on healthcare was 19.7% according to 2020 data. Previously, GDP was 17% for the prior 10 years.
- US national healthcare expenditure reached $4.1 trillion in 2020, or $12,530 per person, and is estimated to reach $6.2 trillion by 2028, per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- This is a growth of over 50%, apply same calculation to GDP and we could be looking at minimum ¼ of the US Economy spent on Healthcare for a mediocre product.
**Our Host
Chris Comeaux**CEO / President of Teleios Collaborative Network
In this podcast, Chris interviews Janelle McCallum, Chief Clinical Operations Officer of TCN to discuss a very thought-provoking subject:
What do Love & Strategy have to do with CAHPS scores?
After many trials and errors trying to figure out why CAHPS scores did not seem to reflect what we often have heard about our “great hospice care,” Janelle McCallum created a framework called “The 5 Gems of Quality”. It is based on two paths: Love and Strategy. Both matter when it comes to excellent CAHPS outcomes.
Join us to learn more.
Our Guest
Janelle McCallum, Chief Clinical Operations Officer for Teleios Collaborative Network
**Our Host
Chris Comeaux,** President & CEO, Teleios Collaborative Network
In this podcast, Chris interviews Jeremy Powell. Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Acclivity Health which is one of the few companies applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the hospice and palliative care space.
Jeremy shares ways his company is working to help improve quality as well as utilizing technology and data to get patients the right care at the right place at the right time. Going forward, every aspect of healthcare is going to be impacted by technology and AI, so this is a great listen to begin to understand the applications and the possibilities. Join us.
Guest: Jeremy Powell, President & CEO of Acclivity
www.acclivityhealth.com
Host: Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of TCN
In this podcast, Chris interviews Jack Neil. He is an anesthesiologist, but his real passion is computer programing. Jack has an interesting perspective on artificial intelligence (AI), so much so Jack’s company he founded, Hank AI, has a tag line “Help the Humans.”
Jack defines what is Artificial Intelligence and then shares where he sees AI being applied in healthcare over the next five years and then beyond the five-year timeframe. Going forward, every aspect of healthcare is going to be impacted by technology and AI, so this is a great listen to begin to understand the applications and the possibilities. Also, at the end of the podcast, Chris asks Jack about what his favorite book is. His answer has some pearls which foretell the timeline where we will probably see dramatic change brought on by AI and technology. Join us.
Podcast Host:
Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
www.teleioscn.org
Our Guest:
Jack Neil, Founder and CEO of Hank AI
QUOTE:
“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” - Elbert Hubbard
BIO
Dr. Jack Neil is a pediatric anesthesiologist, computer scientist, proud father of 2 (soon to be 3), and husband to his incredibly tolerant angel wife - Kristen. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology's Committee on Informatics and Information Technology, founding member of the ASA’s working group on Artificial Intelligence, member of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation's Committee on Technology, and member of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation's Health IT Committee. He is Founder and CEO of Hank.ai - a company focused on creating data's front door and reducing digital work via automation. A physician and software developer by training, his mission is to create and support innovative technology solutions that maximize efficiency and free humans from screen-based tasks in healthcare and beyond.
Do your Hospice and Palliative Care Boards know what they need to know? Today? What about the tomorrow that is quickly headed our way?
In this podcast, Chris delivers a monologue about what board members of nonprofit hospice and palliative care programs need to know over the next 3 to 5 years for service on their local community hospice board. Chris unpacks these problem areas:
- The External Forces in Healthcare Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond
- The Economic Challenges Impeding Revenues - Coming Rate Cuts
- The Need for Hospice Services Going Forward
- The Reality and Impact of Heightened Scrutiny
- The Role of Workforce Recruitment and Retention on Mission Fulfillment
- The Opportunities that Await by Leveraging Technology, Innovations, and Imagination
- The Crucial Role of Vision and Courage in Strategic Planning and Positioning
- The Sustainable Models and Tools for Equipping Non-Profit Serious Illness Providers
- The Role, Responsibility, and Requirements of being a High-Performance Board Member
Then Chris offers up a prescription for board members to challenge their hospice and palliative care programs to be working on:
Grow, Sow, Flow, and No
The prescription is definitely catchy. Join us and please pay this podcast forward to hospice and palliative care board members in your organization and programs everywhere. Also let us know any questions you have after listening to the podcast. This episode is one you won’t want to miss.
TCNtalks Host
Chris Comeaux, President & CEO
Teleios Collaborative Network
Chris's Bio
Quotes:
If any one idea about leadership has inspired organizations for thousands of years, it's the capacity to hold a shared picture of the future we seek to create.
– Peter Senge
In this podcast, Chris interviews Marisette Hasan, President & CEO of The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care (TCC). In honor of Black History month, Chris discusses with Marisette what hospice and palliative care organizations short term and long term can do to focus their organization’s journey for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI).
Marisette shares great ideas about how our organizations can begin to work on the diversity of our workforce, leadership, and Boards. She also shares some great wisdom on how hospice and palliative care programs can reach underserved communities.
Here’s a hint, it is something that harkens us back to our roots. It’s about caring for and approaching key aspects of our communities and engaging them and listening to them. It’s a great discussion and is chock full of great wisdom and practical steps hospice and palliative care teams and our EDI committees can utilize to focus and accelerate their organizations EDI journey. Join us.
Guest: Marisette Hasan, she is President & CEO of The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care (TCC). mhasan@cchospice.org
Quotes:
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"History despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” Maya Angelou
In this podcast, Chris interviews Mark Cohen. Mark is the Publisher & Editor of Hospice News Today and a Principal with Cohen-Fyfe Communications. Mark shares how his background in journalism even having worked in the White House on communications and briefings as well as his experience in marketing and messaging in hospice over 20+ years, has positioned him to create the Hospice News Today.
In the interview, Chris draws the comparison of how when he was growing up Walter Cronkite was the most trusted name in broadcasting and was considered a trusted source on the state of our country/world/etc. Mark’s Hospice News Today has become the trusted news source for the hospice and palliative care industry, although Mark has some wisdom to share about calling it an industry so you probably won’t see me use that word much anymore.
Chris asks Mark to share what he thinks are the top topics that hospice and palliative care leaders and staff need to know based on the frequent topics that arise in his daily news briefing. Mark also shares some leading topics that he sees, and Chris asks him to provide some editorial perspective based on what he sees in press on hospice and palliative care throughout the country. This is a great listen as Mark’s perspective is very well informed. Join us.
Contact: mbcohen@cohenfyfecomm.com
Bio
Mark Cohen, Publisher & Editor of Hospice News Today, Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications
Read bio here:
In this podcast, Chris hosts one of his greatest mentors, Quint Studer. Quint’s talents and gifts have helped to shape healthcare for over 40 years across the US and even the world.
Chris starts the podcast thanking Quint and wondering aloud how many organizations that have won Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work can trace the roots of their journey of great cultures back to Quint and his work in healthcare over the years.
This is a great podcast to listen to as we start our 2022 together. Chris asked Quint two questions: “what advice do you have for hospice and palliative care staff as they start a new year after being war weary due to COVID?” Quint’s answer is full of wisdom as he gives 3 simple but powerful questions for team members to wrestle with.
Then Chris asks Quint, “What advice do you have for leaders in the hospice and palliative care industry?” Quint’s answer is why the title of “well-being” was chosen for this podcast. Join us as this podcast is well worth your time as you will listen to one of the greatest leaders, speakers, and teachers in healthcare of all time.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of TCN
Guest: Quint Studer, Founder of the Studer Community Institute
Quint Studer Profile:
Quint Studer is a lifelong student of leadership. He is a healthcare worker and a mentor to many. He has worked with individuals at all levels of leadership to help them become better leaders and create high-performing organizations. Along the way, he has discovered and refined many high-impact leadership behaviors, tools and tactics
He knows leadership is not easy and wants to simplify it for others. He has a gift for translating complex business strategies into simple, doable leader behaviors that allow organizations to achieve long-term success and profitability.
Quint is a teacher at heart. In fact, he began his leadership journey working with special needs children a job he loved and held for ten years. He entered the healthcare industry in 1984 as a Community Relations Representative. He then went on to hold leadership positions at Mercy Health System in WI and Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, IL, where their initiatives in patient care led to their winning Hospitals Magazine’s Great Comeback award. In 1996, he became president of Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL, leading that organization to the top 1% of hospitals nationwide in patient and employee satisfaction.
In 2000, after numerous requests by organizations for assistance, Studer Group was formed. Over the years the outcomes firm won multiple awards, including the 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. By the time the firm was sold in 2015, it had 250 employees and had helped more than a thousand healthcare organizations move toward higher performance.
Through his work at Studer Group, he served as a role model for hundreds of CEOs and other administrative leaders around the county. During this time, he was honored to receive several accolades for his leadership. Inc. magazine named Studer their Master of Business, making him the only healthcare leader to have ever won this award. Modern Healthcare, along with its sister publication Advertising Age, also honored him with the first Healthcare Marketing Visionary IMPACT award in 2014. Around the same time, Becker’s Hospital Review recognized him as one of the 40 smartest people in healthcare.
Quint made a lasting contribution to healthcare by connecting patient care to the concept of customer service. Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Vice President of Patient Experience Cyndi Tierney was quoted as saying that Quint put patient experience “on the map.”
In this podcast (Episode 2 of 2) Chris continues his interview with Kent Anderson, President/CEO, Ohio’s Hospice. Kent is one of the most strategic minds in the hospice and serious illness world. In this riveting 2-part series Kent shares a great framework for nonprofit Boards in the hospice and palliative care space to consider. In this episode Chris asks Kent to elaborate how Boards can do two things which seem in opposition to one another which is ensure risk is mitigated while at the same time funding and approving innovations and strategic investments. Kent’s closing comments are inspiring to hospice and palliative care staff and Board members alike. Join us, this will be time well spent for hospice and palliative care leaders and staff and please pay it forward to your Boards. It will be well worth 20 minutes of their time.
Quote:
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
TCNtalks Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
www.teleioscn.org
Guest:
Kent Anderson, President / CEO, Ohio's Hospice
www.OhiosHospice.org
Bio:
KENT ANDERSON, FACHE, MBA/MHA
As CEO of Ohio’s Hospice, Kent Anderson leads a compassionate team intensely focused on celebrating life and helping people live their final days on their own terms, with dignity and quality.
Kent views his most important role as making sure the organization’s compass is pointed true north. Ohio’s Hospice takes an approach to care that deeply values both the spiritual and emotional needs of each patient, as well as the physical ones.
As the son of a retired lieutenant colonel, Kent learned that leadership is about influence — and to lead is to serve, to never come from a place of position or title. He loves the community of engagement and compassion we’ve built within the Ohio’s Hospice organization.
Kent is a healthcare executive with over 20 years of senior leadership/executive experience in home-based multi-site healthcare operations, from start-up operations to daily census management of 2000 plus patients.
Kent proudly served in the United States Army as UH-60 “Blackhawk” combat helicopter pilot, where he graduated as the Honor Graduate of his flight school training class. He also served as Company Executive Officer, Company Operations Officer and Assistant Operations Officer for the Combat Aviation Battalion.
Away from work, Kent is always up for learning and enjoys everything from courses on wine tasting to spontaneous weekend road trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Kent is married to his wife, Teri and they have two children, son Joshua, a member of the United States Air Force and daughter Rebecca, a graduate of The Ohio State University. They also have two Sheep-a-doodles, Bexar, and Buckeye.
In this podcast (Episode 1 of 2) Chris interviews Kent Anderson, President / CEO, Ohio’s Hospice. Kent is one of the most strategic minds in the hospice and serious illness world. In this riveting interview Kent shares a great framework for nonprofit Boards in the hospice and palliative care space to consider. There was so much great content this will be a two-part series. Chris and Kent also discuss the hyper competition coming at hospice and palliative care programs and how Boards can perform their fiduciary duty while at the same time endorsing nimbleness and innovation which is crucial for hospice and palliative care programs to be relevant for where the puck is headed in healthcare. Join us and pay this podcast forward to your Boards. It will be well worth 20 minutes of their time.
Quote:
If any one idea about leadership has inspired organizations for thousands of years, it's the capacity to hold a shared picture of the future we seek to create. - Peter Senge
TCNtalks Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN
www.teleioscn.org
Guest:
Kent Anderson, President / CEO, Ohio's Hospice
www.OhiosHospice.org
Bio:
KENT ANDERSON, FACHE, MBA/MHA
As CEO of Ohio’s Hospice, Kent Anderson leads a compassionate team intensely focused on celebrating life and helping people live their final days on their own terms, with dignity and quality.
Kent views his most important role as making sure the organization’s compass is pointed true north. Ohio’s Hospice takes an approach to care that deeply values both the spiritual and emotional needs of each patient, as well as the physical ones.
As the son of a retired lieutenant colonel, Kent learned that leadership is about influence — and to lead is to serve, to never come from a place of position or title. He loves the community of engagement and compassion we’ve built within the Ohio’s Hospice organization.
Kent is a healthcare executive with over 20 years of senior leadership/executive experience in home-based multi-site healthcare operations, from start-up operations to daily census management of 2000 plus patients.
Kent proudly served in the United States Army as UH-60 “Blackhawk” combat helicopter pilot, where he graduated as the Honor Graduate of his flight school training class. He also served as Company Executive Officer, Company Operations Officer and Assistant Operations Officer for the Combat Aviation Battalion.
Away from work, Kent is always up for learning and enjoys everything from courses on wine tasting to spontaneous weekend road trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Kent is married to his wife, Teri and they have two children, son Joshua, a member of the United States Air Force and daughter Rebecca, a graduate of The Ohio State University. They also have two Sheep-a-doodles, Bexar, and Buckeye.
In this podcast Chris interviews Matt Challberg, the founder and CEO of Tallio. Matt started to publish the “Leadership Letter” in mid-2019, which consists of interviews with some of the top leaders in the home health, hospice, and palliative care industry in the U.S. Over these past 3 years Matt has harvested valuable leadership insights and he pays them forward in this great discussion with Chris. Please join us if you are a leader today and join us if you see leadership in hospice and palliative care in your future, which my hope for all of our listeners because even good IDG team members are leaders as they lead the patient and family on the journey of their care plan. Enjoy!
Our Guest: Matt Challberg, Founder and CEO of Tallio
www.tallio.co
Host: Chris Comeaux, CEO and President of TCN
https://www.teleioscn.org/chriscomeaux
In this podcast Chris interviews Jason Bradshaw who is an Employee Benefits Consultant with USI Insurance Services. Chris and Jason discuss the strategy of employee benefits amidst the challenging environment of a tight labor force. Jason shares the challenges facing employers and what he sees organizations doing to address those challenges as well as some innovative ideas in the market place. This is a good listen for both leaders and staff because benefits is a key area that it truly takes a village to understand the challenges and potential solutions. And here is a hint as to the content, communication is key between the organization leaders and staff to navigate these challenges. Join us for this interesting podcast on the “Benefits of Benefits.”
Guest: Jason Bradshaw, Employee Benefits Consultant with USI Insurance Services
Quote: “You need a culture that high-fives small and innovative ideas.”
- Jeff Bezos
Jason Bradshaw’s Profile:
Jason Bradshaw is an Employee Benefits Consultant with USI InsuranceServices, in the Charlotte, NC office and has over 17 years of experiencein the insurance industry. Jason is responsible for the strategy and oversightof all facets of an employer’s group benefit plans, from seamless implementationof new benefits, to the analysis, review and maintenance of existing plans. Jason also focuses on full market analysis, innovative cost strategies,employee communications, and lifting day-to-day burdens off the HR team.
Prior to joining USI Insurance Services in 2017, Jason primarily worked for BlueCross Blue Shield of NC where he served as Account Manager and was responsible for the retention, servicing and strategy for existing clients and brokers.
www.usi.com
In this podcast Chris interviews Andy Baxter, the founder of the Cunniff-Dixon Foundation. The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation was founded out of Andy’s endeavor to make a difference after having experienced one of life’s greatest challenges. His wife Carley died after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Reflecting on that experience as he talked to others Andy realized his wife’s experience of care and passing peacefully at home was a unique one thankfully due to the oncologist they were blessed with Dr. Peter Dixon. Hence the Dixon in the Cunniff-Dixon Foundation name.
Andy shares that story and the focus and mission of the foundation including some of their more recent work in the area of Advanced Directives with their co-developed tool “Planning my Way.” Andy also pays forward to hospice and palliative care professionals what he learned during his wife’s illness as well the learning from his foundation’s great work in the hospice and palliative care space.
Andy has great wisdom to share so tune in because there are some great pearls in this episode of “TCNtalks.” Join us.
Guest: Andy Baxter
Host: Chris Comeaux, President & CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Andy Baxter Bio:
Matthew A. (Andy) Baxter was born in New York City in 1942, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Yale University and the Amos Tuck School of Business, he had a career in finance in New York. In 2005, his wife Carley Cunniff died from breast cancer. Baxter created the Cunniff-Dixon Foundation, honoring his late wife and Dr. Peter Dixon, the physician who had guided Andy and Carley through the last stages of her life.
The mission of Cunniff-Dixon is to enrich the physician-patient relationship at the end of life, to educate individual physicians and inspire them to provide the kind of care at the end of life that we all wish for ourselves and our loved ones.
To that end, the foundation has sponsored continuing medical education symposiums on end-of-life care, has co-sponsored with The American College of Surgeons a curriculum on end-of-life care for surgical residents, and has sponsored the Hastings Cunniff-Dixon Physician awards. Since 2007, these awards have been given to 39 physicians from across the United States. The awards are now granted every other year, with 3 awards to early career physicians, and 1 each to a mid-career physician and a senior clinician. The recipients of these awards, together with the selection committee that determines the recipients, collectively represent the best and the brightest of palliative care leadership in this country, and perhaps the world.
Since 2018, the Foundation has been working on its contribution to advance care planning. Planning My Way ….A Guide for Future Health Care Decisions is an educational resource designed to help patients and patient families with advance care planning.
Cunniff-Dixon Foundation
www.cunniffdixon.org
In this podcast guest host, Janelle McCallum, interviews TCN’s Dr. John Morris, Pulmonologist & Serious Illness physician about the most important things to know about COVID-19 today.
By popular request, he is now available to a wider audience as he brings data and wise clinical discernment to the complicated topics regarding COVID and vaccinations. His background in critical care and palliative care makes him a perfect translator to interpret and help guide us during these confusing times.
Guest Host: Janelle McCallum
www.teleioscn.org/janellemccallum
Guest: John Morris, MD
www.teleioscn.org/johnmorris
www.teleioscn.org/tcntalks
In this podcast, Chris interviews Dr. Rebecca Heiss, PhD, and CEO/Founder of icueity, LLC. Rebecca is a stress physiologist and uses her background in science to create a space for women to become the leaders they were meant to be and to realize and live their purposes beyond the fear, stress, and anxiety that tends to take them off course. In this podcast, Chris discusses with Rebecca her program “the Fearless Accelerator.” While this might seem to apply to only women who have leadership positions today in the hospice and palliative care space you will quickly see the wisdom Rebecca has to share applies to women working throughout hospice, palliative care, serious illness space, and every facet of life.
Join us - this podcast will inspire you, and also make you want to go and learn more about the wisdom Rebecca is sharing. For the men in our listening audience while you might think you can skip this one, if you have a woman in your life, it is informative, and also the wisdom applies to you as well. You will enjoy this one so please join us.
TCNtalks Host: Chris Comeaux, MLAS, CPAPresident / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network.
Guest: Dr Rebecca Heiss, CEO / Founder icueity, LLC. Keynote Speaker & Author
**www.rebeccaheiss.com
TheFearlessTheory.com/FearlessAccelerator
www.icueity.com**
Guest:
Keith Taylor, the founder of strengthafterstroke.com
In this podcast Chris interviews Keith Taylor. Keith was a thriving businessman and then had a huge curveball thrown his way as he had a stroke. Keith was struggling during that time with his cause and purpose because the aftereffects of the stroke upended his life and his career. Now several years later Keith has turned that challenge into a new purpose helping people who have had strokes recover via his unique BASE program and via Keith’s coaching. Chris invited Keith because as hospice and palliative care professionals we often don’t get to hear the voice of the patient, their story, and their perspective. Keith’s story is an inspiring one and also an informative one to many of us who dedicate so much of our time and talent to caring for others. Give this a listen as it will be informative and also inspirational. Join us.
**BASE = Belief Attitude Strength Energy
Wisdom Quote:**Too many hospices take for granted and assume that they are providing excellent care. However, the quality, constancy, and perceived value is completely determined by the individuals performing the visits. Most patients will not complain even if they have had a less than ideal experience. – Andrew Reed
www.strengthafterstroke.com
Links to references:
https://www.facebook.com/strengthafterstroke/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9s3-mzBOgZ-sxHio442ksg
https://www.instagram.com/strengthafterstroke/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/strengthafterstroke/
In this podcast Chris interviews Dr. Janet Bull whom he has worked with throughout much of his career at Four Seasons. In this podcast Dr. Bull reviews innovations, she is most proud of and what she learned from them throughout her illustrious career in hospice and palliative care. Dr. Bull also shares a creative thinking framework: Ideation, Inspiration, and Implementation which all of us can use. Finally, Dr. Bull takes our listeners through a visualization exercise with a look towards the future. You will enjoy this one so please join us.
Dr Janet Bull's Bio
Janet Bull, MD, MBA, FAAHPM is the Chief Medical Officer Emerita/Chief Innovations Officer at Four Seasons Compassion for Life and holds a consultant assistant professorship at Duke University Medical Center. She is a Fellow of the AAHPM, board certified in hospice and palliative medicine and holds a hospice medical director certification. Janet has authored or coauthored several papers on palliative care operations, telehealth, billing issues, and quality data reporting. She helped develop the QDACT (Quality Data Assessment Collection Tool), co-directed the Global Palliative Care Quality Alliance, and is on the board of the Palliative Care Quality Collaborative. She directs the research department at Four Seasons and has served as the Principal Investigator on over 45 clinical trials in hospice and palliative medicine. She is Program Director of the Palliative Care Immersion Course and a principal of Four Seasons Consulting Group, which offers consulting services in hospice, palliative care, and research. Janet was the recipient of the Sharon O. Dixon Award in 2007, the Cuniff-Dixon Hastings Award in 2012, and the Josephino Magno Distinguished Physician Award in 2013. In 2014, she was recognized as one of the Top 30 Visionaries in the Field award by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and served as Principal Investigator on the 2014-17 Center of Medicare Innovations Grant demonstrating the value of palliative care. She was President of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) in 2017 and was as a core team member on the development of the Alternative Payment Model for Serious Illness Care for AAHPM..
In this podcast Chris interviews Meridith Elliott Powell who is an internationally known business strategist, keynote speaker, and award-winning author with expertise in business growth, sales, and leadership strategies. She has just released her new book Thrive: Strategies to Turn Uncertainty to Competitive Advantage. In this podcast Chris discusses Meridith’s new book and how this book applies to hospice and palliative care leaders and staff not just at the organization level but at the individual level as well. There is one thing certain as we move forward, the future is uncertain but that does not have to be a negative and Meridith shares how history results in opportunity and innovation even amidst adversity and maybe even because of it. Meridith shares great wisdom from her many years of coaching, Leaders and staff alike will enjoy the pearls.
www.meridithelliottpowell.com
www.valuespeaker.com
Guest: Meridith Elliott Powell
Host: Chris Comeaux
In this podcast Chris interviews Patrice "Patti" Moore, APRN, MSN President and Founder of The Watershed Group. This is a podcast all hospice leaders and staff would benefit from listening to. Patti is the bridge between the Pioneer Generation of leaders who helped lead hospice from its infancy in the 1980’s into the present day leaders like Chris and others. From this unique perspective Patti answers this one question Chris asks her, “Patti imagine a locker room talk between 5 Pioneers of hospice and the present day leaders in hospice and palliative care and the new up and coming leaders, what wisdom would those pioneers have to share?” Patti’s choice of 5 pioneers and her very informed answer is packed with pearls and is definitely worth the listen because sometimes you have to look back to go forward. Join us, this will be an episode you don’t want to miss.
Host: Chris Comeaux, President and CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
Guest: Patrice "Patti" Moore APRN, MSN President and Founder | The Watershed Group
In this podcast Chris interviews Dawn F. Landry who recently wrote about her “care coaching” (her self-defined term about caregiving) journey in her first book ARMORED. Dawn and Chris graduated high school together 33 years ago in rural, south Louisiana. In this interview Dawn shares her unique wisdom and experience having been a Corporate Executive Coach and having gone through several health battles and caregiving experiences with her husband Daran. Due to these unique circumstances of events and life experiences, Dawn weaves her gift of storytelling, her coaching tools, and her experience as a caregiver into an incredible working guide and memoir that benefits caregivers everywhere, including in the hospice and palliative care world. Join us.
Dawn F. Landry is an award-winning and respected business professional. She has spent over half of her 28-year career in Houston's corporate real estate industry, excelling in business development and marketing leadership positions within the region's largest economic development organization, as well as international commercial construction companies. In February 2017, Dawn founded Authentizity, LLC, as an independent B2B growth strategist and a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach to provide consulting, training, and coaching services that optimize technical teams' engagement and productivity.
In 2020, she authored, self-published, and released her bestselling book, ARMORED. ARMORED is a memoir, a love story, and ultimately a practical leadership guide to managing crisis on your own terms. Equipped with her leadership and technical services career, and with strategic thinking and communication abilities, Landry successfully supported her husband, Daran, through three major life-threatening illnesses. Unconventional, imperfect, determined, yet humorously self-aware, Landry proves that by leaning into our individual backgrounds and capabilities, we all have the power within us to courageously motivate and be an advocate for those under our charge.
ARMORED is available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/dawnflandry, as well as at www.dawnflandry.com. URL: www.authentizity.com and www.dawnflandry.com
In this podcast Chris interviews Christine Lau RN, LCSW, APHSW-C. They talk about a frequent challenge hospice and palliative care staff face now that our industry is 40+ years old which is – “We were friends and now I am their leader.” Christine shares from her experience through almost 20 years of going from staff level positions in multiple disciplines and growing into leadership positions how truly embracing a paradigm of servant leadership, setting some rules or boundaries, open and honest conversations, and utilizing role descriptions all are part of how to be successful in this transition. This is a great listen for staff and leaders throughout the hospice and palliative care industry. Join us.
In this episode of TCN Talks, Lara McKinnis brings together her training in psychotherapy, music therapy, and somatic therapy in a beautiful way. Chris and Lara discuss what is going on with our hospice and palliative care team members in terms of trauma. Lara unpacks that we all have these “shadow” parts of us that are underlying and further that we are indoctrinated not to digest and process these parts. But, if we do process them, then the journey has a positive and powerful influence on us and how we show up in all aspects of our life. TCN has begun to refer to this as the “Art of showing up.” How we show up has always been a challenge; however, we continue to learn just how much COVID has exposed all the ways we have not been dealing with the parts of us that we don’t want to see. This is a great discussion regarding how each of us can go where society and tradition have told us not to go, our emotions and our body. By exploring that territory, the pain truly can be the doorway to healing. Healing our deeper wounds has the potential to transcend every aspect of our life, far beyond our work as hospice and palliative care professionals. Join us.
In this podcast Chris interviews Dr. Rohini Kanniganti furthering two prior podcasts where we discussed what is going on with our healthcare workers out of care and concern for them dealing with the strains the pandemic has brought on.
Dr. Kanniganti brings her wisdom, presence, and thoughts around compassion, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Dr. Kanniganti believes these three states of being are being essential to healthcare workers living their cause and purpose, not just now due to the pandemic, but at all times due to the nature of the work in healthcare and especially for hospice and palliative care workers. Just listening to Dr. Kanniganti has a calming effect on you, the key is where does that come from? And how do we harness that wisdom for daily presence in our roles? Hint: it is not about doing more stuff and it has something to do with institutionalized love.
HostChris Comeaux, MLAS, CPA, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
GuestDr. Rohini Kanniganti
In this podcast Chris interviews Dr. Elizabeth Burpee, a Hospice and Palliative Medicine who also works in Research with Four Seasons. We continue to see staff stressed and some even describing what they are experiencing in hospice and palliative care as burnout. Dr. Burpee was already researching prior to COVID via Project Echo what is occurring in the hospice and palliative care field and through that research sees that Resiliency is the key. She shares strategies and resources that are making a difference for many in the field. She also shares how hope and gratitude are key to the path of resiliency.
HostChris Comeaux, MLAS, CPA, President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
GuestElizabeth K Burpee, MD, Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Medicine Research & Clinical Physician
RESOURCES:
CAPC
https://www.capc.org/covid-19/emotional-ppe/
ELNEC
https://www.aacnnursing.org/ELNEC/COVID-19
TEND
https://www.tendacademy.ca/
Grief website
https://grief.com/
Tiny Survival Guide
https://traumastewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Survival-Guide-PDF.pdf
In this podcast Chris Comeaux interviews Dr. John Morris, Pulmonologist and Hospice & Palliative Care physician about the COVID vaccine. Dr. Morris has conducted several informational webinars for hospice and palliative staff throughout the TCN network. Here is a common comment we have heard after those webinars, “Staff was concerned and not planning on getting the vaccine and after the webinar by Dr. Morris staff were asking how do I move forward to get the vaccine?” In this podcast Dr. Morris gives straight forward answers regarding why it is important to get vaccinated. He also debunks several myths being passed along via social media and the internet.
In our initial TCN Talks podcast Chris interviews John Locke. John is with DHG where he heads up their executive coaching program. John has unique experience and training in the area of applying learning from how high performance athletes take care of themselves to perform at a higher level. Surprisingly there is simple applicable wisdom that hospice, palliative care, and serious illness professionals can apply to their daily lives to maintain their edge and live their cause and purpose which is timely, relevant information due to the challenges COVID have brought all of us working in healthcare.