Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast — Frances Monroe, Chief Administrative Officer at Triad HealthCare Network with Cone Health

Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Chanel Bunger (Becker's Healthcare)
Guest: Frances Monroe, Chief Administrative Officer, Triad HealthCare Network with Cone Health

Episode Overview

This episode features Frances Monroe, Chief Administrative Officer at Triad Healthcare Network with Cone Health. Frances discusses her background, emerging healthcare trends, the focus of her organization in 2025, recent accomplishments, and offers actionable leadership advice to listeners. The conversation offers insights into strategic directions in healthcare administration, innovations in technology, and the importance of community-centric care.

Guest Introduction & Organizational Mission

[00:23-01:32]

• Frances Monroe introduces herself, highlighting her background in operations, strategic planning, value-based care, and population health.
• She describes Triad Healthcare Network as a regional ACO working to “seamlessly coordinate and standardize care” while empowering providers to deliver quality healthcare.
• The organization centers its mission around improving access:

  “At Cone Health and with the Triad Healthcare Network, we believe good quality care is accessible care.” (Frances Monroe, 00:58)

Key Healthcare Trends of 2025

[01:45-02:49]

• CMS Decision-Making: Close attention to federal policy changes and their impact on value-based care and population health.
• Expansion of Value-Based Care: Exploring growth via organic operations, strategic partnerships, Medicaid expansions, and new waiver initiatives.
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence:
  • Integrating AI to make provider and patient experiences easier and more efficient.
  • Using AI resources to streamline operations and partnerships.

  “We can’t ignore the power, insights and capabilities of artificial intelligence ... how we can seamlessly integrate AI into our operations.” (Frances Monroe, 02:21)

Priorities and Excitement for the Second Half of 2025

[02:57-06:43]

• Focus on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Goals:

  • Advancing from the Triple Aim to the Quintuple Aim: improving provider well-being, patient experience, addressing social determinants of health, improving outcomes, and controlling costs.
  • Supporting providers’ well-being:

    “It is not an easy time to be in medicine ... help to remove those pebbles from their shoes before they become big boulders.” (Frances Monroe, 03:41)

• Emphasis on Population Health:

  • Improvement of patient outcomes, emphasis on prevention, early detection, and management of chronic conditions.
  • Coordination of care to avoid unnecessary procedures and hospitalizations, use of evidence-based practices.

• Access, Equity, and Cost:

  • Removing barriers and making quality care accessible to all.
  • Advancing health equity and measuring outcomes to drive improvement.

  “It’s imperative that we’re not only measuring those outcomes to enhance holistic wellness and well being of the populations that we serve.” (Frances Monroe, 06:40)

Recent Achievements & Shifts (Past 6–18 Months)

[07:04-08:42]

• Cultural and Technological Transformation:
  • While not citing a single project, Frances notes the shift toward stronger leader engagement and patient empowerment.
  • Adoption of tools like ambient listening for providers and value-based care guides.
  • Preparation for partnerships with organizations like Geisinger and Kaiser.

  “Our patients are asking a ton more questions and they should. We're utilizing AI to gain more knowledge ... it’s been really great to be able to see the engagement from our community members as well as our team members and leaders here.” (Frances Monroe, 07:52)

Leadership Advice for Healthcare Professionals

[08:57-12:45]

Frances shares a “top ten” list for emerging leaders:

• Curiosity: Maintain interest in all aspects of healthcare, beyond traditional settings.
• Continuous Learning: Stay on top of trends and foster creativity.
• Patient-Centric Advocacy: Keep patient well-being at the core of all actions.
• Perseverance: Understand the hard work required and commit to excellence.
• Pacing: Avoid burnout to remain effective and passionate in healthcare.
• Mental Health: Value mental well-being as central to holistic success.
• Grace and Compassion: Treat colleagues and community with understanding, prioritize questioning rooted in curiosity.
• First Impressions: Recognize their continued importance in professional interactions.
• Vigilance and Innovation: Embrace change, innovate alongside disruption.
• Authenticity: Know and uphold your values, aligning with organizations that resonate with your purpose.

  “Our minds are our central processing units ... speak life into the minds, our minds, for wisdom, discernment, embody the same health habits we encourage our patients to have.” (Frances Monroe, 10:26)
  “Innovation is being developed alongside disruption ... remember who you are, know it confidently, know it boldly.” (Frances Monroe, 12:14)

Closing Thoughts

[12:54-13:06]

• Frances encourages listeners to “stay curious, stay informed, and continue to hold us accountable as healthcare leaders and providers.”

  “We’re here to serve our communities.” (Frances Monroe, 13:04)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Help to remove those pebbles from their shoes before they become big boulders.”
  — Frances Monroe, on supporting clinicians, [03:41]

• “It is not an easy time to be in medicine ... it is up to us as administrators to support our physicians and our clinical partners.”
  — Frances Monroe, [03:27]

• “Our patients are asking a ton more questions and they should. We're utilizing AI to gain more knowledge ... it’s been really great to be able to see the engagement.”
  — Frances Monroe, [07:52]

• “Remember who you are, know it confidently, know it boldly ... hold on to your values.”
  — Frances Monroe, [12:14]

Key Timestamps

• 00:23: Frances Monroe’s background and Cone Health’s mission
• 01:45: Trends in healthcare (CMS, value-based care, AI)
• 02:57: Priorities for late 2025 — provider well-being, population health, costs, access
• 07:04: Reflections on recent accomplishments and healthcare culture shifts
• 08:57: Leadership advice — Frances’s “top ten” tips
• 12:54: Final thoughts — staying accountable and community-focused

Summary prepared for Becker’s Healthcare Podcast listeners and those interested in dynamic leadership, innovation, and value-based transformation in healthcare administration.