Podcast
Advancing Health
Hosted by American Hospital Association · EN
Advancing Health is the American Hospital Association’s award-winning podcast series. Featuring conversations with hospital and health system leaders and front-line staff, Advancing Health shines a light on the most pressing health care issues impacting patients, caregivers and communities.
79episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Feeding Health: The Fight Against Childhood Food Insecurity
2d ago00:15:15Summary readyFood insecurity affects far more than hunger. It influences physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and long-term outcomes for children and families. In this episode, Stormee Williams, M.D., senior vice president and chief health equity officer at Children's Health, shares how her team is identifying food insecurity, why access to healthy food matters just as much as access to food itself, and how partnerships with schools and food banks are helping create healthier futures for children across North Texas.
SummaryReal Solutions to Workplace Violence
1w ago00:11:01Summary readyWhat does it take to make hospitals safer for healthcare workers? In recognition of #HAVHope Day, Sarah Hunter, president of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, explores the innovative approaches her team is using to reduce workplace violence. From a simple but effective buddy system to stronger partnerships with public safety agencies and community leaders, hear real-world solutions that help healthcare workers focus on what they do best — caring for patients.
SummaryInnovative Models to Strengthen Behavioral Healthcare
1w ago00:19:34Summary readyAs demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, hospitals are searching for ways to expand both care and the care teams themselves. In this Leadership Dialogue conversation, Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist and the 2026 AHA board chair, speaks with John Santopietro, M.D., senior vice president at Hartford HealthCare and physician-in-chief of its Behavioral Health Network. They discuss the exciting programs that are strengthening the organization's behavioral health workforce, the new social worker mentorship models that foster education and teamwork, and the efforts to increase access while tackling staffing shortages across psychiatry, nursing and therapy services.
SummaryWhy Hospitals Must Use AI Responsibly
2w ago00:12:00Summary readyThe future of healthcare will be shaped not only by artificial intelligence, but by how thoughtfully organizations choose to implement it. In this conversation, Daniel Daly, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health at the Catholic Health Association, explores the ethical future of AI in medicine, why all efficiency should serve compassion, and what healthcare leaders must do to ensure AI strengthens person-centered care instead of replacing it.
SummaryThe New Model Predicting Teen Mental Health Risks
3w ago00:18:01Summary readyTeen mental health crises are rising — but what if providers could intervene before symptoms fully take hold? In this conversation, Duke University School of Medicine's Jonathan Posner, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Matthew Engelhard, M.D., P.h.D., assistant professor of the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, break down the "Duke PMA" — an AI-powered predictive model designed to identify adolescents at high risk for psychiatric illness. They explore how sleep, device use, and a myriad of other factors shape mental health risk, and how this technology could transform prevention, especially in underserved communities.
SummaryThe 5 Biggest Patient Safety Lessons for Health Care Boards
3w ago00:20:09Summary readyWhat should every hospital board member know about quality and patient safety? In this conversation, Elizabeth Mort, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Joint Commission, breaks down the five critical priorities boards must focus on — from quality metrics and risk transparency, to accreditation readiness and patient safety culture. Discover how stronger board leadership can help hospitals build safer systems, improve outcomes and stay ready for the challenges ahead.
SummaryMore Than Survival: Healing Trauma From Violence
May 1100:16:50Summary readyWhat happens after a survivor of violence leaves the hospital? For many patients, the physical wounds are only the beginning. In this conversation, Elinore Kaufman, M.D., medical director of the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program, and Michele Volpe, chief operating officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, share how hospital-based violence intervention programs are helping patients heal physically, emotionally and socially after traumatic injury. From preventing PTSD and depression to reducing repeat violent injuries, this innovative approach is connecting survivors and investing in whole-person trauma care throughout Pennsylvania's communities.
SummaryWhen Partnerships Bring Care Closer to Kids
May 600:17:09Summary readyFor families living in poverty, accessing health care can feel out of reach — buried beneath challenges like transportation, childcare and job insecurity. In this conversation, Alejandro Quiroga, M.D., president and CEO of Children's Mercy Kansas City, and Mary Esselman, president and CEO of Operation Breakthrough, explore how one innovative partnership in Kansas City is changing that reality by bringing true whole-person care directly to the children and families who need it most.
SummaryWords Matter: Reducing Stigma in Substance Use Disorder Care
May 400:20:13Summary readyFor millions facing substance use disorders, stigma isn’t just harmful — it’s a barrier to survival. In this conversation, three leaders from CommonSpirit Health explore how the organization is confronting stigma head-on through education, storytelling and culture change. They also reveal how shifting language, training and grassroots efforts are helping patients feel seen and heard on their road to recovery.
SummaryMenopause Matters: Closing Gaps in Care and Awareness
Apr 2900:18:29Summary readyMenopause affects half the population — yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas in modern health care. In this conversation, University of Illinois Chicago's Pauline Maki, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, and Makeba Williams, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, unpack why menopause care is finally having a breakthrough moment. They explore the real impact of menopause on the brain and body, the gaps in medical training, and what it will take to deliver better care. With women spending over 40% of their lives in post-menopause, the future of health care depends on getting this right.
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