Coffee with the College: Recent Episodes
Coffee with the College
What does it take to grow as a healthcare leader in today’s complex environment? In this episode, host Janet Schulz, Chief Administrative Officer at MyPath, sits down with Sherrie Dorow of Aurora Healthcare and Andy Hillig of LAK Group to explore how ACHE-WI’s Leadership Development Program shaped their professional paths. Hear firsthand how this experience built confidence, expanded networks, and changed the way they lead.
When tragedy struck, Deepak Arora turned personal loss into purpose and innovation. In this episode, we dive into the journey of the founder and CEO of Wearable Technologies – from his early career in IBM’s imaging department to building a company that is redefining safety and health through smart wearables. Hear how wearable technology is transforming care for aging adults, and how predictive modeling and AI are shaping the future of continuous, proactive healthcare.
In this Sponsor Spotlight edition of Coffee with the College, host Jessica Vogen sits down with Tom O’Day, labor and employment attorney with Husch Blackwell, to explore what healthcare leaders need to know about the growing momentum of labor unions — both nationally and right here in Wisconsin. From the Biden administration’s pro-union stance to lessons from SEIU campaigns and local organizing efforts, Tom offers practical guidance for creating cultures that value communication, trust, and proactive leadership. Learn how policy updates, frontline visibility, and small daily actions can reduce vulnerability — and why presence matters more than perfection.
Get to know ACHE-WI Chapter President, Ken Carlson, FACHE, in this informative podcast on our chapter’s goals for 2025. Ken also will provide insights from his leadership career, including his “why” for choosing a career in healthcare. Ken shares his path to recognizing the best fit for his personal and professional goals . . . some of his reasons may surprise and inspire you!
ACHE Congress 2025 is just around the corner, set to take place in Houston later this month! In this episode, our Podcast Committee Chair—and Houston-area native—Eric Ransom takes the mic to share what attendees can expect, along with insider tips to help you make the most of your time in this vibrant city.
In communities across the United States, health systems and governments often struggle to provide adequate mental health care for their populations. In Milwaukee, an inspiring new care model opened in 2022 thanks to over a decade of hard work, persistence, and willingness of health system competitors to join forces for the greater good of the community. Thanks to collaboration between Milwaukee County and the area’s four health systems, The Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) opened in September 2022 as the new county-wide psychiatric emergency department for Milwaukee County. MHEC has quickly become a national model for emergency crisis care that is patient-centered, recovery-oriented, and culturally informed. Join our host, Janet Schulz, and guests, Joy Tapper, Jessica Small, and Michael Lappen, to learn about the formation of this center, lessons learned along the way, and how leaders and stakeholders came together to help better serve their community.
Chris Brabant and Aaron Kinney, two remarkable military leaders, share their unique journeys transitioning from military service to leadership roles in healthcare our ACHE Podcast for Veteran’s Day. Drawing on their extensive military backgrounds, they review the powerful skills they carried forward into their civilian careers, such as discipline, relationship-building, active listening, trust and delegation, as well as personal and leadership courage. These skills deeply enrich their leadership approaches within their respective health systems. They also reflect on what they consciously chose not to carry over, highlighting the nuances of adapting military habits to fit the more collaborative, less hierarchical dynamics in healthcare. Their insights reveal how they continuously refine their leadership styles to meet the demands of both personal growth and the healthcare industry. Thank you, Chris and Aaron, and all the other veterans continuing your service to others within Healthcare!
In this episode of Coffee with the College, we chat with Eric Borgerding, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association. Listen as Eric shares WHA’s advocacy priorities, along with ‘bonus content’ on personal career reflections and potential healthcare policy impacts from the upcoming presidential election. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Have you ever wondered what role the Regent plays on our ACHE board? The latest Coffee with the College podcast has this answer and more! In this episode, Tom Shorter and Alexa Urrutia-Comas share stories from their experiences serving as Regent. Listening to and advocating for member needs is at the heart of both of their Regent journeys. Tune in to learn more about how the Regent acts as a vital bridge between our national organization and local chapter to support the careers of all ACHE-WI members.
As healthcare organizations face big challenges with the present workforce shortage, Everette Fernandes looks to the future with optimism. Everette is Vice President of the Corporate Work Study Program at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Milwaukee. He joins our host Janet Schulz in an inspiring discussion about how work study programs benefit both the youth involved and their employer sponsors. Cristo Rey’s mission is to prepare its students for future roles through rigorous academic, professional work experiences, and spiritual development. A primary means to this end is the Work Study Program in partnership with employers in healthcare and other industries. Cristo Rey’s Work Study program has been so successful in creating a sustainable workforce pipeline that it has expanded to 40 schools nationally. Students are especially interested in healthcare fields . . . so Everette shares info on how partnerships with area healthcare providers have helped students begin to find their purpose and path in life, while introducing employers to a new workforce development opportunity.
In this episode, Carl Selvick, President and CEO of Black River Memorial Hospital, takes us through his personal leadership journey discussing the disparities in healthcare that led him to pursue a career in administration. Carl’s non-traditional pathway from pharmacist to the C-suite stems from his passion for improving the patient experience and navigating the current healthcare environment. By having the courage to introduce bold strategies and disruption to overcome impossible barriers, he led initiatives that cut through red tape to deliver lifesaving healthcare to his community. Carl elaborates on his involvement with ACHE and how he utilized his network and resources to catapult his career to the next level. Through his many experiences, he shares critical wisdom for those looking to define their vision and grow their impact on their communities.
Join us for a fascinating dive into the world of healthcare leadership with Cathy Jacobson, a veteran healthcare executive who’s spent almost 40 years at the forefront of the industry.
Cathy takes us on a personal journey through her career, sharing the highs, the lows, and the invaluable lessons she’s gathered along the way. She reflects on the formidable challenges confronting healthcare today and shares what gives her hope for the future of healthcare.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just beginning your healthcare journey, this episode has something for everyone.
Are you someone with a clinical background thinking about leadership? In this podcast, we explore one physician’s pathway into leadership, and the supportive elements he experienced along the way. Paul Horvath, MD, FACEP, physician leader and site chair of Mayo Health System, Red Cedar, shares how joining ACHE helped him build collaborative leadership skills and taught him how to “speak administrator” to have a broader leadership impact. You’ll hear how being selected for the ACHE Leadership Development Program provided him invaluable experiences that broadened his perspective, and how serving on the ACHE and WHA boards allowed him to bring his unique insights as a rural emergency medicine physician to bear on broad-scale policy issues. A key takeaway: Leadership is a team sport, and you learn how to be a team by having shared experiences together.
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Nicole Eull, Health Psychologist, for a second episode. In this podcast, we dive deep into cultivating a culture of wellbeing and wellness. Explore the “rules of engagement” and discover mindful acts of emotional intelligence, including being curious, assuming good intent, and avoiding hasty judgments. We’ll share advice on sustaining emotional intelligence, navigating emotional hijacking, and the art of asking the RIGHT open-ended questions. Tune in for a journey towards a more mindful and emotionally intelligent workplace!
Join us for a conversation with Chris Hasse, Chief Administrative Office of Mayo Clinic Health System, as he shares his career journey. In this podcast, Chris discusses the topic of work-life integration and how he approaches his career as a calling. He also dives into obtaining and maintaining the FACHE credential, and the importance of working as a team, knowing your audience, and continuous learning to achieve results.
Have a suggestion for future guests or topics? Please submit them to ache-wi@badgerbay.co.
Artificial intelligence is dramatically changing the environment of healthcare and becoming one of the fastest evolving topics in the news today. During this podcast our guest Ylan Kazi – Chief Data Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota – shares insights into the world of AI and its applications in healthcare. Ethical considerations, data validity, and the understanding that AI cannot replace the human qualities of empathy, bedside manner, and intuition are all relevant issues discussed. The concept of co-pilot decision making, aka “human in the loop”, positions AI decision makers for mindful use of artificial intelligence, who view this technology as an extension to healthcare, clinical decision making and diagnostics.
The needs of today’s workforce are more varied than ever before. With options for remote, hybrid and on-site work; flexible schedules, and more . . . matching a company’s workforce strategy to employee needs is a crucial leadership skill. Our guest, Andrew Limouris – President and CEO of Medix – unpacks strategies to positively impact the culture of an organization, build a team and create engagement – no matter what the setting. Based on his own lessons learned, he provides insight on the importance of soft skills and being a transparent leader.
Project Management Gone Awry is the focus of this podcast with Scott Leavell, Managing Partner of Healthcare Program Advisors. The podcast explores which challenges in project management are more manageable to bounce back from, and the reasons projects get derailed in the first place. Project derailment can occur from delays, exceeding budgets, unmet client/user expectations, … Continue reading Episode 27: Project Management Gone Awry →
Let’s move from “quiet quitting” to “showing up loudly and boldly” at work. A discipline of contemplative practice provides self-awareness and can center you in your work. A dedication to contemplative practice ensures that you remain present, insightful, and concentrated on your purpose and your people. In this conversation with Nicole Eull, PsyD, we will explore the reasons reconnecting … Continue reading Episode 26 : From Quiet Quitting to Showing Up Loudly: Cultivating the Practice of Connecting to Your Purpose →
This is the second of two podcasts with Ian Morrison, an internationally known author, consultant, and futurist who specializes in long-term forecasting and planning with a particular emphasis on health care and the changing business environment. Today’s discussion focuses on workforce issues and opportunities. Some topics include the challenges of EHRs in clinician workflows and satisfaction, the state of remote work, and AI and ChatGPT solutions.
Today’s episode is the first of two with Ian Morrison. Ian is an internationally known author, consultant, and futurist who specializes in long-term forecasting and planning with a particular emphasis on health care and the changing business environment. In this first episode, Ian discusses the potential future of employer activism as an avenue to push back on rising healthcare costs, rising labor costs and disruptors creating never-before-seen competition.
The second of the two podcasts with Ian will focus on workforce issues and opportunities.
During this month’s podcast, we’re departing from our usual discussions of healthcare leadership and industry issues to talk about a topic that impacts healthcare personnel. The experience of being a working parent. This topic matters to healthcare because workforce availability, employee focus and staff wellbeing are all impacted by whether we feel our children are cared for and safe, and by how working parents are supported as they re-engage in their work following the birth or adoption of a child. Michelle Yu, CEO and Co-Founder of Josie a company dedicated to transforming the working parent experience, will help us explore this topic. For more information on Josie, click here: https://myjosie.com/
Below are the links to the studies / articles referenced during the podcast:
- Tracking Turnover Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Gender Disparities in Work and Parental Status Among Early Career Physicians | Health Disparities | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
- Why So Many Women Physicians Are Quitting (hbr.org)
- Physicians need — and should take — paternity leave
Bill Santulli, president of the Midwest Region of Advocate Health, is our quarterly spotlight guest. In this podcast, Bill provides thoughtful insights into the internal values compass that guides his leadership approach. He also shares perspectives on what the FACHE credential has meant to his career, and points listeners to the wealth of info related to FACHE exam prep on the ACHE website. Enjoy listening to and learning from this veteran healthcare leader!
This podcast is the first of several we will be featuring on the topic of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, also known as JEDI. We’re fortunate in Wisconsin to have several strong healthcare professional organization chapters – the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE). This podcast explores the history each chapter, the synergies between them, what’s next in their evolution, and describes how you can get involved.
In September 2022, ACHE-WI had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Nick Turkal as keynote speaker of the chapter’s annual conference. Nick served as President and CEO of Aurora Health Care for 12 years and is the current CEO of the Center for Health Education and Access. In this Coffee with the College segment, we catch … Continue reading Episode 20 – Coming Out of the Dark: Dr. Nick Turkal →
Our quarterly spotlight guest is Ryan Neville, President of the Wausau/Weston region of the Marshfield Clinic Health System. In describing his career journey, Ryan emphasizes the importance of meaningful relationships and connecting with people where they are. He learned this early in his healthcare career as an Occupational Therapist in Ohio. To take this a … Continue reading Episode 19: Quarterly Spotlight: Ryan Neville →
In this episode we discuss Breaking Down Silos with Mike Grubich, President and Chief Talent Officer at the LAK Group. Mike explains how thinking in systems versus functions can create a sense of mutual ownership of a service or product. Systems thinking opens communication lines and increases efficiency. Mike explains that shadowing by one function … Continue reading Episode 18: Boldly Breaking Through Silos: Michael Grubich →
Career journeys are often roller coasters of great achievements and . . . “learning moments”. In this quarterly spotlight episode, we have coffee with Carrie Killoran, Advocate Aurora Health Care’s Greater Milwaukee Patient Service Area and President of Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. Carrie dives into making the best of an unexpected situation and how … Continue reading Episode 17: Quarterly Spotlight: Carrie Killoran →
Many health care organizations are working to ensure they provide culturally competent care. Some claim to already provide it. How does an organization know if they are? Last month, Coffee with College sat down with Richelle Webb-Dixon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to dig into this topic. … Continue reading Episode 16: Culturally Competent Care: Richelle Webb-Dixon →
Leadership is a journey fashioned with vulnerability and risk taking, steering many of us to build walls that unintentionally inhibit progress towards achieving our goals. In this episode, we chat with Tim McKeough, President, Owner and coach with Q Up Success, who gives us a sneak peek at how working with a professional coach can … Continue reading Episode 15: Intentional Leadership and Coaching: Tim McKeough →
“Trust that a ‘no’ will take you closer to the right ‘yes’ for you.” That’s just one of many career and leadership lessons Damond Boatwright, President and CEO of Hospital Sister’s Health System (HSHS) shares in this Quarterly Spotlight podcast. With this podcast, Coffee with the College begins a quarterly focus on learning from the … Continue reading Episode 14: Quarterly Spotlight: Damond Boatwright →
Are you a leader in healthcare faced with the challenge of addressing important issues around social determinants of health within the communities you serve? In today’s episode, our host Janet Schulz discusses some non-healthcare topics with the Rural Wisconsin Healthcare Cooperative (RWHC) Director of Economic Development, Marie Barry. Born out of a need to create … Continue reading Episode 13: Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Marie Barry →
In our last episode, we discussed how a supervisor can directly impact employee wellness in times of stress by allowing time away from duties or by being a listening ear. This month we scale up and discuss how organizational leaders can prepare their enterprise for the unexpected. In this episode, we chat with Ted Uczen, … Continue reading Episode 12: How Organizational Leaders Can Prepare their Enterprise for the Unexpected: Ted Uczen →
Many of us are doing our best to support the emotional resiliency of our teams over the last couple years, but not all leaders have the experience and tools to effectively manage through an ongoing crisis. Today, we get some help from Gina Kangas, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as the Mental Health … Continue reading Episode 11: Supporting a Team’s Emotional Resiliency: Gina Kangas, LCSW →
In this episode, we chat with Jerome Garrett, Department Administrator for the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Jerome provides insight on why it is important for an organization to be a reflection of the community it serves, and offers guidance to leaders on how to connect with their community in … Continue reading Episode 10: Aligning Your Organization with the Community: Jerome Garrett →
Working in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic has been daunting, exhausting, and stressful to say the least, but we are obligated to keep fighting and care for those who need our help. Sometimes that means lying on your back on a dirty floor holding an iPad towards the ceiling so a prone patient can video … Continue reading Episode 9: What really matters to patients and their families: Kristin Baird →
Do you see yourself as a leader? Others might; listen to your trusted colleagues and mentors who may be nudging you to assume more leadership roles. They may see something in you that you don’t see yourself. Today we chat with Dr. Joe Behn about his career path as a clinician leader. He is the … Continue reading Episode 8: Career Path of a Physician Leader: Dr. Joe Behn →
On this episode of Coffee with the College, our host Janet Schulz discusses some public policy issues facing health care with Marshfield Clinic Health System’s Ryan Natzke, Chief External Affairs Officer and Brad Wolters, Director of Federal Government Relations. Ryan and Brad give insight into how industry knowledge, building coalitions and a good story go … Continue reading Episode 7: Public Policy Issues Facing Health Care →
How do you respond when a senior executive in your organization asks you, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you risk sounding too ambitious and reply with “I want YOUR job”? Do you sidestep and risk a label of “lacks direction” by saying you’re taking it one step at a … Continue reading Episode 6: Career Journey: Seth Teigen, Chief Executive Officer at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo →
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage in the consumer products industry, and it’s now increasingly creeping into the healthcare space. Should we be fearful of computers making healthcare decisions? Are there privacy concerns? These two podcasts feature Ron Galloway, a technology researcher and author of three books describing the influence of technology in our … Continue reading Episode 5: AI in Healthcare – Part 2 →