The ASHHRA Podcast

Robert "Bo" Brabo and Luke Carignan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

  The ASHHRA Podcast is the definitive audio briefing for healthcare HR leaders navigating what’s next.  Hosted by Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, this weekly podcast explores the forces reshaping the healthcare workforce, from talent shortages and leadership burnout to data-driven HR strategy, labor relations, and policy shifts that impact care delivery.  Each episode features candid conversations with CHROs, senior executives, and industry change-makers who are solving real problems inside hospitals and health systems right now. No theory, no fluff, just practical insight from leaders in the arena.  Listeners gain clarity on complex workforce challenges, early signals on emerging trends, and grounded perspectives that help bridge strategy and people operations. Whether you lead HR for a health system, support workforce strategy, or influence organizational culture, this podcast equips you to make better decisions with confidence.  New episodes drop weekly, with timely news updates, deep-dive conversations, and forward-looking insights designed for healthcare HR leaders preparing for 2026 and beyond. 

  1. #205 - Leading Talent Through Change

    2D AGO

    #205 - Leading Talent Through Change

    In this episode, Luke Carignan sits down with Kelly Trummer, AVP of Talent Acquisition at Wellstar Health System, to unpack what’s next for healthcare recruiting in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.  With prior experience at Yale New Haven Health and Southcoast Health, she brings a national perspective on what’s changing—and what must change—inside healthcare TA.  For Kelly, talent acquisition in healthcare is about direct impact. Every hire affects patient care. That purpose continues to fuel her work and leadership approach.  The Post-Pandemic Reality  The workforce challenge has shifted. We are no longer hiring our way out of shortages in nursing, imaging, and therapeutic roles. Instead, organizations must rethink strategy:  • Develop internal pipelines • Engage future talent earlier • Reduce friction in recruiting processes • Compete in an increasingly tight labor market  AI Is Not Replacing Recruiters  One of the most powerful themes of the conversation: AI is not eliminating recruiters—it is elevating them.  By removing administrative burdens, automation allows recruiters to focus on what matters most: relationship building, intentional conversations, and strategic workforce planning.  However, adoption requires balance. Healthcare organizations must bridge generational divides in comfort with AI while ensuring candidate experiences remain human-centered and frictionless.  The recruiter of the future? Agile, relationship-driven, and technologically fluent.  Differentiation in a Crowded Market  For Wellstar, competitive advantage comes down to how the organization treats its people. Total rewards, wellbeing programs, and individualized career paths are not just benefits—they are differentiators.  Kelly reinforces that talent acquisition leaders must invest in their own teams and build peer networks across the industry. Collaboration, not isolation, will define success in the years ahead.  Final Advice for TA Leaders  • Plug into your national healthcare TA network  • Invest in your people  • Build internal pipelines early  • Stay agile  • Embrace change proactively  The future of healthcare talent acquisition will belong to leaders who move early, think long-term, and bring others with them.  From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN  HealthCare Associates Credit Union partners with healthcare organizations to offer a no-cost financial wellness benefit for employees. Built specifically for healthcare professionals, HACU provides everyday banking, loans, mortgages, and financial education - all with no added administrative burden for HR teams.  Learn more at HACU's Human Resource Benefit or email directly at busdev@hacu.org and we are happy to take you through the process whether it's opening a membership for yourself or bringing us on as your employee benefits partner.  HealthCare Associates Credit Union — a healthier benefit for healthcare HR leaders and their teams.  Support the show

    24 min
  2. #204 - Telehealth, Strikes, and International Nurse Visa Progress

    FEB 2

    #204 - Telehealth, Strikes, and International Nurse Visa Progress

    Healthcare HR leaders finally get a moment to exhale, but the work is far from over. In this week’s Monday News Drop, Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and ASHHRA President & CEO Jeremy Sadlier break down three critical developments shaping workforce strategy, compliance, and recruiting right now.  Segment 1: The 11th-Hour Telehealth Save Congress narrowly avoided the telehealth cliff. The Healthcare Access and Modernization Act of 2026 has been signed, extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. Patients can continue receiving care from home, but new guardrails are in place. Starting in Q2, CMS will conduct quarterly audits of providers billing more than 50% of visits via telehealth. HR takeaway: Release February 1 claims, but immediately flag high-volume telehealth providers and refresh documentation protocols to prepare for increased scrutiny.  Segment 2: Kaiser Strike Enters Week Two The Kaiser Permanente labor dispute continues to escalate. With more than 2,000 travel nurses deployed to maintain operations, unions have filed unfair labor practice charges, arguing replacement workers are being paid double what staff nurses requested. Tensions are rising, and public perception is becoming a key pressure point. HR reality check: The hardest work comes after the strike ends. Rebuilding trust, preventing “us vs. them” culture, and aligning leadership, HR, and labor relations will define long-term outcomes.  Segment 3: The Visa Surprise The State Department’s February 2026 Visa Bulletin delivered unexpected good news. EB-3 priority dates for nurses from the Philippines and India advanced nearly nine months, opening a rare window to accelerate international hiring. Strategic guidance: Speed matters, but ethics matter more. Vet international recruitment partners carefully, ensure compliance with ethical standards, and invest in structured onboarding and community integration to support long-term retention.  This Week’s Priorities: • Green-light telehealth billing while preparing for CMS audits • Monitor labor activity and cultural risk inside union environments • Accelerate international nurse pipelines with integrity and structure  Healthcare HR is no longer reacting to disruption. It is shaping what comes next.  From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN  HealthCare Associates Credit Union partners with healthcare organizations to offer a no-cost financial wellness benefit for employees. Built specifically for healthcare professionals, HACU provides everyday banking, loans, mortgages, and financial education - all with no added administrative burden for HR teams.  Learn more at HACU's Human Resource Benefit or email directly at busdev@hacu.org and we are happy to take you through the process whether it's opening a membership for yourself or bringing us on as your employee benefits partner.  HealthCare Associates Credit Union — a healthier benefit for healthcare HR leaders and their teams.  Support the show

    27 min
  3. #203 - The New Healthcare Labor Wave

    JAN 26

    #203 - The New Healthcare Labor Wave

    Healthcare HR leaders are heading into one of the most consequential weeks of the year. In this episode of the ASHHRA Monday News Drop, Luke Carignan, Bo Brabo, and ASHHRA President & CEO Jeremy Sadlier unpack three fast-moving developments that demand immediate attention from HR, finance, and executive teams.  Segment 1: A Tale of Two Coasts While New York nurses return to work after securing historic staffing protections, the West Coast is waking up to a massive escalation. More than 31,000 healthcare workers across California and Hawaii, including nurses, pharmacists, and imaging professionals, have launched an open-ended strike over staffing ratios and wages tied to inflation. HR reality check: The contagion effect is real. Enforceable staffing guarantees are now the most powerful organizing and recruiting tool in healthcare. Union or not, organizations that fail to visibly address staffing risk becoming the next target.  Segment 2: The Telehealth Hail Mary With just days remaining before the January 30 deadline, the House has passed a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities. The Senate still must act. A lapse, even for 48 hours, could trigger denied claims and major revenue disruption. Actionable guidance: Do not dismantle telehealth infrastructure. Instruct revenue cycle teams to hold telehealth claims from February 1–3 until Senate confirmation is secured. This single step could prevent a costly billing crisis.  Segment 3: The “Great Healthcare Plan” and PBM Reform The White House has released a new healthcare framework emphasizing aggressive PBM reform and price transparency, while notably stepping away from enhanced ACA subsidies. Premium pressure for employees is likely to persist. HR opportunity: PBM reform is not just a finance issue. Use this moment to demand transparency from your benefits partners, audit rebate structures, and identify savings that can help offset rising employee costs.  This Week’s Focus: • Monitor West Coast labor activity and prepare for patient surges • Protect telehealth revenue during legislative uncertainty • Reassess staffing strategy, benefits cost exposure, and PBM risk  Healthcare HR is no longer adjacent to strategy. It is central to it.    From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN  Support the show

    35 min
  4. #202 - The New Healthcare HR Reality

    JAN 22

    #202 - The New Healthcare HR Reality

    Healthcare HR is entering a pressure point week. In this Monday News Drop, Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier break down three converging forces that are already reshaping labor strategy, care delivery, and executive decision making.  Segment 1: The “Peace Treaty” Hangover The New York City nurses strike has officially ended at NewYork-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai, but the real impact is just beginning. The tentative agreement sets a national precedent: a 19% wage increase over three years paired with an ironclad staffing enforcement clause. If staffing ratios are missed, nurses receive automatic premium pay with no arbitration and no delay. HR takeaway: This is not just a labor story. It is an operational and financial risk signal. HR leaders should immediately calculate their staffing miss rate and model what automatic penalties would have cost last month. If you wait for the union to raise this, you are already behind.  Segment 2: The Telehealth Countdown Extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire in 11 days, on January 30, 2026. Without Congressional action, the geographic originating site rule snaps back on February 1, limiting reimbursement for home based telehealth visits outside rural areas.   HR takeaway: Do you know which providers in your system would be out of compliance on February 1? If not, why not? This is a data and workforce planning problem, not just a policy issue. Patient access, provider schedules, and employee time off will all be affected if telehealth abruptly contracts.  Segment 3: The Efficiency Wave Moves West Following Alameda Health, Providence announced cuts of approximately 450 non clinical roles across Washington and Oregon, while CVS Health and its subsidiary Oak Street Health are closing clinics and reducing headcount. Growth at all costs is giving way to margin preservation.   HR takeaway: This is not panic. It is a phase change. Expect continued role consolidation, automation, and redeployment. The best organizations will reskill and redeploy talent with integrity, transparency, and real choice, not force disguised as opportunity.  The Bigger Picture Labor contracts, care delivery models, and financial discipline are converging fast. If you are in healthcare HR and still see yourself as adjacent to strategy, it is time to step forward. The teams who engage now will be shaping enterprise decisions a year from today.  🎧 Listen in, get ahead, and lead from the center.  From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN  Support the show

    40 min
  5. #201 - Nurse Strikes, Layoffs, and Compensation Challenges

    JAN 12

    #201 - Nurse Strikes, Layoffs, and Compensation Challenges

    In this week’s Monday News Drop, hosts Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier unpack the critical workforce, policy, and compensation trends shaping healthcare HR as we move deeper into 2026. From labor risk to pay strategy to the expiration of ACA subsidies, this episode delivers practical insight leaders can act on immediately. Key Topics Covered: Nurse Strike Risk & Staffing Ratios With New York City facing potential large-scale nursing strikes, the conversation highlights how staffing ratios are shifting from policy language to enforceable labor contract terms. The takeaway for HR leaders is clear: transparency, staffing communication, and proactive workforce planning can reduce strike risk faster than wages alone. Medicaid Cuts & ACA Subsidy Expiration The team explores the real-world impact of Medicaid funding reductions and the expiration of ACA premium subsidies. Hospitals are already seeing layoffs, rising uncompensated care, and growing emergency department utilization. HR leaders are urged to prepare for budget volatility, workforce redeployment, and increased pressure on frontline staffing. Workforce Redeployment Over Layoffs Rather than defaulting to layoffs, this episode reinforces the case for redeploying and upskilling existing employees. From patient access to revenue cycle roles, proactive retraining can stabilize operations while preserving institutional knowledge and morale. 2026 Pay Strategy Reality Check National merit increases have stabilized around 3–3.5%, but healthcare remains an outlier with sustained wage pressure. The hosts discuss why across-the-board increases no longer work and why differentiated pay strategies are essential to retain top clinical talent and manage wage compression. The HR Imperative This episode reinforces a core message: workforce shortages are now structural, not cyclical. Burnout is an organizational risk, not an individual failure. And HR leaders play a central role in navigating labor relations, compensation strategy, and policy-driven disruption. Actionable Takeaways for This Week: • Run a strike-risk audit with nurse leaders • Audit per diem and part-time coverage options • Review telehealth compliance timelines • Identify redeployment and upskilling opportunities 🎧 Listen now to stay ahead of the workforce, policy, and compensation shifts redefining healthcare HR in 2026. From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN Support the show

    30 min
  6. #200 - Our 200th Episode... Healthcare HR in2026

    JAN 6

    #200 - Our 200th Episode... Healthcare HR in2026

    We made it to Episode 200, and this milestone edition of The ASHHRA Podcast could not be more timely. Kicking off 2026, co-hosts Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan are joined by Jeremy Sadlier for a wide-ranging Monday News Drop that examines the forces reshaping healthcare HR, workforce strategy, and hospital operations right now—and what leaders must prepare for next. What’s Inside Episode 200: Workforce Shortages Are Structural, Not Cyclical The conversation opens with a hard truth: healthcare workforce shortages are no longer temporary. Leaders must move beyond short-term hiring fixes and focus on long-term workforce redesign, redeployment, and internal talent mobility. Burnout Is an Organizational Risk Burnout is no longer framed as an individual resilience issue. The team discusses why burnout is increasingly viewed as a system failure—one that impacts safety, engagement, retention, and financial performance across health systems. Upskilling Is the New Retention Strategy Degree pathways, certifications, and employer-funded education are emerging as the most powerful retention tools. Developing internal talent is no longer optional—it’s essential to sustainability. AI in Healthcare HR Is Moving Faster Than Governance From recruiting and scheduling to workforce analytics and productivity modeling, AI adoption is accelerating. The challenge? Governance, bias controls, and leadership readiness are lagging behind the technology. The Expiration of ACA Subsidies and Its Ripple Effects One of the most urgent discussions centers on the recent expiration of ACA subsidies. The group breaks down what this means for hospital finances, emergency department utilization, workforce planning, and HR budgets in 2026 and beyond. Why This Episode Matters This isn’t just a look back—it’s a clear-eyed look forward. Episode 200 challenges healthcare HR leaders to think systemically, plan strategically, and step confidently into their role as operational leaders during a time of unprecedented change. Whether you’re focused on workforce planning, employee engagement, AI strategy, or healthcare policy impacts, this episode delivers perspective you can use immediately.  From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN Support the show

    49 min
  7. #199 - The Evolving Role of HR Leaders in the Age of AI

    12/18/2025

    #199 - The Evolving Role of HR Leaders in the Age of AI

    In this returning episode of The ASHHRA Podcast, co-host Luke Carignan sits down with Jeff Knapp, for a timely and candid conversation about artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and what it truly means to lead with humanity in an age of rapid automation. Jeff brings a rare and powerful perspective to the discussion. With a career spanning roles at Aramark, Walgreens, PE-backed organizations, nonprofits, and large public companies, Jeff frames AI not as a threat to HR, but as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to refocus the profession on what humans do best. Key Themes Explored: AI in Human Resources: Why generative and agentic AI are best used to eliminate repetitive, transactional tasks so HR leaders can focus on strategy, leadership development, and culture.From Deskilling to Reskilling: Jeff challenges the fear-based narrative around AI, arguing instead that HR is entering a reskilling era that demands curiosity, adaptability, and courage.The New Role of the CHRO: Today’s HR leaders must be part strategist, part technologist, and fully human. Jeff explains why fluency in AI, data, and change management is now essential for executive relevance.Preserving Humanity at Scale: As automation increases, empathy, compassion, and authentic leadership become more valuable, not less. AI should amplify the human experience, not replace it.Workforce Planning & Learning Innovation: How AI-driven insights can enable real-time learning, personalized development paths, and smarter workforce decisions.Throughout the episode, Jeff and Luke emphasize a core truth: the future of HR is not about replacing people with machines, but about freeing leaders to lead more deeply, thoughtfully, and humanely. Whether you are an HR executive, business leader, or someone navigating organizational change, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight into what’s coming next—and how to lead confidently through it. From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN Support the show

    37 min
  8. #198 - Why 84% of Healthcare Workers Feel Underappreciated and How HR Can Respond

    12/15/2025

    #198 - Why 84% of Healthcare Workers Feel Underappreciated and How HR Can Respond

    In this week’s Monday News Drop, Bo Brabo, Luke Carignan, and Jeremy Sadlier tackle two headlines that should have every healthcare HR leader paying close attention: reported job eliminations at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a new survey showing more than half of U.S. healthcare workers are considering leaving their roles. The conversation cuts through headlines and focuses on what HR leaders need to understand, question, and act on. 🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode VA Job Cuts: What’s Really Happening? Reports indicate the VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 healthcare positions. Bo, Luke, and Jeremy question whether these are true workforce reductions or long-standing vacant roles finally coming off the books. The discussion highlights why transparency matters, especially for veterans, clinicians, and HR leaders trying to understand the real impact on access to care and workforce planning. 55% of Healthcare Workers Considering a Job Change A new survey reveals 55% of healthcare workers plan to switch jobs, while 84% feel underappreciated and only 20% believe their employer is invested in their long-term growth. The hosts break down why this isn’t just a retention issue—it’s a leadership and engagement problem hiding in plain sight. Why Surveys Aren’t Enough Annual engagement surveys alone aren’t fixing the problem. The episode emphasizes the importance of frequent, real conversations, visible follow-through, and leaders being willing to share results transparently and act quickly before employees disengage or leave. HR Visibility Matters With HR teams shrinking and more roles moving off-site or remote, Jeremy underscores the risk of losing connection to frontline staff. When HR isn’t present, stress signals are missed—and engagement declines. AI Is Already Reshaping Work The hosts discuss real-world examples of AI in healthcare, including ambient clinical documentation and coding. While AI can reduce administrative burden and improve patient care, it also raises urgent questions about workforce redeployment, career pathways, and change management. 💡 Key Takeaway Workforce challenges are converging—burnout, perceived lack of appreciation, structural cuts, and rapid technology change. The solution isn’t software alone. It starts with listening, acting, and treating employee engagement as a strategic priority tied directly to patient experience and organizational sustainability. From Our Sponsor(s)... Optimize Pharmacy Benefits with RxBenefits Elevate your employee benefits while managing costs. Did you know hospital employees fill 25% more prescriptions annually than other industries? Ensure cost-effective, high-quality pharmacy plans by leveraging your hospital’s own pharmacies. Discover smarter strategies with RxBenefits. Learn More here - https://rxbene.fit/3ZaurZN Support the show

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

  The ASHHRA Podcast is the definitive audio briefing for healthcare HR leaders navigating what’s next.  Hosted by Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, this weekly podcast explores the forces reshaping the healthcare workforce, from talent shortages and leadership burnout to data-driven HR strategy, labor relations, and policy shifts that impact care delivery.  Each episode features candid conversations with CHROs, senior executives, and industry change-makers who are solving real problems inside hospitals and health systems right now. No theory, no fluff, just practical insight from leaders in the arena.  Listeners gain clarity on complex workforce challenges, early signals on emerging trends, and grounded perspectives that help bridge strategy and people operations. Whether you lead HR for a health system, support workforce strategy, or influence organizational culture, this podcast equips you to make better decisions with confidence.  New episodes drop weekly, with timely news updates, deep-dive conversations, and forward-looking insights designed for healthcare HR leaders preparing for 2026 and beyond. 

Information

  • Creator
    Robert "Bo" Brabo and Luke Carignan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ASHHRA Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ASHHRA Podcast

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