Becker’s Healthcare Podcast — Episode Summary

Guest: Dr. Afroz Hafeez, MD, MBA, Manager of Telemedicine, Rush University System for Health
Host: Grace Lynn Keller
Date: January 5, 2026
Location: Live at the 13th Annual CEO and CFO Roundtable

Episode Overview

This episode centers on innovative telemedicine strategies at Rush University System for Health, particularly in expanding access, improving health equity, and leveraging hybrid and virtual care models. Dr. Afroz Hafeez discusses growth strategies, impactful projects, and advice for healthcare executives navigating a changing digital health ecosystem.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Hafeez’s Background and Mission at Rush

• Rush University is a three-hospital system serving the west side of Chicago, an area marked by significant socioeconomic disparities and a notable life expectancy gap.
• Core Mission: Tackling health equity using telemedicine and digital health to bridge the access divide.

  "Health Equity is a big core of our mission and we're looking at a variety of avenues inclusive of telemedicine and other digital health opportunities to close that gap." —Dr. Hafeez (01:02)

2. Growth Strategy for Virtual Care (01:34)

• Rush has expanded telehealth services beyond urgent care to include primary and specialty virtual visits.
• State-line Expansion: Now serving Indiana (in person in Munster and virtually across regions).
• Launching Rush Connect Plus: a subscription-based service to increase reach and utilization.
• Focus on:
  • Hybrid virtual care models
  • ED (Emergency Department) virtual care track
  • Collaboration with community-based organizations for staff-model services

"We've expanded from urgent care to virtual primary and specialty as well, closing those access gaps that we previously had." —Dr. Hafeez (01:36)
"We're also doing a subscription based service with Rush Connect plus as an additional opportunity to grow across several regions through our partners." —Dr. Hafeez (02:21)

3. Most Exciting Initiative: Hybrid Virtual Care with Community Partners (02:57)

• Early data show strong outcomes partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs):
  • 63% of surveyed patients said the hybrid care prevented an ED visit.
  • 33% of patients were referred back into the Rush system.
• Plans to scale the model across Chicagoland and potentially nationwide to:
  • Enhance access for vulnerable populations
  • Reduce ED throughput burden

"Our findings include that 63% reported back in an after survey that this prevented them from going to the ED. And this also increased our referrals back into the system with 33%." —Dr. Hafeez (03:10)
"This might be a great model for across the country as well, to really align with community partners, increase access, as well as ease the throughput burdens that we face often, not especially in our ED." —Dr. Hafeez (03:23)

4. Advice for Healthcare Executives (03:48)

• Prioritize utilizing internal resources before seeking external partners:
  • This approach drives cost-efficiency and performance improvement.
  • Gaps discovered in this process can then be supplemented by vendor partnerships.

"I would encourage exploring ground up with the assets and resources we currently have. It'll offer cost efficiency, performance improvement." —Dr. Hafeez (03:49)
"Building ground up is still a possibility, especially with our virtual offerings and with several health systems already in tune with that, I think it's a significant opportunity." —Dr. Hafeez (03:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Equity-Driven Telehealth:
  "Health Equity is a big core of our mission and we're looking at a variety of avenues inclusive of telemedicine and other digital health opportunities to close that gap." (01:02)

• On Virtual Care Expansion:
  "We've expanded from urgent care to virtual primary and specialty as well, closing those access gaps that we previously had." (01:36)

• On Hybrid Care Impact:
  "63% reported back in an after survey that this prevented them from going to the ED. And this also increased our referrals back into the system with 33%." (03:10)

• On Building from Within:
  "Exploring ground up with the assets and resources we currently have...will offer cost efficiency, performance improvement." (03:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:52] Introduction: Guest background and Rush’s mission
• [01:34] Telemedicine growth and expansion strategy
• [02:57] Hybrid virtual care with community organizations
• [03:48] Executive advice for future-proofing organizations

Takeaway

Dr. Afroz Hafeez offers a clear vision for advancing digital health as a tool for health equity, emphasizing the strategic expansion of telehealth services, the power of community partnerships in hybrid care models, and the importance of internal innovation for sustainable growth. This episode provides actionable insights for healthcare leaders seeking to navigate and lead in the evolving virtual care landscape.