Becker’s Healthcare Podcast with Julie Kline, Chief Human Resources Officer at Erie County Medical Center

Date: December 7, 2025
Host: Kelly Gooch, Senior Editor and Enterprise Lead at Becker’s
Guest: Julie Kline, CHRO at Erie County Medical Center

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kelly Gooch interviews Julie Kline, Chief Human Resources Officer at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), focusing on workforce strategy, employee retention, and the future of healthcare human resources. Julie shares her insights on workforce trends, innovative strategies for talent development, and the necessity of high standards in retaining top talent. She also provides practical advice for emerging healthcare leaders as the sector grapples with workforce challenges and evolving expectations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Julie Kline’s Background and Workforce Challenges

• [00:28] Julie brings extensive experience in workforce development across diverse healthcare settings, from metropolitan to rural and underserved locations.
• She highlights the compounded effects of workforce exits post-COVID and large-scale retirements, citing the statistic:

  “1 in 4 healthcare workers are leaving the field...we need to start planning for that.” — Julie Kline [00:50]

2. Top Workforce Trends in Healthcare

• [01:35 – 05:24] Julie emphasizes key trends reshaping healthcare HR:
  • Adoption of Predictive Technologies:
    Use of algorithms and AI to forecast staffing needs and model workforce scenarios.

    “More organizations are using algorithms and historical information to really predict what future staffing models should be about. And seeing how AI is going to play a huge positive role…” — Julie Kline [02:05]

  • Innovative Education Models:
    Shift from conventional degree timelines to “stackable competency” programs focused on critical, job-relevant skills.

    “Instead of sitting down and going to that liberal arts class...these universities are using this stackable competency model that really trains people to hone in on...the critical skills.” — Julie Kline [02:44]

  • Long-Term Professional Development Plans:
    Career pathways starting as early as eighth or ninth grade, allowing flexible shifts in trajectory to retain satisfaction and alignment.

    “These organizations are saying…the moment you know that you are going to be entering the workforce…we actually partner with students to say we’re going to create what the next 15 years is going to look like for you…” — Julie Kline [03:36]

3. ECMC’s Approach to Talent Retention

• [05:52 – 08:02] ECMC, as a Level 1 trauma center in Buffalo, faces unique challenges, including attracting and retaining talent despite difficult weather and economic issues.
• Julie’s proudest achievement:
  • Identifying as a high-standard employer with rigorous expectations, which attracts and retains top talent.

    “When you have higher standards, the top talent will live up to those higher standards.” — Julie Kline [06:53]

  • Contrasts ECMC’s approach to organizations lowering standards post-pandemic, highlighting ECMC’s success with:
    • Only an 8% voluntary turnover rate, with expectations for further improvement [07:40].

    “We only have an 8% voluntary turnover…we expect that to continue to go down while the quality of our workforce goes up.” — Julie Kline [07:48]

4. Advice to Evolving Healthcare Leaders

• [08:17 – 09:58] Julie urges leaders to prioritize creativity and innovative thinking in HR:

  “How do you bring creativity to finding solutions related to how are you going to attract people, how are you going to retain people?...We need the new thinkers that are willing to explore things in different ways.” — Julie Kline [08:27]

• ECMC is exploring the implementation of positive psychology in the workforce, focusing on:
  • Lifelong learning
  • Giving back
  • Relationship building
• She connects these elements to workforce longevity and resilience:

  “By applying those positive psychology attributes into our workforce, that brings a creativity and an ingenuity that I would love to see more evolving leaders bringing forward to their organizations.” — Julie Kline [09:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We need the new thinkers that are willing to explore things in different ways.” — Julie Kline [08:30]
• “When you have higher standards, the top talent will live up to those higher standards.” — Julie Kline [06:53]
• “We only have an 8% voluntary turnover…we expect that to continue to go down while the quality of our workforce goes up.” — Julie Kline [07:48]
• “By applying those positive psychology attributes into our workforce, that brings a creativity and an ingenuity…” — Julie Kline [09:07]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:28 – Julie Kline introduces her background and key workforce trends
• 01:35 – Discussion of predictive tech, education models, and professional development
• 05:52 – ECMC’s retention strategy and raising organizational standards
• 08:17 – Leadership advice: creativity and positive psychology
• 09:58 – Closing comments and gratitude

Summary

Julie Kline highlights both the persistent and emerging challenges facing healthcare HR—from mass exits and retirements to rapidly evolving workforce needs. Her focus on innovation, data-driven staffing, stackable competencies, and culture-driven retention provides a roadmap for healthcare organizations confronting similar issues. ECMC’s commitment to maintaining high standards, supporting robust professional development, and fostering creativity/positive psychology in teams has paid off in exceptional retention and workforce quality.

For healthcare leaders and HR professionals, Julie’s message is clear: embrace innovation, invest in people, and hold firm to high expectations—the results will speak for themselves.