Becker's Healthcare Behavioral Health: Recent Episodes
Becker's Healthcare
In this episode, Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections Health Solutions, discusses the policy, reimbursement, and community partnerships needed to expand access to behavioral health crisis care. He also shares how crisis stabilization centers, the 988 Lifeline, and coordinated care models are improving outcomes while reducing pressure on hospitals, law enforcement, and the broader healthcare system.
In this episode, Robin Henry, Chief Operating Officer, Solvera Health, discusses how FQHCs can extend behavioral health and substance use disorder services for underserved populations through integrated care models, strategic partnerships, telehealth, and innovative workforce solutions that improve access while maintaining quality and continuity of care.
This episode is sponsored by Precise Behavioral Health.
In this episode, Melissa Brule, Director of Behavioral Health and Specialty Services at Elliot Health System, shares how her team transformed outpatient behavioral health access through a “no wrong door” intake model, rapid clinical assessments, and patient navigation support. She discusses the importance of matching patients to the right level of care, reducing barriers to treatment, and building a more coordinated, patient-centered behavioral health experience.
In this episode, Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals, shares insights on workforce development, continuity of care, patient engagement and innovative programs designed to improve outcomes and equity for New Yorkers facing mental health and substance use challenges.
In this episode, Sarah Hollins, Director of Behavioral Health Services at West Virginia University Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of staff support and patient safety in behavioral healthcare leadership. She shares insights on addressing training and practice gaps, and offers her perspective on the future of behavioral health and the evolving needs of patients and care teams.
In this episode, Carl Hoopes, MS, MBA, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, GRAND Mental Health, discusses redesigning behavioral health workflows, leveraging AI and telehealth technology to reduce clinician burnout, and expanding access through new pharmacy and telepsychiatry initiatives.
In this episode, Kellan Tittle, MBA, Chief Financial Officer, People Incorporated Mental Health Services, discusses the shift from access to outcomes, workforce challenges, and how AI is improving documentation and efficiency. He also shares how integrated care models and disciplined growth strategies are shaping the future of nonprofit mental health services.
In this episode, Ben Johnson, Director of Behavioral Health Provider Practices and Operations at Lakeland Regional Health-Florida, discusses how to standardize operational infrastructure without compromising clinical care. He also shares insights on leveraging technology, reducing administrative burden, and improving continuity across the behavioral health continuum.
In this episode, Georgia Gaveras, DO, Co-Founder & CMO, Talkiatry, explores the critical link between menopause and mental health and why siloed care leads to worse outcomes. She highlights the need for integrated, whole person approaches and expanded access to specialized psychiatric care for women navigating this stage of life.
This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry.
In this episode, Sandeep Acharya, CEO & Founder, Octave, shares how outdated infrastructure, fragmented systems, and ghost networks create barriers to mental health access and how smarter matching and integrated platforms can connect patients to care faster. He also explores the role of collaboration, data, and accountability in rebuilding trust and improving outcomes across behavioral health. WiseMatch by Octave is a proprietary technology platform that prioritizes the patient experience through seamless directory integration between health plans, provider groups, and independent clinicians. This technology enables real-time matching and booking to help members find the right in-network therapist without ever leaving their insurance company’s directory.
This episode is sponsored by Octave.
This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring Behavioral Health Summit features Ken Powers, MSW, LICSW, ACSW, BCD, Director of Behavioral Health Services/Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, E. A. Hawse Health Center & Johnathan Lyon, MSW, LICSW, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services, E. A. Hawse Health Center, who share how ambient AI is reducing documentation burden, improving clinician capacity, and enhancing patient care.
This episode is sponsored by Heidi.
In this episode, Kristen Ford, General Manager of the Employer Division, Carelon Behavioral Health, discusses how employers are transforming mental health support into a proactive, integrated strategy and shares practical ways to drive engagement, align leadership, and improve workforce outcomes.
This episode is sponsored by Carelon Behavioral Health.
In this episode, Shana Palmieri, LCSW, Co-Founder of XFERALL, discusses how emergency departments, case management teams, community providers, and behavioral health intake teams can be connected in real time to reduce ED boarding and improve patient flow. She explores how AI-enabled intake technology helps intake departments manage high volumes of referrals more accurately and efficiently—reducing administrative burden, supporting clinicians in operating at the top of their license, and improving access to timely behavioral health care across the U.S.
This episode is sponsored by XFERALL.
In this episode Dr. Edisa Shirley, Chief Growth Officer at ClinicMind, shares how health systems can move beyond expansion to truly scalable behavioral health models by strengthening governance, access, and operational infrastructure. She highlights the shift toward hybrid care and why sustainable growth depends on integrated systems, disciplined operations, and measurable outcomes.
This episode is sponsored by ClinicMind.
In this episode, Stephen Merz, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sheppard Pratt Solutions, shares how partnering with health systems to integrate behavioral and physical care, improve access, and strengthen financial sustainability can help communities expand much needed mental health services nationwide.
In this episode, Carl Hoopes, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of GRAND Mental Health, discusses expanding access to care for 18,000 Oklahomans through telepsychiatry, crisis services, and community partnerships. He shares how lean operations, AI tools, and EHR modernization are helping standardize the client experience and support sustainable growth across new regions and care settings.
In this episode, Allie Friesen, Founder and Principal of AF Impact, shares why today’s behavioral health challenges are rooted in system design rather than effort alone. Drawing on experience across clinical care, health system leadership, and state government, she outlines how clearer ownership, aligned incentives, and structural coherence are essential to stabilizing and scaling behavioral health delivery.
In this episode, Dr. Glen Rebman, Medical Director of Telepsychiatry at Lumina Care, discusses how telepsychiatry is expanding access to behavioral health services in post acute and long term care settings. He shares insights on workforce shortages, integration with primary care, and how technology can improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patient populations.
This episode is sponsored by Lumina Care.
In this episode, Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, System Chief of Behavioral Health at NYC Health + Hospitals, shares how the nation’s largest municipal health system cut vacancy and turnover rates by making workforce a core strategic priority. He discusses enterprise wide recruitment, training, and retention initiatives, centralized infrastructure, and why investing boldly in people is essential to expanding behavioral health access across New York City.
In this episode, Kari-Beth Law, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Board Member of the West Virginia University Health System, Professor of Adult, Child/Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatry, Vice Chair of Clinical Services, and Director of Telepsychiatry for the WVU School of Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, discusses how telepsychiatry has transformed access to behavioral health care across rural West Virginia.
In this episode, J.R. Greene, Founder and Chairman of Psychiatric Medical Care, shares how his organization is expanding access to behavioral health services across rural and urban communities through innovative care models, telehealth, and hospital partnerships. He also discusses workforce alignment, sustainable program design, and the leadership principles needed to scale behavioral health without relying solely on grant funding.
In this episode, Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated Mental Health Services, discusses how the organization is connecting strategy, growth, and data to strengthen care for 13,000 Minnesotans. She shares insights on building organizational agility, leveraging social determinants data, and creating a community-focused system of mental health services.
In this episode, John Meier, CEO of Aurora Charter Oak Behavioral Health Hospital, discusses his career path, key trends shaping behavioral health, and the impact of new California nursing staffing ratios. He also shares leadership lessons, optimism for expanded access to care, and what it takes to lead through rapid change.
In this episode, Shannon Werb, CEO of Array Behavioral Care, discusses how an employed clinical workforce, interoperable technology, and evidence based care pathways are helping health systems deliver consistent, high quality behavioral health services. He shares lessons on integration, scalability, and why measurement based care is becoming an operational standard rather than a nice to have.
In this episode, Joseph Lee, MD, President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, discusses the growing crisis among young people, exploring the links between trauma, isolation, mental health, and substance use, and why integrated, community centered treatment is critical for lasting recovery.
In this episode, Dr. Obianuju Berry, Medical Director of Domestic Violence Programs at NYC Health + Hospitals Office of Behavioral Health, discusses the urgent need for integrated, trauma-informed mental healthcare for pregnant and postpartum individuals, children, and families. She shares how prevention focused models, early intervention, and care delivered in non traditional community settings can reduce disparities, strengthen families, and improve long term outcomes across New York City.
In this episode, Bernard R. Jones, Vice President, MGB Behavioral & Mental Health, Mass General Brigham; Vice President, MGB Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, McLean Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital, discusses his dual leadership roles across Mass General Brigham and the system’s work to integrate psychiatric services, expand innovative treatments, and improve both patient and provider experience.
On this episode, Adam Williams, VP of Payer Operations and Strategy at Tava Health, joins the podcast to discuss why mental health care must remain at the center of organizational strategyrula, the realities of provider burnout, and how leaders can better support clinicians in high-pressure environments. He also shares where he sees the greatest opportunities for growth in the future—from innovative care models to more sustainable approaches that strengthen access and outcomes.
In this episode, Sri Velamoor, President and COO of NextGen Healthcare, shares how seven efficiency levers are helping practices improve performance, with a special focus on behavioral health, technology adoption, and strategies for long-term sustainability.
This episode is sponsored by NextGen Healthcare.
In this episode, Mandy Fauble, PhD, LCSW, Vice President of Operations at UPMC Western Behavioral Health, discusses workforce transformation, community partnerships, and the role of technology in expanding access and improving behavioral health services.
Dr. Matthew Hurford and Dr. Michael Lynch join the Becker’s Behavioral Health Podcast to discuss UPMC’s investments in behavioral health, from neighborhood centers addressing social needs to expanded inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth services. They share lessons on building integrated networks of care, advancing recovery efforts, and reducing stigma during National Recovery Month.
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Chaudhary and Dr. Jeffrey Hite of Carelon Behavioral Health discuss innovative approaches to suicide prevention, the role of predictive modeling in identifying at-risk individuals, and how 988 and crisis response systems are shaping the future of mental health care.
This episode is sponsored by Carelon Behavioral Health.
This episode features Dr. Dan Schatz, Medical Director of Addiction Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, discussing how the city’s largest public health system provides comprehensive, low-threshold addiction care. Dr. Schatz shares strategies to reduce stigma, support recovery, and train staff to deliver trauma-informed, patient-centered care.
n this episode, Dr. Tracy Mullare discusses the rising rates of adolescent ADHD diagnoses, the challenges families face in accessing timely care, and how telepsychiatry can close critical gaps in treatment. She shares insights on improving access, reducing wait times, and supporting long-term outcomes for young patients.
This episode is sposored by Iris Telehealth.
In this episode, Dr. Fasal Tai, CEO of PsychPlus, shares his journey from psychiatry residency to building a nationwide mental health platform focused on technology, access, and outcomes. He discusses how PsychPlus is addressing the mental health crisis through same-day care, predictive AI, and a value-based model designed to reduce suicide and improve whole-person wellness.
This episode is sponsored by PsychPlus.
This episode features Dr. Karin Price, Chief of Psychology at Texas Children’s Hospital, who shares how the hospital is responding to the recent Central Texas floods by supporting employees, patients, and the broader community. She highlights strategies for behavioral recovery, emergency preparedness, and the importance of long-term trauma care and community resilience.
In this episode, Dorinda Mueller, CEO of Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health, shares how her clinical background and leadership are shaping innovative strategies in mental health care. She discusses the promise and challenges of AI integration, the growing need for youth-focused services, and the importance of workforce investment to drive quality outcomes.
This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Healthcare 2025 Behavioral Health Summit features Susannah Feinstein, Product Manager for Behavioral Health, Amwell. Susannah shares how Amwell is helping expand access to high-quality mental health care through integrated virtual solutions that support patients and providers alike in an era of workforce shortages and growing demand.
This episode is sponsored by Amwell.
This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Healthcare 2025 Behavioral Health Summit features Steve Biljan, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of evolvedMD, a national leader in Collaborative Care. Mr. Biljan shares how evolvedMD’s enhanced Collaborative Care model is expanding access to transformational mental health services. Delivering care that is embedded on-site and integrated in primary care, learn how one of America’s fastest growing behavioral health companies is both improving clinical outcomes and reducing total cost of care.
This episode is sponsored by evolvedMD.
This episode features Leah Blackwell, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, and Eric Clay, VP of Security for Memorial Hermann Health System. They share how clinical and security teams are partnering to address workplace violence, implement proactive safety strategies, and build a culture of support and respect for healthcare workers.
In this episode, Erica Carbajal speaks with Kevin Isaacs, Founder and President of Tribunus Health, about the urgent need for more equitable behavioral health reimbursement. Kevin shares how personal experiences shaped his mission to help providers negotiate sustainable payer contracts. He also dives into the power of data, price transparency, and strategic partnerships to level the playing field for independent behavioral health organizations.
This Episode is sponsored by Tribunus Health.
Chris Beamish, Service Line Executive for Mental Health and Addiction at Fairview Health Services, joins the podcast to share his personal journey into the mental health field and the inspiration behind his work. He discusses the current challenges facing mental health care, particularly around access to services, and highlights how Fairview Health is working to deliver top-tier support and treatment to patients in crisis.
In this episode, Aimee McCann, CEO and Founder of Banyan Mental Health Solutions, shares her vision for trauma-focused, research-driven mental health care. She discusses the gaps in access, challenges of traditional treatment models, and her mission to create innovative, insurance-accessible care for underserved populations.
In this episode, Caroline Carney, President of Behavioral Health and CMO at Magellan Health, discusses integrating behavioral and physical health, addressing social determinants, and expanding access through value-based and collaborative care models. She shares strategic insights on improving outcomes while navigating industry headwinds.
In this episode, Kristen Kichefski, Chief Nursing Officer at Bradley Hospital, shares how her team is addressing the psychiatric nursing shortage, strengthening workforce safety, and creating innovative career pipelines to support behavioral health across the Brown University Health System.
In this episode, Dr. Priyanka, Chief Medical Officer at Mindpath Health, joins Rylee Wilson to discuss the organization's push to improve mental health access, invest in clinician well-being, and leverage technology to ease the patient journey and support specialty care
In this episode, Rylee Wilson speaks with Dr. James O’Dea and Dr. J. Craig Allen of Hartford HealthCare about the future of behavioral health and addiction medicine. They discuss the critical importance of access to care, strategies for keeping patients engaged in treatment, and the latest advancements in addiction medicine, including new technologies and value-based care approaches.
In this episode, Tammer Attallah, Executive Clinical Director of the Behavioral Health Program at Intermountain Health, shares insights on improving access to behavioral health services, reducing emergency department strain, and leveraging AI to enhance clinical decision-making and reduce provider burnout.
In this episode, Thomas Otten, Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health Services, discusses Avera’s innovative approach to behavioral health, including the expansion of inpatient services, the launch of an urgent care model, and future initiatives like psychiatric residential treatment for adolescents.
In this episode, Dr. Manish Sapra, Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Service Line at Northwell Health, discusses innovative strategies to improve access to mental health care. From digital therapeutics to integrated care models and AI-driven solutions, Dr. Sapra shares how Northwell is addressing the growing demand for behavioral health services.
Dr. Scott Zeller, VP of Psychiatry at Vituity, joins Becker’s Healthcare to discuss the growing behavioral health crisis in emergency departments, the systemic challenges hospitals face, and the innovative care models reshaping psychiatric care delivery.
This episode is sponsored by Vituity.
In this episode, Kelsey Smith, Senior Director of Care Management and Behavioral Health Services at Providence Swedish, and Jenni O'Donnell, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health Integration at Swedish Medical Group, discuss the critical importance of caregiver well-being. They explore the impact of burnout, innovative support programs, and the future of well-being initiatives aimed at fostering resilience and retention in healthcare.
Natalie Schneider, Founding CEO of Fort Health, discusses the mental health challenges children face post-COVID and how collaborative care models are addressing these issues. She highlights the integration of psychiatry with pediatric care, ensuring that pediatricians remain at the center of a child’s mental health journey. Schneider also shares Fort Health’s unique approach—graduating children from therapy once they’ve met their goals, promoting long-term well-being.
In this episode, Dr. Colby Newsome, Director of Behavioral Health Pharmacy at Appalachian Regional Healthcare, discusses emerging opportunities in behavioral health, including long-acting injectables, substance use disorder treatment, and pharmacogenomics. He shares insights on improving medication adherence, expanding access to evidence-based treatments, and the future of psychedelic science in mental health care.
In this episode, Matt Brown, Chief Administration Officer and President at ARC Healthcare, discusses how ARC is transforming behavioral health and addiction recovery services. He shares insights on expanding telehealth, aligning outcome measures, and ensuring quality care in Kentucky’s evolving healthcare landscape.
In this episode, Dr. Mark Allen, Chairman of the American Board of Sports & Performance Psychiatry and newly appointed Medical Director of Psychiatry at EDCare, discusses his journey in psychiatry, the importance of specialized care for athletes with eating disorders, and the unique challenges faced in sports environments. He also highlights EDCare’s athlete-specific program and its innovative, multidisciplinary approach to recovery.
In this episode, Tammy Boyd, Chief Revenue Officer at Lakeside Neurologic, discusses the organization's holistic approach to neurorehabilitation, the challenges of staffing and payer systems, and key growth opportunities in post-acute care.
In this episode, Renee Rafferty, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health at Children's Nebraska, discusses the challenges and opportunities in pediatric behavioral health. She shares insights on expanding access to care, integrating mental health services into schools, and investing in innovative technologies and a diverse workforce to shape the future of behavioral health.
Join Mariah Muhammad from Becker’s Healthcare as she chats with Andy Flanagan, CEO of Iris Telehealth, about the biggest challenges and transformative strategies in behavioral health services. Learn about the critical components for a sustainable and scalable approach and how virtual care is shaping the future of behavioral health.
This episode is sponsored by Iris Telehealth.
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Jerstad, Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services at Children's Minnesota shares insights into her background & scope of her current role, the significant increase of mental health concerns in children & adolescents, behavioral health initiatives her organization is implementing today that she is excited about, and more.
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the experiences of Dr. Thomas Pineo, a medical director at UPMC Community Osteopathic, who shares his journey as part of the "lost generation" of autistic U.S. adults. Discover how his diagnosis has transformed his personal and professional life, including insights from his recent paper on caring for autistic adults in the inpatient setting. Gain valuable perspectives on the importance of advocating for and accommodating marginalized groups, drawn from Dr. Pineo's own leadership role in healthcare.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Caroline Carney, President of Behavioral Health and Chief Medical Officer at Magellan Health, as she shares her background and perspectives on current healthcare challenges. Caroline delves into the major issues of 2024, revealing her excitement and concerns, while also discussing the evolving traits necessary for effective healthcare leadership in the near future.
Robert Krayn, Co-founder and CEO of Talkiatry, provides a glimpse into his background and his commitment to adding value to mental health services. Krayn discusses the risks and investments worth considering in the current year, mental health innovation, and more!
Mental health disorders are the costliest health conditions in the United States, with annual spending over $200 billion. And even at that cost, fewer than 50% of Americans with mental health disorders and 10% experiencing substance use disorder accessed treatment in 2020. It’s no wonder: our fragmented healthcare system is daunting.
In this series, we’ll explore how a more integrated, collaborative approach to addressing mental and behavioral health can improve outcomes and reduce costs.
This collaborative care network approach strengthens relationships between health plans, hospitals, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) facilities, post-acute care facilities, and other behavioral and mental health providers to deliver consistent evidence-based care, while maximizing the impact of a limited behavioral health workforce.
In our first episode, Dr. Ben Zaniello, Chief Medical Officer, PointClickCare, will share how the entire healthcare ecosystem has a role and a responsibility to connect to help patients access behavioral health services across the continuum of need. Then, we’ll disco adsfasdfasdfver how University of Virginia Health is using technology to help patients with chronic medical and behavioral health conditions get the care they need, when they need it to improve outcomes and decrease costs associated with unnecessary hospitalizations and readmissions.
This episode is sponsored by PointClickCare.
Victoria Gore, a Coach at Holistic Recovery Services, joins the podcast to discuss what barriers to care she sees, patients' comfortability with their doctors, and nontraditional patient treatment plans.
This episode features Dr. Shayla Sullivant, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. Here, she discusses how the pandemic has affected children’s mental health, the importance of addressing mental health concerns in youth as early as possible, and more.
This episode features Stuart Archer, Chief Executive Officer at Oceans Healthcare. Here, he discusses what he is currently seeing in behavioral health, how Oceans Healthcare works with their community, their different partnerships, and more.
This episode features Steven Airhart, Group CEO, Hartgrove Behavioral Health System & Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital with Universal Health Services (UHS). Here, he discusses his background & what led him to UHS, the increase of mental health disorders in youth, staffing challenges, and more.
This episode features Dr. Brian Palmer, Psychiatrist at Allina Health. Here, he discusses the long-term effects of the pandemic on the mental health of adolescents, the advantages of telehealth for behavioral health, the need to better integrate health systems, and more.
This episode features Dr. Patrick Runnels, Chief Medical Officer of Population Health at University Hospitals & Vice Chair of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Here, he discusses the perspective he has as both a psychiatrist and a CMO of Population Health, the shortage of behavioral health professionals, the collaborative care model, and more.
In this episode, we are joined by Kyle Robertson, CEO and Founder of Cerebral, Inc. to discuss the importance of high-quality mental health care access, telehealth, what's next for Cerebral, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Cerebral.
This episode features Dr. Christopher Reist, Chief Medical Officer at Prairie Health. Here, he discusses data driven mental healthcare, the challenges of measuring depression, the need for better access to mental health services, and more.
This episode features Emily Snow, Director of Behavioral Health Initiatives at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Here, she discusses the increased suicide rates for individuals aged 10-34, the need to engage medical students early about psychiatry, the increase in opioid overdoses during the pandemic, and more.
This episode features Paul Sheesley, Psychotherapist & Consultant in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area. Here, he shares tips on how to deal with high stress, the importance of having a therapist that is the right fit, how having compassion makes for a better therapist, and more.