Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Leadership, Compassion, and the Future of AI in Critical Care with Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa, Associate Regional Medical Director, Critical Care at Rush Health System; Senior Partner, Sound Physicians

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep-dive conversation with Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa, a leading critical care physician, on the evolving landscape of healthcare leadership, the compassionate side of medicine, and the revolutionary role of artificial intelligence in critical care. The discussion ranges from the personal journey of Dr. Hassaballa to practical leadership advice and nuanced perspectives on how technology is shaping—and challenging—human elements in medicine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Hassaballa’s Background & Role in Healthcare

• Dr. Hassaballa recounts his roots in Chicago and connection to Rush, highlighting a personal narrative of coming full circle—being born at Rush, training there, and returning to lead.
• His career journey saw private practice before returning to the Rush system and subsequently taking on regional leadership roles with Sound Physicians, overseeing both in-person and tele-critical care programs.
• Memorable moment: Discussing the challenges and trends of hospital consolidation and the shift from independent practices to hospital-employed models.
  (00:50–02:58)

2. Adoption and Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

• Main Trend: Rapid penetration of AI in clinical practices, particularly in documentation and diagnostics.
• Dr. Hassaballa describes using an AI scribe tool (Doximity) that radically improves the efficiency and quality of his medical documentation:
  • "I just talk to it and [it] generates paragraphs of words that it would take me forever to do if I had to sit there and type it myself." (03:30)
• EPIC’s AI summary tool at Rush Copley helps clinicians rapidly synthesize patient histories, saving time—especially impactful for busy specialists.
• AI can support physicians as diagnostic ‘co-pilots’:
  • "If this LLM can help me be a better diagnostician, why not?" (05:10)
• Dr. Hassaballa addresses initial resistance to AI, recounting how expert perspectives and positive personal experiences shifted his view.
• He cautions that while AI-chatbots may outperform in showing “empathy” in communication, the irreplaceable “human in the loop” must remain.
• Tension ahead: Predicts an "arms race" of AI between providers and payers, with competing algorithms trying to maximize (or curb) reimbursement—a situation he dubs "battle of the bots."
• Critical Point:
  • "Do I think AI is going to replace a doctor? I don't think so... The one thing a chatbot can’t do... is hold your hand and comfort you while your family’s dying in the hospital." (08:53)
    (03:21–07:19, 08:53–11:08)

3. The Unmatched Value of Human Compassion in Medicine

• Dr. Hassaballa shares a powerful perspective on compassion in healthcare:
  • Recounts how, after losing his child, it was the personal touch—“people holding my hand”—that made a difference.
  • "That’s a superpower that physicians and... nurses have that an AI chatbot can never do." (09:25)
• The experience of healing—seeing patients return grateful—acts as enduring motivation.
• Advocates continual growth at both the bedside and system level to maximize positive impact as a physician leader.

4. Advice to Emerging Healthcare Leaders

• Taking Opportunity in the Lulls:
  • "One of the rules I have in the ICU is to take the lulls when they come. Sometimes it's go, go, go... Other times, where there are lulls, you take them." (11:54)
    • Suggests using these moments for self-improvement, creative thinking, and staying productive.
• Authenticity and Purpose:
  • Dr. Hassaballa underlines gratitude for the privilege of practicing medicine, encouraging leaders to embrace their path and honor their vocation.
• Gratitude and Recognition:
  • He shares a shift in his own language—preferring "I appreciate you," rather than "I appreciate that," inspired by habits observed during his time working in the South.
  • “Show appreciation and gratitude for those around you... not for the things they do, but for the people themselves.” (14:41)
    (11:54–15:22)

5. Memorable Anecdotes

• Dr. Hassaballa shares a moving story of running the Chicago Marathon in honor of his late daughter, reinforcing the importance of gratitude, resilience, and purpose:
  • “Take a step back and take it all in… see what you’re doing and be grateful…” (13:55)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On AI in Practice:

  "I just talk to it and [it] generates paragraphs of words that it would take me forever to do if I had to sit there and type it myself."
  — Dr. Hassaballa (03:30)

• On Diagnostic AI:

  “If this LLM can help me be a better diagnostician, why not?”
  — Dr. Hassaballa (05:10)

• On AI’s Limits in Empathy:

  "The one thing a chatbot can't do... is hold your hand and comfort you while your family’s dying in the hospital."
  — Dr. Hassaballa (08:53)

• On Finding Meaning in Medicine:

  “That feeling is just indescribable. And that’s fuel and oxygen that can keep me sustained forever.”
  — Dr. Hassaballa (10:17)

• On Leadership and Taking Lulls:

  "Take advantage of the downtime... not scrolling for hours, but doing something productive."
  — Dr. Hassaballa (12:40)

• On Gratitude:

  “It’s also really important that we be grateful and express appreciation not for the things that they do, but for the people themselves… Now I say, I appreciate you, because of who you are.”
  — Dr. Hassaballa (14:41)

Key Timestamps and Segments

• 00:50–02:58: Dr. Hassaballa’s personal and professional background
• 03:21–07:19: AI’s role and evolution in healthcare and personal experience
• 07:19–08:53: Host’s reflections on AI and compassion in patient experience
• 08:53–11:08: Emotional intelligence, limitations of AI, and the future of bedside care
• 11:54–15:22: Advice to leaders, personal resilience, and embracing gratitude

Tone & Language

Throughout the episode, Dr. Hassaballa’s tone is warm, personal, and quietly inspirational—anchored in lived experience and humility. He speaks candidly about loss, hope, and the vocation of medicine, while offering practical optimism about technological change. The host, Scott Becker, frames questions with admiration and curiosity, drawing out actionable wisdom for listeners.

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its blend of forward-looking analysis on technology in healthcare and a heartfelt reminder of the power of human connection—both as a healer and a leader. Dr. Hassaballa challenges clinicians to harness AI responsibly, cultivate authentic compassion, and lead by example, all while practicing gratitude as a guiding principle.