The CereCore Podcast

Phil Sobol
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The CereCore Podcast brings you conversations focused on the intersection of healthcare and IT. From practical advice to strategic thought leadership, hear how healthcare IT leaders are navigating the decisions, challenges and journey of delivering technology to improve healthcare in their community today and in the future.

  1. AUG 27

    The Value of Advocacy in Rural Health: A CFO’s Perspective

    What happens when a hospital leader takes lessons from both the CEO and CFO seat into statewide advocacy? You get a strong advocacy voice for rural health. In this episode of The CereCore Podcast, host Phil Sobol talks with Tim Powers, Chief Financial Officer of the Idaho Hospital Association, about his 35-year journey in healthcare leadership. From turning around struggling hospitals in Idaho and Nevada to guiding 51 member hospitals today, Tim shares how advocacy, partnerships, and culture are essential to financial resiliency. He unpacks the challenges rural hospitals face from workforce shortages and labor costs to revenue cycle management and cybersecurity and explains why collaboration is the key to thriving, not just surviving. Listeners will hear stories of turnaround, mentorship, and the calling of rural healthcare leadership. In this episode: - Tim’s journey from “fix-it guy” to rural hospital CFO and CEO - How turnaround stories shaped his passion for advocacy - The value of Healthcare Business Ventures in supporting IHA members - Why Medicaid expansion, workforce culture, and cybersecurity top the financial agenda - Lessons from ransomware and EMR conversions in critical access hospitals - Advice for rural leaders: do not operate in a silo, lean on each other Whether you are a hospital executive, board member, or policy advocate, this episode offers practical perspective and inspiration on the role of advocacy and financial stewardship in sustaining rural health. Connect with - Show host Phil Sobol, Chief Commercial Officer of CereCore - Tim Powers, CFO of the Idaho Hospital Association Explore Resources CereCore® brings hospital operations experience and healthcare IT expertise together to support organizations like IHA members. From revenue cycle technology assessments and EHR optimization to managed IT services and cybersecurity, we can help you extend your team’s capacity. - Revenue Cycle Technology Adoption Model: Where does your organization stand? - Cybersecurity Assessments: Protect your data and minimize risk - IT Advisory Services: Gain an outside perspective rooted in healthcare operations

    43 min

  2. JUL 28

    The Value of Leadership and Optimization: A CNO to CEO Story

    From the ED to the C-suite, Dr. Kathy Tussey, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital, has never stopped solving problems. Dr. Tussey shares how EHR optimization became a strategic imperative and why it’s about more than technology. In this conversation with host Phil Sobol, she discusses the ripple effect of technology on staff, patient safety, regulatory and revenue cycle. Hear how her nursing roots shaped her approach to executive leadership, why rural hospitals can’t afford to lag behind, and how partnerships like the one with CereCore are helping her team work smarter, not harder. In this episode: - How a curious nurse became a forward-thinking hospital CEO - The critical role of EHR optimization in rural healthcare - How AI and analytics can reclaim time with patients - Why partnerships are essential for transformation - Leadership lessons from a collaborative, growth-oriented leader Dr. Tussey is an encouraging leader who is dedicated to operational excellence in healthcare. Whether you’re a CNO, CIO, or aspiring healthcare leader, stream this episode and get inspired to lead with purpose, optimize your technology, and never stop learning. Connect with show host Phil Sobol, chief commercial officer of CereCore Connect with Dr. Kathy Tussey, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital Did this episode spark your interest? We'd love to hear from you. Let’s start a conversation about how we can help you improve healthcare technology for providers and staff. Need to evaluate your EHR? We can help you assess your EHR and develop a roadmap like we provided Dr. Tussey and Harrison Memorial Hospital. We can extend the capacity of your team from MEDITECH professional services to ongoing application management, IT support, infrastructure, regulatory reporting, and virtual chief information security officers.

    31 min

  3. JUN 24

    Building Trust: From Expanse Rollout to High Reliability Organization

    Explore a remarkable journey of transformation, resilience, and leadership in rural healthcare. Host Phil Sobol welcomes back Lynn Falcone, CEO of Cuero Regional Hospital, and Ismelda Garza, CIO Cuero Regional Hospital and CereCore manager, for a candid conversation about their multi-year effort to implement MEDITECH Expanse and evolve into a high reliability organization (HRO). From overcoming infrastructure limitations to unifying disparate systems across hospital and clinic settings, Lynn and Ismelda share how they build trust within their teams and continue to manage change through constant communication. They discuss: - Why Cuero chose MEDITECH Expanse and how it improved patient safety and operational efficiency - The critical role of communication and governance in sustaining momentum post-go-live - How IT supports a culture of safety and continuous improvement - The realities and misconceptions of rural healthcare leadership - Practical insights on navigating AI, staffing challenges, and change fatigue Whether you're leading a rural hospital or managing enterprise-wide IT transformation, this episode offers grounded wisdom, humor, and inspiration for healthcare leaders navigating complex change. Listen to discover how Cuero Regional Hospital is redefining what’s possible in rural healthcare.

    41 min

  4. MAY 29

    Developing a Digital Strategy for True Clinical Innovation

    What happens when a former clinician becomes the architect of digital transformation? You get bold, practical innovation that actually works. In this episode of The CereCore Podcast, we talk with Julie Demaree, Executive Director of Clinical Innovation and Transformation at St. Mary’s Healthcare Amsterdam, about how she’s turning tech frustration into clinical empowerment. From rebuilding trust in the EHR to rolling out ambient AI and automation bots, Julie shares how her team is making digital tools work for—not against—providers. If you're a healthcare CIO, informatics leader, or tech strategist, this episode is your blueprint for: - Building a digital strategy that clinicians actually love - Creating governance that fuels innovation (not red tape) - Using data, AI, and automation to solve real-world problems - Bridging the gap between IT and clinical care—without burning out your teams Julie’s experience proves that clinical innovation isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about solving problems with purpose. Listen and get inspired to lead your own transformation journey.

    42 min

  5. APR 30

    Why IT Governance Leads to Innovation and Growth

    How do you strike the right balance with IT governance? Peyman Zand, chief strategy officer at CereCore, talks about developing strategic plans and IT governance to drive innovation and growth. In this conversation with host Phil Sobol, chief commercial officer at CereCore, Peyman shares how to align strategic planning and governance with enterprise goals. Hear why it's important to establish a multidisciplinary governance structure, the pitfalls of overly complex or simplistic models, and how emerging technologies like AI can be integrated without hindering progress. Tune in to discover how effective IT governance builds strategic alignment so your leadership team can better navigate today's pressures. Key topics - Achieving the right balance of IT governance - How strategic planning and IT governance work together - Pitfalls of governance models - Decision making tool for navigating challenges like tight capital budgets Explore resources Connect with CereCore to collaborate on strategic roadmaps that will help you drive innovation and move your organization forward. Get strategic guidance with our advisory team.

    20 min

  6. MAR 24

    CNO Day in the Life: Leading through Change

    Clinical staff want more from their EMR explains Judy Krupala, Chief Nursing Officer at Cuero Regional Hospital. In this episode, hear what’s important to clinical leadership and staff when it comes to technology, their experience transitioning to MEDITECH Expanse and approach to integrating technology into patient care. In this conversation with Phil Sobol, Chief Commercial Officer at CereCore, Judy covers a wide range of important topics for nurses in rural health, from training and leadership programs for the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders to the importance of partnerships. Tune in to hear stories of community, devotion, and words of wisdom from Judy Krupala, a nurse leader who's been serving Cuero, Texas for more than 30 years. Key topics - Technology and innovation in nursing – what nurses want, what’s important and what’s changed - MEDITECH Expanse – the challenges and successes of transitioning to a new EHR - Training and equipping nurses in rural health - The multiple hats a CNO wears - Cuero Regional Hospital’s family-like culture - The importance of community and collaboration with organizations like TORCH (Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals) Explore resources CereCore brings unique perspective as hospital operators with deep expertise in the major EHR platforms, MEDITECH, Epic, and Oracle Health (Cerner). Learn how you can maximize your EHR investment, regardless of your technology roadmap or stage of the journey.

    22 min

  7. FEB 28

    From AI to EHR: How to Approach Healthcare Innovation Today

    AI is going to change our entire healthcare system, and so are strategic approaches to EHR optimization and continuous improvement. Darrell Bodnar, CIO of North Country Healthcare, unpacks top of mind healthcare leadership topics from operationalizing new technologies like AI and machine learning to optimizing the EHR for clinical efficiencies and workflow optimization. Hear practical leadership advice for navigating today’s cost pressure challenges and creative approaches to employee development and satisfaction. And, hear how Darrell’s career pivot from culinary arts to CIO comes full circle with his passion today for hospice care and giving back to the community. Key topics: - Adoption of AI and ambient listening - CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program - Aligning technology with organizational goals - Challenges and lessons learned with merger and acquisition - Empowering employees and satisfaction with Yellow Belt training - Importance of partnership

    33 min

  8. JAN 30

    CIO Insights: How to Pursue Big Technology Opportunities and Satisfaction

    Focus on what’s most important for a health system. That’s what Kevin Olson, CIO at Jupiter Medical Center, explains as he talks about their Epic implementation, the challenges and opportunities of unifying fragmented systems, and governance in IT decision-making. Kevin also delves into the role of AI in healthcare, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and much more in this conversation with podcast host, Phil Sobol, chief commercial officer at CereCore. Listen for practical advice from a healthcare IT leader with 20+ years of experience and whose heart runs deep in serving others. Key topics include - Epic implementation and legacy EHR support - The important role of governance in IT project prioritization and execution - Practical applications and governance of AI in healthcare - Understanding AI models, bias, and risk management - Market dynamics, competition and its impact on IT strategy - Recharging during intense IT projects - The value of mentorship, peer collaboration, and continuous learning in healthcare IT

    25 min
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About

The CereCore Podcast brings you conversations focused on the intersection of healthcare and IT. From practical advice to strategic thought leadership, hear how healthcare IT leaders are navigating the decisions, challenges and journey of delivering technology to improve healthcare in their community today and in the future.

Information

  • Creator
    Phil Sobol
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean