Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Dr. Christopher Newman, President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare
Host: Laura Deardo
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Dr. Christopher Newman, President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare, discussing his transition into the CEO role and the key initiatives reshaping his organization. Major topics include cultural transformation, workforce shortages, ambitions to become an academic health system, and new service lines to meet a rapidly growing community’s needs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Newman’s Background and Transition to CEO

• Internal Medicine Physician trained at Georgetown University.
• Career journey from primary care in rural Illinois to CMO and COO roles in large systems.
• Joined Mary Washington Healthcare in 2019 and was named CEO in March 2025.
• On the transition:
  Quote: “I underestimated the differences in the role and how really big the CEO role can be…it’s definitely much more external as well.” (02:16)

2. Cultural Transformation & Organizational Morale

• Cultural revitalization post-pandemic as a foremost initiative.
• Focused on reconnecting staff with the mission and elevating morale.
• Addressed the challenge of transactional work culture that emerged during the pandemic and remote work era.
• Results:
  • Certified as Great Place to Work for the 5th consecutive year
  • Recognized as a Forbes Top 200 Midsize Employer
  • 9% year-over-year increase in “faith in leadership” on internal surveys
    Quote: "That cultural transformation has to happen at the top…to create authentic relationships between the leadership team as well as to our frontline." (04:58)

3. Major Priorities: Workforce and Physician Shortages

• Acute provider shortage: ranks in 2nd percentile nationwide for physicians per capita.
• Rapid regional population growth exacerbates the shortfall.
• Massive effort to build a sustainable workforce pipeline.
• Initiatives include partnerships with local colleges, building graduate medical education programs, and plans for a regional medical school.
• Quote: “We have 1,000 physicians…but we need 2,000. We just can’t recruit fast enough to keep on top of it.” (06:47)
• Building new specialty residencies in cardiology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, rheumatology, anesthesia, general surgery, and primary care.

4. Transitioning to an Academic Health System

• Ambition to elevate from community to academic system.
• Partnership with University of Mary Washington to co-create a regional medical school.
• Public–private partnership model, seeking state support and philanthropic funding to keep tuition accessible.
• Emphasis on retaining local med students and residents in the region to address ongoing physician shortfalls.
• Quote: “We’re really looking to create a pipeline here in the Commonwealth for the Commonwealth.” (10:43)

5. Financial Challenges and Sustainability

• Loss of 340B status and other reimbursement changes bring financial strain.
• Anticipation of impacts from potential Medicaid disenrollment and rising contract labor costs.
• Balancing financial pressures, growth, and cultural changes is an ongoing challenge.
• Quote: “That’s hard work to do as you are also trying to increase the morale… and grow. So it’s a challenge to do all three simultaneously.” (12:30)

6. Building and Aligning the Leadership Team

• Several long-term C-suite members retired as Dr. Newman became CEO, requiring the formation of a largely new executive team.
• He prioritized alignment around vision and mission when selecting new leaders.
• Communication and cascading vision throughout the organization are critical, especially as clinical education responsibilities expand for all staff.
• Quote: “Communication is big. You can’t just say something once…getting everybody excited about the vision…is really a big part of what I do every day.” (14:00)

7. Growth Opportunities and Service Expansion

• Mary Washington Healthcare’s service area population has grown to over 500,000.
• New investments in advanced service lines: recently launched neurology/thrombectomy program, recruiting neurosurgeons, building capacity for tertiary/quaternary care.
• Focus on expanding ambulatory sites and primary care access in response to community’s growth.
• Quote: “We’re really being able to advance the sophistication of care so that people don’t have to leave this community to get care.” (15:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the responsibility of healthcare workers:
  “I have thousands of our associates and caregivers…working day and night through the holidays. There’s a challenge, but it’s also a great privilege to do the work that we do.” (04:07)

• On new ventures:
  “We are working through processes with our local and state officials on creating a medical school here regionally.” (07:43)

• On organizational transformation:
  “Transitioning from a community health system to an academic health system is change for everybody…all of our caregivers are now having to do some education.” (14:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Quote | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00 | Dr. Newman’s introduction and career path | | 02:16 | Differences in CEO vs. COO role | | 03:04 | Cultural transformation initiative and results | | 06:13 | Workforce shortages—Mary Washington ranks in the 2nd percentile for physicians per capita | | 07:46 | Plans and partnerships to build a medical school and expand clinical education programs | | 11:44 | Financial challenges—loss of 340B, contract labor and Medicaid reimbursement issues | | 13:22 | Leadership team rebuilding, communication, and vision cascade | | 15:13 | Opportunities for growth—tertiary/quaternary care expansion and ambulatory sites |

Conclusion

Dr. Newman’s episode is a candid look at the complexities and opportunities in today’s healthcare landscape. From stewarding culture and morale, navigating acute workforce shortages, pivoting toward academic medicine, and facing financial headwinds, Mary Washington Healthcare’s journey under Dr. Newman’s leadership offers valuable insights for health system leaders across the country.