Episode Overview
Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Lisa Scardina, Chief Strategy Officer, Providence, Provider Solutions and Development
Host: Grace Lynn Keller
Release Date: January 3, 2026
This episode features a deep-dive interview with Lisa Scardina, Chief Strategy Officer at Providence Provider Solutions and Development (PS&D). The conversation focuses on strategic adaptation in healthcare recruitment, the evolving role of technology, particularly AI, and the importance of authentic connections in leadership. The dialogue also highlights practical strategies for hospital and health system executives to cultivate organizational success amidst industry challenges.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction and Lisa Scardina’s Background
- Lisa’s Experience: Over 20 years with Providence in diverse roles across regional and system levels. Developed particular passion for supporting physicians through marketing, strategy, and business development, and especially as Chief Administrative Officer for the Oregon region’s medical group.
- Perspective on Provider Solutions & Development (PS&D): PS&D is a Providence-owned LLC serving 30+ partners nationwide, focused on matching physicians/providers with the right organizations—as Lisa calls it, a “sacred moment” crucial for healthcare quality and community health.
- Quote:
“Matching physicians and providers into those settings is really just a sacred moment of ensuring that the physicians and providers are set up for success and those organizations are set up for success.”
—Lisa Scardina [01:31]
- Quote:
Growth Strategy and Vision for PS&D
- Key Focus: Moving beyond mere sustainability into transformational strategies to meet both provider and organizational needs amid mounting industry pressures.
- New Offerings & Approaches:
- Lowering barriers for partner engagement
- Leveraging marketing assets in innovative ways to benefit partners
- Meeting physicians/providers "where they’re at," reinforcing the core mission of “building healthier communities one provider at a time”
- Adapting to meet evolving challenges such as provider shortages
- Emphasis on personalized recruitment and support
- Quote:
“We really want to meet physicians and providers where they’re at and help those organizations bring in the providers, the doctors that they need for their communities.”
—Lisa Scardina [02:44]
Exciting Initiatives: Technology & Human Connection
- Technology’s Role, Especially AI:
- Recognizes industry-wide learning curve with AI; now seeing real benefits in practice settings and recruitment
- Application of AI to segment audiences, enhance communication, and ultimately strengthen human relationships between recruiters and providers
- AI as a tool not to replace, but to deepen, authentic connection—key in impactful recruitment
- Quote:
“There are some proven technologies now that will ultimately enable our recruiters to deepen their relationships with the doctors.”
—Lisa Scardina [03:47] - Quote:
“If we can use technology in that way, how can that then unlock more of a human connection to along the way in the relationship building?”
—Lisa Scardina [04:33]
Leadership and Organizational Success
- Top Advice for Healthcare Leaders:
- Center decisions around the “voice of the customer,” meaning heightened focus on both patient and provider experiences
- Importance of authentic leadership practices: transparency, direct feedback, “rounding” (visiting teams in-person or virtually to gather feedback), and unscripted conversations
- Noted improvements in team engagement scores during challenging times, attributed to transparency and direct engagement
- Model Leadership Example:
- References Eric Wexler from Providence, who replies to every email and remains deeply connected to frontline staff
- Warns against allowing meetings/projects to diminish real human connection in leadership
- Quote:
“When we’re just having real conversations and connecting with each other without agendas and task lists… it kind of just enlivens the workplace.”
—Lisa Scardina [06:24] - Quote:
“We can get caught up in meetings and projects and kind of forget about the opportunity to just have that human connection.”
—Lisa Scardina [06:47]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On setting up organizations and providers for sustainable success:
“Matching physicians and providers into those settings is really just a sacred moment...”
—Lisa Scardina [01:31] -
On mission-driven growth and personalized recruitment:
“Our mission is building healthier communities one provider at a time.”
—Lisa Scardina [02:51] -
On AI’s role in both efficiency and connection:
“Recruitment is just as is all of healthcare, but in the recruitment space, having that authentic connection with our physicians and providers as they’re considering their next opportunity really requires that deep connection.”
—Lisa Scardina [04:45] -
On practical leadership and maintaining engagement:
“There’s a level of transparency that we’ve brought to our teams and a commitment to rounding with our teams. And, you know, we’re working in a virtual environment. And so to just take the time to do that kind of rounding and find ways to bring feedback from the front line into problem solving has really kind of energized our group.”
—Lisa Scardina [05:38]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:52-01:31 — Lisa’s background and introduction to PS&D
- 02:15-03:21 — PS&D growth strategy and mission
- 03:27-04:59 — Leveraging AI and technology for recruitment and human connection
- 05:08-07:03 — Leadership advice: transparency, feedback, and frontline engagement
Summary
Lisa Scardina brings seasoned perspective and forward-thinking strategy to healthcare workforce recruitment at Providence Provider Solutions and Development. Her emphasis lies in the interplay of technology and authentic relationships, advocating for leadership models rooted in transparency and active engagement. The episode provides actionable insights for healthcare leaders facing talent shortages, digital transformation, and the need to re-center care around both providers and patients.