Turn on the Lights Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Turn off the lights with Jeff Thompson at the IHI Forum Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Health care institutions can significantly reduce their environmental impact while also saving money and improving community health.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Thompson, former CEO of Gundersen Health System and advisor, discusses his pioneering work at Gundersen Health System in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He explains that by focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources, Gundersen decreased their emissions by 95% while simultaneously saving money, improving local economies, and ultimately benefiting patient health. Dr. Thompson details how they identified simple fixes, such as adjusting air exchange systems, and implemented large-scale projects, such as using landfill methane. He also addresses the need for industry-wide change and recognizes the growing movement of young professionals and health care organizations taking action.

Tune in and learn how to make health care more sustainable, economically sound, and beneficial for communities' health!

There is no quality without equity with Thea James and Bisola Ojikutu Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

How can we tackle deep-rooted health inequities and ensure sustainable change in our communities?

In this episode, Dr. Thea James, Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Boston Medical Center, and Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and the Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, talk about the persistent challenges in achieving health equity, even in resource-rich cities like Boston, where structural inequities and systemic racism continue to drive disparities. COVID-19 exposed and exacerbated these inequities, disproportionately impacting communities of color and emphasizing the need for community-focused solutions. Dr. Thea James explains how institutions like Boston Medical Center have taken innovative steps, such as engaging communities to analyze data and co-create solutions, supported by strong leadership and accountability. Dr. Bisola Ojikutu shines a light on how sustaining momentum for health equity requires shifting from a moral to an economic imperative and embedding systemic changes through legislative action, like the Health Equity Compact's proposed reforms. Long-term success depends on creating policies and structures that transcend political and societal shifts, ensuring equity remains a core priority.

Tune into this compelling conversation with Boston's leading experts as they unpack the systemic barriers, innovative solutions, and the critical role of policy in advancing health equity!

About CareQuest:

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights

Building an Age Friendly Movement with Terry Fulmer and Faith Mitchell Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Despite decades of progress in geriatric care, too many older adults still struggle to receive the reliable, evidence-based care they deserve.

In this episode, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, and Faith Mitchell, an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute, discuss the development of age-friendly health systems and the ongoing challenges in ensuring older adults receive high-quality, evidence-based care. Dr. Fulmer highlights the "four M's" framework (What Matters, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility) as a way to simplify and scale age-friendly practices, benefiting over 4 million older adults in the U.S. Sustained partnerships, government initiatives, and long-term philanthropic support have been essential in spreading this movement globally. Equity and accountability are central, ensuring all health care staff contribute to reliable, harm-free care for every older adult, regardless of background. While challenges like increasing diversity and system coordination persist, there is optimism in innovations like AI and a growing commitment to improving care for aging populations.

Tune in to learn how a global movement is transforming care for older adults!

About CareQuest:

Is medical education stuck in the past? with Abraham Nussbaum Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Is medical education stuck in the past, or can innovative approaches reshape the future of health care?

In this episode, Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Chief Education Officer at Denver Health, discusses the evolution and challenges of medical education, emphasizing the limitations of the traditional "textbook of the body" approach rooted in the Flexner Report. He highlights the growing importance of addressing relational and community health issues, such as loneliness and social determinants, through innovative models like Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LIC), where students follow patients across various care settings. Despite these advances, systemic barriers, including the transactional nature of health care and prioritization of documentation over care, contribute to physician burnout and patient dissatisfaction. Modern medical training, often remote and isolated, leaves students discouraged, though mentorship and relational learning show promise in improving outcomes. Dr. Nussbaum expresses hope for systemic reform driven by alignment between student and patient needs and the efforts of forward-thinking leaders.

Tune in for groundbreaking ideas on transforming medical training to address the relational and community health challenges of today!

About CareQuest:

The importance of the "hand-off" in health care with Christopher Landrigan Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Did you know that sleep-deprived doctors are more likely to make critical errors or that poor communication during patient handoffs can jeopardize care?

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Landrigan, Chief of General Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital and co-founder of the I-PASS Patient Safety Institute, emphasizes the importance of systemic changes, improved communication, and financial support to enhance patient safety. Dr. Christopher Landrigan has spent his career addressing patient safety issues, particularly focusing on resident work hours and communication failures in hospitals. His early research revealed that sleep-deprived medical residents made significantly more errors, prompting changes to duty-hour policies to reduce risks to patients and providers. Recognizing that frequent handoffs during shorter shifts could lead to information loss, Dr. Landrigan co-developed the I-PASS system, a standardized communication framework to improve patient care transitions. I-PASS, now adapted for various specialties and roles, has been implemented across hospitals nationwide with support from organizations like the I-PASS Institute and regional partnerships such as the Kentucky Hospital Association. While progress has been made, Dr. Landrigan emphasizes the need for systemic change, behavior adaptation, and financial backing to scale successful patient safety programs across the complex health care system.

Tune in to learn about Dr. Landrigan's work on resident hours and the I-PASS system's impact on patient safety!

About CareQuest:

Workforce planning, workforce wellbeing, and workforce retention with Navina Evans Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

How can healthcare systems worldwide overcome workforce challenges while adapting to shifting demographics, advancing technologies, and evolving patient expectations?

In this episode, Dr. Navina Evans, the Chief Workforce, Training, and Education Officer at the new NHS England, discusses the challenges and evolution of workforce planning in the National Health Service (NHS) amid global pressures on healthcare systems. She highlights the importance of addressing workforce recruitment, retention, and reform to ensure sustainability, emphasizing the need for flexible career pathways and adaptability to changing demographics and technological advancements. Dr. Evans outlines the NHS's focus on multi-professional training, prevention, and addressing health inequalities while balancing the need for specialized and generalist skills. She also notes the importance of creating a workforce that reflects the evolving needs of patients, integrating community-based care, and leveraging advancements in AI and remote technologies. To meet future demands, she stresses the value of a dynamic, long-term workforce plan that adapts continuously to shifts in population needs and healthcare innovations.

Tune in and learn about the future of healthcare workforce planning, uncovering innovative strategies to tackle burnout, boost retention, and meet the changing needs of patients and providers alike!

About CareQuest:

Cutting through the misinformation with Celine Gounder Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

In a world where misinformation often outpaces facts, clear public health communication and preparedness are more crucial than ever.

In this episode, Dr. Celine Gounder, Senior Fellow & Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News, shares her journey from clinician to a media figure focused on public health, highlighting her roles during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises. She emphasizes the widespread confusion between public health and health care, noting that many view public health as merely government-imposed restrictions. Dr. Gounder also discussed the challenge of addressing misinformation, which often spreads through emotionally charged narratives and the limitations of relying solely on factual data to sway public opinion. Advocating for relatable, story-driven health communication, she stressed the importance of strong health systems, pointing to Rwanda’s successful response to recent outbreaks as a model. Looking to the future, she underscored the urgent need for sustainable vaccine manufacturing and preparedness against pandemic flu risks, which depend heavily on robust public health infrastructure.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of public health and the vital role of effective communication in overcoming misinformation and preparing for future challenges!

About CareQuest:

When people of the system own the system with April Kyle and Doug Eby Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Imagine a health care system where patients are not just recipients but co-owners, shaping the services they receive based on the needs of their community.

In this episode, Doug Eby and April Kyle discuss Southcentral Foundation's community-driven health care model, which prioritizes customer ownership, flexible management, and service integration to improve outcomes and reduce costs for Alaska Native communities. This approach, enabled by the Indian Self-Determination Act, empowers the community to design services tailored to their needs, while SCF's leadership fosters transparency and ongoing improvement through community feedback, showcasing the benefits of community-involved health care.

Tune in to discover how a revolutionary, community-led health care model in Alaska is transforming the way we think about patient care and community wellness!

About CareQuest:

Health system ownership with Hayden Rooke-Ley Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Is the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage a solution for health care efficiency, or is it a costly gamble that benefits insurers more than patients?

In this episode, Hayden Rooke-Ley discusses the rapid expansion of Medicare Advantage, a privatized form of Medicare, and the growing influence of private insurance companies in the U.S. health care system. He highlights concerns about the cost-effectiveness and quality of care under this model, as well as insurance companies' anti-competitive practices, and emphasizes the need for regulatory action despite the political challenges involved.

Tune in to discover what it means for health care costs, patient care, and the future of Medicare!

About CareQuest:

Politics, mobilization, and political force with Marshall Ganz Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

What happens when we reduce people to mere data points in a world driven by economic values?

In this episode, Marshall Ganz, the Rita T. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society at the Harvard Kennedy School, discusses how health care and other systems risk dehumanization by reducing people to data points, driven by economic values rather than human complexity. He argues that real power is relational, emerging through interdependence and that social movements succeed by focusing on people-based power instead of wealth or authority. Social movements, he explains, are more than protests; they require sustained practices, relationship-building, and a commitment to values transformation to create a lasting impact. Reflecting on his experiences with Cesar Chavez, Marshall underscores the need for moral, accountable institutions and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and practical engagement in driving change. His new book, People, Power, Change, champions hope as essential, believing in the possibility of meaningful outcomes even amid uncertainty.

Tune in as Marshall Ganz shares powerful insights on transforming communities, challenging the status quo, and reclaiming humanity in systems like health care!

About CareQuest:

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