Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Dr. Prathibha Varkey, President of Mayo Clinic Health System
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Laura Dardo

Episode Overview

This episode features Dr. Prathibha Varkey, President of Mayo Clinic Health System. The conversation explores the vital role of culture in health system transformation, especially during times of organizational and financial pressure. Dr. Varkey shares actionable strategies for leaders to foster engagement, build trust, and sustain transformation amidst rapid change, drawing from Mayo Clinic’s own journey.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Critical Role of Culture in Healthcare Transformation

• People Over Processes or Technology
  Dr. Varkey emphasizes that people are the heart of healthcare transformation:

  "People, not processes or technology, are the real engine and magic behind healthcare transformation and turnaround." (01:27)

• Post-Pandemic Challenges and the Need for Culture

  • Ongoing workforce shortages, financial pressures, and increasing patient complexity mean technical fixes are insufficient.
  • Strong culture is essential to avoid fear and fragmentation during change.

• Alignment With Core Mission

  • At Mayo Clinic, the guiding North Star remains:

    "The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered." (02:32)

  • Clarity of purpose and alignment around patient care simplify tough decisions and sustain transformation.

Early Signs of Cultural Issues in Health Systems

• Observable Symptoms

  • Reduced team engagement, increased silos, and blame culture.
  • Silence and lack of feedback are serious red flags for disengagement.
  • Attrition, burnout, and tunnel vision on deliverables over mission signal unhealthy culture.

  "When people engage less with each other, spend more time in silos, or are increasingly engaged in anecdotes, often intermixed with anxiety, cynicism and blame, there is likely a culture issue at hand... Another symptom of culture breakdown is silence." (03:43)

• Hopeful Perspective

  • Dr. Varkey notes urgency and empathy can coexist; inspiring leaders and transparent communication can rapidly scale culture.

Practical Steps for Leaders During Change

• Focus on People, Not Just Technical Change

  • Lasting transformation requires attention to belonging and well-being—not just process.
  • Quote:

    "No one is big enough to be independent of others." – W.J. Mayo (06:27, paraphrased)

• Three Guiding Principles for Change

  1. Communicate Early and Often
     • Even without all the answers, transparency matters. Share strategy and vision clearly for alignment.
  2. Leadership Visibility
     • Presence is crucial in tough times. Rounding, town halls, and small-group listening sessions foster candid two-way dialogue.
  3. Reinforce Shared Purpose
     • Continuously connecting teams to the "why" behind the work grounds everyone through disruption.

  "Reminding teams of the why, the why the work matters for patients, for communities, and for each other keeps people grounded when change feels disruptive and constant." (07:48)

• Transformation Is a Marathon

  • Realistic timelines and patience are vital for sustainable culture change.

Real-World Example: Cultural Integration at Mayo Clinic Health System

• Deliberate Cultural Change

  • Five years ago, Mayo Clinic Health System moved from an affiliation of hospitals/clinics to a truly integrated system with shared leadership and strategy.

  "This deliberate cultural transformation... has completely transformed the way we operate and think across Mayo Clinic Health System and has created sustainable impact on quality, safety, digital and AI innovation as well as financial performance at scale." (09:53)

• Measurable Impact

  • Improved recruitment and attrition, enhanced quality, safety, and innovation, with teams collaborating to solve challenges and share expertise.

Actionable Advice for Organizations Feeling Stuck

• Start Small and Be Intentional

  • Focus on one or two priorities, communicate them clearly, and follow through.
  • Providing resources and consistency builds trust and momentum, enabling transformation to become self-sustaining.

  "Start small and to be intentional. Perhaps start by considering your key priorities as an institution and commit to a strategic focus on one or two priorities consistently." (11:15) "When momentum builds, real transformation becomes possible and is subsequently then led by the people themselves." (11:35)

• Remember the Human Element

  • People are the "secret sauce." Hope, compassion, perseverance, and discipline foster the resilience needed for excellence.

  "Let us remember that people are the secret sauce, that hope, compassion, perseverance and discipline creates resilience where excellence, innovation, people, communities and patients thrive." (11:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Culture as a Strategic Accelerator:

  "Culture is a strategic accelerator and a key sustainability quotient in both bold transformation and turnarounds." – Dr. Varkey (02:52)

• On Building Trust During Change:

  "Leadership presence matters most when decisions are hard." – Dr. Varkey (07:05)

• On Transformation as a Journey:

  "Transformation is a marathon, not a sprint." – Dr. Varkey (08:02)

Important Timestamps

• [01:27] – Defining cultural transformation and its necessity
• [03:43] – Early warning signs of trouble with culture
• [05:56] – Practical steps for leaders to rebuild trust and engagement
• [09:03] – Example of Mayo Clinic’s culture-focused transformation and outcomes
• [11:15] – Advice for organizations feeling stuck in their journey

Summary

The conversation with Dr. Prathibha Varkey offers a powerful, practical perspective on the pivotal role of culture in healthcare transformation. Drawing from Mayo Clinic’s deep experience, she underscores the essential need for leaders to focus on people, clear and frequent communication, visible leadership, and a relentless focus on organizational purpose. Actionable insights and real-world examples provide a blueprint for other health systems navigating similar challenges—reminding listeners that sustainable change is, first and always, about empowering and engaging people.