Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Interview with Molly Moran, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Nursing at Rush University Medical Center
Date: February 1, 2026
Host: Laura Deardle, Becker's Healthcare
Guest: Dr. Molly Moran, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Nursing, Rush Medical Group
Episode Overview
This episode centers on Dr. Molly Moran’s insights into the evolution of ambulatory nursing within Rush University Medical Center, exploring how economic, policy, and workforce challenges are transforming nursing practice. Dr. Moran details how her team is redefining roles, improving access, and focusing on quality and equity amidst the increasing complexity of patient needs and system integration.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background and Role at Rush
- Dr. Moran leads ambulatory nursing across a complex, multispecialty medical group, overseeing over 100 sites and serving more than 2 million patients annually.
- Her work emphasizes the intersection of clinical practice, operations, quality, and strategy, especially within the ongoing integration of multiple legacy groups.
- Quote:
“My work...sits really where clinical practice, operations, quality and strategy intersect. I love my work...because it’s really where decisions translate most directly into safer patient care, better outcomes, and a more supported workforce.”
— Molly Moran (01:24)
2. Trends Impacting Ambulatory Nursing (03:31–14:17)
Economic & Policy Shifts
- Rising healthcare costs and federal policy changes threaten patient coverage and destabilize access.
- Structural inequities, especially in Chicago’s West Side, lead to delayed care, missed services, and more advanced diseases.
- Quote:
“It’s about the structural inequities for patients...these gaps aren't always about geography.”
— Molly Moran (03:56)
Redefinition of Access
- Access is now a core quality issue, not just a scheduling concern.
- Ambulatory clinics often serve as the primary or only touchpoint for patients with coverage instability.
- The stakes for timely clinical decision-making and care continuity are higher than ever.
Nurse-Led Innovations
- Registered nurses are central to access through telephone triage, care coordination, and proactive outreach.
- Results from nurse-led telephone triage:
- Over 60% reduction in unnecessary emergency department (ED) utilization in four years.
- Faster triage for high-risk symptoms and better conversion to appropriate care settings.
- Frees up clinic capacity for those needing in-person care.
- Quote:
“Nurse-led telephone triage isn’t a nice to have anymore. It’s really foundational to our care delivery model.”
— Molly Moran (08:13)
Standardization & Digital Communication
- System-wide standardization of annual wellness and transitions of care visits improves prevention and continuity.
- Emphasis on MyChart responsiveness—both speed and quality—to build trust and improve patient engagement.
- RN & MA communication scores improved from 94.8 to 96.3 over 18 months, outperforming expectations.
- Quote:
“Every message, in my opinion, is an opportunity for us to build trust with our patients.”
— Molly Moran (10:57)
Workforce Stability
- Workforce engagement and support are inseparable from care quality.
- As complexity rises, high-reliability teams and leadership become central to sustaining quality.
- Quote:
“High reliability isn’t about just what we achieve, but having that supported, engaged workforce.”
— Molly Moran (13:29)
3. Looking Ahead: Integration and Nurse Leadership (15:09–21:31)
System Integration
- Focus on integrating legacy groups, pausing to assess patient needs for the next decades—not just amalgamating existing practices.
- Primary care's evolution: patients living longer, managing chronic illnesses, requiring ongoing coordination beyond episodic visits.
Shifting Staffing & Roles
- Transitioning away from rigid, transactional staffing (“plug and play”) toward flexible, competency-based deployment.
- Reframing the staffing question to “What is the work and who is best equipped to do it?”
- Introduction of nurse navigators in diverse specialties, expanding their traditional oncology role to improve care coordination.
System-level Approach & Strategic Partnerships
- Intentional daily recommitment from leaders to redefine nursing excellence and align structures.
- Nursing now serves as a strategic partner in value-based care, demonstrating measurable impacts on access, experience, and sustainability.
- Quote:
“Nursing-led work is no longer viewed as ancillary, is increasingly recognized as essential to how we manage our populations...That cultural shift supported by real outcomes has been incredibly energizing for our team.”
— Molly Moran (20:38)
4. Leading Organizational Change & Team Resilience (22:19–24:02)
- Success in transition relies on intentional, curious leadership (“Be curious, not judgmental” – quoting TED Lasso line).
- Creating space for curiosity uncovers root issues and barriers, leading to sustainable improvement and stronger relationships.
- Quote:
“If we’re really going to change the way that we deliver care, we have to create a space of curiosity to understand what’s actually happening, what barriers exist and what our teams need to be successful.”
— Molly Moran (23:14)
5. Advice for Evolving Healthcare Leaders (24:22–26:43)
- Previous strategies are inadequate for today’s complexity—leaders must question legacy models, shed “sacred cows,” and redesign intentionally.
- Bold, disciplined innovation matters, whether in big initiatives or everyday routines.
- Empower frontline teams to practice at top of license and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working.
- Quote:
“Leadership isn’t just about decisions. It’s about what you pay attention to. It’s about what you tolerate and what you consistently reinforce. For me, when leaders combine curiosity with courage...you can create cultures where patients and teams can truly thrive.”
— Molly Moran (26:09)
Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On equity and system transformation:
“Chicago’s west side is not an isolated story. It really...is an early and amplified signal of what policy shifts, rising costs, and coverage instability are creating for communities across the country.”
— Molly Moran (04:43) -
On clinical team evolution:
“Registered nurses in the clinic are no longer just a support function, but they’re a critical strategy for how we improve patient outcomes, access to care, and overall care coordination.”
— Molly Moran (16:42) -
On leadership mindset:
“Be curious, not judgmental.”
— Molly Moran, quoting TED Lasso (22:37) -
On intentional leadership:
“Evolving leaders must be willing to question those legacy models, to let go of those sacred cows and...redesign both care and leadership practices with intention.”
— Molly Moran (24:57)
Notable Segments & Timestamps
- [01:24] Introduction & Dr. Moran’s role at Rush
- [03:31] Current healthcare trends and economic/policy impact
- [06:44] Role and outcomes of nurse-led telephone triage
- [10:28] Digital communication and patient engagement outcomes
- [13:29] Workforce stability and high reliability teams
- [15:09] Integration of legacy groups & future-facing nursing
- [17:19] Evolving staffing models & nurse navigator expansion
- [20:38] Nursing as a strategic partner in value-based care
- [22:19] Leading through change: “be curious, not judgmental”
- [24:22] Advice for leaders: embracing innovation and intention
Tone
Molly Moran’s tone throughout is thoughtful, forward-thinking, and candid, often blending a strategic outlook with practical examples and personal leadership philosophy. The conversation is substantive and collegial, focused on actionable insights and transformative leadership.
Summary Value
This episode delivers valuable insights for healthcare leaders, nurses, and executives interested in how ambulatory care models and leadership strategies are evolving to meet future demands, address equity, and build a resilient workforce. The practical innovations and mindset shifts presented by Dr. Moran exemplify the proactive, nuanced leadership needed to navigate the ongoing transformation of U.S. healthcare.