Risk Never Sleeps Podcast – Episode #143

"When Machines Predict, Humans Protect" with Bob Berbeco, CIO of Mahaska Health
Host: Ed Gaudet
Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Ed Gaudet welcomes Bob Berbeco, Chief Information Officer of Mahaska Health. The discussion revolves around the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and patient safety in healthcare, focusing on the key initiatives Mahaska Health is undertaking, Bob’s approach to bridging technology and clinical care, the ethical challenges of AI, personal philosophies on continuous improvement, and leadership lessons for the next generation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bob’s Role and Background (00:40–01:21)

• Bob leads technology, data science, cybersecurity, and AI at Mahaska Health.
  • Experience in predictive analytics, process optimization, change management, service line administration, and business intelligence.
  • Six Sigma Black Belt, passionate about continuous improvement.
  • “I lead the organizational information technology, data science, AI, cybersecurity, pretty much everything when it comes to technology here at Mahaska Health.” (00:40, Berbeco)

2. Building a Data Science and AI Center of Excellence (01:52–03:46)

• Mahaska Health is developing a Center of Excellence as a strategic hub for analytics, predictive modeling, machine learning, research, and ethical data governance.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: includes providers, clinicians, informatics professionals, technical staff.
• Ensures a broad lens and diversity of perspective for innovation.
  • “We’re in the process of growing a data science and AI center of Excellence here at Mahaska Health...focusing on predictive modeling, machine learning, research support, and ethical governance.” (01:52, Berbeco)

3. Strategies for Clinical Collaboration (03:46–04:49)

• Proactive empathy and the "curious beginner's model" approach when working with providers and clinicians.
  • Bob listens deeply to clinicians’ concerns, acknowledges his own non-clinical background, and seeks to bridge technological solutions with their lived realities.
  • “I channel a curious beginner's model...I sincerely want to learn their background...how I can help them deliver results and do things better.” (03:57, Berbeco)
• Addresses clinician burnout with technology that directly supports their needs.

4. Translating Technology for the Board (05:05–06:00)

• Advice for presenting complex technical topics:
  • Anticipate board members’ priorities; avoid technical jargon.
  • “Try to do your best to channel what their lens is...what’s important to them and then deliver the message to those we.” (05:05, Berbeco)
• Persona-based prep: Ed suggests role-playing board Q&A to better prepare presentations.
  • “I’ve seen people actually create persona based chats and use that as a way to interact with board members...” (05:48, Gaudet)

5. Early Career Path and Lifelong Learning (06:09–07:41)

• Bob’s career began in computer science, developed through curiosity and relationship-building.
• Stresses the importance of a beginner’s mind even after decades in healthcare tech.
  • “You really have to fight that [dark side of complacency] because things are still changing and healthcare is adapting.” (07:07, Berbeco)

6. Six Sigma and Personal Improvement (07:41–08:21)

• Applies Six Sigma principles not only to work but personal life.
  • Analytical and KPI-driven, sometimes to the “irritation” of family and friends.
  • “I approach it in my personal life as well...I approach it like this logical, analytical kind of KPI.” (07:54, Berbeco)

7. The Shared Mission in Healthcare (08:35–09:33)

• Emphasis on positive impact, even from non-clinical roles.
  • “I may not be direct line support to patients, but there are things that we do in healthcare...that can have a great positive impact.” (08:42, Berbeco)

8. Patient Safety & AI: Hopes and Concerns (09:33–12:28)

• Biggest concern: Ethical risks and “hallucinations” in AI diagnosis.
  • “AI does have hallucinations and they do make mistakes...there’s still this need to have human oversight.” (10:09, Berbeco)
• Need for proven use cases, careful implementation, and transparency in AI models.
• Rapid model changes and “black box” concerns with current LLMs.
  • “A lot of these large language models, we don’t know...how it reaches its decisions...that creates another potential problem.” (11:14, Berbeco)
  • Ed adds: “The frequency of change at the model level is also unnerving...” (11:56, Gaudet)

9. Outside the Office: Leadership and Hobbies (12:28–16:31)

• If not in healthcare IT, Bob would mentor and lead people in any field.
  • “Wherever I see an opportunity and if it involves people, I jump in and do what I can to inspire or provide a positive outcome.” (12:35, Berbeco)
• Hobbies:
  • Motorcycle racing—modern and vintage (Ducatis, Triumphs, and vintage Bridgestones).
  • Bodybuilding—former “gym rat,” lost significant weight, lifelong focus on health and discipline.
  • “I race motorcycles...I race modern ones, I race vintage ones. One of my motorcycles is from 1960.” (13:25, Berbeco)
  • “When I was younger, I was very overweight...I made a conscious choice to not go down that path...I used to be the gym rat.” (14:59, Berbeco)

10. Personal Philosophies and Change Management (16:31–18:43)

• Advice to younger self: Stay curious, adaptable, and patient.
  • “I would say...always be curious...always be adaptable...” (16:39, Berbeco)
• Change leadership: Be compassionate; meet others where they are; introduce change in “bite-sized chunks.”
  • “You really have to work with them at their level and show compassion and understanding.” (17:34, Berbeco)

11. Risk Appetite and Embracing Failure (18:43–21:54)

• Riskiest endeavors:
  • Personally—motorcycle racing, skydiving, jumping from the Las Vegas Stratosphere.
    • “With the stratosphere, when you jump up, you do see the ground. So...your mind hits that fear reaction.” (19:36, Berbeco)
  • Professionally—taking on “failing” projects as learning opportunities, embracing anxiety to fuel growth.
    • “I would volunteer for projects that they were within agents of failure...I just wanted the opportunity to try and put it in a good place.” (20:40, Berbeco)
  • Persistently positive teamwork and learning from adversity.
    • “Just by having that catalyst within the team...constantly working towards a positive outcome seemed to help.” (21:18, Berbeco)

12. Music and Personal History (Top Albums) (22:10–24:00)

• Top albums for a desert island:
  • “Depeche Mode – Black Celebration”
  • “Skinny Puppy – Rabies”
  • Shared memories with his wife: “Every time I listen to those albums reminds me of her. She has had, like, her influence and presence has had a profound impact on who I become.” (22:59, Berbeco)
  • Shared background in the punk scene.

13. Advice for New Entrants into Healthcare IT (24:27–25:53)

• Soft skills are as critical as technical:
  • Learn about your “customer.”
  • Proactively listen and anticipate needs.
  • “Try to surround yourself with the smartest [people]...you just grow so great through that.” (25:48, Berbeco)
  • Keep a beginner’s mind, adaptability, humility, and a learning mindset.
  • “Always be learning. Always be learning.” (25:50, Berbeco)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On ethical AI and human oversight:
  • “There needs to be clinical based oversight over those types of initial diagnosis so that we're making sure that we're truly doing the right thing.” (10:44, Berbeco)
• On continuous improvement:
  • “What can I do to just make myself 5% better.” (21:54, Berbeco)
• On team success:
  • “Try to be one of the lower ones [in intelligence]...you will learn so much from, and then they'll take you a step higher.” (25:40, Berbeco)
• On staying curious:
  • “Always be learning. Always be learning.” (25:53, Gaudet/Berbeco)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 – Bob's background and role at Mahaska Health
• 01:52 – Center of Excellence and AI strategy
• 03:46 – Collaborating with clinicians (proactive empathy)
• 05:05 – Communicating with the board (persona-based strategies)
• 06:09 – Early career and the value of a beginner’s mind
• 07:41 – Applying Six Sigma to personal life
• 10:09 – The risks and ethical challenges in AI for healthcare
• 13:25 – Hobbies: motorcycle racing and bodybuilding
• 16:39 – Advice to 20-year-old self: curiosity and patience
• 18:58 – Riskiest personal/professional experiences
• 22:10 – Desert island albums and personal music memories
• 24:27 – Advice for new healthcare IT professionals

Tone and Takeaway

Throughout, both host and guest are candid, passionate, and practical—balancing technological optimism with ethical responsibility and personal growth. Bob’s dedication to continuous, patient-centered improvement weaves through career advice, technical leadership, and even his leisure activities. The title resonates: when machines predict, it remains up to humans to protect.

For more resources and insights, visit: censinet.com