The Vurge

Divurgent

The Vurge Podcast brings together trailblazers, experts, and industry disrupters to explore the future of tech and innovation in the healthcare industry. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or have just begun your career, this podcast will bring you thought-provoking ideas and opinions sure to bring value to all who listen. Join us in our latest episodes to stay up to date on the innovative changes that are transforming healthcare as we know it. 

  1. Navigating Healthcare's Tech Revolutions with Chuck Christian, CTO at Franciscan Health

    12/08/2025

    Navigating Healthcare's Tech Revolutions with Chuck Christian, CTO at Franciscan Health

    This episode of The Vurge features Chuck Christian, VP of Technology and CTO at Franciscan Health, in conversation with Divurgent Principal Pete Wiley. The discussion centers on the rapid pace of technological change in healthcare, comparing it to other industries and exploring whether healthcare is keeping up or lagging behind. Chuck shares insights from his extensive career, highlighting the challenges of balancing innovation with patient safety and the need for cautious adoption of new technologies. He uses vivid analogies, such as the "mule and buggy" metaphor, to illustrate how healthcare often plays catch-up with technological advances, emphasizing the importance of securing patient records and the complexities of integrating new systems across a large hospital network. The conversation also delves into the evolution of IT leadership roles, the creation of a technical innovation lab at Franciscan Health, and the critical role of clinical expertise in technology adoption. Chuck discusses the impact of AI agents, the ongoing struggle for interoperability in healthcare, and the importance of accurate patient identification. The episode concludes with reflections on change management, strategies to reduce clinician fatigue, and advice for emerging IT leaders: never stop learning, seek diverse perspectives, and look beyond healthcare for technological inspiration. Throughout, Chuck underscores the mission-driven nature of his organization and the need to ensure technology serves both clinicians and patients effectively. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    1 hr
  2. AI on the Frontlines of Care: Nasim Eftekhari of City of Hope

    10/22/2025

    AI on the Frontlines of Care: Nasim Eftekhari of City of Hope

    This episode of the Vurge podcast features Nasim Eftekhari, Chief AI and Analytics Officer at City of Hope, discussing her journey from computer science into healthcare and her leadership in AI-driven innovation within oncology. Eftekhari shares how her team developed predictive models for clinical decision support, including sepsis prediction for bone marrow transplant patients and models for surgical complications and mortality, all fully integrated with their EHR. She details the evolution of these models from traditional machine learning to generative AI, highlighting the development and impact of HOPE LLM—a domain-specific large language model trained on oncology and biomedical data.  Eftekhari’s insights into AI governance are especially relevant. She describes City of Hope’s robust, multidisciplinary governance framework that balances innovation with risk management, ensuring ethical and responsible AI deployment. She also emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration with other leading cancer centers, and the need for IT teams to proactively adapt to AI’s impact on roles and workflows. She concludes with optimism about AI’s future in drug discovery, multimodal disease understanding, and the transformation of healthcare operations, while urging a balanced approach to both the excitement and limitations of AI. Learn more about Nasim on LinkedIn.  Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    37 min
  3. Divurgent CEO Colin Konschak (18th Anniversary Episode)

    09/15/2025

    Divurgent CEO Colin Konschak (18th Anniversary Episode)

    Join host Wendy Hoffman, President & COO at Divurgent, as she sits down with Colin Konschak, the company's Founder and CEO, to celebrate Divurgent's 18th anniversary.  In this episode, they discuss Divurgent’s journey, the evolving challenges in healthcare IT, and how innovation and culture drive lasting impact. Discover how Divurgent supports clients through digital transformation, talent solutions, and managed services, all while staying true to their core values.  Learn more about Colin Konschak on LinkedIn. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    16 min
  4. Lee Health CIO Rick Schooler on IT Governance, Collaboration, and Managing Change

    10/02/2024

    Lee Health CIO Rick Schooler on IT Governance, Collaboration, and Managing Change

    In this episode, we're joined by Rick Schooler, the CIO of Florida-based Lee Health. Rick shares his journey from aspiring college athlete to healthcare IT leader, highlighting his extensive career in the industry. He discusses the significant transformations in healthcare IT, emphasizing the importance of governance and executive sponsorship for successful IT projects. Rick also addresses leadership challenges, such as maintaining team culture amidst constant changes and the shift in performance evaluations for remote workers. He stresses the need for leaders to immerse themselves in on-site operations to understand the realities of the work and build personal relationships with their teams. The episode concludes with Rick's reflections on his career and the lessons learned from his experiences. Learn more about Rick Schooler.  Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    34 min
  5. Go-Live Leadership Lessons with Oliver Galicki

    07/03/2024

    Go-Live Leadership Lessons with Oliver Galicki

    We talk with Oliver Galicki of Memorial Hermann Health System, who transformed a football injury into a thriving career in healthcare IT. Listen as Oliver reveals how the leadership skills he developed on the field are now essential in guiding Memorial Hermann's Epic implementation. He shares the importance of teamwork, communication, and maintaining focus as Memorial Hermann approaches a critical Go Live milestone.  Oliver shares the strategies that helped overcome resistance and manage employee concerns, and we delve into the unique dynamics of managing a remote IT team, maintaining employee satisfaction, and the benefits of structured in-person collaboration weeks. Tune in for a compelling blend of leadership, sports, and healthcare IT wisdom. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    28 min
  6. Aspire to Inspire: Chuck Podesta's Journey of Healthcare IT Leadership and Reinvention

    05/24/2024

    Aspire to Inspire: Chuck Podesta's Journey of Healthcare IT Leadership and Reinvention

    Venture with us into the heart of Renown Health's IT transformation, where CIO Chuck Podesta's financial savvy led to slashing IT overhead while safeguarding jobs and boosting staff morale. Discover the ingenious strategies that not only reduced spending from 7% to a lean 4%, but also enhanced operational efficiency and fostered employee engagement. Chuck's commitment to maintaining a human-centric approach amid fiscal challenges is a roadmap for any leader looking to navigate the rough waters of organizational restructuring without losing their team's trust and enthusiasm. Chuck's personal story is a masterclass in career agility and personal reinvention. Here he shares his inspiring journey from an unhealthy lifestyle to crossing finish lines at marathons worldwide. His metamorphosis into a passionate runner symbolizes his philosophy of perseverance and growth, which echoes through his professional mentorship. Chuck's mantra, 'aspire to inspire,' and his candid insights into overcoming setbacks will leave you motivated to set audacious goals and chase them down, one stride at a time. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    45 min
  7. Navigating Organizational Change in Healthcare: Insights from Divurgent

    04/15/2024

    Navigating Organizational Change in Healthcare: Insights from Divurgent

    On this episode of The Vurge, we welcome Debi Smith and Lily Farris to the show to unravel the tapestry of organizational change management (OCM). The duo tap into their rich experience in healthcare OCM to share how understanding the human side of transitions can lead to a successful transformation, especially when integrating intricate systems like Epic. Their stories reveal the delicate dance between developing strategic communication and nurturing leadership to guide teams through the ebbs and flows of change. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    37 min
  8. Advancing Healthcare with AI and Personalized Solutions (ft. Claus Torp Jensen)

    04/01/2024

    Advancing Healthcare with AI and Personalized Solutions (ft. Claus Torp Jensen)

    Imagine an environment where technology whispers timely advice, enabling care that’s as unique as our own fingerprints. On this episode of The Vurge, Rebecca sits down with Claus Torp Jensen. Claus is a passionate c-suite leader with two decades of transformation and technology experience. He is dedicated to building, leading, and inspiring diverse teams that propel both patient care and team spirit forward. Tune in for an episode that sketches a future where healthcare transcends traditional boundaries, embracing a patient-centric model that harmonizes virtual and in-person care. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and be sure to subscribe to The Vurge for the latest episodes and more. Interested in being a guest on the show? Click here to learn more.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Vurge Podcast brings together trailblazers, experts, and industry disrupters to explore the future of tech and innovation in the healthcare industry. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or have just begun your career, this podcast will bring you thought-provoking ideas and opinions sure to bring value to all who listen. Join us in our latest episodes to stay up to date on the innovative changes that are transforming healthcare as we know it. 

Information

  • Creator
    Divurgent
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Vurge
  • Show Website
    The Vurge