NEJM Catalyst Leadership Podcast

One-on-one interviews with leaders in health care, providing perspectives on what’s working in the industry, what’s not, and why. Find out more about us at https://catalyst.nejm.org.

Latest Episodes:

Scaling AI-Driven Health Care at Optum Amid Industry Transformation Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

How do we produce better health outcomes and an exceptional experience at a lower cost, at scale, every day? Learn how a large health care services company is striving to serve its population’s physical, mental, pharmacy, social, and financial needs through three core areas: value-based care, pharmacy services, and technology...

Redefining and Structuring Three Soft Skills into Hard Skills Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Advocating to transform soft skills into hard skills to improve patient and caregiver experiences.

The (Unique) Role of a Chief Clinical Financial Officer Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

How the importance of physician leadership that understands the financial aspects of health care can lead to unique roles that directly work toward improving patient care and financial operations.

Accelerating Clinical Technology Adoption Through Human-Centered Implementation Strategies Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Successful health care technology adoption requires moving beyond the boardroom to understand workflow integration, cultural dynamics, and operational processes that determine whether innovations become indispensable clinical partners or abandoned tools.

Building a Global Innovation Ecosystem to Transform Health Care from Within Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Health care transformation requires more than isolated innovation efforts — it demands a global ecosystem where institutions become engines of entrepreneurship, spinning out solutions from within while collaborating across borders to scale impact and achieve financial sustainability.

The Six Rs in Action: Achieving Operational Excellence and a Common Language at Scripps Health Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

How can a simple, systemwide framework empower 20,000 frontline staff and leaders across Scripps Health to boost retention, reduce costs, and drive operational excellence — all while keeping patients at the center? Dr. Ghazala Sharieff reveals how the six Rs turned bold goals into everyday actions, building a common language...

Engaging Complex Health System Boards in Quality and Safety Governance Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Effective board governance in complex health systems requires structured approaches that cascade quality and safety accountability from the boardroom to the bedside, creating bidirectional information flow that empowers frontline teams while maintaining strategic oversight.

GLP-1 Access and Affordability: Policy Options and Market Strategies May 01, 2025

Show notes

How can policy makers and health care leaders ensure affordable, equitable access to GLP-1 medications while managing their substantial budget impact on the health system?

Collaborating to Affect Change for Rural Health Care with Innovation and Technology Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

How can the partnership and collaboration of multiple health care organizations attack the challenges of rural health care?

Leading from Within: Cultivating Effective Leadership and Followership in Health Care Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

This discussion highlights the importance of recognizing that everyone can engage in leading within their roles, while also addressing the crucial skills of followership and the need for clarity in leadership roles to foster effective teamwork and improve patient outcomes.