The Treasure Hunt: A Healthcare Changemakers Interview Series

The Carol Emmott Foundation
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to The Treasure Hunt, an interview series of some of the most influential and recognizable health leaders of our time. We are privileged to gather these trailblazers within The Carol Emmott Foundation community, and we invite you to hear their stories. Spend some time to get to know these colleagues better. Find out what motivates each of these extraordinary individuals to be a part of our mission to achieve gender and racial equity in healthcare, and hear some interesting stories along the way.

  1. 2D AGO

    Meet Community Member David Blumenthal Former President, The Commonwealth Fund; Professor, Practice Public Health Harvard Chan School of Public Health

    Dr. David Blumenthal, a leader who has made significant contributions at the intersection of medicine, policy, and innovation, sits down with host Douglas Riddle on this episode of The Treasure Hunt.  Cited as one of Modern HealthCare’s 100 most influential healthcare leaders and 50 most influential physician executives several times throughout his 35 year career, Dr. Blumenthal is an inspiration and mentor to many in the healthcare industry. With a career marked by groundbreaking research, renowned teaching, and pivotal roles in health policy, Dr. Blumenthal's insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare. Join us as we explore his journey from his unexpected path to medicine shaped by the Vietnam War era, to his impactful work in both clinical practice and administrative leadership. His experiences not only highlight the importance of integrating medical knowledge with policy, but also shed light on the essential role of empathy in healthcare reform.  With a remarkable career that has spanned academia, government, and healthcare leadership, Dr. Blumenthal brings invaluable insights to the most pressing challenges in the healthcare system today.

    26 min

  2. JAN 21

    Meet Community Member Monica Davy Senior Vice President and Chief Culture, Belonging, and Impact Officer Vizient, Inc

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Doug Riddle talks with Monica Davy, Senior Vice President and Chief Culture of Belonging and Impact Officer at Vizient. Listen as Monica reflects on the motivations that led her to law school, including inspiration from an unlikely and unconventional source: her great-aunt’s love of soap operas. She candidly discusses the importance of self-reflection and awareness of external pressures in career choices and highlights how she encourages her own children to pursue their passions authentically. You’ll also hear about her transition from traditional legal work to conflict resolution, as well as what led to her current focus on belonging and culture. Drawing on her rich experience at the Food and Drug Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, along with her long-standing commitment to social justice, Monica emphasizes the need for fairness and equity in healthcare. She offers perspective and insight into creating a system that delivers for all stakeholders.

    26 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    Meet Community Member Joanne M. Conroy, MD CEO and President Dartmouth Health

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Doug Riddle welcomes Dr. Joanne Conroy, the CEO and President of Dartmouth Health. With a rich background as an anesthesiologist and a remarkable leadership journey spanning several senior roles, Dr. Conroy shares her insights on navigating complex challenges in healthcare. In this candid conversation, she recounts a pivotal moment in her career when she was thrust into a leadership role to save her department from financial crisis. Discover how she tackled the issues head-on, demonstrating not only her leadership acumen but also her commitment to service and problem-solving. Dr. Conroy reflects on the importance of understanding institutional dynamics, breaking through hierarchical barriers, and embracing unexpected leadership opportunities.

    32 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    Meet Community Member Darcey Lynn Cobbs-Lomax Executive Director of Health Equity and Community Impact, Yale New Haven Health

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, The Carol Emmott Foundation welcomes Darcey Lynn Cobbs-Lomax, Executive Director of the Office of Health Equity and Community Impact at Yale New Haven Health. With over 13 years of experience at Yale New Haven Health, Darcey shares her compelling journey, highlighting her commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access. Drawing from her personal history as a Black woman growing up directly following the Civil Rights Era, Darcey emphasizes how her familial experiences shaped her view on health access, education, and the broader community impact.  Throughout the discussion, Darcey reflects on her early career working in a clinic in the South Bronx, where she witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies and challenges faced by patients, particularly those who were non-English speakers.  This eye-opening experience ignited her passion for understanding the healthcare system and advocating for meaningful change. Listen in as Darcey shares the inspirations behind her work, the importance of lifelong learning, and her sense of obligation to continue fighting for equity in healthcare for all.

    28 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    Meet Community Member Andrew Wiesenthal, MD, SM Managing Director (Retired), Deloitte Consulting, LLP

    In this podcast episode from The Treasure Hunt, Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal, a seasoned pediatrician and mentor to the Carol Emmott Fellows, discusses his extensive background and experiences in pediatrics, public health, and consulting. The conversation begins with the fun exploration of Dr. Wiesenthal's time spent as a disc jockey during his college years, offering an intriguing glimpse into his diverse interests before transitioning to medicine. He shares insights into his time as an epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC, emphasizing his journey through the world of pediatric infectious diseases and the connections he formed within the medical community during the early 1980s.  Dr. Wiesenthal reflects on his passion for pediatrics, rooted in his childhood experience of being hospitalized for an injury. He recalls the emotional impact of his hospital stay and how it inspired him to provide a better experience for children in healthcare settings. He highlights the significance of empathy in medicine, revealing how personal experiences can shape professional paths.

    31 min

  6. 09/17/2025

    Meet Community Member Denise Brooks-Williams Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henry Ford Health System

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Doug Riddle talks with Denise Brooks-Williams, an esteemed leader and mentor on the Carol Emmott Leadership Council. Denise shares her journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Henry Ford Health System. With over 30 years of service in healthcare, Denise discusses her extensive experience leading diverse divisions within the health system and her ongoing commitment to community service. Listen as Denise reflects on her educational journey, her experiences in a diverse high school and university, and the significant role these experiences have played in shaping her mission in healthcare. She also highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and the continuous fight for equality and representation in all fields. Enjoy this insightful conversation celebrating the power of diversity and leadership in the community.

    24 min

  7. 08/20/2025

    Meet Community Member Marna Borgstrom Retired Chief Executive Officer, Yale New Haven Health and Yale New Haven Hospital

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Douglas Riddle sits down with Marna Borgstrom, the former CEO of Yale New Haven Health, who has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the healthcare needs of Connecticut. With a wealth of experience and numerous accolades, including three honorary doctorates, Marna shares her insights on the distinction between the current US "sick care" system and the potential for a truly effective healthcare system. She emphasizes the importance of investing not only in healthcare delivery but also in social infrastructure like education, housing, and community resources that can lead to healthier lives for all. Marna reflects on her initiatives at Yale New Haven Health, including efforts to provide safer housing for employees and invest in educational programs like New Haven Promise, which aims to support students from high school through college and then encourages them to serve back in their own communities. She discusses serving on various boards and how collaborating with other leaders with a shared vision helps make for a more equitable healthcare landscape. Their conversation delves into the broader implications of healthcare investment, illustrating the need for a balanced approach that addresses both medical care and social determinants of health.

    26 min

  8. 07/16/2025

    Meet Community Member Carolyn Carpenter, MHA, FACHE President, National Capital Region Johns Hopkins Health System

    In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, host Douglas Riddle sits down with Carolyn Carpenter, a trailblazing leader and one of the inaugural Carol Emmott Fellows. Carolyn shares knowledge gleaned throughout her journey from Duke University to her current role as president of the National Capital Region at Johns Hopkins. With helpful professional insights, she delves into the significance of community and connection among women leaders, emphasizing how the Carol Emmott Fellowship has enhanced her approach to leadership and mentorship.  Throughout their conversation, Carolyn reflects on the evolution of the Fellowship program, highlighting the importance of self-exploration and personal growth. She shares how her cohort, despite being from the first class in 2017, maintains strong connections and continues to support one another in both professional and personal realms. Listeners will appreciate Carolyn's candidness about the challenges and joys of leadership as she discusses the necessity of fostering genuinely caring, trusting relationships in today's fast-paced environment.  In addition, we invite you to watch Carolyn speak at the 2024 Carol Emmott Foundation Symposium.

    26 min
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About

Welcome to The Treasure Hunt, an interview series of some of the most influential and recognizable health leaders of our time. We are privileged to gather these trailblazers within The Carol Emmott Foundation community, and we invite you to hear their stories. Spend some time to get to know these colleagues better. Find out what motivates each of these extraordinary individuals to be a part of our mission to achieve gender and racial equity in healthcare, and hear some interesting stories along the way.

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