Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary

Guest: Dr. Dan Hackner, MD, Chief Clinical and Academic Officer, Southcoast Health
Host: Laura Deardo, Becker's Healthcare
Release Date: December 30, 2025

Main Theme

This episode explores how Southcoast Health, led by Dr. Dan Hackner, has leveraged data-driven transformation and strategic partnerships to drive clinical excellence, improve patient experience, and foster innovation, all within the unique context of a high-performing community health system.

About Dr. Dan Hackner & Southcoast Health

[01:06 – 03:25]

• Southcoast Health is a nonprofit health system serving 700,000 patients in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, operating three hospitals and multiple specialized centers (oncology, trauma, brain & spine, memory, cardiac, robotics).
• The system is CMS four-star rated, recognized for digital advancement as a CHIME Level 10 “most wired” system and ACR AI center of excellence.
• Dr. Hackner’s background includes clinical leadership, physician performance management, education, and academic appointments at UMass Chan.
• His career emphasizes clinical excellence, data-driven management, and resilience in physician practice.

“So that's a little bit about me and South Coast.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [03:25]

Key Initiatives & Results

[03:38 – 05:37]

• Multi-Year Performance and Reporting Effort: Led to a second star rating upgrade (CMS) in 2-3 years and won the 2025 NRC Award for Excellence in Patient Experience.
• Data-Driven Process Improvement:
  • Transparent digital whiteboards to track patient throughput
  • Daily care progression and safety huddles to report issues and celebrate harm avoidance
  • Recognition programs for compassionate care
  • Emphasis on concurrent data use, engaged discussion, and empowered staff participation.
• Board Engagement: Over a third of their board’s scorecard now ties directly to quality and experience metrics.

“The work is data driven, employs robust process improvement approaches… a balance between hardwiring technology, but also a deep attention to human factors work.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [03:59]

Embracing Technology and Change

[06:09 – 08:04]

• Challenges: Some initial hesitancy among staff regarding deep data transparency and technological integration.
• Cultural Transformation:
  • Improved data readiness and literacy across the organization
  • Board and staff now expect data-driven safety and quality analysis (e.g. fishbone diagrams, debriefings, root cause analysis)
  • Expanding staff ability to lead safety and RCA initiatives
  • Commitment to psychological safety, trust, and a safety culture

“It requires trust, it requires working through our comfort or discomfort… but in the end… there is definitely gratification in seeing these community teams advance the mission.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [07:38]

Strategic Priorities for 2026

[08:16 – 10:11]

• Capital Investments: Major capital enhancements in heart and vascular, oncology, brain & spine, and primary care.
• Research Growth: Anticipates double-digit growth in clinical research.
• Innovation Hub – Compodio:
  • Rolling out new healthcare applications and data management tools, building on a decade of EPIC experience
  • Launching applications to support dementia caregivers—integrated into EPIC MyChart and in multiple languages
  • Partnerships with Advicare and others for cognitive and caregiver support tools

“Compodio will also launch products with partners… to support caregivers, and integrate applications and education within EPIC MyChart so that other organizations can easily adopt affordable solutions.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [09:18]

Leveraging Partnerships and Addressing Community Needs

[10:56 – 13:50]

• Bridging Community and Academic Innovation:
  • Southcoast’s expertise with EPIC and data migration allows them to help other community hospitals adopt advanced EHR solutions.
  • Identified education/resource gaps for dementia caregivers—built solutions for multilingual and non-clinical users.
• Focus on Impact: Marriage of internal capabilities with external partnerships to innovate for better community healthcare.

Anticipating Headwinds for 2026

[14:12 – 15:12]

• Primary Concern: Worsening affordability/eligibility in health insurance, even in a coverage-rich state like Massachusetts.
• Increased Demand: Expecting a rise in patients new to Southcoast due to external service reductions.
• Biggest Challenge: Maintaining early access to care and clinical excellence amidst a “colder” healthcare market.

“The hardest thing will be maintaining access to patients early to avoid progression of disease and being left out in the cold by an increasingly cold market.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [14:47]

Collaborative Opportunities & Growth

[15:46 – 20:47]

• Community Collaboration:
  • Southcoast engages in economic impact analysis and partners with local organizations to improve clinical navigation and care coordination.
  • Stresses the need for humility and openness—while they are dominant regionally, collaboration is essential for community impact.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • Close work with academic medical centers, FQHCs, companies, chambers of commerce, and governments.
  • Example: Partnership with City of New Bedford for recovery coaching and with others for neonatal abstinence syndrome support.
  • Ongoing fruitful relationship with Boston Children’s Hospital for pediatric care—allows for local care and access to specialized tertiary services.
  • Collaborations for stroke care and clinical trials extend specialty care to the community.

“It’s that recognition that you can do more together, even sometimes with competitors.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [19:33]

“We educate over 300 physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses… And those collaborations are really essential for the health of the… workforce in the future.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [20:03]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|-----------| | 03:59 | “The work is data driven… but also a deep attention to human factors work.” | Dr. Hackner | | 07:38 | “It requires trust… but in the end… gratification in seeing these community teams advance the mission.” | Dr. Hackner | | 14:47 | “The hardest thing will be maintaining access to patients early to avoid progression of disease and being left out in the cold by an increasingly cold market.” | Dr. Hackner | | 19:33 | “It’s that recognition that you can do more together, even sometimes with competitors.” | Dr. Hackner | | 20:03 | “Those collaborations are really essential for the health of the… workforce in the future.” | Dr. Hackner |

Final Reflections

[21:08]

• Dr. Hackner values the exchange of ideas at conferences, citing real-life benefits (like electronic whiteboards) derived from networking.
• The episode closes with optimism for future collaboration and the ongoing necessity of innovation and shared learning among healthcare leaders.

“I always come away with something able to bring back to the health system. A good example of that is our electron whiteboards, which came out of a chance encounter and being able to test some of the technology.” — Dr. Dan Hackner [21:12]

Summary prepared for listeners seeking actionable insights on data-driven health system transformation, resilient leadership, community-centered innovation, and the vital role of partnerships in navigating persistent industry headwinds.