Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast with Dr. Syl Trepanier, Chief Nurse Executive at Providence Health System
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

This episode features Dr. Syl Trepanier, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Providence, one of the nation’s largest non-profit, faith-based health systems. Dr. Trepanier discusses the scale and significance of leading a 36,000-strong nursing workforce, current challenges facing nurses, the imperative to evolve care models, the role of leadership support, exciting advancements in healthcare technology, and advice for emerging nurse leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Dr. Trepanier and Providence

• Dr. Syl Trepanier shares background: nearly 20 years in chief nurse roles, five years as Chief Nurse Executive at Providence.
• Providence: a large, mission-driven, faith-based health system serving communities with a focus on compassionate care.
• Nurse workforce at Providence: approximately 36,000 nurses, highlighting the scale and responsibility of nursing leadership.
  • Quote:

    "Honestly, the best way that I can honor them is to ensure that their voices are heard from the bedside side to the boardroom."
    — Dr. Trepanier [01:51]

Leadership Approach

• Emphasizes a governance model that ensures nurses’ concerns travel from the local level to system-wide leadership.
• Bidirectional communication and visible presence are key to effective leadership.
  • Quote:

    "Having presence and sharing a lot of curiosity is the best way you can lead 36,000 nurses."
    — Dr. Trepanier [01:51]

Nursing Trends & Workforce Pressures

• Some challenges persist or worsen despite years of change, mainly workload and patient care models remain largely unchanged.
• Dr. Trepanier voices concern about the “status quo” in care delivery and urges courage to transform care models to better meet future patient needs.
  • Quote:

    "The biggest risk that we have in healthcare in general and in our practice is the status quo. What got us here is not going to get us there tomorrow."
    — Dr. Trepanier [04:11]

Top Issues Facing Nurses Today

[05:05]

• Workplace Safety: Dramatic increase in workplace violence and safety concerns for nurses and all clinicians.
  • Quote:

    "I worry that when you look at how we approach care at the bedside... although everything has changed around us, that has not changed so much. And that's a huge opportunity for us."
    — Dr. Trepanier [03:46]

• Workforce Issues: Recruitment and retention challenges persist and look different post-pandemic. Engagement and adapting roles to fit changing environments are critical.
• Empowering Nurses: Best way to retain nurses is to collaborate with them to transform practice environments and leverage their expertise.
  • Quote:

    "We’re never going to have great outcomes if people don’t feel safe to begin with."
    — Dr. Trepanier [05:31]

Importance of Leadership Support

[07:11]

• Credits Providence's top leadership, notably Eric Wexler, for prioritizing clinical voices, especially top nurse and physician leaders. This alignment at executive levels empowers clinicians to serve patients optimally.
  • Quote:

    "He surrounds himself with clinicians, and his top two clinicians of nursing and physicians are very important to him. And I'm grateful for that."
    — Dr. Trepanier [08:14]

Looking Forward: Priorities and Excitement

[09:17]

• Immediate focus: Maintaining safety for both nurses and patients.
• Excitement about: Emerging technologies—AI, ambient listening, virtual care, robotics, wearables—and their potential to transform nursing practice and alleviate key stresses on staff.
  • Quote:

    "There's so much rapid advancement in technology that will help support the practice of nurses. And I'm excited to lean into that space."
    — Dr. Trepanier [09:45]

Advice to Emerging Nurse Leaders

[10:22]

• Emphasizes curiosity as a primary leadership trait for ongoing learning and building relationships.
• Values presence, intentionality, and vulnerability in leadership—recognizing that leaders never know everything and grow through learning from others.
  • Quote:

    "Showing up with presence and intent. And being vulnerable where it makes sense to be is also extremely, extremely important."
    — Dr. Trepanier [10:56]

  • Quote:

    "Leaning in with tons of curiosity... leveraging the power of those around you is how the team gets to be successful."
    — Dr. Trepanier [11:17]

Memorable Light-Hearted Moments

• Dr. Trepanier, originally from Montreal, remains a committed hockey fan over football.
  [02:49]
• Banter about the Montreal Canadiens (les Habitants) and Dr. Trepanier’s "coolest name" prompted laughter and camaraderie.
  [10:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:37] – Dr. Trepanier’s background and Providence overview
• [01:28] – Scope of Providence’s nursing workforce
• [01:43] – Leadership philosophy and professional governance
• [03:46] – Post-pandemic nursing trends and care model challenges
• [05:05] – Top challenges: safety and workforce engagement
• [07:11] – Leadership support and culture at Providence
• [09:17] – Future priorities: safety, technology, and AI in nursing
• [10:22] – Advice to future nurse leaders

Overall Tone and Key Takeaways

Dr. Trepanier speaks with humility, gratitude, and frankness about the pressing and persistent realities in nursing. While persistent challenges exist—especially around workplace safety and workforce retention—he maintains an optimistic view on emerging technology’s role and underlines the transformative power of engaged, curious, and relational leadership. The warmth between host and guest also adds a personal, relatable touch to the conversation.

Notable Quotes

• "What got us here is not going to get us there tomorrow." — Dr. Trepanier [04:11]
• "We’re never going to have great outcomes if people don’t feel safe to begin with." — Dr. Trepanier [05:31]
• "Curiosity in leadership is one of the most important traits because you learn a lot." — Dr. Trepanier [10:27]
• "Leaning in with tons of curiosity... leveraging the power of those around you is how the team gets to be successful." — Dr. Trepanier [11:17]

For Anyone Interested in Nursing Leadership or Healthcare Systems:
This episode offers valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of nursing, the hurdles faced by large health systems, and inspiring advice for anyone seeking to make a difference in care delivery or healthcare leadership.