Advancing Health A Podcast from the AHA

Overall health does not fit neatly into individual buckets, which is why today's caregivers are designing treatment plans that integrate behavioral and physical health. In this conversation, Jerry Halverson, M.D., consult liaison psychiatrist at Rogers Behavioral Health, discusses the impact of these integrations on patient outcomes, and how payers are providing reimbursement for these rapidly growing care models.

In order for the American Hospital Association to be the most effective voice it can be for its members, personal visits to member hospitals and health systems are a must. Face-to-face conversations with health care leadership are invaluable, and a big part of the job for Chris DeRienzo, M.D., senior vice president and chief physician executive at the AHA. In this conversation, Dr. DeRienzo shares what he has learned from visiting with members, and how they are innovating unique solutions to combat current health care challenges.

Health care providers are working hard to move beyond the hospital walls and expand access into the communities they serve. Sentara Health is one of many organizations that are creatively identifying populations with the greatest need for health care and community services. In this conversation, Iris Lundy, R.N., vice president of health equity at Sentara Health, discusses their thoughtful approach to delivering accessible and high-quality health care to those who need it most.

As opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions, the number of babies born dependent on these drugs also has increased dramatically. The award-winning WISH (Women and Infant Substance Help) Center at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital is combating this serious problem with innovative and people-first solutions that help mothers get off and stay off opioids and other substances. In this conversation, Chris DeRienzo, M.D., SVP and chief physician executive at the AHA, speaks with three WISH Center experts about how its approach is helping to protect the health of new mothers and their babies.
For more information on the SSM WISH Center visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzaZZrLRAn0&t=1s
#CHIWeek #CHI

As we observe AHA’s 8th annual #HAVHope Day, it's an important reminder that many hospital and health system leaders are looking for solutions to address the root causes of violence in their organizations and communities. Some AHA members have already figured out how to make their organizations a safer and more peaceful environment in which to receive care. In this conversation, Kenneth Rogers, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at WellSpan Health, discusses how the implementation of their Behavioral Health Emergency Response Team has successfully de-escalated workplace violence incidents by 75% since 2019, by increasing capacity for their team members to respond to situations that could result in violence. #HAVhope

Hospitals and health systems have their hands full coping with the scary reality of a ransomware attack, but there are also civil liability concerns that arise in the fallout of a health care cybercrime. In the second of this two-part conversation, John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the AHA, and Chris Van Gorder, president & CEO of Scripps Health, explore the underdiscussed aspects in the aftermath of a cyber-attack, and the necessary support from the federal government.