Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Healthcare Transformation – Fostering the Next Era of Care Delivery

Host: Lucas Voss, Becker's Healthcare
Guest: Brahim Santos, U.S. Segment Leader for Healthcare, Schneider Electric
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast explores the transformation of healthcare delivery through the integration of advanced technologies. Lucas Voss hosts Brahim Santos of Schneider Electric to discuss the challenges and opportunities of technology implementation in healthcare institutions. The conversation highlights the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, breaking down silos, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both clinical and operational settings. Insights are drawn from a recent interactive workshop at Becker's CEO/CFO Roundtable, emphasizing real-world engagement from healthcare leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Schneider Electric and Their Role in Healthcare

• Schneider Electric's Focus:
  • Specializes in electrification, energy technology, and infrastructure for major institutions, especially healthcare.
  • Solutions cover power distribution, energy monitoring, and advanced control systems.
  • "We specialize in everything that has to do with electricity, if you will, and the electrification of major institutions, and especially in this case, healthcare." – Brahim Santos [00:32]
• Often an Unseen Partner:
  • Many organizations benefit from Schneider’s solutions without realizing who’s behind the technology.

Workshop Recap – Engaging Leaders in Transformation

• Session Format & Participation:
  • Interactive workshop at Becker’s CEO/CFO roundtable included CEOs, CFOs, and project leaders.
  • Discussion-driven, hands-on format with word clouds and flip charts encouraged active engagement.
    • "There was a lot of participation. There's a lot of workshopping going on." – Lucas Voss [02:29]
• Attendee Composition:
  • Audience included high-level executives (CFOs, CEOs) from diverse healthcare institutions.

Overcoming Siloes – Who Owns Tech Integration?

• Current Landscape:
  • Healthcare technologies (EHRs, room controls, etc.) typically operate in silos, each under different departments.
  • Integration is limited, with stakeholders often unaware of how interconnected systems can drive efficiency.
    • "Often it's very siloed … designed and deployed in a siloed manner." – Brahim Santos [04:11]
• Need for Broader Ownership:
  • Workshop revealed that successful tech deployments need voices from multiple disciplines—not just IT or facilities, but finance and executive leadership as well.

Takeaways from the Workshop

• CFOs Want Deeper Involvement:
  • One CFO expressed a desire to engage beyond approval and oversight, aiming to understand and advocate for technology’s intended impact.
    • "She made it very clear that she's not just concerned about the numbers. She wants to be part of it so she can kind of understand what it's used for." – Brahim Santos [06:18]
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration is Crucial:
  • Group scenarios highlighted the benefits of including varying perspectives early in technology planning.
  • Participants realized the value in having diverse voices—from clinical, operational, facilities, and finance—contribute to system integrations.
    • "It was great to see … individuals that don't do this on a daily basis to get into the weeds. … All the brains working and identifying and things were uncovered and realized." – Brahim Santos [06:56]

Trends in Healthcare Technology: Looking to 2026 and Beyond

• The Rise of AI in Healthcare:
  • AI is top-of-mind, but discussions often focus on its clinical roles; Santos urges a look at facility and operational uses as well.
    • "If there's one thing just holistically that I think is going to come out of it … there is a huge opportunity to peer behind that curtain." – Brahim Santos [08:20]
• Operational Integration for Better Outcomes:
  • Efficient facility management (energy, space, logistics) supported by AI and smart systems ties directly to improved patient outcomes.
  • Schneider Electric sees this “back of house” focus as a major area for technological advancement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Hidden Role of Technology Providers:
  "I always say that I feel as though a lot of people work with us and have no idea that they do." – Brahim Santos [00:32]
• Benefits of Collaborative Workshops:
  "It definitely was a mix of individuals who really wanted to learn. … It was some really powerful leaders who wanted to understand a little bit more of the nerdy aspects that we at Schneider offer." – Brahim Santos [02:46]
• Bringing Executives Into the Tech Conversation:
  "If something comes across someone's desk and they don't have an understanding of what it is, maybe that's their input in understanding what the overall mission of this synergy is so they can also be a proponent of it and back it." – Brahim Santos [06:28]
• Outlook on AI:
  "Can't have any kind of discussion without even mentioning the two letters of AI. … There’s a lot of conversations about the front of house aspect … but there is a huge opportunity to peer behind that curtain." – Brahim Santos [08:10]
• Looking Ahead:
  "I see an AI workshop on the horizon with lots of flip charts and lots of participation." – Lucas Voss [09:36]

Key Timestamps

• [00:32] – Introduction to Schneider Electric’s work in healthcare
• [01:27] – Goals and audience of the Chicago workshop
• [02:46] – Workshop participation and “who’s in the room?”
• [04:11] – Discussion on siloes in hospital technology systems
• [06:01] – Takeaways regarding the need for broad collaboration
• [08:10] – Emerging trends: AI’s role beyond clinical applications
• [09:36] – Future focus: upcoming AI workshops and continued collaboration

Tone & Closing

The episode maintains a candid, insightful tone, with Brahim Santos expressing both expertise and personal passion for technology’s human impact in healthcare. The session leaves listeners with a clear sense that the future of care delivery depends on cross-disciplinary teamwork and the strategic, thoughtful implementation of emerging technologies—particularly as AI takes on broader roles.

For continued insights on healthcare transformation, tune into more episodes from Becker’s Healthcare Podcast.