Season 1 Episode 8: Gina Griffin on Leadership with Heart

Key Topics:

• The heart of leadership: Building relationships and fostering environments where people can thrive
• Strategies for leading through uncertainty and navigating challenges like the pandemic
• The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in creating high-performing teams
• Mentoring emerging leaders and empowering them to navigate their own unique paths
• Driving innovation in healthcare through collaboration and people-first leadership

In this episode of The POD, I am thrilled to welcome Gina Griffin, Vice President of Operations at Children’s Health in Plano, Texas. With over 30 years of leadership experience in hospital operations, Gina’s career is a testament to the power of combining strategic vision with a people-first philosophy. Known for driving operational excellence and improving patient experiences, Gina’s leadership style focuses on fostering relationships, empowering teams, and championing innovation in healthcare.

During our conversation, Gina shares her inspiring journey from her first management role at age 10 (in a household of seven children!) to becoming a transformative healthcare executive. She highlights the critical role of relationships in leadership, explaining how creating environments where people can thrive leads to better outcomes for teams, patients, and organizations alike. “Leadership is 100% about people,” Gina reminds us, underscoring the importance of empathy, curiosity, and collaboration in building systems that can withstand even the toughest challenges.

Gina also discusses her passion for mentoring emerging leaders and creating opportunities for diverse perspectives in decision-making. By prioritizing psychological safety and fostering innovation, she has helped teams navigate through uncertainty and emerge stronger. This episode is a powerful reminder that true leadership begins with connection, authenticity, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.

Join us as Gina shares actionable insights on leadership, resilience, and the value of building relationships to inspire and sustain transformation in healthcare.

Season 1 Episode 7: Embracing the Tension – Emily Brower on Healthcare Transformation

Key Topics:

• Why changing healthcare is a long, hard game and why it’s worth staying the course
• Embracing tension as a catalyst for transformation in healthcare leadership
• Strategies for leading change in complex and matrixed organizations
• Emily Brower’s insights on scaling impact and empowering teams to succeed
• The importance of persistence and collaboration in driving systemic improvements

In this episode of The POD, I have the pleasure of speaking with Emily Brower, a seasoned leader in healthcare transformation and the new President and CEO of the National Association of ACOs. Emily’s impressive career includes leading clinical integration at Trinity Health and pioneering population health initiatives at Atrius Health. Through her work, she has consistently focused on improving healthcare delivery models and creating systems that better serve patients and communities.

During our conversation, Emily opens up about the challenges of changing healthcare and why it’s a long, hard game worth playing. She shares invaluable insights on why leaders must embrace tension as a force for transformation, emphasizing that progress is made in the toughest, most complex areas. “If you’re in the super hard places,” she says, “that’s where you need to be.” Her passion and resilience shine as she discusses strategies for leading change, staying the course, and leveraging tension to drive innovation.

Emily’s leadership journey is also a testament to the power of collaboration and authenticity. From navigating highly matrixed organizations to scaling solutions across national systems, she reminds us that great leaders create impact by removing barriers, empowering teams, and focusing on the long-term vision. This episode is a powerful call to action for healthcare leaders everywhere: embrace the tension, stay in the game, and don’t give up.

Join us for an inspiring discussion about persistence, leadership, and the future of healthcare.

Season 1 Episode 6

The Power of Listening – Laura Kirk on Compassionate Communication

This episode of The POD is a masterclass in creating impactful change through empathy, curiosity, and intentionality in every conversation.

Key Topics from this episode:

• The role of active listening and empathy in building stronger connections with patients and colleagues
• Why self-care is essential for providing high-quality care in healthcare
• Evidence-based strategies for improving communication and addressing burnout among providers
• How compassionate leadership fosters trust and collaboration in healthcare teams

Laura’s journey into healthcare began with a love of art and a passion for meaningful connection, eventually leading her to become a leader in advancing communication skills among healthcare providers. During our conversation, she discusses how active listening and an empathic presence create deeper, more meaningful relationships—not just with patients but also among colleagues. She highlights that the key to thriving in healthcare starts at home: taking care of ourselves is the first step to taking better care of those around us.

Through her work with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare, Laura has helped develop evidence-based strategies for improving provider communication and well-being. From addressing burnout to fostering trust, she emphasizes that compassion and collaboration are at the heart of effective leadership.

Laura Kirk, MSPAS, PA-C, CPXP, DFAAPA, FACH, is the Assistant Director of Advanced Practice Providers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Vice President of External Education for the Academy of Communication in Healthcare.

Season1 Episode 5

In this episode of The POD, I’m honored to speak with Dr. Shruti Jolly, a trailblazing radiation oncologist and healthcare leader dedicated to advancing cancer care. As Associate Chair in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Associate Medical Director of Strategy at Michigan Medicine, Dr. Jolly seamlessly combines her clinical expertise and strategic vision to enhance access, equity, and innovation in healthcare.

Dr. Jolly shares her journey from early volunteer work to becoming a leader in radiation oncology. She highlights her passion for improving care for underserved populations, her work in integrating cutting-edge technologies like precision medicine, and her efforts to expand cancer care access across Michigan. Whether leading statewide collaborations through initiatives like the Michigan Radiation Oncology Quality Consortium (MROQC) or using data-driven strategies to optimize care, Dr. Jolly exemplifies what it means to lead with both heart and strategy.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Jolly discusses the critical need for diversity in clinical trials, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and how collaboration can drive systemic change in healthcare. She emphasizes that healthcare is a team sport, where building strong networks and fostering mutual respect are key to delivering better outcomes for patients.

This episode is a masterclass in combining passion with purpose. Join us as we delve into Dr. Jolly’s innovative approaches to improving quality of life for cancer patients and her inspiring vision for a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

Key Topics from this episode:

• The role of precision medicine in cancer care
• Expanding healthcare access through collaboration
• Diversity in clinical trials and its impact on innovation
• Leadership lessons from Dr. Jolly’s journey

Season 1 Episode 4

In this episode of The POD, I sit down with Dr. Paul Woods, a senior healthcare leader and CEO of Southlake Health. With over three decades of experience in clinical medicine and executive leadership across Canada and the U.S., Dr. Woods has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare leadership. From addressing systemic inequities to fostering collaboration and innovation, his leadership journey exemplifies the power of leading with intention and values.

Dr. Woods shares profound insights on privilege and how leaders can cultivate awareness of their own biases. He introduces the concept of “search image” as a way to recognize and challenge unconscious patterns during decision-making and hiring. By emphasizing intentionality, he inspires leaders to step beyond traditional molds and embrace diversity as a powerful force for innovation and progress.

Season 1 Episode 3

This month in The POD, I sit down with Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, a trailblazing allergist, clinical immunologist, and leader based in the Greater Toronto Area. Dr. Abdurrahman’s journey spans continents and industries, from growing up in Nigeria and moving to Canada, to leading groundbreaking equity initiatives like the Black Scientists Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination Equity. As the President-Elect of the Ontario Medical Association, she’s passionate about fostering connection, inclusion, and systemic change within healthcare.

Dr. Abdurrahman shares how her parents instilled in her a problem-solving mindset, the importance of following one’s passions, and her goal of building a healthcare system that truly reflects and serves everyone. With insights on overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome and leveraging leadership as a journey, this episode will inspire you to rethink what leadership means and how you can make an impact.

Episode 2: In this episode of The POD, I am honored to welcome Shaun Raleigh, an inspiring leader and advocate in healthcare. As the Vice President of Network Management for Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Shaun brings a wealth of experience in care delivery, healthcare payment redesign, and population health. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to amplifying voices and creating equitable healthcare systems.

Shaun’s journey, from starting as a medical assistant to becoming a recognized executive, highlights the power of authenticity and courage in leadership. In this conversation, she shares how embracing vulnerability and breaking free from imposter syndrome have shaped her leadership style. Join us as Shaun reflects on her personal and professional experiences, offering insights into how women leaders can rise above barriers to create meaningful change in healthcare.

Episode 1: Kristen introduces this new podcast