Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary

Guest: Shirin Hasan, Research Manager at Endeavor Health
Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Gracelyn Keller

Episode Overview

This episode features Shirin Hasan, Research Manager at Endeavor Health, recorded live at the 13th annual CEO and CFO Roundtable. Shirin discusses her professional journey, strategies for growth within a large health system, her involvement in clinical research and operations, a personal venture around global water access, and advice for healthcare executives navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

Guest Introduction and Background

[00:51–03:03]

• Shirin Hasan introduced herself as the Research Manager at Endeavor Health and an MBA graduate focused on healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship.
• She described her prior experience in clinical trials management, where she collaborated with pharmaceuticals, physicians, patients, and pharmacy teams.
• Shirin explained the dual nature of clinical trials:
  • They are costly and risky due to potential failures and regulatory challenges, yet vital for patients, especially those with rare diseases.
• At Endeavor Health (a nine-hospital system in Illinois with 300 care centers), Shirin oversees radiology research, manages NIH grants, reviews budgets, tracks balances, and supports investigators administratively and financially.
• She emphasized the importance of precision, relationships, and strategic thinking in research management.

Notable Quote:

"Clinical trials are costly and risky ... but at the same time, clinical trials are very important for patients because there are rare disease patients for whom there are not many options in the drug development."
— Shirin Hasan [02:05]

Growth Strategy at Endeavor Health

[03:03–06:00]

• Shirin outlined Endeavor Health’s dynamic growth, highlighting over 500 active clinical trials, 300 principal investigators, substantial NIH/industry funding, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• She praised the organization's culture of open dialogue and grassroots innovation.
  • Staff from all levels are encouraged to provide input on system challenges, operational improvements, and new care delivery models.
• Addressed a specific internal efficiency initiative:
  • Described her “Task Evaluation and Impact System” framework:
    • Teams pause before taking on recurring tasks to question their measurable outcomes and categorize them by impact.
    • Focus on high-value work, defer, or redesign low-impact tasks.
• Mentioned the potential role of automation and AI for efficiency, but stressed the immediate benefits of workflow revision.

Notable Quotes:

“What makes [our growth] exciting is the scale ... more than 500 active clinical trials, nearly 300 principal investigators, and millions of dollars in NIH and industry funding.”
— Shirin Hasan [03:19]

“I developed a simple framework that I call the Task Evaluation and Impact System. ... Teams can then focus on the most high value work and defer or redesign the low impact tasks.”
— Shirin Hasan [05:05]

Exciting and Impactful Projects: The Water Access Initiative

[06:00–08:30]

• Shirin shared details about her personal venture, the Water Access Initiative, connecting water-stressed countries with U.S. water technology companies.
  • The goal: Develop sustainable water infrastructure without relying on foreign aid.
  • Two-fold global water issues:
    • Lack of infrastructure or supply
    • Water contamination
• Noted public health implications:
  • Water scarcity impacts nutrition, maternal/child health, and health facility operations.
  • Example: Pregnant women traveling long distances for water are at risk for preterm labor and injuries.
  • Scarcity hinders healthcare delivery (e.g., sterilization, sanitation).
• Explained alignment with the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) framework used by WHO/UNICEF.

Notable Quote:

“Although this is a non healthcare venture, it impacts people's health because both water scarcity and water contamination have health consequences.”
— Shirin Hasan [06:40]

“Water scarcity also causes compromised healthcare delivery because healthcare facilities are not able to sterilize instruments and cannot maintain sanitation that can spread hospital-acquired infections.”
— Shirin Hasan [07:41]

Advice for Healthcare Executives

[08:30–09:10]

• Shirin’s key recommendation:
  • Stay up-to-date and adaptive with innovations in technology, administration, and automation.
  • Healthcare’s “not very technology-driven” reputation is changing; pace of adaptation must match that of technological advancement.

Notable Quote:

“They should remain updated with the innovations ... and keep on adapting so our pace matches with the pace of technology growth.”
— Shirin Hasan [08:39]

Memorable Moments & Takeaways

• Shirin’s blend of clinical research expertise and entrepreneurial vision highlights the evolving skill set required in modern healthcare.
• The “Task Evaluation and Impact System” offers a practical approach for optimizing workflows—a simple idea with broad organizational applicability.
• The Water Access Initiative demonstrates the interconnectedness of public health, infrastructure, and global innovation.
• Remaining adaptive and technologically forward-thinking is essential for future healthcare leadership.

Key Segment Timestamps

• Guest Background and Clinical Research Insight: [00:51–03:03]
• Growth Strategy and Internal Innovation: [03:03–06:00]
• Water Access Initiative: [06:00–08:30]
• Advice for Executives: [08:30–09:10]