Podcast Summary

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Michael Charlton, MHL, President & CEO, AtlantiCare Health System
Host: Will Riley (Becker’s Healthcare / R1)
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a conversation with Michael Charlton, President & CEO of AtlantiCare Health System, focusing on strategic innovation in healthcare delivery, technology partnerships (especially with Oracle Health), and workforce transformation. Charlton provides insights into how AtlantiCare is adapting to industry shifts, prioritizing community needs, and addressing challenges such as clinical burnout, interoperability, and the ethical adoption of AI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. About AtlantiCare & Its Community

• Role & Background:

  • Michael Charlton describes his journey from board member (15 years), to board chair (7), interim CEO, and now President & CEO for over two years.
  • AtlantiCare is the largest healthcare system in southeastern New Jersey, serving about 1 million people across 120+ sites and employing around 7,000 caregivers.
  • The organization won the 2009 Baldrige Award, a rare honor among health systems.
    (Timestamp: 00:58 – 01:50)

• Community Demographics:

  • AtlantiCare serves both highly urban (Atlantic City—predominantly Black, Brown, and underserved populations, areas of wealth and poverty) and more suburban/wooded areas.
  • The diverse geography presents a variety of healthcare challenges. (01:56 – 02:38)

2. Strategic Vision: Vision 2030

• Long-Range Planning:
  • AtlantiCare developed "Vision 2030," a longer-term, 5-6 year strategy (uncommon in healthcare) to address large-scale change and innovation needs.
  • Focus:
    • Partnership with Oracle Health, being the first in the world to sign on and beta test Oracle AI products
    • Service line expansion in oncology, cardiology, neuroscience
    • Community health initiatives outside hospital walls, such as addressing food and housing insecurity
  • Aim: Improve population health outcomes significantly by 2030.
    (02:48 – 05:37)

3. Technology & EHR Philosophy

• Rethinking EHRs:

  • AtlantiCare sees the traditional EHR as a “box you put information in.” The focus is now on how to extract data for precision medicine and improved care delivery.

  • Charlton intentionally steered away from the majority “Epic” trend, questioning why EHR-driven clinical burnout persists despite industry adoption.

  • Partnered with Oracle, prioritizing innovation over convention, with an emphasis on reducing caregiver burden and improving end-user (patient and caregiver) experience. (05:37 – 08:05)

  • Memorable Quote:

    "When you looked at the key data and you looked at clinical burnout, if a majority of the systems were moving to Epic, why is caregiver satisfaction with EHR not getting any better? It’s actually getting worse."
    (Michael Charlton, 04:25)

4. The Oracle Health Partnership

• Mutual Strengths:

  • AtlantiCare is “big enough that it matters, and small enough to be nimble” in innovating with Oracle.

  • AtlantiCare contributes deep clinical workflow understanding; Oracle brings technical scale, consumer experience, and breadth.

  • Collaboration involves co-development and co-creation of solutions—Oracle’s executives are integrated alongside AtlantiCare’s governance team, with 85+ Oracle staff embedded on-site.

  • “Vendor” is out; “partner” is in—a deliberate cultural shift. (08:05 – 11:51)

  • Memorable Quote:

    “We’re not going to take five years to do this. Nobody has the resilience to last five years on a project and to do their day to day work. So we have to do it quickly, we have to be proficient.”
    (Michael Charlton, 10:26)

5. Ethical & Responsible AI/Data Use

• Cautious Adoption:
  • AtlantiCare takes a measured approach: will not be “first in” on many AI clinical applications (like radiological reads or AI-driven summaries) to ensure robust, proven technology.
  • Skepticism about “mile wide, inch deep” AI products. (11:51 – 12:45)

6. Administrative & Clinical Use Cases for AI

• Revenue Cycle Management (RCM):

  • Primary focus on battling payer-side denials and streamlining pre-authorizations using AI—mirroring investments made by insurance companies.

  • Automation targeted at routine administrative tasks (e.g., executive summaries, charting) to give time back to clinicians for patient care. (12:45 – 14:33)

  • Memorable Quote:

    “I don’t think we have a revenue problem in health care. I think we have a denial problem. I think it’s crossed the line where it’s almost evil now.”
    (Michael Charlton, 13:11)

7. Workforce Evolution & Change Management

• Chronic Understaffing as Opportunity:

  • AI will reposition staff rather than prompt layoffs; AtlantiCare invests in workforce education and future skills development through its own university and upcoming medical school.

  • Cautions against industry trend of using AI adoption as a pretext for layoffs—values the contributions and stability of the workforce. (14:33 – 16:04)

  • Memorable Quote:

    “We’re looking forward to the AI revolution, but we’re very cautious on how that will affect our workforce.”
    (Michael Charlton, 15:46)

8. Closing Thoughts

• Acknowledgement of Industry Challenges:

  • Charlton expresses humility and gratitude for those working in healthcare, acknowledging both technological and political challenges facing the industry today.
    (16:11 – 16:38)

  • Memorable Quote:

    “It’s a very interesting time in healthcare ... just admire the people who are doing the work because it’s an incredibly difficult time.”
    (Michael Charlton, 16:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Questioning EHR Trends and Burnout:

  “When you looked at the key data ... why is caregiver satisfaction with EHR not getting any better? It’s actually getting worse.”
  (Michael Charlton, 04:25)

• Timeframes and Implementation:

  “We’re not going to take five years to do this. Nobody has the resilience to last five years on a project..."
  (Michael Charlton, 10:26)

• Revenue vs. Denial in Healthcare:

  “I don’t think we have a revenue problem in health care. I think we have a denial problem. I think it’s crossed the line where it’s almost evil now.”
  (Michael Charlton, 13:11)

• Workforce Responsibility and AI:

  “We’re looking forward to the AI revolution, but we’re very cautious on how that will affect our workforce.”
  (Michael Charlton, 15:46)

• Industry Admiration:

  “...admire the people who are doing the work because it’s an incredibly difficult time.”
  (Michael Charlton, 16:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction to AtlantiCare and Michael Charlton: 00:46 – 01:50
• Community Demographics & Challenges: 01:56 – 02:38
• Vision 2030, Oracle Partnership, & Service Expansion: 02:48 – 05:37
• Reimagining EHRs and Technology Adoption: 05:37 – 08:05
• Oracle Health Partnership Details: 08:05 – 11:51
• AI Adoption Ethics & Caution: 11:51 – 12:45
• Administrative AI Use Cases: 12:45 – 14:33
• Workforce and Change Management: 14:33 – 16:04
• Closing Remarks: 16:11 – 16:38

Tone & Final Impression

Charlton is thoughtful, pragmatic, and forward-looking. He consistently emphasizes innovation with caution, the importance of real community benefit, and a deep respect for the healthcare workforce. The episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, leadership, and community, making it essential listening for those interested in the evolving landscape of health systems.